Sponsor Products in FIRST Trials
Introduction: Welcome to FIRST Trials
Welcome to Farmers' Independent Research of Seed Technologies (FIRST)! Our mission since 1997 has been to provide farmers across the country with timely, unbiased comparisons of the latest seed genetics to boost their yield and profitability. We've grown from a small operation in Illinois to a program that tests corn and soybean products across the corn belt, in collaboration with farmers and regional and national seed companies.
Your Role as a Sponsor
As a seed sponsor, you are a crucial part of this process. You decide which products to test and where, and you provide the seed. FIRST, in turn, provides a fair and objective platform, with replicated tests on hundreds of cooperating farms, to showcase your products' performance in a variety of real-world growing conditions.
Timely Results
FIRST yield results are published on our website typically within 2 days of harvest, offering valuable, timely insights to farmers and the agricultural community. More time for decision-makers to research seed selections and to maximize early discounts.
Please review the sponsorship information on each tab on the left to learn about the procedures, policies, and expectations for participants in FIRST Trials.
If you have sponsored before, please proceed to manage trial applications.
We are grateful for the continued support of seed sponsors and look forward to another successful year of providing unbiased, independent data to farmers and the ag industry as a whole. We're excited to have you join us.
Questions? Contact our team at [email protected]
Quick Links
Procedures: How FIRST Trials Work
Testing Overview
FIRST's testing program compares corn and soybean seed product yield and agronomic performance in grower fields across corn belt states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Testing regions have been established to provide similarity by geography and crop maturity. Seed products within a predefined maturity range (e.g., 106 to 116 RM corn or 0.7 to 1.5 maturity soybeans) are pooled into a single, all-season test or split into early- and full-season tests depending on entry volume. The same line up of products are planted at 5 or 6 corn test locations or 4 soybean locations within a region.
FIRST Testing Regions (Click to enlarge)
Testing Methodology
Test locations are selected to represent the geographic diversity within a region. Ideal sites have uniform, well-drained soils where farmer hosts use standard production practices for the area. Typically, all tests at a location are conducted adjacent to each other to minimize yield variance between tests.
Seed companies and/or seed distributors are invited to submit their most promising seed products within specified test maturity limits to desired test regions. They provide high-quality seed from commercial lots and fees to enter FIRST tests. The only exceptions are check products (CK after product names, i.e. A1234 CK), chosen by FIRST Managers to bridge results between early- and full-season tests, and Grower Comparison products (GC after the product name), often provided by host farmers for their knowledge as test space permits.
Products are replicated three times minimum per test and grouped in sub-blocks arranged in replication blocks from front to back and side to side. This provides more precision in yield measurement and flexibility should a disruptive event (i.e., standing water) require elimination of non-uniform test areas.
Field Operations
FIRST Field Managers package, randomize, and plant seeds into host grower fields using slightly modified commercial planting equipment to facilitate mini strip research. Individual plots (a.k.a. mini-strips) contain 4 corn rows spaced 30-inches apart, 40 feet in length. Soybeans are planted in 4 rows spaced 30-inches apart or 7 15-inch spaced rows.
Soil insecticide is applied at the discretion of FIRST managers, usually for corn-on-corn plots, at planting. Seeding rate is based on standard area practices. FIRST Managers measure yield from the center 2 corn rows or all soybean rows using customized commercial combines. Grain from each plot is electronically weighed and moisture content measured.
Complete Process Guide
This guide walks you through the process, from submitting your application to receiving and using your performance results.
1 What You Can Enter
We test a wide range of products to ensure fair and relevant comparisons.
✓ Eligible Products
We accept genetically modified (GM) products that have full United States regulatory approval and import approval from major importers (like the European Union, Japan, and China).
Regional Exceptions
Some regions may have flexibility on export limitations. Please check with the regional Field Manager before entering technologies with specific limitations.
✗ What's Not Accepted
We cannot accept any products that require an Experimental Use Permit (EUP) for planting.
2 The Application
Naming Your Entries
Clear and accurate naming is essential for tracking and reporting. Your entries must be identified by their official commercial name (Company/Brand Name + Product Brand Name). This name must match the seed you supply. We reserve the right to abbreviate names to fit our report formats.
Entering Products in FIRST Regions
Once you have listed the products you would like to enter, you may select the regions where you would like to test your seed entries. Click here for more details on our FIRST Corn & Soybean Regions.
Entry intentions are critical to flagging plots and planning for the season, so FIRST appreciates timely applications and communication.
3 Supplying Your Seed
Timely and correct seed submission is critical for a successful test.
Seed Treatment
You may use any EPA-approved seed treatment. We strongly urge companies to use commercially available seed treatments.
Quantity & Packaging
- Quantity: Provide 15,000 kernels of corn or one half (0.5) unit of soybeans per entry, per region (unless specified otherwise)
- Packaging: Seed must be in a plot seed or commercial bag with all legally required labels and tags.
- Completeness: Seed labeling is very important for accurate test management and reporting that entries. Marking bags completely with seeds per pound helps with packeting and lot identification.
Shipping
Ship your seed directly to each regional manager as soon as it is available. Manager address(es) will be provided upon completion of the application. Please do not delay a shipment to wait for other, later-arriving seed.
4 Our Field Testing Protocol
Here's what happens once we have your seed.
Test Design
Entries are replicated at least 3 times at each location. They are planted in 4 single rows (30-inch spacing) for corn, and for soybeans either 4 rows (30-inch spacing) or 7 rows (15-inch spacing).
Field Conditions
Our tests are guided by the host farmer's real-world practices, including planting date, seeding rate, depth, tillage, soil fertility, and crop protection inputs.
Data Collection
We measure yield, grain moisture, plant lodging, and stand from the center 2 rows for corn, and all rows for soybeans.
Check Varieties
In regions with split-maturity tests, we use a common check variety. This is not for determining maturity but to help you standardize data and compare results between the two tests.
Plot Layout Design
Our standardized plot layout ensures consistent, reliable data collection across all test locations.
- Replicated design for statistical accuracy
- Randomized placement to minimize bias
- Uniform spacing and dimensions
- Optimized for combine harvesting
Grower Comparisons (GC)
If a test is not full, the manager may use the host grower's products to reach test capacity. These entries are labeled with a "GC" suffix and are included in all regional analyses.
5 Getting Your Results
We provide data in multiple formats for your convenience.
Public Reports
We publish Harvest Reports and Region Summaries as free PDF files on www.firstseedtests.com and through our media partners.
Sponsor Data Access
As a sponsor, you get access to tabular data (Excel or CSV) for all regions in which you have entries. This data is typically available 1 day after the location's PDF Harvest Report is published.
API & Software Integrations
We also offer API access, which includes the full dataset from each location (including unpublished data). Programmatic access to the data is available via authorized API for scripting and routing trial results directly into internal data management systems. Additional fees and terms apply.
How to Access Data
Data is available for trial participants via our business data portal: www.firstseedtests.com/business/. Access is granted to the Key and Data contacts listed on the season trial application.
To add or update contacts, please email our team at [email protected].
Please contact FIRST Business Manager Matt Dahle at [email protected] for more information.
Policies: Data Use & Refund Policies
Important policies regarding data usage, advertising guidelines, and refund conditions.
Data Use & Advertising Guidelines
You are encouraged to use your FIRST data, provided you follow these rules.
Copyright & Usage Rights
- Copyright: All FIRST test results are copyrighted
- What You Can Use: As a paid sponsor, you may publicly use performance results from your own branded products. This includes data from your paid entries, regardless of whether they were published in a Top 30 Report or not
Advertising Rules
- All claims must factually reflect the published results and not be misleading
- You must reference FIRST as the source
- You must include the following statement in all ads: "No product recommendation by FIRST is implied."
Reporting Inaccuracies
We ask our sponsors to help us maintain data integrity. If you see an advertisement that you believe uses FIRST results inaccurately, please send us a copy so we can take appropriate action.
Refund Policy
No Refund Conditions
- No refunds will be given for entrants who fail to provide an ample seed supply in a timely manner
- No refunds or credits will be given for weather-related events once a test is planted
Manager Discretion
If a test loss is due to field manager neglect, the decision to grant a refund or credit rests solely with the field manager for that region.
We will always alert you as soon as possible via site data and online reports if any plots become unharvestable.
Pricing: Fees to Participate in Trials
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact us to discuss options and next steps. We'll work with you on the testing that meets your goals and budget.
2026 Entry Pricing
Corn Entry
$775 per region
5 sites with 4 replications or 6 sites with 3 replicationsSoybean Entry
$600 per region
4 sites with 3 replications eachGet Early Access
Contact us now to discuss how to enter hybrids and varieties in the FIRST trials. FIRST is the largest independent seed trials network in the U.S. and a trusted source of unbiased performance data for US agriculture.
Contact UsSponsorship Eligibility
FIRST trials are public variety trials designed to independently assess the performance of corn and soybean seed offered in the commercial marketplace. We encourage seed companies to contact us about how to participate.
For sponsorship inquiries, please email us at [email protected].
If you are interested in FIRST trials but have not received an application in the past, please contact FIRST to set up your account.
Manage FIRST Trials Applications
Continue to application administration area to continue or create a new corn or soybean application.