On-Farm Network Reports


Important information for interpreting statistics

There are two statistical tests that are used to analyze On-Farm Network data:

  • Paired t-tests
  • Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

Coefficient of Variation (CV)

This is the statistical measure of random variation in a trial.  The lower the value, the less variable the data.

Confidence Level

For our trials, we use a 95% confidence level. In statistics, the confidence level indicates how certain we are of the outcome of our statistical analysis.

P-value

While a confidence level tells us how certain we are of the results we get from statistical analysis, the P-value indicates if the results are statistically significant. The P-value is a probability that is calculated through the statistical analysis process. A P-value less than 0.05 indicates a statistically significant result, but a P-value greater than 0.05 indicates the results are not significant.

Interpreting Significance

So, if our statistical analysis indicates a significant yield difference, what does that actually mean? A significant yield response (where the P-value is < 0.05) means that we are 95% sure the yield difference resulted from the treatment. Alternatively, if our statistical analysis indicates there is no significant yield difference (where the P-value is > 0.05), then we are 95% certain that the treatment had no effect on yield.

Why are statistics important? Why does significance matter?

Why can’t we just look at differences in yield between treated and untreated strips to determine the effect of a treatment?

Variability in yield is expected from strip to strip across an on-farm trial due to the variability that occurs across a field. So, when we get yields from each of our trial strips at the end of the season, the question is whether those yield differences are simply a result of variability in the field, or, if the yield difference is a result of the treatment/management practice investigated in the trial. We can answer that question using statistics. If the results are statistically significant, we can say that the yield difference between treatments or management practices tested in the trial was caused by the treatment or management practice. If the result is not significant, then any yield difference is likely a result of variability within the field and not a result of the treatment or management practice.

Interpreting Results – An Example

In a soybean double inoculant trial, we test the effect of double vs. single inoculant on soybean yield. Let’s say, for example, the average yield difference between double and single inoculated soybeans for one trial was 1.5 bu/ac. This yield difference will be indicated as significant or not significant. If the yield difference is statistically significant, we can say we are 95% certain that the 1.5 bu/ac increase in yield is a result of the double inoculant treatment. But, if the 1.5 bu/ac yield difference is not significant, then the double inoculant had no effect on yield compared to single inoculant and the 1.5 bu/ac yield difference simply resulted from natural variability across the trial area.

MPSG does not endorse the use of products tested in the On-Farm Network. Although trials are conducted at multiple sites under varying conditions, your individual results may vary.  

Contents of these research publications can only be reproduced with the permission of MPSG.

Filter Reports

Filter the reports in the database table below by clicking the desired Crop, Year, Trial Type, and/or Major Region.  Within the database table, click on any column header to sort the table.  To view a single site report, select the Trial ID to open the single site research report in a new tab.

In the database table below, trials with significant yield differences are highlighted green in the yield difference column. On each single site report, significance is indicated by a ‘yes/no’ in the overall yield results table.

A trial that does not meet the trial requirements, eg. field history, is not included in the overall average for yield difference.

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Year Region Municipality Crop Trial Type Treatments Yield +/- Unit Trial Report
2023 Southwest Deloraine – Winchester Dry Bean Fertility 0 lbs N vs 25 lbs N vs 55 lbs N vs 85 lbs N lbs/ac 2023-DBN01
2022 Northwest Minitonas-Bowsman Pea Fertility Nexus Boron vs Untreated -0.8 bu/ac 2022-PBF01
2021 Central Norfolk Treherne Dry Bean Fertility 0 vs 35 vs 70 lb N/ac lbs/ac 2021-DBN01
2020 Northwest Swan Valley West Pea Fertility Foliar Application of Boron vs Untreated 4.4 bu/ac 2020-PB03
2020 Northwest Swan Valley West Pea Fertility Foliar Application of Boron vs Untreated -1.4 bu/ac 2020-PB02
2020 Northwest Swan Valley West Pea Fertility Foliar Application of Boron vs Untreated 0.8 bu/ac 2020-PB01
2020 Central Pembina Pea Fertility 11 vs 30 vs 60 lbs N/ac bu/ac 2020-PN01
2020 Southwest Boissevain-Morton Dry Bean Fertility 40 vs. 70 vs. 100 lbs N/ac lbs/ac 2020-DBN02
2020 Central Norfolk Treherne Dry Bean Fertility 0 vs 35 vs 70 vs 105 lbs N/ac lbs/ac 2020-DBN01
2019 Central Norfolk Treherne Dry Bean Fertility 0 vs 70 vs 140 lbs N/ac lbs/ac 2019-DBN01
2019 Central Rhineland Dry Bean Fertility 0 vs 40 vs 70 vs 140 lbs N/ac lbs/ac 2019-DBN03
2018 Northwest Swan Valley West Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band -0.3 bu/ac 2018-SK07
2018 Eastern La Broquerie Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band 0.8 bu/ac 2018-SK05
2018 Interlake Rockwood Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band -0.1 bu/ac 2018-SK04
2018 Central Grey Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band -0.9 bu/ac 2018-SK02
2018 Central Portage la Prairie Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band 4.8 bu/ac 2018-SK01
2017 Central North Norfolk Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band 0.4 bu/ac 2017-SK03
2017 Eastern Alexander Soybean Fertility Potash – 120 lbs/ac broadcast and incorporated -1.7 bu/ac 2017-SK13
2017 Central Grey Soybean Fertility Potash – 120 lbs/ac broadcast and incorporated 0.9 bu/ac 2017-SK04
2017 Central Dufferin Soybean Fertility Potash – 120 lbs/ac broadcast and incorporated -1.1 bu/ac 2017-SK05
2017 Southwest Two Borders Soybean Fertility Potash – 120 lbs/ac broadcast and incorporated 2.2 bu/ac 2017-SK06
2017 Central Dufferin Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band -1.3 bu/ac 2017-SK07
2017 Central Portage la Prairie Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band 1.2 bu/ac 2017-SK09
2017 Northwest Swan Valley West Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band -4.2 bu/ac 2017-SK10
2017 Eastern Lac du Bonnet Soybean Fertility Potash – 120 lbs/ac broadcast and incorporated 1.7 bu/ac 2017-SK11
2017 Northwest Dauphin Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band 0.2 bu/ac 2017-SK12
2017 Interlake Rockwood Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band 0.4 bu/ac 2017-SK02
2017 Eastern Hanover Soybean Fertility Potash – 120 lbs/ac broadcast and incorporated 0.2 bu/ac 2017-SK14
2017 Central North Norfolk Soybean Fertility Potash – 120 lbs/ac broadcast -0.6 lbs/ac 2017-SK01
2017 Northwest Dauphin Soybean Fertility Potash – 60 lbs/ac band 0.5 bu/ac 2017-SK15