Taking on-farm trials to another level

“Agronomics is about bringing the experiments farmers run on-farm together with robust science,” Susie explains. “Within Real Results we’ve been helping farmers improve the design of trials and overcome the underlying variation in fields, as well as bringing precision to the analysis of results, through the use and analysis of yield maps. It’s taken farm trials to a new high standard.”

Working with spatial statisticians from the British Geological Survey, ADAS has developed bespoke software to clean and analyse yield map data. It’s a unique system that takes into account the underlying variation in fields.

“I’m not aware of any other on-farm project that has the level of robustness that comes from the yield map analysis,” says Susie. “For farmers it’s very valuable data. Every farm is different, so the results you see in a plot trial 20 miles away aren’t necessarily going to be replicated at home. The ability to test the latest products in their own conditions and situation has a lot of value.”

So far, the Real Results community has conducted 300 trials, with many farmers volunteering year-on-year to participate.

“There is always a learning curve,” notes Susie. “We are looking for fields with specific attributes and, at the beginning, farmers would come forward with land that wasn’t suitable, but today I’m nearly always offered near-ideal fields.

“Understandably, given the work involved, it also took a little persuading to replicate treatments in the field, but now, most appreciate that it’s worthwhile and delivers better quality data.

“Their investment in the Real Results trials have given back more than just data. Those farmers that have been involved for a number of years, have developed skills and understanding of designing and implementing trials,” says Susie.