History

The Field & Research Service Unit took over management of the farm from the Oklahoma State University Foundation in 2009, leasing the property to a third party until 2017 when the unit took over operations and purchased the four already existing center pivot sprinklers. 

 

By restoring an abandoned water well on the property, the unit implemented variable rate irrigation protocols that could be controlled remotely and was connected to the general water supply system for the three north center pivots. All center pivot systems were fitted with Fieldnet monitoring systems, and the wells were fitted with remote kill switches. 

 

During this time, 125 acres of wheat were planted under one center pivot, and grazing stocker cattle were put into place. The revenue generated from the cattle grazing supported the maintenance of the wells, and 100 hay bales were produced from the native grass area. 

Past Research

OSU’s research at the facility began in fall 2017 with a 125-acre center pivot used for sorghum research and another for grazing stocker cattle and native grass.

 

Spring 2018 initiated the research and demonstration work at the facility. One hundred bales of hay were produced from the native grass area, and one 125-acre center pivot was used for sorghum research while a second was used for corn research and hybrid strip trials.

 

Corn research trials included 52 different corn hybrids and 120 plots for a nitrogen efficiency trial that combined five fertilization rates with three irrigation rates. The initial corn project was concluded in 2020 after three years of data collection.

Current Research

Conducting research on a large scale at the McCaull Research ad Demonstration Farm has required larger, more technologically advanced equipment to allow for the transport of equipment from Goodwell. This equipment has also increased the capacity for hauling harvested products. 

 

Current projects involving the variable rate irrigation systems include corn response to variable rates of nitrogen and irrigation, the Testing Ag Solutions Program (TAPS) for corn and cotton, corn population X hybrid X irrigation rate experiments, irrigated grain sorghum experiments and certified wheat seed production. These experiments also included industry product testing in both 2021 and 2022. The corn hybrid X population X irrigation rates were the latest experiments to be included at the facility. 

 

The corn TAPS project was started in 2019 and has grown from nine participants to more than 20. The goal of the TAPS program is to facilitate improved water use efficiency and farm income by increasing farmer adoption of advanced water management strategies and technologies.

 

Corn variety trials were evaluated under three different irrigation treatments, and outside companies have established research blocks for research collaboration and the use of the variable rate irrigation system. These experiments were demonstrated during the 2019, 2021 and 2023 Panhandle Crops Field Day hosted at McCaull. The data from these experiments is also published annually.