Source: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA submitted to NRP
ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND AGRO-ECOLOGY OF INTEGRATING BEEF CATTLE AND SHORT TERM PERENNIAL GRASSES INTO PEANUT AND COTTON ROTATIONS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0224540
Grant No.
2011-67023-30081
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2010-04715
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Feb 1, 2011
Project End Date
Jan 31, 2014
Grant Year
2011
Program Code
[A1601]- Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities: Small and Medium-Sized Farms
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611
Performing Department
North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy
Non Technical Summary
Use of perennial grasses in row crop rotations can reduce economic risk, enhance crop yields and protect the environment. Cotton and peanut grown after perennial grasses results in more vigorous plants that can better withstand biotic and abiotic stresses. A long-term multistate research project demonstrating sod-based rotations (SBR) has been established since 2000. Results to date indicate bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) in rotations with peanut and cotton significantly increases crop yields and improves soil quality. However, in our previous studies, the bahaigrass was harvested as hay. Including beef cattle into the SBR system can make for more efficient use of farm resources, improve economic returns, and reduce risk by diversification. The objectives are 1) to demonstrate that the integration of beef cattle grazing can improve the economical viability of a SBR system, 2) to research the impacts of grazing on various soil physical and chemical characteristics, including nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas emissions, and on subsequent crop yields in the rotation, and 3) identify producers' concerns, constraints and obstacles to adopting a SBR system. Farm size fields in NW Florida and SE Alabama will be used. The cattle (cow/calf system) will graze the bahiagrass and the winter cover crops. The fields will have non-grazed (exclusion) areas to evaluate the impact of grazing. Cattle productivity will be measured as weight of calves produced. In all, we want to show that SBR with cattle is an economically viable and environmentally friendly farming system for small- to medium-sized farms in the southeastern USA,
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1020199106010%
1110210106010%
1330199106010%
1410499106010%
2051610106010%
3073399106015%
4030199106010%
6016199301015%
8036030303010%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management; 403 - Waste Disposal, Recycling, and Reuse; 133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 102 - Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; 803 - Sociological and Technological Change Affecting Individuals, Families, and Communities; 111 - Conservation and Efficient Use of Water; 205 - Plant Management Systems; 141 - Air Resource Protection and Management; 307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
6199 - Economy, general/other; 0210 - Water resources; 1610 - Pasture; 0199 - Soil and land, general; 0499 - Atmosphere, general/other; 6030 - The farm as an enterprise; 3399 - Beef cattle, general/other;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems); 3010 - Economics; 3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
Overall: The goal of the proposed demonstration and research project is to evaluate the ecological, environmental and socioeconomic impacts of integrating beef cattle and perennial grass into a multi-crop production system using conservation technology and other best management practices (BMP's) in the southeast USA with emphasis on small- to medium-sized farms. This will be accomplished through team-focused, system-oriented research and demonstrations that show economic and environmental benefits of intergrading perennial grass and cattle into a peanut and cotton rotation (sod-based rotation). Specific Objectives: 1) Demonstrate that the integration of beef cattle (cow-calf system) into a sod-based peanut and cotton rotation cropping system (SBR) is an economically viable and environmentally sound alternative to a SBR system in which the perennial grass is harvested and sold as hay only. 2) Identify and quantify the impacts of cattle grazing and traffic in a SBR system on subsequent crop growth, yield and quality, and on soil compaction, C level, nutrient (N and P) utilization and cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions (N2O, CO2, CH4). 3) Identify producers' concerns, constraints and obstacles to adopting a SBR system with and without cattle via face-to-face interviews with members of key advisory committees, participant observation at associated outreach activities, and interviews and on-farm observations with two producers who have newly established SBR systems with cattle. Results will be used to modify the SBR approach. 4) Develop a profit/loss business model using actual economic data collected from our small- to medium- size farm-scale demonstration sites integrating beef cattle into a SBR cropping system and hay-only SBR system. Use the profit/loss business model to evaluate the sensitivity of the economic variables and alternative production, marketing, and policy scenarios.
Project Methods
The study will be conducted at Marianna, FL and Headland, AL. Both sites have center pivot irrigation systems. Each site will be managed using conservation tillage, standard IPM practices, and established BMPs. A beef cattle herd is available at each location. The Marianna (30.5 N, 85 W) site is a medium-size farm-scale demonstration (61 ha) of the SBR that is set up to allow cattle grazing. The field is divided into four quadrants with rotation of peanut, cotton, bahiagrass year 1 (bahia1), and bahiagrass year 2 (bahia2). Winter cover crops (rye and oat) are planted after peanut and cotton harvest. This site has no cropping/cattle system replication; however, there are three nested small plots (15x15m; cattle exclusion areas) within each quadrant. The cattle exclusion areas are paired with grazed areas (15x15m) that are matched based on topography and soil type. The grazed and un-grazed paired plots within each quadrant will be used to assess the impact of grazing on crop growth and yield, crop nutrient cycling, crop water utilization, soil physical properties, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to collect data for economic analysis of a cattle-SBR system vs. a hay only-SBR system. The exclusion areas will be fenced to prevent grazing while the cattle are present. Fences will be removed and installed using GPS coordinates. The fenced exclusion areas will be fertilized and managed for hay production during summer and as a cover crop with residue left on the soil surface during the winter. Fifty-five mature, spring-calving beef cows will be used. The cows will be bred back 60 d after calving and pregnancy checked in June. The cows will be weighted at weaning of the calf and at breeding. Body condition will also be scored at these times. Calves will be weighed at weaning which occurs late August. The Headland (31.5 N, 85.5 W) site is similar to the Marianna site but smaller. The farm-size field is 20.2 ha divided into sections and each section has three exclusion areas (15x15m). One section is a control field with a rotation of peanut and cotton. The same rotation is followed as Marianna. The winter cover crop after peanut and cotton will be rye and oat. The Headland unit will use fall calving beef cows. Cow and cow/calf management and data collected on cows and calves and forage will be similar to Marianna. Data to be collected in the grazed and non-grazed areas will also be similar to Marianna. To identify and explore producers potential concerns, constraints and obstacles to adopting and utilizing an SBR system involving beef cattle - a series of face-to-face interviews will take place. Interviews and on-farm observations will also take place with two cooperators who have a newly established SBR system with beef cattle. A profit/loss business model will be developed with the flexibility to evaluate alternative production and marketing strategies for small and medium-sized mixed-farm enterprises (i.e. crops and beef cattle). Economic simulation of other possible cattle rearing schemes (fall vs. spring calving, stocker/backgrounding feeder calves, grass-fed beef, etc.) in a SBR system will be evaluated.

Progress 02/01/13 to 01/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The research from this project targets row crop and cattle producers, especially small and mid-sized producers in the Southeast. However, benefits are expected to extend to other groups. The aim of the research is to increase agronomic productivity and environmental stewardship of row crop and cattle producers. Thus, society as a whole is likely to benefit from increased water conservation, reduced agrochemical usage, and reduced agricultural commodity expenses. Efforts to these groups include field days, producer meetings, classes/workshops, climatology meetings, and one 8 day workshop for high school students interested in science and agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? 3) Three M.S. students completed their degrees with work on the SBR. Recently completed M.S. projects include a return-risk economic analysis of the SBR compared to a traditional peanut-cotton rotation, an evaluation of the effects of grazing on greenhouse gas (i.e., carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) production in soils, and an evaluation of the carbon sequestration and mineralization potential of the SBR as influenced by grazing and tillage. Other recently completed projects include investigations of greenhouse gas emissions from the cattle, evaluation of overseeding crimson clover into bahiagrass to improve biomass for cattle, and evaluation of other row crops integrated with bahiagrass. Two peer-reviewed research publications were published this past year on impact of grazing in the SBR on soil and cotton root properties. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Refine and promote production practices in a sod-based rotation which result in significant yield increases associated with decreased inputs Results from these studies were presented at seven producer events over the last year including field days, farmer/producer meetings, and one Master Gardener class; two producer/researcher climate adaptation events (i.e., Climate Adaptation Exchange and Tri-State Climate Meeting); one 8-wk high school STEM educational program; and one in-service meeting. In addition, there were 5 presentations of data from this research at national research meetings including American Society of Agronomy, Southern Regional Branch of the American Society of Agronomy, and the American Peanut Research and Education Society meetings. One video was produced on the impacts of the SBR on water and nutrient use, which can be accessed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGqI1rIG9E. List of presentations at grower meetings/field days etc. Programs associated with sod based project 2013 Impact of sod based rotation in conservation cropping systems and management changes due to climate phases- Grower meeting, Jan. 24, 2013 Jay, Florida Cotton management strategies in a conservation farming system as influenced by weather- Florida/Alabama producer meeting. Feb. 5, 2013 Atmore, AL. Using conservation tillage and other BMP’s including climate information in cotton production. Multi-county farmer meeting. Mar. 7, 2013, Marianna, FL. “The future of growing plants” Master Gardener class. March 11, 2013, Leon County, FL “Sod based rotation and water conservation” ACFStakeholders Meeting. March 15, 2013, Apalachicola, FL What do you expect from cotton in a wet summer?- Multi-county field day. July, 30, 2013, Live Oak, FL Conservation tillage and other BMP’s and their impacts on peanut production in a changing climate. Multi-State Peanut Field Day, Aug. 15, 2013. Marianna, FL. Sod-based rotation resilience in a changing climate. Climate Adaptation Exchange- Feb. 8, 2013, Tifton, GA. Row crop strategies for non-irrigated growers as influenced by climate. Florida Agronomic In- Service Training, Feb. 7, 2013, Quincy, FL High School STEM student exposure to cropping systems and climate impacts on management- 8 days during the summer of 2013. Student videos being developed. “A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF CHANGING IRRIGATION DEMANDS IN THE DOUGHERTY PLAIN REGION ON FLOW AND RESERVOIR ELEVATIONS IN THE APALACHICOLA-CHATTAHOOCHEE-FLINT RIVER BASIN” Tri-State Climate Meeting, August 8, 2013, Stripling Irrigation Research Park, Camilla, GA, Video of the sod based rotation and impacts on water and nutrient use that IFAS did spring, 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGqI1rIG9E What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Studies in the tri-state (Florida, Georgia, Alabama) area indicate that bahiagrass in the cotton-peanut rotation improves soil and water quality, water holding capacity, yield, recycling of nutrients by cattle, root systems of row crops, farm income, while simultaneously reducing economic risks through diversification and reduced pesticide and herbicide usage. Yield of peanut and cotton under the sod-based rotation using strip-tillage, cover crops, and winter and bahiagrass grazing are consistently equal or higher yielding than that traditional rotation of peanut and cotton, especially under conventional tillage practices. In addition, winter cover crops also benefit from the rotation with greater biomass, leaf chlorophyll, and nitrate-nitrogen compared with oat grown in the conventional rotation. Soil organic carbon continues to increase in this well-established (>10 yr) sod-based rotation system at the soil surface. Soil organic carbon is considered an indicator of soil health and quality. An economic analysis of the sod-based rotation demonstrates similar profits as the traditional rotation; however, some barriers to adoption have been identified. These are largely tied to lack of irrigation, especially in Alabama. In addition, rented land poses the next greatest impediment. Rotating cattle among discontinuous fields and installation of irrigation equipment are not likely to be performed by a farmer who is renting land. Lastly, there are some minor inconveniences associated with cattle production that some row crop producers do not want to incur. These limitations suggest that assistance with irrigation needs and further research into a non-irrigated sod-based rotation are needed to fully overcome these barriers to adoption. The sod-based rotation system’s numerous environmental and production benefits provide an alternative to current less environmentally friendly production systems. Develop and compare the economic and environmental benefits of conventional and sod-based farming systems using conservation tillage systems. An economic study was completed that examined the expected returns and risks of the sod-based rotation compared to traditional row-crop production systems between 2007 and 2012. The model compared the sod-based rotation with both non-irrigated and irrigated versions of the traditional peanut-cotton rotation, as well as a rotation of non-irrigated wheat-soybean-corn. Results indicated similar means over variable costs for sod-based rotation and irrigated and non-irrigated traditional rotation of peanut and cotton ($21,000 to $23,000). The non-irrigated traditional rotation of peanut and cotton was slightly higher; however, it should be noted that yields were assumed to be derived solely from the irrigated portion of the field, which was estimated at 80% of the field. A study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of the soil in a sod-based rotation to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) and carbon sequestration. Results indicate no large differences between the sod-based rotation system with cattle and a traditional rotation with winter grazing. However, often non-grazed systems had higher carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon sequestration was evident in the sod-based rotation with grazing when samples from 2010 to 2013 were compared. Increases ranged from 10 to 30% additional SOC concentration. Thus, management practices were conducive to reducing GHG. Quantify the positive impact that sod-based rotations have on soil health, pest reduction, and sustainable farm production Previous studies have shown that adoption can improve soil organic carbon, but it is important to know if established systems are also contributing to soil organic carbon, which is a known indicator of soil health. A study was conducted to evaluate carbon sequestration in this established sob-based rotation system. Carbon sequestration was evident in the sod-based rotation with grazing when samples from 2010 to 2013 were compared. The concentration of soil organic carbon increased at various depths ranging from 10 to 30%. Some increases were also observed in the traditional rotation, but these were only in systems where winter cover was chopped and returned to the soil. This supports research that cover crops are an important practice in maintaining or improving soil organic carbon. By increasing soil organic carbon, the sod-based rotation and traditional rotation with non-grazed cover crops contribute to sustainable farm production. Previous studies have shown the benefit of the sod-based rotation on yield of peanut, so in this project a study was conducted to determine the impact of long-term grazing on soil properties and productivity of the cotton phase of the rotation. The influence of grazing and irrigation on soil properties such as soil bulk density, organic matter, nitrate N, extractable P, exchangeable K, microbial biomass C, total organic C, and nutrient cycling enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatases, arylsulfatase, b-glucosidase, and b-glucosaminidase) was examined. Soil bulk density was not significantly affected by grazing at depths lower than 5 cm. The percentage of total organic C that occurred as microbial biomass C at all 3 depth levels (0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 cm) was significantly greater in the grazed plots (1.66–2.07%) than non-grazed plots (0.8–0.85%) when not irrigated. Significantly greater levels of extractable P, exchangeable K and acid and alkaline phosphatases were also observed in the grazed as compared to non-grazed plots indicating efficient nutrient cycling and potential for greater nutrient availability for the following cotton crop. Average cotton lint yield over 4 years (2007–2010) from irrigated grazed and non-grazed plots were 1774 kg/ha and 1700 kg/ha, respectively while the yield from non-irrigated grazed and non-grazed plots was 1613 kg/ha and 1376 kg/ha, respectively. Grazing can have a significant positive impact especially on non-irrigated cotton yield with less fertilizer inputs making a more economical crop while utilizing resources year round.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gamble, A.V. 2013. Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in a Peanut-Cotton-Bahiagrass Rotation. M.S. thesis. Auburn University, Auburn, AL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gamble, A., R.P. Prevatt III, and J.A. Howe. Influence of Bahiagrass in rotation with peanut and cotton on carbon storage in southeastern US. Southern Regional Branch American Society of Agronomy Meetings. Feb 3-5, 2013 Orlando, FL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gamble, A.V., J.A. Howe, and D.B. Watts. Influence of Bahiagrass on carbon storage in Coastal Plain soils under peanut-cotton-bahiagrass rotation. In 2013 Agronomy Abstracts. [CD-ROM]. ASA, Madison, WI
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: George, S., D.L Wright, and J.J. Marois. 2013. Impact of grazing on soil properties and cotton yield in an integrated crop-livestock system. Soil and Tillage Research. 132:47-55
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hoegenauer, K., J.A. Howe. Influence of cover crops on soil water movement in a southeast Alabama soil. In 2013 Agronomy Abstracts. [CD-ROM]. ASA, Madison, WI
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Prevatt, C., J. Novak, W. Prevatt, M.R. Worosz, K. Balkcom, W. Birdsong, B. Gamble, and J.A. Howe. 2014. A Return-Risk Analysis of Southern Row-Crop Enterprises and the Sod-Based Rotation. J. Agribusiness. (in press)
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Prevatt, Christopher. 2013. A Return-risk Analysis of Traditional Row Crop and Sod-based Rotations in the Wiregrass Region of Alabama. M.S. thesis. Auburn University, Auburn, AL
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Prevatt, R. III, K.L. Bowen, D.W. Held, and J.A. Howe. Evaluation of burrower bug (Pangaeus bilineatus) incidence and damage compared to subsequent aflatoxin contamination in peanuts (Arachis hypogaea). American Peanut Research and Education Society meetings. July 7-9, 2013. Young Harris, GA
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry, D.D. 2013. Effects of feeding a natural biopolymer (chitosan) on methane emissions and performance in beef cattle. M.S. thesis. University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Waters, K. M., N. DiLorenzo, and G. C. Lamb. 2013. Understanding the effects of forage composition and structure in ruminant nutrition. University of Florida, IFAS, Florida Coop. Ext. Serv., Animal Science Dept., Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS1) Publication AN288. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an288
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry, D. D., G. C. Lamb, and DiLorenzo, N. 2013. Nutrition of the beef herd during the transition from winter to summer. The Florida Cattleman and Livestock Journal. Vol. 77 (8):16-17.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry , D. D., F. M. Ciriaco , C. A. Njombwa , M. M. Kohmann , V. R. G. Mercadante , M. Ruiz-Moreno , G. C. Lamb, and N. DiLorenzo. 2013. Research update of NFREC projects. 2013. Proc. 2013 Florida Beef Cattle Short Course. Pp 73.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DiLorenzo, N. 2013. Preparing for winter feeding: the annual dilemma. The Florida Cattleman and Livestock Journal. Vol. 78 (1):10-14.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry, D., C. Njombwa, F. Ciriaco, V. Mercadante, G. Lamb, and N. DiLorenzo. 2013. Estimation of Total Tract Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients in Three Annual Winter Forages Using Two Different Digestibility Markers 2013 Florida Beef Report. Gainesville, FL. pp 127-132 http://www.animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/beef/beef_cattle_report/2013/documents/Henry.pdf
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Wright, D.L., Marois, J.J., Mackowiak, C., Zhao, D., George, S.., and Lamb C. 2014. Sod- Based/Livestock/Row Crop Integration: An Improved Conservation Farming System. pages 000-000 in: In: Conservation Tillage Systems: Production, Profitability and Stewardship, J. Bergtold, G. Hawkings, K. Iversen and R. Raper eds., Beltsville, MD: SARE Outreach, 2014. In press.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wright, D.L., J. Marois, and D. Rowland. 2013. Grazing cover crops impact on cotton rooting and yield. Beltwide Cotton Technical Conference, Jan. 8-11 San Antonio, TX
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: George, S., D. Wafula, A. Chauhan, D.L. Wright, J.J. Marois. 2013. Microbial communities and biogeochemical indicators in a row crop/perennial grass rotation. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting,Nov. 3-6, Tampa, FL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: George, S., C.M. Bliss, D. Wafula, A. Chauhan, P.C. Andersen, C. Mackowiak, D.L. Wright, J.J. Marois, S. Olson. 2013. Nutrient cycling enzymes and microbial community shifts in an organic sod-based vegetable rotation. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Nov. 3-6, Tampa, FL
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wright, David, Jim Marois, Clyde Fraisse and Dan Dourte. 2013. Agricultural Management Options for Climate Variability and Change: Sod-Based Rotation. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae492
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wright, David, Jim Marois and T.W. Katsvairo. 2013. Transitioning from Conventional to Organic Farming Using Conservation Tillage in Florida. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag246


Progress 02/01/11 to 01/31/14

Outputs
Target Audience: The research from this project targets row crop and cattle producers, especially small and mid-sized producers in the Southeast. However, benefits are expected to extend to other groups. The aim of the research is to increase agronomic productivity and environmental stewardship of row crop and cattle producers. Thus, society as a whole is likely to benefit from increased water conservation, reduced agrochemical usage, and reduced agricultural commodity expenses. Efforts to these groups include field days, producer meetings, classes/workshops, climatology meetings, and one 8 day workshop for high school students interested in science and agriculture. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Presentations were made at several climate adaptation meetings in Georgia, Florida and Alabamato groups of scientists, extension agents and growers.A conference and in-service traning was held in 2012 in Quincy, FL in conjunction with other SE states to highlight the sod based rotation. Other outreach activities included a week-long event exposing high school STEM students to cropping systems and climate impacts on management and a presentation on to a Master Gardener class. A video was also produced on the sod-based rotation and its impacts on water and nutrient use (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGqI1rIG9E). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Several extension activities were conducted during the duration of the project to promote the sod-based rotation. There wereseveral presentations at growers meetings in Florida and Alabama. There wereseveral field days where presentations were made,most of them were multi-state events. Special focused group demonstration was hosted for farmers getting initiated into the sod based rotation. Other outreach activities include a week-long event exposing high school STEM students to cropping systems and climate impacts on management and a presentation on to a Master Gardener class. A video was also produced on the sod-based rotation and its impacts on water and nutrient use (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGqI1rIG9E).The sod based system was highlighted in several radio and TV interviews. Several EDIS publciations have been publised over the course of this project. An interactive budget spreadsheet has been developed and is available at http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edy/sodrotation.htm and can be used bu individual growers according to their specific farming operations. Activities to disseminate information to communities of interest: Programs associated with sod based project 2013 Impact of sod based rotation in conservation cropping systems and management changes due to climate phases- Grower meeting, Jan. 24, 2013 Jay, Florida Cotton management strategies in a conservation farming system as influenced by weather- Florida/Alabama producer meeting. Feb. 5, 2013 Atmore, AL. Using conservation tillage and other BMP’s including climate information in cotton production. Multi-county farmer meeting. Mar. 7, 2013, Marianna, FL. “The future of growing plants” Master Gardener class. March 11, 2013, Leon County, FL “Sod based rotation and water conservation” ACFStakeholders Meeting. March 15, 2013, Apalachicola, FL What do you expect from cotton in a wet summer?- Multi-county field day. July, 30, 2013, Live Oak, FL Conservation tillage and other BMP’s and their impacts on peanut production in a changing climate. Multi-State Peanut Field Day, Aug. 15, 2013. Marianna, FL. Sod-based rotation resilience in a changing climate. Climate Adaptation Exchange- Feb. 8, 2013, Tifton, GA. Row crop strategies for non-irrigated growers as influenced by climate. Florida Agronomic In- Service Training, Feb. 7, 2013, Quincy, FL High School STEM student exposure to cropping systems and climate impacts on management- 8 days during the summer of 2013. Student videos being developed. “A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF CHANGING IRRIGATION DEMANDS IN THE DOUGHERTY PLAIN REGION ON FLOW AND RESERVOIR ELEVATIONS IN THE APALACHICOLA-CHATTAHOOCHEE-FLINT RIVER BASIN” Tri-State Climate Meeting, August 8, 2013, Stripling Irrigation Research Park, Camilla, GA, What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Growers have become more aware of the potential system for enhancing the profits of their farming operations. everal farmers are considering converting parts of their farms to perennial grass that have been unprofitable for many years in marginal areas of theri fields.County faculty have established the sod based conservation farming system on farms in 85% of the counties that ahve lareg acreage.Several Studies in the tri-state (Florida, Georgia, Alabama) area indicate that bahiagrass in the cotton-peanut rotation improves soil and water quality, water holding capacity, yield, recycling of nutrients by cattle, root systems of row crops, farm income, while simultaneously reducing economic risks through diversification and reduced pesticide and herbicide usage. Yield of peanut and cotton under the sod-based rotation using strip-tillage, cover crops, and winter and bahiagrass grazing are consistently equal or higher yielding than that traditional rotation of peanut and cotton, especially under conventional tillage practices. In addition, winter cover crops also benefit from the rotation with greater biomass, leaf chlorophyll, and nitrate-nitrogen compared with oat grown in the conventional rotation. Soil organic carbon continues to increase in this well-established (>10 yr) sod-based rotation system at the soil surface. Soil organic carbon is considered an indicator of soil health and quality. An economic analysis of the sod-based rotation demonstrates similar profits as the traditional rotation; however, some barriers to adoption have been identified. These are largely tied to lack of irrigation, especially in Alabama. In addition, rented land poses the next greatest impediment. Rotating cattle among discontinuous fields and installation of irrigation equipment are not likely to be performed by a farmer who is renting land. Lastly, there are some minor inconveniences associated with cattle production that some row crop producers do not want to incur. These limitations suggest that assistance with irrigation needs and further research into a non-irrigated sod-based rotation are needed to fully overcome these barriers to adoption. The sod-based rotation system’s numerous environmental and production benefits provide an alternative to current less environmentally friendly production systems. Goal 1: Develop and compare the economic and environmental benefits of conventional and sod-based farming systems using conservation tillage systems. An economic study was completed that examined the expected returns and risks of the sod-based rotation compared to traditional row-crop production systems between 2007 and 2012. The model compared the sod-based rotation with both non-irrigated and irrigated versions of the traditional peanut-cotton rotation, as well as a rotation of non-irrigated wheat-soybean-corn. Results indicated similar means over variable costs for sod-based rotation and irrigated and non-irrigated traditional rotation of peanut and cotton ($21,000 to $23,000). The non-irrigated traditional rotation of peanut and cotton was slightly higher; however, it should be noted that yields were assumed to be derived solely from the irrigated portion of the field, which was estimated at 80% of the field. A study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of the soil in a sod-based rotation to greenhouse gas (GHG) emission (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) and carbon sequestration. Results indicate no large differences between the sod-based rotation system with cattle and a traditional rotation with winter grazing. However, often non-grazed systems had higher carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon sequestration was evident in the sod-based rotation with grazing when samples from 2010 to 2013 were compared. Increases ranged from 10 to 30% additional SOC concentration. Thus, management practices were conducive to reducing GHG. Goal 2: Quantify the positive impact that sod-based rotations have on soil health, pest reduction, and sustainable farm production Previous studies have shown that adoption can improve soil organic carbon, but it is important to know if established systems are also contributing to soil organic carbon, which is a known indicator of soil health. A study was conducted to evaluate carbon sequestration in this established sob-based rotation system. Carbon sequestration was evident in the sod-based rotation with grazing when samples from 2010 to 2013 were compared. The concentration of soil organic carbon increased at various depths ranging from 10 to 30%. Some increases were also observed in the traditional rotation, but these were only in systems where winter cover was chopped and returned to the soil. This supports research that cover crops are an important practice in maintaining or improving soil organic carbon. By increasing soil organic carbon, the sod-based rotation and traditional rotation with non-grazed cover crops contribute to sustainable farm production. Previous studies have shown the benefit of the sod-based rotation on yield of peanut, so in this project a study was conducted to determine the impact of long-term grazing on soil properties and productivity of the cotton phase of the rotation. The influence of grazing and irrigation on soil properties such as soil bulk density, organic matter, nitrate N, extractable P, exchangeable K, microbial biomass C, total organic C, and nutrient cycling enzymes (acid and alkaline phosphatases, arylsulfatase, b-glucosidase, and b-glucosaminidase) was examined. Soil bulk density was not significantly affected by grazing at depths lower than 5 cm. The percentage of total organic C that occurred as microbial biomass C at all 3 depth levels (0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 cm) was significantly greater in the grazed plots (1.66–2.07%) than non-grazed plots (0.8–0.85%) when not irrigated. Significantly greater levels of extractable P, exchangeable K and acid and alkaline phosphatases were also observed in the grazed as compared to non-grazed plots indicating efficient nutrient cycling and potential for greater nutrient availability for the following cotton crop. Average cotton lint yield over 4 years (2007–2010) from irrigated grazed and non-grazed plots were 1774 kg/ha and 1700 kg/ha, respectively while the yield from non-irrigated grazed and non-grazed plots was 1613 kg/ha and 1376 kg/ha, respectively. Grazing can have a significant positive impact especially on non-irrigated cotton yield with less fertilizer inputs making a more economical crop while utilizing resources year round. Goal 3) Refine and promote production practices in a sod-based rotation which result in significant yield increases associated with decreased inputs This objective was largely an extension and teaching objective. Several extension activities were conducted during the last year to promote the sod-based rotation. There were four presentations at growers meetings in Florida and Alabama. There were two field days were presentations were made, one was a multi-state event. In addition, there was a presentation at two different climate adaptation meetings in Georgia. Other outreach activities include a week-long event exposing high school STEM students to cropping systems and climate impacts on management and a presentation on to a Master Gardener class. A video was also produced on the sod-based rotation and its impacts on water and nutrient use (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CGqI1rIG9E).

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gamble, A.V. 2013. Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling in a Peanut-Cotton-Bahiagrass Rotation. M.S. thesis. Auburn University, Auburn, AL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gamble, A., R.P. Prevatt III, and J.A. Howe. Influence of Bahiagrass in rotation with peanut and cotton on carbon storage in southeastern US. Southern Regional Branch American Society of Agronomy Meetings. Feb 3-5, 2013 Orlando, FL
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Gamble, A.V., J.A. Howe, and D.B. Watts. Influence of Bahiagrass on carbon storage in Coastal Plain soils under peanut-cotton-bahiagrass rotation. In 2013 Agronomy Abstracts. [CD-ROM]. ASA, Madison, WI
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: George, S., D.L Wright, and J.J. Marois. 2013. Impact of grazing on soil properties and cotton yield in an integrated crop-livestock system. Soil and Tillage Research. 132:47-55
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Hoegenauer, K., J.A. Howe. Influence of cover crops on soil water movement in a southeast Alabama soil. In 2013 Agronomy Abstracts. [CD-ROM]. ASA, Madison, WI
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Loison, R., D. Rowland, W. Faircloth, J.J. Marois, D.L. Wright, and S. George. 2012. Effect of cattle grazing in a Bahiagrass-based rotation on cotton root dimensions. Crop Management: doi:10.1094/CM-2012-0925-02-RS
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Prevatt, C., J. Novak, W. Prevatt, M.R. Worosz, K. Balkcom, W. Birdsong, B. Gamble, and J.A. Howe. 2014. A Return-Risk Analysis of Southern Row-Crop Enterprises and the Sod-Based Rotation. J. Agribusiness. (in press)
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Prevatt, Christopher. 2013. A Return-risk Analysis of Traditional Row Crop and Sod-based Rotations in the Wiregrass Region of Alabama. M.S. thesis. Auburn University, Auburn, AL
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wright, D. J. Marois, C. Fraisse, and D. Dourte. 2012. Agricultural management options for climate variability and change:sod based rotation. UF/IFAS. EDIS AE492/AE492
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wright, D. L., Marois, J. J., Katsvairo, T. W. and Rich, J. R. 2012. Sod/Livestock-Based Peanut/Cotton Production System: Why We Recommend It!, UF/IFAS. EDIS SS-AGR-126/AG258
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wright, D. L., Marois, J. J., Rich, J. R. and Katsvairo, T. W. 2012. The Role of Livestock in Integrated Peanut/ Cotton Cropping Systems, UF/IFAS. EDIS SS-AGR-20/AG255
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Foster, J.L., Lamb, G.C., Tillman, B., Marois, J., Wright, D., and Maddox, M.K. 2012. In sacco degradation kinetics of fresh and field-cured peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) forage harvested at different maturities. Animal Feed Science and Technology 171:52-59.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Wright, D.L., J. Marois, and D. Rowland. 2013. Grazing cover crops impact on cotton rooting and yield. Beltwide Cotton Technical Conference, Jan. 8-11, 2013 San Antonio, TX
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: George, S., D. Wafula, A. Chauhan, D.L. Wright, J.J. Marois. 2013. Microbial communities and biogeochemical indicators in a row crop/perennial grass rotation. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting,Nov. 3-6, Tampa, FL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wright, D. L., Marois, J., and George, S. 2012. Winter grazing impacts on soils and following crops. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Oct 21-24, 2012, Cincinnati, OH
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry, D.D. 2013. Effects of feeding a natural biopolymer (chitosan) on methane emissions and performance in beef cattle. M.S. thesis. University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: George, S., Wright, D. L., and Marois, J. 2012. Impact of grazing/non grazing winter annuals on soil microbial biomass C, microbial diversity, and nutrient cycling enzymes. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Oct 21-24, 2012, Cincinnati, OH
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: DiLorenzo, N. and G. C. Lamb. 2012. Environmental and economic benefits of selecting beef cattle for feed efficiency. University of Florida, IFAS, Florida Coop. Ext. Serv., Animal Science Dept., Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS1) Publication AN276. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an276
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Waters, K. M., N. DiLorenzo, and G. C. Lamb. 2013. Understanding the effects of forage composition and structure in ruminant nutrition. University of Florida, IFAS, Florida Coop. Ext. Serv., Animal Science Dept., Electronic Data Information Source (EDIS1) Publication AN288. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an288
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry, D. D., G. C. Lamb, and DiLorenzo, N. 2013. Nutrition of the beef herd during the transition from winter to summer. The Florida Cattleman and Livestock Journal. Vol. 77 (8):16-17.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry , D. D., F. M. Ciriaco , C. A. Njombwa , M. M. Kohmann , V. R. G. Mercadante , M. Ruiz-Moreno , G. C. Lamb, and N. DiLorenzo. 2013. Research update of NFREC projects. 2013. Proc. 2013 Florida Beef Cattle Short Course. Pp 73.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DiLorenzo, N. 2013. Preparing for winter feeding: the annual dilemma. The Florida Cattleman and Livestock Journal. Vol. 78 (1):10-14.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ciriaco, F., K. Bischoff, V. Mercadante, T. Black, G. Lamb, and N. DiLorenzo. 2012. Evaluation of Beef Cattle Winter Feeding Systems in the Southeast. 2013 Florida Beef Report. Gainesville, FL. pp 63-68. http://www.animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/beef/beef_cattle_report/2013/documents/Ciriaco.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Henry, D., C. Njombwa, F. Ciriaco, V. Mercadante, G. Lamb, and N. DiLorenzo. 2013. Estimation of Total Tract Apparent Digestibility of Nutrients in Three Annual Winter Forages Using Two Different Digestibility Markers 2013 Florida Beef Report. Gainesville, FL. pp 127-132 http://www.animal.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/beef/beef_cattle_report/2013/documents/Henry.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: George, S., C.M. Bliss, D. Wafula, A. Chauhan, P.C. Andersen, C. Mackowiak, D.L. Wright, J.J. Marois, S. Olson. 2013. Nutrient cycling enzymes and microbial community shifts in an organic sod-based vegetable rotation. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Nov. 3-6, Tampa, FL
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Anguelov, G., Wright, D. L., Marois, J. J. 2011. Sod-based farming systems for advance conservation effectiveness and ecosystem services. 272-3. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Oct 16  19, 2011, San Antonio, TX
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Anguelov, G., Wright, D.L., and Marois, J. J. 2011. Reducing fertilizer and water needs with sod-based rotations. Soil and Water Conservation Society, 66th International Annual Conference, July 17-20, 2011, Washington DC
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Bliss, C., Andersen, P. A., Mackowiak, C. L., Oloson, S. M., Wight, D. L., Mizell, R., Marois, J., Blount, A., and Treadwell, D. D. 2012. Tillage Impact On Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics within an Organic Transition, Sod-Based Vegetable Rotation. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Oct 21-24, 2012, Cincinnati, OH


Progress 02/01/12 to 01/31/13

Outputs
OUTPUTS: A conference and in-service training event was held in August 2012 in conjunction with other SE states to highlight the sod based rotation at the NFREC in Quincy and Marianna. Talks were presented by specialists from cooperating states on their efforts in conservation tillage and the sod rotation to inform, educate, and train county faculty, extension specialists, and the agricultural community on the impacts of this system to the farming community. The sod based farming system was highlighted on radio and TV interviews, 6 related EDIS articles and numerous newsletters, etc. The project has been promoted through the Cotton Farming magazine in the Specialist Speaking column. Findings have also been presented at numerous training session, The website http://nfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/sodrotation.htm is maintained for those want to try the system with an interactive Excel budget that can be modified according to individual farming operations. There are Power Point presentations that can be accessed by county faculty for educational events in their counties. The business model has been presented at in-service training events for county faculty to give them hands on training on how to access and use the program to help growers decide on how to use this on their own farms. This interactive feature has allowed growers to see the potential of the system before trying it on their farms. There are currently 9 faculty from 7 different departments and involved in this project that participate in educational events such as short courses, county or regional presentations, hands on demonstrations, etc. to educate and inform county extension faculty and their clientele. These units include University of Florida, Auburn University, USDA/ARS National Soil Dynamics Laboratory at Auburn, University of Georgia, USDA/ARS National Peanut Laboratory, Dawson GA, Virginia Tech University, National Environmentally Sound Precision Agricultural Laboratory in Georgia, and The Stripling Irrigation Park in Camilla, GA. Faculty from agronomy, soils, entomology, plant pathology, animal science, agricultural engineering, economics, and nematology have been involved in various phases of the project such as meetings, field days, conferences, and in-service trainings. In-service trainings- Yearly in-service trainings have been conducted for county extension faculty (2001-2012) each January with updates of educational information available for conservation farming systems along with any new research findings discovered. Multi-state in-service trainings and regional workshops have been conducted to educate county faculty, crops consultants, and other conservation groups. Different aspects of the sod based system have been presented at the Panhandle Peanut short course and the Panhandle Peanut Field day for each of the last 7 years including greenhouse gas production from the soils as well as measuring methane from cattle on the study. Management highlighted have been tillage, impacts on soil moisture and pests, impacts on farm economics, conservation farming impacts on following crops, etc. PARTICIPANTS: Each of the researchers worked on different aspects of the project including crop yield and quality as impacted by cattle and irrigation, Disease control . Soil chemical and physical properties as impacted by crops and cattle and greenhouse gas release from the soil as well as methane production from cattle on different forages. Auburn University had two graduate students working on the project with one being greenhouse gas release and the other doing a survey on impediments to adoption of the farming system. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences are farmers, conservation groups, risk management and others who are interested in higher crop yields with less inputs. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No major changes have been made to the project.

Impacts
County faculty have established the sod based conservation farming system on farms in 85% of the counties that have large acreage. We have demonstrated significantly lower nematode levels and had less peanut diseases resulting in reducing pesticide use when peanuts follow bahiagrass as compared to the conventional rotation of cotton followed by peanut. Many growers are now using this rotation and have reduced their total pesticide use by 50% and many fields that had severe nematode infestations can now grow crops without nematicides and fungicide application numbers have been reduced. Counties that have farmers to try the sod based system have shown increased yields of cotton and peanut. Peanut yields have been 50% higher than in conventional row crop rotations and one of our university cooperators showed a 50% increase in cotton yields when planted after perennial grass. Overall, farmers who have adopted the system have reported 20-50% yield increases. Growers have found that the system reduces capital risks due to less acreage in cash crops and improves the total farm income more than 2 fold by including livestock and having less input costs on the crops. We have an established a farm scale model (160 acre) of the sod based rotation at the NFREC in Marianna and have a cow/calf operation to utilize the perennial forage and the winter annuals grown after peanut and cotton. This site showcases the system and how it can be implemented successfully on a farm scale. Due to the farm scale nature of the project, several researchers have cooperated extensively to study cattle impacts on nitrogen and carbon cycling, water quality, soil and plant responses, GIS/GPS research using precision ag technology, and cattle impacts on soil properties, winter grazing and the following peanut and cotton crops. We have used the sod based systems established in GA, FL, and AL to gain new knowledge as well as to train and educate graduate students, serve as a resource for training county extension faculty and their clientele, consultants and demonstrate the concept to the agri-business community. This diversified conservation farming system has given county extension faculty a farm system to promote to growers in their counties and more than 60% of the counties have worked with growers who have struggled with conventional rotations to get them started with the sod based rotation. This diversified conservation farming system has been highlighted many times in the farm press and other outlets, and has led to training many different groups including State Agronomists for the National Resource Conservation Service, Florida Springs Initiative Working Group, The Nature Conservancy, etc., who have an interest in conservation, the environment and the well being of the farming community. We have met with The Nature Conservancy, the Coca Cola Foundations and had field days with these groups in 2012 at both Marianna and Quincy. This has been a highly visible and conservation minded farming system that is beginning to impact the SE and U.S. agricultural community.

Publications

  • Mailhot, D. J., Srivastava, P., Marois, J. J., Osekre, E. A., and Wright, D. L. 2012. Effect of weather conditions on severity of hardlock in cotton. Crop Protection: In Press
  • Young, H. M., Srivastava, P., Paret, M. L., Dankers, H., Wright, D. L., and Marois J. J. 2012. First Report of Sclerotinia stem rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on Brassica carinata in Florida. Plant Disease 96:1581.
  • Young, H. M., George, S., Narvaez, D. F., Srivastava, P., Marois, J. J., Wright, D. L., and Schuerger, A. C. 2012. Effect of solar radiation on disease severity of soybean rust. Phytopathology 102:794-803.
  • Foster, J.L., Lamb, G.C., Tillman, B., Marois, J., Wright, D., and Maddox, M.K. 2012. In sacco degradation kinetics of fresh and field-cured peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) forage harvested at different maturities. Animal Feed Science and Technology 171:52-59.
  • Srivastava, P., Mailhot D. J., Leite, B., Marois, J. J., Wright, D. L., and Nichols, R. L.. 2010. Fusarium verticillioides associated with hardlock of cotton. Current Microbiology 61:79-84
  • Srivastava, P., Young, H. M., Marois, J. J., Wright, D. L., Dankers, H., Dufualt, N. S. and Harmon, P. F. 2012. First Report of Downy Mildew (Hyaloperonospora camelinae) on Camelina sativa in Florida. Plant Disease 96:1692.
  • Loison, R., Rowland, D., Faircloth, W., Marois, J. J., Wright, D. L., and George, S. 2012. Effect of cattle grazing in a Bahiagrass-based rotation on cotton root dimensions. Crop Management: doi:10.1094/CM-2012-0925-02-RS.


Progress 02/01/11 to 01/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Two meetings were held with producers to talk about adoption or changing farming systems from current rotations to the sod based rotation. Growers served in a advisor capacity and filled out survey information with questions, concerns and suggestions to make the system better. An article was published as the front page artilce for Crops and Soils Magazine wich is an American Society of Agronomy publication that goes out to 10,000 crop consultants and crop advisors in the U.S. and around the world. We hosted two other farm groups to explain how the integrated livestock/row crop operation is a risk management tool that is more profitable than conventional cropping systems. The sod based project has also been highlighted in magazine articles in the southeast and other grants have been written and funded in 2010-11 to further examine the benefits of the rotation to the mitigation of greenhouse gases. PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Nicolas DiLorenzo replaced Dr. Myer, who retired, on the project and has begun initial sampling for greenhouse gases for nitrous oxide, and methane. Dr. mackowiak has been collecting well water samples for nitrates on a monthly basis. Drs. Wright and Marois have been sampling soil for both chemical and physical analysis and getting crop data from the system withand without cattle. The new post doc has been getting forage samples while collaborators from Auburn have been putting together chambers for gas collection. Dr. Woroscz has collected survey information information at initial meetings on farmer adoption of the sod based project and the impediments to adoption. We have increased our partnerships with others in the climate area with the Florida Climate Institute and continue to reach out to others who see the system as a viable option to current farming systems. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences are row crop farmers who have cattle initially and conservation groups who want a more sustainable farming system. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No changes at this time.

Impacts
Growers have become more aware of the potential of the system for enhancing the profits of their farming operations. Several growers are considering converting parts of their farms to perennial grass that have been unprofitable for many years in marginal areas of their fields that have always been a breakeven proposition. When there areas of the fieldare broken out of the perennial grasses after a minimum of two years, these are some of the most productive areas of the farm. We have targeted the row crop farms that have cattle and have convinced several of the value of rotation perennial grasses through row crop land for pest reduction, organic matter improvement, yield enhancement and greater profits. We have been able to show growers that they can reduce nitrogen applications on cotton by 50% when cattle are grazed on winter grazing vs. the cover crops alone without cattle and that yields are from 150-300 lbs/A of lint higher. We have been able to use the information gained from these studies at country and regional meetings and have partnered with several other groups including NRCS, Water Management Districts, Florida Department of Agriculture, The Nature Conservancy and others and have been able to set up EQIP funds and other programs to help get producers started in they system.

Publications

  • Featured story- Sod-based rotations. Crops and Soils Magazine. Am. Soc. of Agr. Pub. Sept.-Oct. 2011