Contemporary agricultural research is founded upon short-term controlled studies to examine, screen, and rank performance of genetic improvements or managerial processes. This approach has performed admirably in support of the resource-intensive, high-yield paradigm which has guided agricultural development since the second World War. Changes to this paradigm, which may occur in response to economic, societal, or environmental issues, may require increased emphasis on farm-based, system-oriented research to complement the experiment-station-based research which has proven so successful to date. Corresponding changes to the form, structure, intent, and ultimately, the beneficiaries of agricultural research are discussed. Key words: Long-term research, perennial forages, high-yield agriculture, on-farm research, fanning systems research, profitability, genotype × environment interactions, stability, adaptability