The document provides guidance on effectively presenting data and research results to growers. It emphasizes conducting relevant experiments that generate meaningful data. When presenting results, only display the data that is most relevant to the audience and objectives of the study. Use charts and figures to illustrate trends from multiple data points. Present statistics as foundations of results, and do not overstate insignificant differences. Celebrate successful results and challenge growers with high yields.

1. Presenting Data to Growers
Dave Franzen
NDSU Extension Soil Specialist,
Fargo

2. Our Purpose-
Conduct applied research
relevant to grower needs
and present results in an
understandable manner.
When a need for change is
evident, present results in a
transformational manner.

4. Presentation of data is strongest when
strong data has been generated.

5. Nitrogen rate example-
Mission is to see if N rate affects
soybean yield-

6. Nitrogen rate example-
Mission is to see if N rate affects
soybean yield-
Site locations must be low in residual N.
-If sites are high in residual N, it would
be better not to conduct the study.

7. Weed control example-
Glyphosate control of lambsquarter.
-Site should be screened a year ahead
for lambsquarter pressure. If
pressure is low, look for another site.

8. Number of sites should be related
to impact of the study-
Demonstration on spray drift effects-
one or two sites probably enough.
Review P recommendations for corn-
need many sites over several years.

9. Make sure that all relevant background
data is taken-
If conducting an N trial and you have
a low response to N even though
residual N to 2 feet is low, taking
soil samples to 4 feet to discover
previously unseen deep N would be
a good practice.

10. So,
You have good data
You have lots of good data
You are really excited about this data
How should you present it?

11. First- Remember the objectives of the study
and relate the data to the objectives.
Example-
Objective- determine what effect different
levels of field pea in beef cattle rations
have on daily gain.
Data should clearly emphasize these effects.
Any other data should be minimized, or
not presented.

12. % pea in
ration
Methane
per
animal
Moos
per day
Water
intake
Feed
intake per
day
Average
Daily Gain
Cost of
feed
None 25 120 20 8 11 $5.00
10 27 110 22 8.5 11.5 $5.40
20 28 105 23 8.7 11.8 $5.80
30 30 95 24 8.8 11.9 $6.20

13. % pea in
ration
Methane
per
animal
Moos
per day
Water
intake
Feed
intake per
day
Average
Daily Gain
Cost of
feed
None 25 100 20 8 11 $5.00
10 27 110 22 8.5 11.5 $5.40
20 28 105 19 8.7 11.8 $5.80
30 30 95 23 8.8 11.9 $6.20
The data you present should be relevant to your audience
EPA?
Water commission?
Economic Analysis?
Animal psychologist?

14. Your killer slide to growers should be-
% Pea
In ration Average Daily Gain
None 11.0
10 11.5
20 11.7
30 11.8

15. Treatment
Plant N
5-leaf
%
100
kernel
weight
Plants/
m2
Test
weight
Moisture
at
harvest
Cob
weight/
20
plants
Yield,
Bu/acre
Check 3.5 100 g 10 56 18 1.2 110
50 lb N 4.0 102 g 10.5 56.5 17 1.5 140
100 lb N 4.5 101 g 9.8 56.2 16 1.4 180

16. Treatment, N rate,
lb/acre
Yield, bu/acre
Check 110
50 140
100 180

21. Most grower do not understand statistics (Figures lie, liars figure).
They will not believe these differences are not real. Better to state-

22. There were no differences
between the performance of
products A, B and C on crop yield.
The average yield for the
treatments was about 90 bu/acre.

23. These differences are insignificant. What should we say?

24. Displaying the data in this manner makes it easier to
make a non-significant difference point. Don’t fall into
the trap of saying “there appears to be a trend’..

25. 13
13.5
14
14.5
15
untreated
check
10 gal UAN 12 gal Coron 2 gal Coron
Irr Faller
Lebsock
average
2009 Carrington, ave. 2 sites, post-anthesis
application for protein enhancement. Schatz
Faller yields over 100 bu/acre Slide courtesy of Greg Endres

26. Do not underestimate the power of
the computer screen.

27. 1
2

28. 3
4
5
6
7
8

29. Don’t be embarrassed about success.
Celebrate it and challenge growers
with it-

30. Spring wheat yields with N rate,
Fortuna, 2009
N rate, lb/a Yield, bu/a
0 60
50 80
100 102
Be excited about the yields, not
apologetic!!!!
Challenge growers to do better!

31. Summary-
-Do your homework and set up
relevant experiments
-Generate appropriate amounts of
meaningful data
-Display only the data the audience
has the greatest interest in
-Use charts and figures to illustrate
trends if data are many
-Use statistics as your bedrock
and don’t disregard them when it’s
inconvenient

32. Summary-
-Challenge growers and don’t be
apologetic if your yields are
greater than theirs.