Building County/District Extension Agronomy Educational Programs While Strengthening Applied Research Data Bases.

On-farm demonstrations designed to compare differences in management practices and/or different levels of practices, have long been the foundation of County Extension Crops and Soils programs in Kansas.  Demonstration plots are set up to be visible and easily accessible, and can provide useful information for decision making by local and regional producers and advisors.  Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) is an important component of pasture and hay production operations in northeastern Kansas.  Kansas State University research plot results since the early 1970’s indicate that 80 pounds of actual N acre^-1 is the most productive and economically efficient N rate for smooth bromegrass production.  Increases in fertilizer nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) prices in 2007 and 2008 bring into question the accuracy of the previous recommendations.  Fifteen on-farm demonstration strip plots were established in seven local extension units comparing 10 different fertilizer N and P combinations and rates.  Dry matter production results and value of dry matter produced indicated that increased N and P prices did not justify a drastic drop in N fertilizer application rates.