Dordt students learn about the research side of agriculture at rural Sanborn facility
The aspect of agriculture that involves research and testing may be somewhat of a mystery to many, even those with an ag background. That’s one reason Corey Rozenboom hosted the freshmen enrolled in the Ag Operations class at Dordt University and their instructor Dale Vos at his research facility southwest of Sanborn (just north of Douma Park) on September 6. “Dale will also be bringing his Field Crops class to our facility,” said Rozenboom. “They are responsible for the Dordt farm field trials this year and I will be speaking to them about opportunities in agriculture research as well.”
Rozenboom is the Research Director at Alpha Ag Research. He is also a field trial manager for FIRST (Farmers Independent Research of Seed Technologies) covering Northern Iowa and Northeast Nebraska.
The services performed at Alpha include establishing and conducting all aspects of corn and soybean field trials as requested by clients to meet their research goals. Examples of the different types of trials Rozenboom and his team work on include 1) efficacy trials to determine effectiveness of disease and weed control products, 2) crop protection trials which include testing products applied as a seed treatment, in-furrow or foliar, and 3) fertility trials which provide information in regard to nutrient use efficiency of different types of biological micro-organisms and synthetic fertilizers. “We try to serve anybody who needs research done,” said Rozenboom.
“This is one of three companies performing this type of service,” noted Rozenboom. “It’s very much a niche market.” He shared with the students that the most common request in the last three to four years has involved biological microbe technology to provide nitrogen to crops. “The fun in research is seeing new ideas and getting to test them,” said Rozenboom.
In addition to Rozenboom, the Alpha Ag Research team currently consists of a Field Research Agronomist, a Senior Research Associate, a Field Trial Specialist, and Research Fabrication Technician. He noted that they also have an open position for a Field Research Trial Manager which they are actively looking to fill.
After introducing himself, Rozenboom asked the students where they were from and what they were looking to do after graduation. He recalled that he needed to find a way to make a living as his family farm wasn’t big enough. He admitted that he just wanted to find a job. “The opportunities are out there,” he told the students. “Plugging into a family farm is the path of least resistance. There are good paying jobs out there.”
When seeking the most valuable workers, Rozenboom looks for four things. He seeks those who: think critically, learn quickly, drive equipment safely and work hard. “When I find those people, they are very highly paid,” stated Rozeboom. “Tack on technical skills and those people become very valuable.”
The Research Director explained that what Alpha performs is contract research. “Other companies pay me to do a service for them,” he said. “I help them to develop new products. I sell service.”
In his capacity as Field Trial Manager for FIRST, Rozenboom feels he can produce high quality data – unbiased and real world. “It is supplemental, high quality data for farmers to look at,” he said. “Unbiased in that I do not work for seed companies, I work on behalf of seed companies.”
For his area, Rozenboom must find 36 different fields that have consistency. He looks for those with good drainage and the same soil type. “I work with the farmers,” he said. “The process involves making phone calls to the farmers. There’s a lot of communication to locate those similar fields.” The communication link also needs to be strong between Rozenboom and the seed companies. “It involves a lot of organization and communication with seed companies,” Rozenboom noted. “Organization is very important.” He agreed with instructor Dale Vos on the importance of building relationships and building a good reputation.
Seed to be tested is sent to Rozenboom’s shop to be planted in the numerous test sites. “The seed is proven in fields and an environment very close to that of the farmers in this area,” said Rozenboom.
What makes good data? “Replication and precision,” stated Rozenboom. When asked by one of students as to the number of replications, Rosenboom responded, “Three tests are the absolute minimum but the more the better. We typically do four or more based on conditions.” He remarked that the more reps, the better confidence a buyer of a hybrid seed can have. As far as precision is concerned, Rozenboom has invested heavily in a lot of precision equipment to plant on a field that’s uniform. “The worst thing you can get is bad data,” he emphasized.
Rozenboom showed the students some of the equipment used at Alpha Ag Research. That equipment includes a drone. It is used for field count data and evaluating plant health through infrared wavelengths. Rozenboom has three planter rigs and five combines. They perform almost complete rebuilds and will build plot combines for other people. He likes having a replacement unit ready to go if a problem should develop. “I probably invest in more equipment than I need, but it prevents downtime,” commented Rozenboom.
For those interested in a first hand look at field research, Rozenboom has good news. “We have opportunity for part-time summer work during the months of June – August to assist with collecting plant samples and trial observations,” he said. “A summer internship position will also be available for college students enrolled in agriculture, agronomy, or plant sciences who are interested in learning more about field research.”