Demonstrations have been used for a long time by the Agricultural Extension Service to show farmers that research findings could be transferred to the field.

To paraphrase a statement made by Seaman A. Knapp, one of the early proponents of demonstrations, “What a man reads he may doubt, what a man hears he may doubt, but what he sees for himself he cannot doubt”.

Sometimes we get “carried away” with the use of “high sounding” words or the use of the metric system or statistical jargon to the extent that we confuse farmers instead of giving them information which they can easily understand and apply on their farms. In this light, I am reminded of a scholarly presentation of a nursery rhyme — can you identify it?

A female of the Homo sapiens species was the possessor of a small, immature ruminant of the genus Ovis, the outermost covering of which reflected all wavelength of visible light with aluminosity equal to that of a mass of naturally occurring microscopically crystalline water. Regardless of the translation pathway chosen by the Homo sapiens female, there was a 100 percent probability that the forementioned ruminant would select the same pathway.

Many of us want to see agricultural practices demonstrated under farmer conditions to not only convince the farmer, but to convince ourselves. It is important to have confidence in the results as well as to understand the conditions which might influence the results. If a nitrogen demonstration is to be conducted on bermudagrass, then a field which is nitrogen deficient would be ideal. In other words, plan the demonstration to the extent that the outcome could be predicted and in most cases the differences could be seen, and better still, measured.

Demonstrations can be simple comparisons of two treatments i.e. check, no fertilizer versus soil test fertilization. Generally, plots of this type take less time, less planning and a large number can be done with the least assistance. For more complicated demonstrations such as intensive grazing, greater planning, more people and disciplines are involved, more equipment and supplies, more time and effort and a greater number of measurements are needed. Also, only a small number of grazing demonstrations can be supervised adequately to insure success.

Now, let’s talk about taking research to the field by the use of demonstrations. As Seaman A. Knapp said, “if they see it for themselves on their farm or on a neighbor’s field, the practice will be more readily accepted”. First we must have a strong, efficient, productive and reliable research program to provide the basis for effective Extension demonstrations. Support must be given to our research counterparts to encourage timely endeavors which will have application to farmer problems. We need to support the LAND GRANT CONCEPT for colleges and universities; TEACHING, RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.

There are many different demonstrations which can be used and the most effective ones usually are problem oriented. The following are some of the demonstrations which have been used over the years. Many of these are still applicable because new research has provided additional information or new management systems have evolved such as NO-TILL which might require slightly different inputs.

FERTILITY: Nitrogen on fescue, bermudagrass, sorghum x sudangrass, orchardgrass, ryegrass, small grains, bahiagrass and other grasses for hay, pasture and silage; Lime on alfalfa, clovers and other legumes; Phosphate and potash on pastures and alfalfa; “How do you get rid of “broomsage” — Lime and fertilize by soil test, plant clovers and grasses and graze the pastures rather closely”.

INSECT CONTROL: Alfalfa weevil control, army worms and other insects.

DISEASE CONTROL: Resistant varieties and seed treatments.

WEED CONTROL: Fertilization, mowing and livestock management, and herbicides for control of musk thistle, buttercup, ragweed, sumpweed, dock, horse nettle etc.

VARIETIES: All forage plants — excellent opportunity with new species and varieties.

RATES AND DATES OF PLANTING: Fall and winter growth, winter hardiness, seasonal growth, fall versus spring seeding for certain species.

RENOVATION: Chemical and mechanical means of seeding legumes in pastures.

SOD SEEDING-NO-TILL: Chemicals to kill or suppress old sods or other vegetation, forage varieties for use in no-till, row width and seeding rates and cross seeding.

SEED COATINGS: Legume inoculation, disease control and nutrient coating for grasses.

GRAZING: Alfalfa-dairy and beef, stockpiling fescue, winter and summer annuals, renovation, backgrounding calves, intensive grazing, fungus free fescue versus fungus infected fescue and others.

HAY: Species and varieties, stage of harvest, covers for round bales, forage testing and hay judging.

SILAGE: Stage of harvest, species and varieties, wilted silage versus direct cut, types of covers for trench silos, types of silos, forage testing and silage judging.

THERE IS A LOT TO BE LEARNED BY LOOKING, FEELING AND TASTING HAY AND SILAGE WHILE JUDGING THESE CROPS.

Some people get excited when talking about demonstrations and their use. About 30 years ago two men gave a talk at the ASA meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio and were asked to repeat the talk in five other states. The title of the talk was DEMONSTRATIONS RATE HIGH AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL. Over the years, demonstrations have continued to be important in Extension forage work.

It seems that the major factors contributing to the success of demonstrations might be:

1. There is a problem and research has provided the information for a solution.

2. The demonstrations were well planned.

3. The county agents were involved in the planning and execution.

4. Good farmer cooperators were selected.

5. The appropriate disciplines and persons, including industry where needed, participated.

6. The machinery, seed, fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, cattle etc. were available when and where needed.

7. The location of the demonstration was accessible. (next to a well traveled road).

8. Appropriate signs were erected.

9. Field days were held and demonstrations were photographed with data taken and presented.

Add to this list other factors which you have found to be important for successful demonstrations.

Let me encourage you to use demonstrations as a teaching tool. Work with the county agents and you will inspire them and promote confidence in the needed forage programs, as well as confidence in and support of research.

It has been a real pleasure to have participated in this SPFCIC conference, but even more satisfying, is the high caliber of personnel which is engaged in forage Extension and research activities.

In closing, the following jingle expresses some of my thought concerning the future of Extension demonstrations.

EXTENSION DEMONSTRATIONS WITH RESEARCH INFORMATION IN HAND WILL HELP SOLVE FORAGE PROBLEMS THROUGHOUT THE LAND