Editor’s note: From the Field is a new column highlighting the research taking place through the Purdue on the Farm program.

You may have seen a “Purdue on the Farm” sign or two scattered throughout the countryside in 2024, thanks to support from corn and soybean checkoff dollars. And you probably wondered what that program is and what the people behind it are doing.

Purdue on the Farm is a focused effort to bring research and science-based information for corn and soybean growers from Indiana farms back to Indiana farmers. It is a purpose-driven approach where Purdue Extension educators and Purdue College of Agriculture faculty and staff have dedicated time and effort to provide a feedback loop for corn and soybean farmers. There are four major areas of focus: surveys, field monitoring, demonstrations and on-farm research.

Surveys. Surveys are loved by only a few but can be valuable to all. We call them surveys, and in some cases they are. Often, they are interviews, conversations or observations that help us fill in gaps in our knowledge base. How do we learn about trends in pest management, technology use, input costs or other forms of management? We must ask. When we ask, trends emerge.

Field monitoring. This is a uniform field assessment where Extension educators partner with local farmers to walk one or two of their fields throughout the growing season. The educators collect data to aggregate before, during and after the growing season.

Related:New program connects Extension, researchers, farmers

In 2024, this involved 67 fields in 27 counties. There were 44 farms covered by 26 educators, encompassing 3,699 total acres. Crop fertility, disease pressure and weed pressure were all assessed. Educators walked fields to assess crop conditions at postemergence, early reproductive stages and just prior to harvest.

Demonstrations. Farmers collaborate with Purdue educators, faculty and staff. This collaborative effort helps a farmer see what works, what does not work or what may have a negative effect on their efforts. Yes-no split trials, check strips and one-time replicated strips all fall within this category. More rigor may be applied if the farmer is on board with it.

On-farm research. We use set protocols coupled with educator and farmer input to create data using replicable methods. This data provides direct answers for the cooperating farmer. It also enhances Purdue’s data and research efforts and sometimes enhances national data. Often, this data will be aggregated with other on-farm data and data derived from Purdue ag centers to add rigor to answers found through the research.

Purdue on the Farm is where process, people and partnerships come together for corn and soybean farmers. It is a feedback loop where farmers help guide Purdue’s in-field research efforts while also having a stake in providing answers for all farmers statewide.

We are continuing to update our Purdue on the Farm website. You can also find us on YouTube @PurdueOnTheFarm. For more information and to contact us directly, email [email protected].