The official (coded) trials run by American Crystal were run prior to 1982 to supply information to growers to assist in selecting varieties. Starting in 1982, an approval system was implemented which utilized data from the official trials to select varieties which met specific requirements. The growers continue to receive data from these official trials to assist in selecting varieties.

Varieties Entered into Official Trials
Seed companies are invited to enter varieties into the Official Trial each year. The trials consist of commercial trials (required prior to selecting varieties for full approval), semi commercial trials (experimental status) which can be used toward gaining full approval, specialty trials (varieties with disease resistance) and biotech material which requires special handling due to government regulations or is not acceptable to process through our factories.

Field Map
Each grower’s field containing the official trials has the location of each plot (50 feet by 2, 4 or 6 rows) diagramed onto a field map. Each map is used to facilitate planting, note taking and harvest operations. Each location is typically 10 to 15 acres in size.

Seed Packeting by Seed Count

After determining the randomization (which plots will contain which varieties), seed for each two rows by 50 feet section of the field is placed in separate labeled packets. The weight of seed per packet is adjusted for seed size to maintain a uniform number of seeds planted. Seed for one variety is placed into all corresponding packets for all replications and locations (60 plots per entry for the commercial trials). The process then continues with the next variety.

Sorting Packets by Plot Order

After all varieties are packeted, the packets are placed into plot order.

Rodding of Packets for Planting

All packets for a specific location are placed into planting order (including demonstration and filler material) onto tables. The packets are then placed on metal rods to keep in proper order during transport and planting in the field.

Ready for Planting

Seed packets are ready for planting.

Field Map

The field map is referenced during the planting process to ensure all plots are planted in the correct order.

Planting

A special 12 row vacuum planter is used to plant the official trials. Three technicians each handle two seed dispersing units (each unit plants 2 rows). Each single packet plants two 50 feet long rows.

Planting
Plot numbers on the packets are checked against plot numbers on the field map to ensure accuracy.
plotted area map.pdf

Emergence Counts and Vigor Ratings

About 14 days following emergence, emergence counts and vigor ratings (plant sturdiness estimation with small numbers superior) are taken on the commercial trials.

Measuring Row Length

Prior to harvest, each row in measured for total length.

Measuring Gaps

Gaps over 30 inches are measured for the semi commercial and specialty trials. Footage is adjusted for net gap footage (exceeding 30 inches).

Defoliation

Plots are defoliated using a four-row defoliator. Occasionally the grower’s six-row or 12-row defoliator is used.

Ready to Harvest

Following defoliation, the area is walked and dislodged beets are returned to their position in the field.

Harvest

Modified two-row harvesters are used to harvest plots. Staff members check for beets missed by the harvester.

Harvester

Each harvester has a cleaning system to aid in soil removal. Additional cleaning may be required. Harvesters, as well as other machinery, are equipped with safety shielding to minimize exposure to moving parts.

Sample Bags

One quality sample, 10 to 20 beets, is taken from each plot and placed into a tare bag for processing at the Moorhead Technical Services Quality Lab facility.

Unloading Harvester

Bulk beets are transferred to a truck for transport to sugar factory for processing. The tare bags are transferred to a different truck for transport to Technical Services for processing.

Tare Lab Unloading Area

Tare bags are unloaded and placed on a conveyor to initiate quality analysis.

In Scale

Beets (prior to washing) are weighed and the sample ID bar code is scanned into the quality lab data collection system.

Topping and Transfer Station

Soil and green material are removed prior to sample collection. The out scale records the clean weight for each sample to allow calculation of tare percent.

Quality Lab

Each sample is analyzed for sugar and impurity components on equipment similar to the East Grand Forks grower quality lab. The Technical Service’s quality lab is smaller than the EGF lab.

Approval Calculations
Following data collection, statistical analysis, identification of varieties and combining of data across multiple years, and calculations determining approval status of currently approved and experimental varieties are performed.

Sample Approval Calculations pdf file