Paper published on successful ADAS agronomics approach to on-farm experiments

A new paper has been published demonstrating how ADAS Agronomics precision data approach to on-farm experiments can be used to deliver a high experimental success-rate, precise results, and make a real impact on the farming industry.

Written by ADAS Crop Physiologists, Susie Roques, Dr Pete Berry and Dr Daniel Kindred, along with BASF’s Dr Jonathan Helliwell, the paper was a write-up of the first three years of BASF Real Results on-farm trials conducted using an Agronomics approach.

The farmers involved conducted around 50 on-farm experiments per year between 2017 to 2019 to compare fungicide programmes in winter wheat. The trials were a great success with 96% of experiments completed and returning a yield result. This is a greater success rate than commonly achieved in on-farm experiments. The project results also received substantial publicity within the UK farming community, demonstrating the value of effective on-farm research for engaging and informing farmers.

This paper describes the development and testing of approaches for such research and concludes which approaches should be adopted to maximise success by incorporating the benefits of both ‘farmer-driven’ and ‘scientist-driven’ on farm experimentation.

‘Successful approaches for on-farm experimentation’ is available on the Science Direct website.