The Answer Plot^® Innovation Farm in Washburn, North Dakota, recently hosted retailers for two days of demonstrations and learning. Day one was part of a series of Answer Plot Live events hosted at Answer Plot locations across the country this summer, with topics ranging from new CROPLAN seed products and data-driven hybrid placement to emerging crop technologies and agronomic management strategies. Day two showcased research focused exclusively on diverse crops, including sorghum, canola, sunflowers and alfalfa.

Attendees left with practical insights they can apply to help their growers make more informed recommendations and decisions on the farm. Want to know what they saw and learned? Here are a few highlights to keep in mind as seed and management decisions are made for next season.
 

Day 1: Answer Plot Live Recap and Key Takeaways

Day one highlighted new technologies, agronomic research and how field-level data can translate into better seed management decisions. Much like other Answer Plot events, sessions took concepts that can be difficult to evaluate on paper and put them into a real-world field setting, giving attendees the opportunity to see how products, technologies and management practices perform in the field. Key takeaways included:

- Applying data to seed management decisions: The new M5 tool from CROPLAN seed uses Answer Plot data across soil type, yield environment, population, nitrogen and fungicide management to help recommend the right hybrid and management approach for each acre. 
- Exploring what’s next in corn and soybeans: Participants got an inside look at new CROPLAN corn products and technologies, along with emerging soybean trait platforms and what they could mean for future variety selection and management. 
- Advancing precision application technology: John Deere See & Spray™ technology and a live spray drone demonstration showed how new application tools can complement seed and agronomic decisions throughout the season.
 

Day 2: DFC Field Tour Recap and Key Takeaways

Day two focused on diversified crops, giving attendees a closer look at the latest research, product development and management strategies across canola, sunflowers, wheat, field peas and forages. Key takeaways included:

- Advancing canola performance: The canola session highlighted advancements in disease management, shatter testing and proprietary seed care technologies designed to support crop establishment and protect yield potential.
- Exploring new varieties and seed technologies: In a session on sunflowers, wheat and yellow peas, attendees learned about new varieties in development, innovative seed encrustment and pelleting research, and new seed treatment technologies, including Spryzo™ SF seed treatment for CROPLAN sunflower seed.
- Building stronger forage systems: Forage crop discussions covered alfalfa, sorghum and triticale research, including new varieties being developed for dry conditions, alfalfa establishment and disease tolerance, and saline soil considerations. Discussion also focused on management opportunities for sorghum and sorghum-sudangrass.

Turning Research into Real-World Recommendations

Together, the two days gave attendees a firsthand look at how CROPLAN seed and WinField^® United are using research at the Answer Plot Innovation Farm, and at other sites across the country, to turn field-level data into practical insights retailers can use when making seed and management decisions.

Ryan Moeller, WinField United seed product manager, emphasized that generating actionable insights is a key reason the Innovation Farm exists. “We’ve invested in the Answer Plot Innovation Farm to generate critical diversified crop management data and recommendations for farmers,” Moeller said. 

That investment allows CROPLAN seed and WinField United to continue to evaluate products and management practices in real-world conditions and develop locally relevant recommendations that help retailer and their growers select and manage seed with greater confidence.


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© 2026 WinField United. Important: Before use, always read and follow label instructions. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Ascend, CROPLAN, ST3 and WinField are trademarks of WinField United. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.