Indian Head Agricultural 

Research Foundation

IHARF On-Farm Research Guide &
Data Analysis Tool

Growers looking to perform their own basic research experiments now have two new tools to do so. IHARF has created an IHARF On-Farm Research Guide (PDF) and Data Analysis Tool (v.1.1) (Excel spreadsheet) to assist with the research.

The IHARF On-Farm Research Guide provides growers and agronomists with the information needed to conduct basic field experiments. The guide includes worksheets and sample calculations, as well as illustrations of possible field layouts. Complimenting the guide is the IHARF Data Analysis Tool (v1.1), an Excel spreadsheet that allows growers to easily input and analyze the research results.

The purpose of on-farm research is to test the success or failure of adopting new products or practices. Taking the time to properly implement simple experiments can be rewarding for a number of reasons. If a product or practice is consistently successful in field trials, it can be adopted with confidence. Failure, on the other hand, allows growers to save time and/or money by rejecting the change before adopting it on the entire farm.

On-farm research allows growers to assess what works and what does not on their own farms. Furthermore, by initiating their own trials, growers can have full control over the research that is completed and can increase their understanding of the design, benefits and limitations of research.

Download the: IHARF On-Farm Research Guide (PDF) and Data Analysis Tool (v.1.1) (Excel spreadsheet).

For more information, contact Chris Holzapfel at chris.holzapfel@agr.gc.ca.

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There is also an assumption being made that producers, with a small investment, can get into the production of bio-diesel with relative ease and meet some of their fuel needs. After doing a bit of reading and talking to people in the know on this topic, it might be a bit more complicated than at first glance. (Full Story...)