Emily Beach; UF/IFAS Agriculture Agent, Lafayette County
Contributor
On-farm trials are experiments that are established by farmers to test a product (pesticide, fertilizer, etc.) or farming practice that has been done on a small-scale format at a university research station or on private sector research land. The purpose is to develop science-based answers to questions and/or challenges that farmers have. Examples of on-farm trial topics could include disease treatment, pest management, planting practices, water and nutrient applications or any topic about growth of crops.
In the case for UF/IFAS, on-farm trials are conducted as a collaborative effort with the producer and extension agent or specialist in which the testing question, design and methods are planned and then put into action. On-farm research gives a more realistic picture of outcomes due to the larger size of the trial along with real world conditions instead of more controlled conditions that may happen in smaller research plots. The method for this typically includes defining objectives for the trial by identifying a problem or question to be answered, selecting an appropriate and accessible demonstration site, defining treatments, designing the trial, then putting that plan into action with careful management and observation.
This scenario benefits the producer by being able to “learn by doing” with the newest technologies and concepts while working alongside an extension agent, with support from specialists, who is also learning and building trusting relationships that will last a lifetime. The outcome of on-farm trials should be to offer the learned information to other producers and agents through field days and the production of deliverables that may be referenced in the future for those with the same questions. The goal of these projects is to better understand concepts like nutrient management, water usage and conservation, and improved practices overall.
There are many on-farm trials being conducted in our area currently following careful planning and prior testing at the North Florida Research and Education Center-Suwannee Valley. Those trials include nutrient management for corn and watermelons, water conservation and quality for several crops, fungicide treatment for peanuts, and there are plans for several others. If you are a producer that would like information about on-farm trials, please feel free to contact Emily Beach at elbeach@ufl.edu or call (386) 294-1279.