Case Study

Plot Trial Programs

Overview

In the crowded crop protection landscape, differentiation based on performance is challenging. Herbicide resistance, regional factors, soil conditions, and cultural practices further complicate decision-making for growers.

AgCall collaborates closely with our client to offer a prescriptive crop protection approach. This involves field-scale trials nationwide to identify best practices for maximizing yield and crop quality. The program, executed with high-touch involvement, compares the client's recommended program against the grower's standard program throughout the season, supported by AgCall field specialists.

The Challenges

Lack of familiarity with a whole new approach to on-farm trials and grower engagement
Organize a database of trials that accurately represent growing conditions, cultural practices, soil types, and real-world conditions across a wide geography
Take the burden of site management and data collection off of the client’s sales team to allow them to focus on selling, while still obtaining a complete, comprehensive data set for each trial

The Goal

Build awareness and confidence around client’s innovative approach to working with individual growers to develop a planned strategy for high yield management
Show how growers can increase crop performance and yield by incorporating client crop protection products at appropriate intervals throughout the growing season
Establish and maintain plot sites that accurately reflect real-world farming practices
Gather data and assets, including agronomic assessments, photos, yield data and grower comments from the trials to help tell the story at a local level

Solution

Recruit, train, and manage Associates for efficient trial management and data collection.
Collaborate with client sales reps to select growers, secure agreements, and develop season-long plans.
Oversee all trial sites, ensuring proper application and obtaining grower testimonials.
Develop forms for data collection and utilize AgCall Field Trial Manager™ for reporting.
Capture comparison photos and store them online for client access.
Provide weekly reports, including grower and Associate observations, site visits, and photos.
Administer compensation for Associates and honorariums for participating growers.
Summarize each trial at the end of the season, showcasing treatments, results, and grower feedback.

Results

Over the years, AgCall has managed thousands of plot trials across the U.S. and Canada. Highlights of this program include:

Year 1:

72 trials, managed by 18 Associates
2,200 photos
290 grower comments captured
585 Associate comments captured
7,440 data points evaluated
Four on-site testimonial video shoots, coordinated though client’s advertising agency

Year 2:

73 trials, managed by 28 Associates
3,200 photos
365 grower comments captured
446 Associate comments captured
3,000+ data points evaluated
Seven on-site testimonial video shoots, coordinated through client’s advertising agency

Year 3:

45 active trials, managed by 23 Associates
1,684 photos
400+ grower and Associate comments captured
One on-site testimonial video shoot, coordinated through client’s advertising agency

Additionally, this program has provided the client with a robust set of marketing communications content that has been used to fuel social media messaging, website content, advertising, trial summary fact sheets, and testimonial videos.

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