LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sports metaphors are plentiful, and Beck’s field agronomists Rob Nalley and Travis Coleman put them into play when talking about Beck’s practical farm research during the 2025 National Farm Machinery Show.

“This is not just a book full of studies, it’s a playbook,” Nalley said of the thick publication outlining research conducted by Beck’s at family-owned locations in Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and the Mississippi Delta. Numerous studies are conducted each year on corn, soybeans, processes and chemistry.

One of the studies Nalley discussed involved planter adjustments, noting a lot of yield can be lost with just one incorrect setting on the planter. Settings can include downforce, closing wheel pressure and planting depth, among others. Bottom line: Take the time to adjust the planter correctly for your crop and your growing conditions.

Other topics included the best way to apply nitrogen and how much nitrogen to apply for the best return. Fungicide and the best way to apply it were addressed. Based on Beck’s studies, the best application process was by drone, rather than ground application.

A brief but intriguing discussion occurred about fall seeding of soybeans treated with heat-activated coating rather than early spring seeding. Nalley said tests are being done on this technology.

For more information on the research conducted by Beck’s, see a local Beck’s agronomist or visit beckshybrids.com.