The term on-farm research refers to experimentation on farms that range from researcher-directed experiments to farmers conducting experiments completely on their own.
On-farm tests have a high level of farmer involvement because the farmers help decide what to test and perform most or all of the work.
The goal of on-farm testing is to evaluate the performance and potential application of a particular farming practice using a valid experiment. It is not done to determine cause/effect relationships. The farmer may or may not receive help from the Extension educator or university researcher in gathering data. Often farmers receive only minimal help such as designing the test, locating portable weighing equipment for harvest, and interpreting the results.
On-farm testing makes use of statistically valid experimental designs, including true replication and randomization. This improvement has had a significant impact on the outcome of farmer conducted research.
Farmers are achieving a much higher degree of trust in their experimental results, and find it easier to interest others in their ideas. Only a few acres are needed to produce an accurate comparison between a new practice and the grower's normal practice. As a result, on-farm tests reduce the risk of trying new farming techniques.
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