Intentional Design.
Disciplined Execution.
Transparent Communication.
Trial scale, replication level, treatment structure, measurement intensity, and field placement are fundamental design decisions. We collaborate with clients to build the right plan to meet your research objectives. Then we execute with discipline at the appropriate scale - from controlled small-plot studies to full commercial-scale work - to deliver data that you can trust to make decisions. And we communicate with clarity from planning through reporting to give you complete confidence in your trial investment.
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Small-Plot Precision Trials
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If you need to screen a large number of treatments to identify the right candidates to move forward in product development or to hone in on product rate, placement, and timing decisions, then small plot scale is the right choice.
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Application: Product screening, interactions, rate/placement/timing studies ​​​
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Typical Dimensions: 10' W x 40'-50' L​​​​​​​​
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Replications: 4-8​​​​
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Treatments: 8-20+​​​​
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Small-Plot Equipment​​​
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PLANTER. The most critical piece of equipment for successful farming and field trial research is the planter.
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We have invested in a custom-built 4-row planter featuring advanced components from Precision Planting, including:
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Cornerstone row units with hydraulic downforce
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Variable rate electric drive vacuum meters
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Center and sideband in-furrow fertilizer application
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Dual band CoNceal nitrogen placement (2x2x2)
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Belt-drive seed tubes
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Pneumatic closing system​​​
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RTK guidance
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Electronic rate control and digital data recording
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Why does it matter? Because the planter components work in concert to deliver consistent seed placement, spacing, and emergence, while providing a range of options for placement of fertilizer and additives. That reduces variation and translates to more consistent data at the end of the season.
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SIDEDRESS APPLICATOR. Many fertilizer additives target side-dress application timing to impact the corn plant during rapid vegetative growth.
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We have a farm-built custom 5-knife side-dress applicator, featuring pump and control components from Precision Planting, two independent product tanks, and digital recording.
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Why does it matter? Electric controls enable rapid rate changes and a wide range of rates to be applied as the unit travels plot to plot. That translates to accurate product application at a critical stage of growth.
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Field-Scale Trials
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When products are being finalized for commercialization and market relevance takes center stage, field-scale trials can reduce variability and enable clear articulation of the value proposition within real commercial systems.
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Application: Commercial systems, operations validation, marketing data ​​​
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Typical Dimensions: 20-40' W x 100-250' L​​​​​​​​
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Replications: 3-5​​​​
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Treatments: 2-6
Commercial-Scale Equipment
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The 4-row planter can be used to plant double width plots
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John Deere 1790 40' 16-32 twin-row with 2 hoppers and RTK
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John Deere S670 20' 8-row combine
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20' Great Plains NT Drill
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30' 3-Point Bulk Sprayer
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UTV-mounted bulk dry fertilizer spreader
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Vertical Till and Strip Till Equipment
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Cloud-based data capture in John Deere Operations Center
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Custom sprayer, spreader, and drone applications
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Why does it matter? Commercial trials allow more confident detection of smaller responses within production systems that matter to real-world farmers in the region.
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Specialized Expertise
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We specialize in soil fertility and fertilizer additives. We also offer trial services across a broad range of needs in the ag sector:
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Granular and liquid fertilizer, additives, seed treatments, crop protection products
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In-furrow, side-furrow, shallow band, deep band, side-dress, dribble band, surface broadcast, and broadcast with incorporation​​​​​ placements
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In-season soil, root, tissue, microbial, and plant biomass measurements
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Crop injury assessments, weed control scores, disease ratings, nutrient deficiency ratings, vigor ratings
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Ground-level photos and multi-spectral imagery
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Professional weather data
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Data and Reporting
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Raw data alone is insufficient. You need organized summaries that allow efficient review, seamless exportation, and informed decision-making. Effective reporting should:
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Clearly identify plot plan and plot numbers associated with specific replications and treatments
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Compile all measurements into a single integrated plot-level dataset
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Distinguish numerical differences from statistically supported differences
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Identify anomalies or outliers and document plausible reasons
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Document all background agronomics, management practices, and relevant weather conditions
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Present data in a format aligned with your preferences
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Structured reporting ensures that data can be easily imported for advanced analyses and put to work quickly to support product development decisions.
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Location and Land​
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Our farm is situated in south-central Illinois in the so-called 'Gray Prairie' region, which has good organic matter levels to support high productivity, but also can be prone to periodic stressors during the growing season. This makes our testing environment highly responsive to nitrogen, fertility treatments, biostimulants, and stress mitigation products. Our land base is 100% owned, flat, uniform, and productive.
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Intentional Design.
Disciplined Execution.
Transparent Communication.
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Data You Can Trust​
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Field trials should serve to support decisions - product positioning, rate strategy, placement guidance and performance validation. That requires more than yield data - your trials need rigorous design, disciplined execution, and transparent communication.
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FieldHawk provides multi-scale research systems built around those principles. We deliver data that withstands technical scrutiny and supports confident action.
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If you are planning field research for the coming season, we welcome a conversation to help you structure the program thoughtfully and execute it precisely.
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