THE FUSE

Choosing the right cultivar is one of the most important decisions a farmer makes before planting a crop. The cultivar selected can influence yield, production costs, crop performance and the ability of a crop to cope with different farming conditions. Farmers also need to consider the risks associated with growing a particular cultivar, especially when weather conditions and production environments vary from one area to another. Making this decision without reliable information can increase uncertainty and affect the profitability of a farming operation. For this reason, research-based cultivar evaluation provides farmers with useful information that can support better planting decisions.