Use of Whole Field Research to Change Farm Management Practices

On-farm demonstration trials have been used for many years to introduce new techniques and management practices to farmers. With new precision agriculture technology, it is now possible to work more effectively using whole fields instead of small test plots. Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) growers in the Drayton, ND, and St. Thomas, ND, sugarbeet cooperative districts have delivered sugarbeet historically lower in recoverable sugar and higher in impurities than the Red River Valley average. Resulting payments to these growers on a per-hectare basis also have been lower. Growers did not know why their sugarbeet harvest was lower in quality. It generally was believed by the growers that high available soil N was not a reason for the low quality sugarbeet because unusually high soil N levels generally were not seen following potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) through their normal soil sampling practices. A whole-field study was undertaken using precision farming techniques with the following objectives: (i) to determine the reason for the low quality sugarbeet, (ii) to test methods to improve the quality of sugarbeet, and (iii) to introduce those methods to growers to improve sugarbeet quality. Results of the study were shared annually with growers in a local town setting. Feedback from farmers was used to construct on-going demonstrations and studies. The studies reinforced ideas reported in previous research, but which had not yet been widely adopted by growers. The whole field studies resulted in an improvement in overall sugarbeet quality in the districts through increased adoption of better management techniques. L OCAL grower meetings and on-farm demonstrations have long been a standard method of introducing farmers to new technologies and management techniques. In a Nebraska survey (Rzewnicki, 1991), although about 75% of the respondents indicated that experiment station small plot research resulted in helpful information, more than 90% indicated that on-farm trials provided useful information. In the same survey delivered to a special interest group that had a history of on-farm strip-trials, only 59% indicated that small plot research was useful. A survey of extension specialists and agents in South Carolina indicated a tendency for producers to be reluctant to attend production meetings outside of county lines. These surveys suggest that larger trials conducted close to the problem area, combined with locally held meetings, would tend to have more impact than small plot research and meetings held a significant distance away from the local area. People adopt new technologies because the new techniques are perceived as bringing higher profits or are more convenient than the methods they are currently utilizing (Faber and Snyder, 1990). In a survey of irrigation scheduling users in California (Faber and Snyder, 1990), promotion of new techniques by local research and extension workers, a progressive grower population, and support of local government and the press helped some counties to have higher adoption rates than others. This study stressed that multiple methods of delivering information by multiple, cooperating groups is essential in achieving higher adoption rates of new technologies. Sugarbeet growers in the Drayton and St. Thomas districts have had historically lower recoverable sugar and higher impurities than the Red River Valley of Minnesota and North Dakota average. Resulting payments to these growers on a perhectare basis also have been lower. The rotation that dominated in the lower payment hectares included potato. Growers did not know why their sugarbeet plants were lower in quality. Soil testing at recommended sampling depths before sugarbeet planting usually was used as a basis for N fertilization by growers. Growers speculated that possible sources of the problem were a water table high in excess N, a nutrient imbalance other than N, or some unexplained soil N variability that might be found using grid soil sampling. Successful sugarbeet production is the result of high sugarbeet yield, high beet sugar content, and low levels of impurities. Mathematical formulas incorporating all of these factors are used to calculate grower sugarbeet delivery payments from the processing plants. Undesirable impurities consist of high K, Na, and amino-N concentration in the extracted juice and result in a high loss of sugar to molasses.