OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY INFORMED CONSENT

Project Title:

Impacts of agronomic practices in alfalfa forage yield and quality in Oklahoma: An on-farm assessment.

Principal and Co-Investigators:

Alex Rocateli, Ph.D., Natalie Cook, Ph.D., and Alayna Gerhardt

Contact and Phone for any Problems/Questions:

Alex Rocateli, 405-744-9648, alex.rocateli@okstate.edu

IRB Chair Contact/Phone Information:

Michael Criss, Chair Member,
Human Development and Family Sciences, 218 Scott Hall,
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, (405) 744-3377

Sponsor of the Project:

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA)

Purpose of the Research:

Alfalfa is the most widely grown forage crop in Oklahoma, being a valuable economical commodity for producers in the state. To further understand which production practices are consistently leading to better profit and yields in different regions of Oklahoma, we will survey alfalfa producers in several selected Oklahoma counties about typical management practices adopted in their fields, as well as forage yield. This will allow for later analyses to find the common alfalfa production practices consistently increasing yield and profit.

Procedures or Methods to be Used:

On-Farm, E-mail, Producer Conferences, or Phone Surveys

Alternatives Procedures or Treatments, if any, that might be advantageous to subject:

Not applicable

Length of Study:

10-15 minutes

Risks Anticipated:

No anticipated risks

Benefits Anticipated:

Producers will have an opportunity to help contribute to identifying opportunities for increasing the productivity and profitability for Oklahoma alfalfa production.

Extent of Confidentiality:

Producers will be assigned an ID that disassociates their name from the farm data prior to statistical analyses. Only the PI Alex Rocateli, Natalie Cook, and the graduate student Alayna Gerhardt will have access to the raw data.

Is Compensation or Medical Treatment Available if Injury Occurs:

No

Parental Approval for Minors:

Not applicable

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION:

I understand this project is research, and that my participation is completely voluntary. I also understand that if I decide to participate in this study, I may withdraw my consent at any time, and stop participating at any time without explanation, penalty, or loss of benefits, or academic standing to which I may otherwise be entitled.

I verify that my signature below indicates that I have read and understand this consent form, and willingly agree to participate in this study under the terms described, and that my signature acknowledges that I have received a signed and dated copy of this consent form.

(Remember that it is a requirement for the P.I. to maintain a signed and dated copy of the same consent form signed and kept by the participant)