The commercial grower is perhaps the most discerning buyer of products anywhere in the world. Cost benefit evaluations are extremely important and commonly used by production professionals when considering pest control and fertility products, and product managers must have data on hand to verify their product’s effectiveness against the target pest, as well as any advantages over competitors' products. This information can only be validated by infield testing in large block comparisons, since although statistically valid, small micro-plot studies lack the real world commercial acceptance of the end user. In addition, marketing efforts and a product’s initial launch can be made much easier if a season of large block studies have led the way with recognized grower groups sponsoring demonstration blocks on their farms. These groups can work with the product up close and potentially realize the benefits of a new chemistry and/or safer product, or see corresponding production increases that can justify a change in their agronomic program. This is such an important aspect of product use in California, that Pacific Ag Research is also contracted by large growers directly to sort out existing chemistries and other products for effectiveness on a variety of crops. In these trials, pest control products, fertilizers, growth enhancers, and seed treatments are all tested in large block comparisons for effects on crop development and overall yield enhancement.

Demonstration sites for almost any agricultural product can either be arranged from our extensive group of cooperators on the Central California Coast, Inland California, and Arizona Valleys, or established with growers chosen by the client. As with other field projects requiring product applications, we have a fleet of commercial application equipment that is modern, well maintained, and highly mobile for work of this type. In addition, our research field stations are well located for field days and demonstrations of product performance trials if the client chooses to have a more confidential study initially. With this option, the client can reserve the decision to demonstrate his product’s effectiveness after the results of the comparison tests are known. Either way, demonstration block testing is an excellent method of seeing a new product on a scaled up area of a crop prior to wider usage.