Plan, Track On-Farm Research With New UNL Mobile App

May 14, 2015

Resources from the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network are now available at your finger tip — in the field, in the tractor or the truck, or wherever you use your cell phone. 

The new UNL mobile app by the same name — Nebraska On-Farm Research Network — enables producers to create treatment strips for their fields and develop a map of their research. Once the field is created, the user can enter information on insects, diseases, weeds, irrigation totals, and other key observations, including photos.

At the end of the research trial, the user inputs harvest data which can be exported as a Microsoft Excel file. The plot layout, observations, and yield data can all be emailed at any time as an Excel file. The data collected will be beneficial to both the app user and those evaluating the results within the research network.

"This app is the first known smartphone tool available for growers to easily develop their own infield, on-farm research trials," said Keith Glewen, Nebraska Extension educator.

The network is an opportunity for crop producers and UNL faculty to work closely and generate unbiased, research-based answers at the field level. Participants can collaborate with faculty to design and carry out projects and analyze the results.

"The power of on-farm research is being able to sort out inherent field and environmental variability to determine if differences are the result of the treatment being studied," said Laura Thompson, Nebraska Extension educator. "This app makes it simple to set up and visualize a well-designed study that will address questions growers are interested in.

"The introduction of this app is just one more way we are working with on-farm research participants to collect information that is important to them and to farmers all across the state," Thompson said.

Nebraska Extension Educator Brandy VanDeWalle noted the app also provides youth the opportunity to become engaged with the scientific aspects associated with on-farm research.

The free app is available for Android and iPhone.

Joining the network is also free. The mission of the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network is to assist growers in increasing production, reducing inputs, and maintaining or improving profits. To learn more about the network and the smartphone app, visit cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch.

IANR News Release