81-5
Data to Decisions: Experiences, Guidelines, and Technologies for Establishing and Maintaining a Successful and Innovative Extension on-Farm Research Program.
See more from this Division: ASA Section: Education and Extension
See more from this Session: On-Farm Research: I. Data Analysis & Extension Implications
Monday, November 7, 2016: 11:45 AM
Phoenix Convention Center North, Room 127 B
Laura Thompson1, Keith L. Glewen2, Chuck Burr3, Roger W. Elmore1, Richard B. Ferguson4, Loren Giesler5, Paul Hay6, Troy Ingram7, Brian Krienke1, Dean Krull8, Thomas C. Hoegemeyer9, Suat Irmak10, Paul Jasa1, Gary Lesoing11, Joe D. Luck1, Taro Mieno1, Nathan D. Mueller12, Aaron Nygren13, Wayne Ohnesorg14, Jenny Rees15, Michael Rethwisch16, Ron Seymour17, Charles A. Shapiro18, Steve Spicka2, Strahinja Stepanovic19, John Thomas20, Amy Timmerman21, Brandy VanDeWalle22, Todd Whitney23, Charles S. Wortmann24, Robert Wright1 and Gary Zoubek25, (1)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
(2)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Ithaca, NE
(3)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Holdrege, NE
(4)Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
(5)Plant Pathology, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
(6)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Beatrice, NE
(7)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Central City, NE
(8)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Grand Island, NE
(9)Hoegemeyer Hybrids, Inc., Lincoln, NE
(10)Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
(11)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Auburn, NE
(12)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Fremont, NE
(13)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Schuyler, NE
(14)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Norfolk, NE
(15)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Clay Center, NE
(16)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, David City, NE
(17)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Hastings, NE
(18)57905 866 Rd., University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Concord, NE
(19)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Grant, NE
(20)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Alliance, NE
(21)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, O'Neill, NE
(22)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Geneva, NE
(23)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Aurora, NE
(24)Keim 369, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
(25)University of Nebraska - Lincoln, York, NE
Abstract:
U.S. farmers are challenged to increase crop production while achieving greater resource use efficiency. The Nebraska On-Farm Research Network (NOFRN), enables farmers to answer critical production, profitability, and sustainability questions with their own fields and equipment. The NOFRN is sponsored by the University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension and derives from two separate on-farm research efforts, the earliest originating in 1989.
We will share experiences and recommendations for initiating an extension on-farm research network. Partnerships are key to continued program growth and sustainability; recommendations for establishing and maintaining partnerships will be shared.
New agriculture technologies are becoming more common on farms, providing opportunities to both evaluate the utility of these technologies through on-farm research and use these technologies to collect on-farm research data. Spatially dense data such as yield monitor data, EC data, and aerial imagery are more readily obtained, allowing for new approaches to data analysis and interpretation. Specific skills and additional time are required to fully utilize data from these available technologies; access to individuals and teams with skills in data management systems and spatial data analysis are invaluable.
As the NOFRN participation and geographic spread has grown, new tools have been developed and employed to facilitate on-farm research data collection, analysis, and sharing. A variety of mediums including twitter, email newsletters, and YouTube are leveraged to extend opportunities and research findings to a technologically proficient generation of farmers and crop consultants. A smartphone app was developed to aid in plot layout and data recording. Additionally, an interactive archive of study results is available online.
To assess long-term impacts of the program, cooperating farmer perceptions, motivations, and behavioral changes resulting from study participation were documented in 2002 and 2016.
See more from this Division: ASA Section: Education and Extension
See more from this Session: On-Farm Research: I. Data Analysis & Extension Implications
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