Thicke in Practical Farmers? research, demonstration project

Francis Thicke of rural Fairfield is participating in Practical Farmers of Iowa?s Cooperators Program research and demonstration projects for 2012.

This year, which marks the program?s 25th anniversary, nearly 80 farmers and cooperators across Iowa are participating in 53 on-farm research and demonstration projects to answer questions they have about on-farm challenges.

Cover crops, on-farm energy, fly monitoring in cattle and the feasibility of adding a third crop are among the research priorities identified by Practical Farmers of Iowa members at the annual Cooperators Meeting, held each winter in Ames. Farmers attend and guide the Cooperators Program by identifying their priority research and demonstration needs for the year.

The Cooperators Program is supported by a competitive grant from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University.

The program began in 1987 by farmers looking to save money through more judicious use of inputs. Today, the program focuses on a range of topics areas, including grazing, horticulture, field crops, on-farm energy, niche pork and poultry, and food purchasing questions. Since its debut, Practical Farmers of Iowa farmers have conducted more than 1,000 research trials and shared that information extensively with neighbors and other farmers through field days, workshops and research reports.

Completed research reports, as well as future reports, can be viewed online at Practical Farmers of Iowa?s website at www.practicalfarmers.org.