Event Date

How do you conduct and manage robust research and development at scale on your farm? What are the best methods for data collection and analysis? What are the best approaches to collaborative projects with researchers?

Join us on April 28th as we explore the scientific approaches to on-farm trials and how to work more effectively with researchers.

With Defra funding now focusing more on farmer-led R&D, there has been no better time to set out on this venture and start conducting robust R&D at scale on your farm.

Although field trials and experiments are not new, the scientific approach underlying design and implementation has evolved, together with the technologies available to aid collection and interpretation of data.

Join us in-person at NIAB for a unique daylong event as we explore approaches to the design and implementation of field trails, and the technologies currently available to support data collection and analysis to allow you to get the most out of your field trials.

Who is the event for:

Everyone is invited, but it will be particularly relevant to:

  • Individuals working in agriculture who are looking to set up field trials, or work on a collaborative project with researchers.
  • Those seeking to gain more insight into the science behind on-farm trials, and technology available for large scale analysis and interpretation of data.
  • Individuals working in research who are interested in engaging with farmers and growers in experimental work

What can you expect to learn from the session?

Being your own researcher and scientist- where do you start?

  • The value of on-farm trails
  • What constitutes an on-farm trial, and innovating your own project

Setting up an on-farm trial: balancing robustness and practicality

  • How to design and set up a scientifically sound on-farm trials
  • Factors to consider during experimental design, and how to minimise variables
  • Balancing science with the everyday needs of your business

Gathering useful and meaningful evidence

  • Where technology fits into data collection, and how it can help with the process

So what? Interpreting results

  • Drawing robust conclusions from data
  • Removing bias from data analysis
  • The value of data collected from on-farm trials

Collaborating and co-designing with researchers

  • Managing expectations: what can reasonably be expected from a project
  • Common pitfalls to avoid when designing and embarking on a collaborative project
  • Getting the most out of collaborative projects and ensuring successful outcomes
  • Funding opportunities and advice for those starting out on new projects

Cost:

This event is £40+VAT for members of Agri-TechE, and £75+VAT for non-members.

 

View & book on Agri-techE website here.

Related Organisations

Connected Content

ADAS

ADAS provides ideas, specialist knowledge and solutions to secure our food and enhance the environment. We understand food production and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations operating in the natural environment

NCSPulse PEP
DEFRA

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs.

Agri-TechE

Agri-TechE is a business focused member organisation, supporting the growth of a world-leading network of innovative farmers, producers, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs who share a vision of increasing the productivity, profitability and sustainability of agriculture.

NIAB

The challenges of food security, climate change and sustainable development present exciting opportunities for agricultural research and innovation. The NIAB Group is the UK’s fastest growing crop science organisation, having trebled in size over the past decade through a strategic programme of investment, merger and acquisition.

Agronomics Line Trials

  Supporting farmers with robust design and analysis of on-farm experiments in tramline trials.

Farm centric research

Farm-centric research generally involves On-Farm Experimentation and may be better described as 'Farm Action Research', i.e. research conducted at least in part by and for beneficiaries who also farm. 

Farm-PEP

The ideas behind Farm-PEP came together in ~2018, drawing from the developments of Agronomics, the YENs, AHDB's Monitor Farm programme and the idea of a 'What Works' Centre for Agriculture. 

On Farm Experimentation

On Farm Experimentation (OFE) is increasingly being recognised as having transformative power in improving performance in agricultural systems across the world.

Events

Agricultural Shows have always been a very important place for farmers and the industry to share knowledge. The nature of agricultural shows has changed, but there are now an increasing number of staple events for a range of communities.

Farm-PEP FIP Partnerships

The development of Farm-PEP Performance Enhancement Partnerships to support on-farm knowledge generation through shared ideas, data and experimentation. Funded as part of Farming Innovation Pathways programme from Defra and Innovate UK Transforming Food Production.

Farmer led innovation

Many of the most telling innovations that make a difference on-farm come from farmers themselves, or from close collaboration between farmers, advisors, industry and researchers