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Written by: Synthesis Agri-Food Network on behalf of OSCIA

“You can’t manage what you don’t measure,” says Jennifer Doelman of Bonnechere Haven Farms about her motivations for on-farm research. “A lot of great innovations and products are being thrown at farmers. But until you can see how these innovations and products will work within your ecosystem and management style, you’re flying blind.”

Image of front cover “How to Conduct On-Farm Research Guidebook”

But not every farmer is as familiar with on-farm research as Doelman, who is one of 25 farmers participating in the On-Farm Applied Research and Monitoring (ONFARM) program. The four-year initiative examines the impact of agricultural best management practices (BMPs) on soil health. Recently, she shared her experience with OSCIA to create a helpful guidebook on How to Conduct On-Farm Research.

ONFARM is unique because the trials are designed to fit within the cooperating farmers’ operation to address their challenges and priorities. Through her ONFARM trial, Doelman studies the use of a cover crop and the application of biosolid pellets at different rates. “It’s important for our farm to understand how industry- recognized BMPs fare in our soils and fit within our management system,” she said.

Jennifer Doelman’s ONFARM trial in Renfrew County.

While trial results from public or private research are valuable, we know every farm operation across Ontario is unique. Before diving headfirst into using a new production practice or crop input, many farmers want to know how it will perform on their own farm and fit within their own management system.

The guidebook will walk farmers newer to on-farm research through the process of developing an effective research question, trial design, recordkeeping, data collection and analysis, and more. Regardless of experience level, a successful on-farm research project follows the same key guiding principles and methodology, which are outlined in this guidebook. It also includes helpful advice from veteran on-farm researcher and ONFARM cooperator Greg Hannam of Woodrill Farms Ltd.

“Keep records and notes on everything you do. Even though you have the best intentions when implementing a trial, you won’t remember the details two weeks or two months later. Recordkeeping is super important,” Hannam shared.

Through on-farm research, farmers can set their research priorities, see the results directly, and then decide whether it makes sense to change their management practices based on economic or environmental return on investment. In many cases, on-farm research may be a long-term investment, where farmers conduct similar trials over several years or fields before adopting a practice or technology farm-wide.

Diagram showing how on-farm research trials can be replicated within a field.

“It’s a good business practice to challenge your status quo,” said Hannam. “On-farm research provides a great way to learn and stay current with potential new technologies and practices, enabling you to get better at doing what you do.”

To download the How to Conduct On-Farm Research Guidebook or for regular updates on the program, visit the ONFARM website: https://www.osciaresearch.org/onfarm-applied-research/ and follow @OntarioSoilCrop on Twitter.

ONFARM is delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The program is funded by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

For more information about ONFARM, please contact: ONFARM@ontariosoilcrop.org.