Shelly Pate Kerns, the LSU AgCenter corn, grain sorghum and cotton specialist, is continuing a tradition that many agricultural scientists across Louisiana and the country have done since the turn of the 20th century — the on-farm demonstration plot. Nearly all agronomic crops have these vital research tools, and farmers across the country have greatly benefited from them.

For Kerns, this is her first full year to oversee the corn core block trials. When she started with the AgCenter in 2024, the sites had been chosen and planted prior to her arrival. This year, she has 13 sites across the state representing various soil types, different seed companies and each farmer’s own unique cultivation techniques.

“These demonstrations are data driven,” Kerns said. “The seed companies take this data and are able to see how well their hybrids perform across many different environments.”

The farmers also have incentives. According to Kerns, farmers can see for themselves the many different hybrids. “For new farmers, seeing them up close can be extremely beneficial,” she said.

Kerns said many of the participants are graduates of LSU and feel this is one way they can give back to the university.

There are several data points collected throughout the studies. Of course, yield is always the No. 1 factor to consider. But there are several others that provide important information to growers, scientists and seed companies.

Irrigated versus nonirrigated is examined. Investing in an irrigation system is a big-ticket item for producers, and if a hybrid performs well without irrigation, a farmer may be able to avoid a costly input item.

Another major input cost is fertilizer. Not all demonstrations will use the same rates and timing of applications. These differences may provide clues that help the hybrids perform their best.

“Another big factor is soil types,” Kerns said. “Louisiana has so many different soil types, and they can vary from one site to another. Seeing which ones perform best in specific soil types is invaluable.”

While Kerns is new to the program, she is not the only newbie. “We have six new agriculture and natural resource agents in the northeast part of the state,” Kerns said. “I really enjoy walking the fields with them, and in many ways, learning right alongside them.”

Many farmers volunteer on an annual basis to be a site. Seeing how each hybrid performs on their farms gives them information they could not get elsewhere. More importantly, they are tested using the techniques farmers use across their operations.

David Smith, a Beauregard Parish farmer, has held demonstration plots on his farm for more than 25 years. He has participated in demo plots for corn, soybean, milo and wheat. In 2025, he has a corn hybrid trial, a fertility study with soybean and a fungicide trial with soybean.

A primary reason for his willingness to participate is the knowledge he gains from the demonstrations and how it relates specifically to his farm.

“Where I farm, it is really helpful to see how these hybrids perform on the land I actually farm,” Smith said. “It is very applicable to me.”

He also enjoys working with the different individuals associated with each crop and the agents who are involved with the program.

“I feel that getting to know these people helps me when I start to experience a problem on my farm,” Smith said. “I know who to contact, and I believe they are willing to work with me to help overcome the problem.”

Since 2015, a total of 136 corn hybrids have been tested statewide, providing crucial information to growers across the state. Kerns said some farmers have kept some of their older equipment operational so that they can continue to participate in the on-farm demonstrations. She believes this speaks to the value of the research.

A publication entitled Corn Hybrids for Grain is published annually with data from the plots and can be found on the AgCenter website.