Land utilized for corn and soybean production comprises approximately 122,000 acres, more than 40% of Daviess County’s land surface.  Combined, their gross value annually meets or exceeds 66 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 extension office annually, willing to donate nearly $22,000 retail value of seed inventory needed to conduct the 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 annually nearly 50 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 2018 glyphosate tolerant corn trials, the difference of the highest composite yield and the lowest was 48 bushels per acre.  If the choice in 2019 was made for the top performer verses the lowest on only 10% of Daviess County corn acres, it would represent a net gain of $761,760 at a $3.45 harvest price.  The total economic information gain to the county annually based on results of the grain demonstration trials easily exceeds our total office operating budget.  This provides taxpayers 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 is a major sacrifice as 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.