Properly planned on-farm research can be a valuable tool not only to producers, but to other sectors in the agriculture industry, says an Alberta producer.

Using an approach that partners the key players interested in research can provide realistic and relevant information to everyone, says Gordon Tuck who crops about 2,400 acres near Lavoy, Alberta.

Tuck, was part of an Alberta Pulse Grower project, called Landscape System Research Network that was designed to develop interaction among farmers, researchers and agronomists in conducting field-scale, on-farm trials. He explained the project to producers attending the 2008 FarmTech Conference in Edmonton, Alta.

Some of the obvious problems with many crop and livestock research projects is that they are conducted on small plots in perhaps very few locations.

While the information is useful to a degree, Tuck says the results don’t always reflect what happens:
-on my farm
-under my farm conditions
-using my farm machinery
-on my soil and landscapes
-under my management level
-under my input level

A on-farm research project, involving producers as well as researchers and other specialists, should instill confidence in the results; help maintain independence by not having to rely totally on information from someone else or from a business with a vested interest in the product; and provide the producer with a first-hand look at new and developing technologies.

“When properly planned and thought out there are few pitfalls to on-farm research,” says Tuck. “On-farm research does require a commitment to the project as well as plenty of planning and co-ordination amount participants.

“One of the key steps to a good project is  partnering. It is important to work with others to bounce ideas around and help with the organization of a research site. Partners can bring new skill sets and resources to your farm, such as statistical analysis, experimental design, other opinions, weigh wagons, labour – and the list is endless.”