Land utilized for corn and soybean production comprises approximately 148,000 acres, nearly 50%, of Daviess County’s land surface.  Combined, their gross value annually meets or exceeds 200 million dollars.  The Daviess County Extension grain variety demonstration plots for corn and soybeans are the most trusted and relied upon source of data chosen by farmers and landowners when selecting brands to plant on their farms.  

Major regional and national seed suppliers contact the Daviess County Extension Office annually requesting to provide, at no cost, nearly $30,000 retail value of seed inventory required to conduct the yield demonstration plots.   The reason for this is multifaceted.   First, they know our plots are conducted on multiple site locations under various production environments, then compiled in a unique composite highlighting performance across all locations.   Second, seed companies as well as the farming clientele know our plots are conducted in an equal opportunity, unbiased manner; just as they have been conducted annually for more than 55 years by the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service and cooperating farm businesses.  Results of the success of the Daviess County research and demonstration plots are proven.  Each year, sales of the top-performing seed brands in each of the product categories tested are increased relative to competitive brands of type and maturity.   Often the first question salespeople are asked by farmers from this region regarding seed orders is, “How did it do in the county plots?”

This statement proves the worthiness of our testing program and adds validity to the value of time invested in providing this service.  In the 2023 yellow corn trials, the difference between the highest composite yield and the lowest was 32 bushels per acre.   If the choice in 2024 is made for the top performer versus the lowest on only 10% of Daviess County corn acres, it would represent an additional revenue of $864,000 at a $4.50 harvest price.  The potential total economic gain to the county annually provided by results of the grain demonstration trials is equal the annual office-operating budget.  This provides taxpayers with a sound return on investment.    

The Daviess County research and demonstration plots also serve as a leadership development program.  Each year, one or two new cooperators are added to the list of those willing to take time to plant a plot location.  As much as 8 hours is often required to plant and harvest a single location. This cost of their time value during planting and harvest is immeasurable.  These farmers know that the best information they will ever receive is compiled from their own land.  They also understand that the data they provide will be used by hundreds of others to make the most informed seed selection possible