Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1982

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr

Committee Members

Robert S. Dotson, John Jared

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between the characteristics of corn producers and their farm operations, their use of recommended production practices, and their participation in Extension programs in 1979. A total of 1,985 personal interviews were conducted by agents in Tennessee. The analysis of variance F test statistic was used to determine the association between each dependent variable and each of the qualitative independent variables. F values which achieved the .05 level of probability were accepted as being statistically significant. Major findings included the following: 1. Findings indicated that the mean number acres of yellow corn harvested in 1979 was just over 65; the mean number acres of white corn harvested was almost 59; the mean number acres of silage harvested was 48; average bushels of grain per acre was almost 95; and the average tons silage per acre was 18. 2. Findings indicated that producers who used more of the total of ten recommended practices in 1979 harvested significantly more bushels of corn for grain and tons of silage per acre. 3. Of the ten recommended practices studied, liming according to soil test, fertilizing according to soil test, and fertilizing silage land according to soil test were the practices most highly related to yield of corn for grain and corn for silage in 1979. 4. In characterizing corn producers as to their use of soil management practices, only strip cropping was significantly related to all five methods of Extension contacts. Producers who used this management practice had more contacts with Extension in 1979. 5. Producers who used the recommended corn production practices in 1979 contacted Extension more frequently than those who were not using the practices. However, only planting recommended plant population, liming according to soil test, and fertilized according to soil test were significantly related to all five methods of Extension contacts. 6. Findings indicated that producers who contacted Extension more often tended to harvest more total acres of corn for grain and silage. The number of contacts producers had with Extension in 1979 tended to be significantly related to the yield of corn for grain and corn for silage. 7. Findings showed that the use of each management practice was not significantly related to the total acres of corn harvested for grain. Only three management practices farmers reported using in 1979 were significantly related to the total acres of corn harvested by each producer. They were corn for grain double cropped following small grains, corn for grain using minimum tillage, and corn for silage using conventional tillage. Implications and recommendations also were included.

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