Bayer Expands Preceon Smart Corn Across U.S. Acres

Mar 06, 2026
By Farms.com

Bayer Expands Preceon Smart Corn to 85,000 Acres in 2025

Bayer is entering the fourth year of U.S. availability for its Preceon Smart Corn System through the Ground Breakers Field Trial Program, having exceeded its targeted commercial acreage milestone for 2025.

During its third season, the program expanded to roughly 85,000 acres—nearly tripling the previous year’s footprint and surpassing projections in Bayer’s launch roadmap. Participation grew to 655 growers, including 594 grain producers and 61 silage operations, with support from 348 dealers.

Preceon remains available only through the Ground Breakers program to a limited number of growers and select geographies as Bayer advances toward a full commercial rollout.

“The roadmap is deliberate,” said Lindsey Battle, Preceon Strategy and Launch Lead, North America. “We are scaling in phases — validating performance across more acres, more environments and more management systems as we move to full commercial launch.”

The 2025 season not only marked acreage expansion but also shifts in management practices. Growers planted Preceon at an average population of approximately 41,600 plants per acre, compared to about 34,500 plants per acre for conventional corn with an increase of more than 7,000 plants per acre. The higher seeding rates reflect confidence in stalk strength and standability.

Internal evaluations further showed a 39% increase in average root volume across soil depths during mid-reproductive growth stages compared to conventional-height corn. The larger root systems are designed to support plant resilience under varying environmental conditions.

“What we’re seeing is not just acreage growth. It’s management evolution,” said Andrew Penney, Preceon Agronomy Lead, Bayer Crop Science. “When growers consistently increase planting density by several thousand plants per acre and still feel confident making late-season applications, that tells you they trust the crop’s structural integrity. The root data reinforces that we’re building a system designed to perform under pressure.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Bayer plans to double acreage, expand into new regions including the Northeast, and grow its lineup to 16 hybrids, adding five new options across both grain and silage systems.

Visit www.preceon.com for more information.

Photo Credit: preceon-smart-corn-system

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.