Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Determine the agronomic, economic and environmental risk/benefits of adopting and transitioning into alternative cropping systems including organic and minimum tillage production systems and the introduction of alternative crops. Develop decision aids that facilitate adoption of science-based research at the field level. Approach (from AD-416) Long-term cropping systems field plots will be used to evaluate the effects of alternative cropping systems on crop productivity and economic returns, as well as soil quality characteristics, greenhouse emissions and weed and nutrient dynamics. In addition, this CRIS project will rely on integrating component research from other CRIS projects at this and other locations into farming systems. Basic research from field and greenhouse studies on plant nutrient uptake, weed germination and growth, soil carbon sequestration, alternative crops, and organic farming systems will be analyzed with respect to input and production costs, risks associated with climatic variability, product market prices, environmental risks, social acceptability, etc. In addition to scientific journals, research results will be used to develop decision aids that meet customers' needs in the areas of weed management, nutrient management, and tillage management. Accomplishments Crop productivity and economics during the transition to alternative cropping systems. Problem: Economic and environmental issues have hindered adoption of alternative (organic) cropping systems. Accomplishment: Four years of research have been conducted to identify and alleviate these barriers. Although lower crop yields in organic systems often present a barrier to adoption, we determined that actual profits after organic certification were as high or higher than conventional production. We also determined that timing the transition to the appropriate crop rotation was critical to a positive and profitable outcome. Many crops under alternative conventional management showed no significant differences in net returns suggesting that there were no economic barriers to adopting practices which increased crop diversity and reduced tillage. Impact: This research will be an important source of information for producers who are making decisions to switch to alternative practices and policy makers in determining economic incentives, which may be necessary to encourage producers to adopt these practices. This research addresses NP-216 Action Plan Component 1, Problem Statement 1A. Decision aids provide guidance to improve production efficiency, reduce input use and increase profitability. Problem: Decision aids are a valuable tool that can facilitate the use of science-based information by producers to make management decisions, however, site specific, simple, user-friendly tools need to be developed. Accomplishment: We have conducted research to improve the usability of existing models. WeedCast, which can improve weed management, has been enhanced by 1) three new weed emergence models, 2) adapted for turf grass weed management (WEEDTURF), 3) has been translated into Spanish, and 4) adapted for use in Australia. WheatScout, a crop emergence model based on WeedCast, has been field tested and further refined. In relation to these efforts, SeedChaser was developed to allow farmers to evaluate the impact of tillage on resulting weed seed bank distribution and/or surface applied chemical incorporation following tillage. Impact: These decision aids have been included in several extension newsletters and websites, cited in a number of scientific publications, and used by farmers, as well as instructors in weed ecology and precision agriculture classes. This research addresses NP-216 Action Plan Component 4, Problem Statement 4B. Management systems for Cuphea, a New Oilseed Crop for the Northern Corn Belt. Problem: Diversification of the landscape and cropping systems may be a way to improve economic and environmental sustainability. Cuphea represents a newly domesticated crop for production of novel and important oils that currently come from non-domestic and petroleum based sources, however management and economic aspects of establishing cuphea as a productive crop in a traditional landscape need to be assessed. Accomplishment: A rotational study was undertaken to determine how best to integrate a crop of cuphea into traditional corn-soybean-wheat rotation. Our research determined that cuphea was most successful following soybean or wheat. Economic evaluation determined that cuphea can be a profitable crop for the Upper Midwest. Impact: This crop will benefit farmers, researchers, industry, and the general public by increasing diversity of the landscape, and providing a domestic source of oil for production of various products from cosmetics, dietary products, to industrial lubricants. This research addresses NP-216 Action Plan Component 1, Problem Statements 1A and 1B. Technology Transfer Number of Non-Peer Reviewed Presentations and Proceedings: 6 Number of Newspaper Articles,Presentations for NonScience Audiences: 4
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? Why does it matter? Increasing economic pressures and continued environmental concerns in agricultural production have heightened the need for more sustainable cropping systems. Research is needed to 1) identify systems that simultaneously improve the economic and social viability of farms and rural communities while protecting the environment and improving or maintaining our natural resource base, and 2) provide tools that will allow producers to utilize current science to manage their farms more sustainably. This project specifically addresses each of these needs. First, a multi-disciplinary team will investigate the agronomic, economic and environmental performance of a wide range of cropping systems, including organic and minimum tillage systems and the introduction of alternative crops. The systems will
be evaluated to determine both their long term performance and to identify potential barriers to their adoption in the short-term. Alternative systems will be evaluated at a range of scales from the individual plant, to entire farms, providing insight into the limitations and interactions within the systems. Second, scientific knowledge gained from this and other projects will be utilized to develop software tools which will allow producers to improve the sustainability of their own cropping systems. These tools will include software to improve weed and nitrogen management, and for evaluating alternative tillage systems. The proposed research is tied closely to items in the NP 207 (Integrated Agricultural Systems) action plan, with an emphasis on understanding interactions among components, integrating scientific knowledge into packages that can be implemented by stakeholders, and the development of tools and information that allow producers to formulate their own farm systems. The
proposed research addresses most of the key issues identified in the NP 207 action plan including the use of a systems approach to agricultural production issues associated with small- to medium-sized farms, organic systems, understanding existing systems, alternative pest management strategies, risk management, and transition from one system to another. The proposed research, like the NP 207 action plan, also emphasizes on-farm approaches and information transfer, and includes economic considerations and environmental impacts. The project will result in a better understanding of the economic and environmental performance of alternative cropping systems and provide tools to improve cropping systems management. This will lead to adoption of more sustainable cropping practices in the northern U.S., protecting natural resources and the environment and improving economic viability of agricultural operations. 2. List by year the currently approved milestones (indicators of research
progress) Year 1 (FY2004): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Initial N2O flux monitoring. 4. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 5. Collect N data for decision aid validation. 6. Baseline POM lab work. Experiment 2 7. Develop GIS map of CS plots. 8. Single plant & unit area monitoring CS plots. 9. Select farm participants and sites. 10. Collect baseline information from farm sites. 11. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm sites. Experiment 3 12. Uniform cropping of entire field. 13. Baseline soil sampling and GIS mapping of field. 14. Establish and maintain field scale plots. Experiment 4 15. Collect financial data from participants. 16. Analyze and publish results. Experiment 5 17. Collect financial data from participants. 18. Produce annual progress reports. Experiment 6 19. Economic analysis Brookings long-term plots. 20. Publish Brookings long-term plot econ. results. 21. Econ.
analysis Mandan long-term plot data. 22. Econ. analysis Mandan phase I sequence plots. 23. Publish Mandan phase I sequence results. 24. Econ. analysis Mandan phase II sequence plots. 25. Publish Mandan phase II sequence results. 26. Collect Mandan phase III sequence field data. 27. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. Experiment 7 28. Initiate part 1 plots and collect data. 29. Initiate part 2 plots and collect data. 30. Initiate part 2 on-farm plots and collect data. 31. Initiate part 3 on-farm plots and collect data. 32. Initiate part 4 on-farm treatments and collect data. Experiment 8 33. Initiate cuphea rotation study. 34. Continue cuphea rotations study. Approach 1 35. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 36. Wild oat model development. 37. Field testing of wild oat model. 38. Release beta test Spanish version WeedCast. 39. Customer testing of Spanish version WeedCast. 40. Customer testing of beta test WeedEm. 41. Winter-cereal weed analysis and modeling. 42.
Complete and release beta version WheatScout. 43. Customer testing beta version WheatScout. 44. Field testing WheatScout. Approach 2 45. Incorporate updated equations in N Decision Aid. 46. Field testing of revised N decision aid. 47. Update user interface & graphical output. 48. Translate N Decision Aid to Cyrillic languages. 49. Customer testing of Cyrillic N Decision Aid. 50. Release Cyrillic N Decision Aid. Approach 3 51. Assemble customer group for Tillage Decision Aid. 52. Gather user requirements. Year 2 (FY2005): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 4. Collect N data for decision aid validation. Experiment 2 5. Single plant & unit area monitoring CS plots. 6. Review and revise sampling protocol. 7. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm sites. 8. Estimate crop and crop system coefficients. Experiment 3 9. Maintain field scale plots Experiment 5 10.
Collect financial data from participants. 11. Produce annual progress reports. Experiment 6 12. Publish Mandan long-term plot econ. results. 13. Collect Mandan phase III sequence field data. 14. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. Experiment 7 15. Initiate part 1 plots and collect data. 16. Initiate part 2 plots and collect data. 17. Initiate part 2 on-farm plots and collect data. 18. Econ. analysis and publish part 2 data. 19. Initiate part 3 on-farm plots and collect data. 20. Initiate part 4 on-farm treatments and collect data. Experiment 8 21. Continue cuphea rotations study. Experiment 9 22. Initiate annual medic & winter canola rotation study Approach 1 23. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 24. Perennial weed model development. 25. Field testing of wild oat model. 26. Inclusion of wild oat in WeedCast. 27. Customer testing of Spanish version WeedCast. 28. Revise and release version 1.0 Spanish WeedCast. 29. Revise and release version 1.0 WeedEm. 30.
Development of crop emergence model & software. 31. Customer testing beta version WheatScout. 32. Field testing WheatScout. 33. Revise WheatScout and release version 1.0. Approach 2 34. Field testing of revised N Decision Aid. 35. Update user interface & graphical output. 36. Customer testing of revised N Decision Aid Approach 3 37. Review existing models & develop initial design. 38. Develop technical equations. Year 3 (FY2006): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 4. Analyze and publish N decision aid analysis 5. Second set of POM samples and lab work Experiment 2 6. Single plant & unit area monitoring CS plots. 7. Review and revise sampling protocol. 8. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm sites. 9. Estimate crop and crop system coefficients. 10. Validate simulation model against field observations Experiment 3 11. Maintain field scale plots Experiment
5 12. Collect financial data from participants. 13. Analyze and publish final results Experiment 6 14. Collect Mandan phase III sequence field data. 15. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. Experiment 7 16. Econ. analysis and publish part 1 data 17. Econ. analysis and publish part 2 data 18. Econ. analysis and publish part 3 data 19. Econ. analysis and publish part 4 data Experiment 8 20. Continue cuphea rotation study 21. Analyze cuphea rotation data Experiment 9 22. Continue medic & canola rotation study Approach 1 23. Field testing of perennial weed model 24. Inclusion of perennial weeds in WeedCast release 25. Field testing WheatScout. 26. Revise WheatScout and release version 1.0. Approach 2 27. Field testing of revised N Decision Aid. 28. Customer testing of revised N Decision Aid 29. Revise & release version 2.0 N Decision Aid Approach 3 30. Review existing models & develop initial design 31. Develop technical equations 32. Customer review of initial
design Year 4 (FY2007): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 4. Analysis of N2O flux data 5. Analyze POM data Experiment 2 6. Analyze spatial hierarchy data Experiment 3 7. Maintain field scale plots Experiment 6 8. Econ. analysis Mandan phase III sequence plots 9. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data 10. Econ. analysis Pendleton transition years Experiment 8 11. Publish cuphea rotation results Experiment 9 12. Continue medic & canola rotation study Approach 1 13. Field testing of crop emergence software Approach 2 14. Revise & release version 2.0 N Decision Aid Approach 3 15. Complete beta version Year 5 (FY2008): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Publish transition economics results. 4. Publish N2O flux analysis. 5. Publish transition POM results. Experiment 2 6. Publish spatial
hierarchy results. Experiment 3 7. Maintain field scale plots. 8. Analyze field scale plot data. Experiment 6 9. Publish Mandan phase III sequence results. 10. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. 11. Publish Pendleton transition econ. results. Experiment 9 12. Analyze medic & canola rotation data. Approach 1 13. Release crop emergence software. Approach 3 14. Field testing of beta version. 15. Customer testing of beta version. 4a List the single most significant research accomplishment during FY 2006. Transition to Organic Cropping Systems under Risk This research addresses all components of NP207, Integrated Agricultural Systems. We found the best strategy to transition to organic systems is to do it as rapidly as possible, even with significant learning curves and machinery adjustment costs. Farmers are looking for ways to maintain economic viability of their farming operations. One option that is gaining interest is organic farming. However, the three-year certification
waiting period, along with changes in equipment needs and the learning process for managing these systems can represent barriers to adoption. We analyzed the risks, returns and best adoption strategies for a representative Minnesota farm switching from conventional to organic cropping systems. This research provides farmers with information needed in making the decision to switch to organic farming, and should lead to greater adoption of organic farming systems. 4b List other significant research accomplishment(s), if any. Self-protection and self-insurance economics This research addresses all components of NP207, Integrated Agricultural Systems. Our research demonstrates the applicability of an analytical tool to a wide range of problems and provides economists with a tool to analyze these problems in a different way. In risk analysis, risk is often viewed as something coming from the outside, over which people have no control. In reality, people take actions to modify these risks.
A theoretical economic model developed for analyzing weed management decisions under risk was modified to analyze parents child care decisions when the child could be exposed to environmental hazards. The impact of this research is a better understanding of investment decisions in risk management, resulting in policies that are more effective and efficient. 5. Describe the major accomplishments to date and their predicted or actual impact. Building on the success of the WeedCast decision aid, WeedCast/WheatScout version 4.0 was released. WheatScout integrates information on weed and crop biology to identify management effects on crop yields, weed seed production and economics, allowing producers to use the best available scientific knowledge in making management decisions. WheatScout was developed using research on weed emergence conducted at the North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, information from published scientific literature, as well as information from partners
at the University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University, and the USDA-ARS Great Plains Systems Research Laboratory. WheatScout should help producers make more efficient and effective weed control decisions, reducing unneeded herbicide applications and improving farm profitability. A significant accomplishment of this project is the continuation of the long-term cropping systems plots initiated at the end of the previous project. The first full rotation cycle was completed in FY2006, and results from the initial years of the study are currently being analyzed. Initial analysis of data compiled on the growth, development and yield attributes of single plants and sub-plots has been used to characterize the site for future analysis and to develop prediction models for system performance based on a limited set of attributes. This research will increase understanding of alternative cropping systems. It will also produce a less costly, more rapid, and more accurate method for
identifying sustainable cropping systems. Detailed soil sampling was completed in FY2004 consistent with the GRACEnet (Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network) sampling protocol, and trace gas emissions monitoring was successfully initiated in FY2004. This will provide the basis of much of the future research in this project. The interactions among government programs, crop insurance, and crop diversification decisions on producers' economic risks were quantified. This addresses the problem of reducing barriers to the adoption of more sustainable cropping systems. Data from a long-term cropping systems study conducted at Brookings, South Dakota were used to evaluate the effects of government programs, crop insurance and crop rotation on managing economic risk. Results showed that diverse crop rotations are valuable risk management tools when government programs and crop insurance are not available. However, when both government programs and crop
insurance are available, the relative risk management benefits of crop diversification are greatly reduced. The impact of this research will be improved use of risk management tools by producers. This research addresses all components of NP207, Integrated Agricultural Systems. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Several presentations have been made on the WheatScout decision aid, and the model is available to the public. Copies of the model have been distributed to scientists, farmers, extension personnel, and crop consultants. Feedback is being collected from these users and will be incorporated into the decision aid as needed to reduce any barriers to the adoption of this product. 7. List your most important publications in the popular
press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Archer, D.W. 2005. Drift prairie conservation ag: Economics five-year report. p. 82-88. In: B. Jacobson and S. Clancy (ed.) Final report on conservation agriculture. North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, Bismarck, ND. Archer, D.W. November 13, 2005. Social and Political Drivers of Agricultural Systems. Presented at the ARS Integrated Farming Systems workshop, Auburn, AL. Enough Corn to Go Around? February 25, 1006. Morris Sun Tribune.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Kludze, H.K., Archer, D.W. 2005. An integrated approach to modeling multiple impacts of cropping systems management [abstract][CD-ROM]. ASA- CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Nov. 6- 10, 2005, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Archer, D.W. 2005. Weeding out economic impacts of farm decisions. In: Hatfield, J.L., editor. The Farmer's Decision. Ankeny, IA: Soil and Water Conservation Society. p. 63-75.
- Jaradat, A.A. 2006. Date palms of Arabia: A multifunctional genetic resource [abstract]. International Conference on Date Palm Production and Processing Technology. May 9-11, 2006, Muscat, Oman. p. 8.
- Archer, D.W., Kludze, H.K. 2006. Transition to organic cropping systems under risk. Proceedings of the American Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting. p. 1-24.
- Archer, D.W., Crocker, T., Shogren, J. 2006. Choosing children's environmental risk. Environmental & Resource Economics. 33:347-369.
- Lachnicht Weyers, S.L., Archer, D.W., Johnson, J.M., Wilts, A.R., Barbour, N.W., Eklund, J.J. 2005. Microbial dynamics in conventional and organic managed systems [abstract][CD-ROM]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Nov. 6-10, 2005, Salt Lake City, UT.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Increasing economic pressures and continued environmental concerns in agricultural production have heightened the need for more sustainable cropping systems. Research is needed to 1) identify systems that simultaneously improve the economic and social viability of farms and rural communities while protecting the environment and improving or maintaining our natural resource base, and 2) provide tools that will allow producers to utilize current science to manage their farms more sustainably. This project specifically addresses each of these needs. First, a multi-disciplinary team will investigate the agronomic, economic and environmental performance of a wide range of cropping systems, including organic and minimum tillage systems and the introduction of alternative crops. The systems will be
evaluated to determine both their long term performance and to identify potential barriers to their adoption in the short-term. Alternative systems will be evaluated at a range of scales from the individual plant, to entire farms, providing insight into the limitations and interactions within the systems. Second, scientific knowledge gained from this and other projects will be utilized to develop software tools which will allow producers to improve the sustainability of their own cropping systems. These tools will include software to improve weed and nitrogen management, and for evaluating alternative tillage systems. The proposed research is tied closely to items in the NP 207 action plan, with an emphasis on understanding interactions among components, integrating scientific knowledge into packages that can be implemented by stakeholders, and the development of tools and information that allow producers to formulate their own farm systems. The proposed research addresses most of
the key issues identified in the NP 207 action plan including the use of a systems approach to agricultural production issues associated with small- to medium-sized farms, organic systems, understanding existing systems, alternative pest management strategies, risk management, and transition from one system to another. The proposed research, like the NP 207 action plan, also emphasizes on-farm approaches and information transfer, and includes economic considerations and environmental impacts. The project will result in a better understanding of the economic and environmental performance of alternative cropping systems and provide tools to improve cropping systems management. This will lead to adoption of more sustainable cropping practices in the northern U.S., protecting natural resources and the environment and improving economic viability of agricultural operations. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY2004): Experiment 1 1. Continue
existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Initial N2O flux monitoring. 4. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 5. Collect N data for decision aid validation. 6. Baseline POM lab work. Experiment 2 7. Develop GIS map of CS plots. 8. Single plant & unit area monitoring CS plots. 9. Select farm participants and sites. 10. Collect baseline information from farm sites. 11. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm sites. Experiment 3 12. Uniform cropping of entire field. 13. Baseline soil sampling and GIS mapping of field. 14. Establish and maintain field scale plots. Experiment 4 15. Collect financial data from participants. 16. Analyze and publish results. Experiment 5 17. Collect financial data from participants. 18. Produce annual progress reports. Experiment 6 19. Economic analysis Brookings long-term plots. 20. Publish Brookings long-term plot econ. results. 21. Econ. analysis Mandan long-term plot data. 22. Econ. analysis
Mandan phase I sequence plots. 23. Publish Mandan phase I sequence results. 24. Econ. analysis Mandan phase II sequence plots. 25. Publish Mandan phase II sequence results. 26. Collect Mandan phase III sequence field data. 27. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. Experiment 7 28. Initiate part 1 plots and collect data. 29. Initiate part 2 plots and collect data. 30. Initiate part 2 on-farm plots and collect data. 31. Initiate part 3 on-farm plots and collect data. 32. Initiate part 4 on-farm treatments and collect data. Experiment 8 33. Initiate cuphea rotation study. 34. Continue cuphea rotations study. Approach 1 35. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 36. Wild oat model development. 37. Field testing of wild oat model. 38. Release beta test Spanish version WeedCast. 39. Customer testing of Spanish version WeedCast. 40. Customer testing of beta test WeedEm. 41. Winter-cereal weed analysis and modeling. 42. Complete and release beta version WheatScout. 43.
Customer testing beta version WheatScout. 44. Field testing WheatScout. Approach 2 45. Incorporate updated equations in N Decision Aid. 46. Field testing of revised N decision aid. 47. Update user interface & graphical output. 48. Translate N Decision Aid to Cyrillic languages. 49. Customer testing of Cyrillic N Decision Aid. 50. Release Cyrillic N Decision Aid. Approach 3 51. Assemble customer group for Tillage Decision Aid. 52. Gather user requirements. Year 2 (FY2005): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 4. Collect N data for decision aid validation. Experiment 2 5. Single plant & unit area monitoring CS plots. 6. Review and revise sampling protocol. 7. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm sites. 8. Estimate crop and crop system coefficients. Experiment 3 9. Maintain field scale plots Experiment 5 10. Collect financial data from participants. 11.
Produce annual progress reports. Experiment 6 12. Publish Mandan long-term plot econ. results. 13. Collect Mandan phase III sequence field data. 14. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. Experiment 7 15. Initiate part 1 plots and collect data. 16. Initiate part 2 plots and collect data. 17. Initiate part 2 on-farm plots and collect data. 18. Econ. analysis and publish part 2 data. 19. Initiate part 3 on-farm plots and collect data. 20. Initiate part 4 on-farm treatments and collect data. Experiment 8 21. Continue cuphea rotations study. Experiment 9 22. Initiate annual medic & winter canola rotation study Approach 1 23. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 24. Perennial weed model development. 25. Field testing of wild oat model. 26. Inclusion of wild oat in WeedCast. 27. Customer testing of Spanish version WeedCast. 28. Revise and release version 1.0 Spanish WeedCast. 29. Revise and release version 1.0 WeedEm. 30. Development of crop emergence model & software. 31.
Customer testing beta version WheatScout. 32. Field testing WheatScout. 33. Revise WheatScout and release version 1.0. Approach 2 34. Field testing of revised N Decision Aid. 35. Update user interface & graphical output. 36. Customer testing of revised N Decision Aid Approach 3 37. Review existing models & develop initial design. 38. Develop technical equations. Year 3 (FY2006): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 4. Analyze and publish N decision aid analysis 5. Second set of POM samples and lab work Experiment 2 6. Single plant & unit area monitoring CS plots. 7. Review and revise sampling protocol. 8. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm sites. 9. Estimate crop and crop system coefficients. 10. Validate simulation model against field observations Experiment 3 11. Maintain field scale plots Experiment 5 12. Collect financial data from participants.
13. Analyze and publish final results Experiment 6 14. Collect Mandan phase III sequence field data. 15. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. Experiment 7 16. Econ. analysis and publish part 1 data 17. Econ. analysis and publish part 2 data 18. Econ. analysis and publish part 3 data 19. Econ. analysis and publish part 4 data Experiment 8 20. Continue cuphea rotation study 21. Analyze cuphea rotation data Experiment 9 22. Continue medic & canola rotation study Approach 1 23. Field testing of perennial weed model 24. Inclusion of perennial weeds in WeedCast release 25. Field testing WheatScout. 26. Revise WheatScout and release version 1.0. Approach 2 27. Field testing of revised N Decision Aid. 28. Customer testing of revised N Decision Aid 29. Revise & release version 2.0 N Decision Aid Approach 3 30. Review existing models & develop initial design 31. Develop technical equations 32. Customer review of initial design Year 4 (FY2007): Experiment 1 1. Continue
existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. 4. Analysis of N2O flux data 5. Analyze POM data Experiment 2 6. Analyze spatial hierarchy data Experiment 3 7. Maintain field scale plots Experiment 6 8. Econ. analysis Mandan phase III sequence plots 9. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data 10. Econ. analysis Pendleton transition years Experiment 8 11. Publish cuphea rotation results Experiment 9 12. Continue medic & canola rotation study Approach 1 13. Field testing of crop emergence software Approach 2 14. Revise & release version 2.0 N Decision Aid Approach 3 15. Complete beta version Year 5 (FY2008): Experiment 1 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. 3. Publish transition economics results. 4. Publish N2O flux analysis. 5. Publish transition POM results. Experiment 2 6. Publish spatial hierarchy results. Experiment 3 7. Maintain field
scale plots. 8. Analyze field scale plot data. Experiment 6 9. Publish Mandan phase III sequence results. 10. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. 11. Publish Pendleton transition econ. results. Experiment 9 12. Analyze medic & canola rotation data. Approach 1 13. Release crop emergence software. Approach 3 14. Field testing of beta version. 15. Customer testing of beta version. 3a List the milestones that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2005. For each milestone, indicate the status: fully met, substantially met, or not met. If not met, why. 1. Continue existing Cropping Systems (CS) plot design. Milestone Fully Met 2. Collect soil and weed seed samples. Milestone Fully Met 3. Full-scale N2O flux monitoring. Milestone Fully Met 4. Collect N data for decision aid validation. Milestone Fully Met 5. Single plant & unit area monitoring CS plots. Milestone Fully Met 6. Review and revise sampling protocol. Milestone Fully Met 7. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm
sites. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 8. Estimate crop and crop system coefficients. Milestone Substantially Met 9. Maintain field scale plots. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 10. Collect financial data from participants. Milestone Fully Met 11. Produce annual progress reports. Milestone Fully Met 12. Publish Mandan long-term plot economic results. Milestone Not Met Other 13. Collect Mandan phase III sequence field data. Milestone Fully Met 14. Collect Pendleton long-term plot data. Milestone Fully Met 15. Initiate part 1 plots and collect data. Milestone Fully Met 16. Initiate part 2 plots and collect data. Milestone Fully Met 17. Initiate part 2 on-farm plots and collect data. Milestone Fully Met 18. Economic analysis and publish part 2 data. Milestone Substantially Met 19. Initiate part 3 on-farm plots and collect data. Milestone Fully Met 20. Initiate part 4 on-farm
treatments and collect data. Milestone Fully Met 21. Continue cuphea rotations study. Milestone Fully Met 22. Initiate annual medic & winter canola rotation study. Milestone Not Met Other 23. Collect soil and weed seed samples. Milestone Fully Met 24. Perennial weed model development. Milestone Substantially Met 25. Field testing of wild oat model. Milestone Fully Met 26. Inclusion of wild oat in WeedCast. Milestone Fully Met 27. Customer testing of Spanish version WeedCast. Milestone Substantially Met 28. Revise and release version 1.0 Spanish WeedCast. Milestone Fully Met 29. Revise and release version 1.0 WeedEm. Milestone Fully Met 30. Development of crop emergence model & software. Milestone Substantially Met 31. Customer testing beta version WheatScout. Milestone Fully Met 32. Field testing WheatScout. Milestone Fully Met 33. Revise WheatScout and release version 1.0. Milestone Substantially Met 34. Field testing of revised N Decision Aid. Milestone Substantially Met 35. Update
user interface & graphical output. Milestone Not Met Critical SY Vacancy 36. Customer testing of revised N Decision Aid Milestone Substantially Met 37. Review existing models & develop initial design. Milestone Substantially Met 38. Develop technical equations. Milestone Substantially Met 39. Carryover from FY2004: 6. Baseline POM lab work. Milestone Substantially Met 40. Carryover from FY2004: 9. Select farm participants and sites. Milestone Substantially Met 41. Carryover from FY2004: 10. Collect baseline information from farm sites. Milestone Substantially Met 42. Carryover from FY2004: 11. Single plant & unit area monitoring of farm sites. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 43. Carryover from FY2004: 12. Uniform cropping of entire field. Milestone Fully Met 44. Carryover from FY2004: 13. Baseline soil sampling and GIS mapping of field. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 45.
Carryover from FY2004: 14. Establish and maintain field scale plots. Milestone Substantially Met 46. Carryover from FY2004: 24. Econ. analysis Mandan phase II sequence plots. Milestone Substantially Met 47. Carryover from FY2004: 25. Publish Mandan phase II sequence results. Milestone Not Met Progress slowed by resource limitation (human,fiscal,equipment, etc. 3b List the milestones that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2006, 2007, and 2008). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? Of the complete lists of milestones scheduled to be completed in Question #2, the most important are summarized below. Year 3 (FY2006): Publish N Decision Aid validation study. This study will quantify the value of the N Decision Aid as a tool for nitrogen application decisions, and may be used to make future improvements to the model. Initiate field scale cropping systems plots. This will allow us to begin including landscape effects into
our cropping systems analysis. Publish Draft Prairie Conservation Agriculture economic analysis. This analysis will provide insights into the potential wider-scale economic and environmental impacts if the Conservation Agriculture Demonstration program were to be implemented on a broad basis. Publish Mandan phase II sequence economics study. This accomplishment will provide information on the economic consequences of adjusting crop sequences based on changing conditions, and serve as a useful tool for producers in making cropping decisions. Conduct economic analysis and publish parts 1-4 of the cooperative project with U of MN SWROC (Experiment 7). These analyses will provide information to organic producers on the economic viability of alternative methods for dealing with Canada thistle. This may lead to the adoption to less tillage intensive methods of weed control providing environmental benefits as well as economic benefits to organic producers. Release updated WeedCast with
perennial weed emergence model. This accomplishment will continue to extend the applicability of WeedCast to more users and situations by adding additional weed species. This will help producers improve weed management decisions, increase profitability and reduce unneeded herbicide use. Release WheatScout version 1.0. This accomplishment will continue to extend the applicability of WeedCast to more users and situations by adding information on herbicide application windows, herbicide efficacy, yield and economic impacts. This will help producers improve weed management decisions, increase profitability and reduce unneeded herbicide use. Year 4 (FY2007): Publish cuphea rotation analysis. Results of this study will help us determine where cuphea best fits in a corn-soybean-wheat rotation system from both an economic and agronomic standpoint. Release beta version of Tillage Decision Aid. The Tillage Decision Aid will provide producers with a tool to quickly evaluate the potential
multiple effects of tillage decisions including soil carbon effects, soil erosion effects, and economic effects. Year 5 (FY2008): Publish spatial hierarchy results. Results of this study will provide information on constraints to plant growth, development and yield. Publish Mandan phase III sequence results. Results from this study will broaden the phase II analysis to encompass more crop sequence options. Publish Pendleton transition economics results. This analysis will provide information on the economic performance of alternative cropping systems. This could potentially lead to the adoption of more sustainable cropping systems in the Pacific Northwest. Release crop emergence software. This software should have a wide range of uses including pest and disease modeling, allocation of crop consultant resources and helping producers in timing management decisions. 4a What was the single most significant accomplishment this past year? Title: Interaction of Risk Management Tools
Accomplishment: The interactions among government programs, crop insurance, and crop diversification decisions on producers' economic risks were quantified. This addresses the problem of reducing barriers to the adoption of more sustainable cropping systems. Data from a long- term cropping systems study conducted at Brookings, South Dakota were used to evaluate the effects of government programs, crop insurance and crop rotation on managing economic risk. Results showed that diverse crop rotations are valuable risk management tools when government programs and crop insurance are not available. However, when both government programs and crop insurance are available, the relative risk management benefits of crop diversification are greatly reduced. The impact of this research will be improved use of risk management tools by producers. 4b List other significant accomplishments, if any. Title: Indicators to Predict System Performance Accomplishment: Models were developed to predict the
impact of soil variables on crop yields. As part of the long-term cropping systems study, data was compiled on the growth, development and yield attributes of single plants and sub-plots. Soil clusters were identified on the basis of statistical analyses of the initial soil physical, chemical and biological properties, and were contrasted with the four soil series initially identified in the experimental field. Prediction models were developed, on the basis of particle size distribution, ECa and pH, for C:N ratio and organic carbon. This research will increase understanding of alternative cropping systems. It will also produce a less costly, more rapid, and more accurate method for identifying sustainable cropping systems. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the project, including their predicted or actual impact. Building on the success of the WeedCast decision aid, a test version of WheatScout was released. WheatScout integrates information on weed and crop
biology to identify management effects on crop yields, weed seed production and economics, allowing producers to use the best available scientific knowledge in making management decisions. WheatScout was developed using research on weed emergence conducted at the North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, information from published scientific literature, as well as information from partners at the University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University, and the USDA-ARS Great Plains Systems Research Laboratory. WheatScout should help producers make more efficient and effective weed control decisions, reducing unneeded herbicide applications and improving farm profitability. A significant accomplishment of this project is the continuation of the long-term cropping systems plots initiated at the end of the previous project. Detailed soil sampling was completed in FY2004 consistent with the GRACEnet (Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network)
sampling protocol, and trace gas emissions monitoring was successfully initiated in FY2004. This will provide the basis of much of the future research in this project. An initial map of soil, crop and plant variables was developed along with an initial analysis of the impact of soil characteristics and management practices on plant growth, crop yield and yield components. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? Several presentations have been made on the WheatScout decision aid, and test copies of the model have been distributed to scientists, farmers, extension personnel, and crop consultants. Feedback is being collected from these users and incorporated into the final design of the decision aid to reduce any barriers to the adoption of this
product. Emergence modeling team met with IT team from a billion-dollar per-annum company that distributes agricultural products and information to discuss commercial delivery of weed management information. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. (NOTE: List your peer reviewed publications below). Archer, D. September 30, 2004. Guest lecture on weed modeling. Presented at NDSU weed ecology class. Fargo, ND. Archer, D. October 18, 2004. Value of soil carbon, step 1: Effects on crop productivity through changes in available water capacity. Presented at the University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate. St. Paul, MN. Archer, D. January 25, 2005. Economic considerations of strip-till and no-till systems. Presented at the Innovative Cropping Systems Workshop (sponsored by the six Soil Conservation Districts in Southeast North Dakota). Fargo, ND. Archer, D. February 1, 2005.
WheatScout: Wild oat and foxtail decision model. Presented at the 27th Annual Zero Tillage and Winter Wheat Workshop (Manitoba-North Dakota Zero Till Farmer's Association). Brandon, MB. Archer, D. February 22, 2005. Economic impact of Dakota healthy beef. Presented at the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory 2005 Research Results and Technology Conference. Mandan, ND.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Wiersma, J.J., Archer, D.W., Forcella, F., Durgan, B.R., Eklund, J.J., Martinson, K. 2005. Validation of WheatScout decision aid for integrated management of grass weeds in spring wheat [abstract]. Weed Science Society of America. 45:80.
- Liebig, M.A., Carpenter-Boggs, L., Johnson, J.M., Wright, S.E., Barbour, N. W. 2003. Cropping system effects on soil biological characteristics in the great plains. No. S06 wright569424. IN Annual Meeting Abstracts CD-ROM, November 2-6, Denver, CO. ASA-CSSA-SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Jaradat, A.A. 2005. Saline agriculture in the Arabian Peninsula: Management of marginal lands and saline water resources. Journal of Food, Agriculture, and the Environment. 3(2):302-306.
- Donald, W.W., Archer, D.W., Johnson, W.G., Nelson, K. 2004. Zone herbicide application controls weeds and reduces residual herbicide use in corn. Weed Science. 52:821-833.
- Masin, R., Zuin, M., Archer, D.W., Forcella, F., Zanin, G. 2005. WeedTurf: A predictive model to aid control of annual summer weeds in turf. Weed Science. 53:193-201.
- Archer, D.W., Forcella, F., Wiersma, J.J., Durgan, B.R. 2005. WheatScout: wild oat and foxtail herbicide decision model. In: 27th Annual Zero Tillage and Winter Wheat Workshop, February 1-2, 2005, Brandon, Canada. p. 59-65.
- Tillman, P. G., Schomberg, H. H, Phatak, S., Mullinix, B., Timper, P., Lachnicht, S. L., Olson, D. M. 2004. Influence of cover crops on insect pests and predators in conservation-tillage cotton. Journal of Economic Entomology. 97:1217-1232.
- Archer, D.W., Olness, A.E. 2004. Carbon value maps: Using economics to encourage adoption of carbon conserving practices [abstract]. Soil and Water Conservation Society Meeting Abstracts. Available: http://www.swcs. org/t_what2004confabstracts.htm.
- Jaradat, A.A., Archer, D.W., Johnson, J.M., VanKempen, S.J., Wagner, S.W., Eklund, J.J. 2004. Sampling strategies for crop yield assessment within and among crop rotations [abstract]. Seventh International Conference on Precision Agriculture Conference Abstracts. p. 223.
- Archer, D.W., Olness, A.E. 2004. Valuation of soil organic carbon as a drought mitigation tool [abstract]. American Agricultural Economics Association. Available: http://ams.cos.com/cgi-bin/login? institutionID=18148meetingID=168
- Jaradat, A.A., Archer, D.W., Johnson, J.M., Van Kempen, S.J., Wagner, S.W., Eklund, J.J. 2004. Pattern and factor analyses of diverse plant and yield attributes' responses to alternative crop rotations and management practices. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Crop Science Congress, September 26-October 1, 2004, Brisbane, Australia. 2004 CDROM.
- Lachnicht, S.L., Archer, D.W., Johnson, J., Wilts, A., Barbour, N., Eklund, J. 2005. Use of FAME to distinguish management effects in conventional and organic farming systems [abstract]. Soil Ecology Society. p. 63.
- Johnson, J.M., Archer, D.W., Lachnicht Weyers, S.L., Barbour, N.W., Eklund, J.J., Wilts, A.R. 2004. Comparison of soil biological indicators during three year transition from conventional to alternative and organic cropping systems [CD-ROM]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Madison, Wisconsin.
- Jaradat, A.A. 2004. Saline agriculture in the arabian peninsula: Innovations in the management of marginal lands and saline water resources [CD-ROM]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. Madison, Wisconsin.
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
1. What major problem or issue is being resolved and how are you resolving it (summarize project aims and objectives)? How serious is the problem? What does it matter? Increasing economic pressures and continued environmental concerns in agricultural production have heightened the need for more sustainable cropping systems. Research is needed to 1) identify systems that simultaneously improve the economic and social viability of farms and rural communities while protecting the environment and improving or maintaining our natural resource base, and 2) provide tools that will allow producers to utilize current science to manage their farms more sustainably. This project specifically addresses each of these needs. First, a multi-disciplinary team will investigate the agronomic, economic and environmental performance of a wide range of cropping systems, including organic and minimum tillage systems and the introduction of alternative crops. The systems will be
evaluated to determine both their long term performance and to identify potential barriers to their adoption in the short-term. Alternative systems will be evaluated at a range of scales from the individual plant, to entire farms, providing insight into the limitations and interactions within the systems. Second, scientific knowledge gained from this and other projects will be utilized to develop software tools which will allow producers to improve the sustainability of their own cropping systems. These tools will include software to improve weed and nitrogen management, and for evaluating alternative tillage systems. The proposed research is tied closely to items in the NP 207 action plan, with an emphasis on understanding interactions among components, integrating scientific knowledge into packages that can be implemented by stakeholders, and the development of tools and information that allow producers to formulate their own farm systems. The proposed research addresses most of
the key issues identified in the NP 207 action plan including the use of a systems approach to agricultural production issues associated with small- to medium-sized farms, organic systems, understanding existing systems, alternative pest management strategies, risk management, and transition from one system to another. The proposed research, like the NP 207 action plan, also emphasizes on-farm approaches and information transfer, and includes economic considerations and environmental impacts. The project will result in a better understanding of the agronomic, economic and environmental performance of alternative cropping systems and provide tools to improve cropping systems' management. This will lead to adoption of more sustainable cropping practices in the northern U. S., protecting natural resources and the environment and improving economic viability of agricultural operations. 2. List the milestones (indicators of progress) from your Project Plan. Year 1 (FY-2004): Initiate
trace gas flux measurement on Cropping Systems (CS) plots. Initiate N Decision Aid validation study on CS plots. Initiate transition POM study on CS plots. Develop GIS map of CS plots. Initiate sub-plot monitoring of CS plots. Select on-farm cropping systems monitoring sites. Initiate field scale cropping systems study. Collect financial data from Organic Conversion Project participants. Publish Organic Conversion Project economic analysis. Publish economic analysis of Brookings long-term plots. Publish economic analysis of Mandan phase I and II crop sequence plots. Initiate economic data collection for Pendleton long-term plots. Initiate cuphea rotation study. Develop wild oat emergence model. Release Spanish language version of WeedCast. Beta testing of WheatScout model. Initiate development of Tillage Decision Aid. Year 2 (FY-2005): Initiate annual medic & winter canola rotation study. Release updated WeedCast with wild oat emergence model. Develop model of perennial weed
emergence. Release WeedEm model. Develop crop emergence prediction model. Release Cyrillic N Decision Aid. Year 3 (FY-2006): Publish N Decision Aid validation study. Publish Drift Prairie Conservation Agriculture economic analysis. Release updated WeedCast with perennial weed emergence model. Release WheatScout version 1.0. Release N Decision Aid version 2.0. Year 4 (FY2007): Publish cuphea rotation analysis. Release beta version of Tillage Decision Aid. Year 5 (FY2008): Publish Cropping Systems trace gas study. Publish transition POM study. Publish spatial hierarchy results (CS and on-farm sub-plot monitoring). Publish Pendleton transition economics analysis. Release crop emergence prediction software. Beyond Project Plan: Publish field scale cropping systems analysis. Publish annual medic & cuphea rotation study. 3. Milestones: A. List the milestones (from the list in Question #2) that were scheduled to be addressed in FY 2004. How many milestones did you fully or substantially
meet in FY 2004 and indicate which ones were not fully or substantially met, briefly explain why not, and your plans to do so. The following milestones were scheduled to be completed in FY2004: 1. Initiate trace gas flux measurement on Cropping Systems (CS) plots. 2. Initiate N Decision Aid validation study on CS plots. 3. Initiate transition POM study on CS plots. 4. Develop GIS map of CS plots. 5. Initiate sub-plot monitoring of CS plots. 6. Select on-farm cropping systems monitoring sites. 7. Initiate field scale cropping systems study. 8. Collect financial data from Organic Conversion Project participants. 9. Publish Organic Conversion Project economic analysis. 10. Publish economic analysis of Brookings long-term plots. 11. Publish economic analysis of Mandan phase I and II crop sequence plots. 12. Initiate economic data collection for Pendleton long-term plots. 13. Initiate cuphea rotation study. 14. Develop wild oat emergence model. 15. Release Spanish language
version of WeedCast. 16. Beta testing of WheatScout model. 17. Initiate development of Tillage Decision Aid. Milestones 1-5 and 12-17 were completed. Milestones 6 and 7 were not complete in FY2004, however it is anticipated they will be completed in FY2005. Milestones 8 and 9 may be dropped from the project plan due to reluctance of participants to share personal financial information. Alternative data sources are being explored to determine if it will be feasible to continue this experiment (Experiment 4 in the project plan). Analysis has been completed for milestone 10, and it is anticipated that the milestone will be completed early in FY2005. Analysis is in progress for milestone 11, and it is anticipated that the milestone will be completed in FY2005. B. List the milestones (from the list in Question #2) that you expect to address over the next 3 years (FY 2005, 2006, & 2007). What do you expect to accomplish, year by year, over the next 3 years under each milestone? Year 2
(FY2005): Select on-farm cropping systems monitoring sites (carryover from FY2004). Initiate field scale cropping systems study (carryover from FY2004). Publish economic analysis of Brookings long-term plots (carryover from FY2004). Publish economic analysis of Mandan phase I and II crop sequence plots (carryover from FY2004). Initiate annual medic & winter canola rotation study. Release updated WeedCast with wild oat emergence model. Develop model of perennial weed emergence. Release WeedEm model. Develop crop emergence prediction model. Release Cyrillic N Decision Aid. Year 3 (FY2006): Publish N Decision Aid validation study. Publish Drift Prairie Conservation Agriculture economic analysis. Release updated WeedCast with perennial weed emergence model. Release WheatScout version 1.0. Release N Decision Aid version 2.0. Year 4 (FY2007): Publish cuphea rotation analysis. Release beta version of Tillage Decision Aid. 4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? A.
Single most significant accomplishment during FY 2004 (one per Research (OOD) Project): A test version of WheatScout, a decision aid for making post-emergence weed control decisions in spring wheat, was released. WheatScout integrates information on weed and crop biology to identify management effects on crop yields, weed seed production and economics, allowing producers to use the best available scientific knowledge in making management decisions. WheatScout was developed using research on weed emergence conducted at the North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, information from published scientific literature, as well as information from partners at the University of Minnesota, North Dakota State University, and the USDA-ARS Great Plains Systems Research Laboratory. WheatScout should help producers make more efficient and effective weed control decisions, reducing unneeded herbicide applications and improving farm profitability. B. Other significant accomplishment(s),
if any. As part of the long-term cropping systems study, an initial map of soil, crop and plant variables was developed along with an initial analysis of the impact of soil characteristics and management practices on plant growth, crop yield and yield components. A database was established to measure and predict the impact of soil variables, management factors, and crop sequences on crop yields and economic viability of new cropping systems. Yield-limiting factors were found to be crop-specific, with strip tillage and no fertilizer highly limiting corn yield, and organic system and no fertilizer being the most limiting factors in soybean and wheat yield. This research will increase understanding of alternative cropping systems. It will also produce a less costly, more rapid, and more accurate method for identifying sustainable cropping systems. C. Significant activities that support special target populations. None. 5. Describe the major accomplishments over the life of the
project, including their predicted or actual impact. With just over one year complete in this project, the most significant accomplishment is the continuation of the long-term cropping systems plots initiated at the end of the previous project. Detailed soil sampling was completed in FY2004 consistent with the GRACEnet (Greenhouse gas Reduction through Agricultural Carbon Enhancement network) sampling protocol, and trace gas emissions monitoring was successfully initiated in FY2004. This will provide the basis of much of the future research in this project. An initial map of soil, crop and plant variables was developed along with an initial analysis of the impact of soil characteristics and management practices on plant growth, crop yield and yield components. Building on the success of the WeedCast decision aid developed in the previous project, a test version of WheatScout was released. WheatScout integrates information on weed and crop biology to identify management effects on
crop yields, weed seed production and economics, allowing producers to use the best available scientific knowledge in making management decisions. WheatScout should help producers make more efficient and effective weed control decisions, reducing unneeded herbicide applications and improving farm profitability. 6. What science and/or technologies have been transferred and to whom? When is the science and/or technology likely to become available to the end- user (industry, farmer, other scientists)? What are the constraints, if known, to the adoption and durability of the technology products? A simple tillage decision aid is being developed for farmers and consultants to make intelligent management decisions with respect to tillage methods and residue management as they affect carbon sequestration and environmental quality. The current plan is a simple spreadsheet calculation using existing databases from the RUSLE2 allowing the operator to determine whether the management scenario
will increase or decrease soil carbon for a given location. A cooperative effort on the decision aid with Dave Lightle of NRCS is in progress based on recent tillage and carbon loss research. Some constraints to acceptance are economic and uncertain risks associated with carbon credits, others are cultural and tradition and limited stewardship incentives for environmental quality enhancement as in the new Farm Bill. 7. List your most important publications in the popular press and presentations to organizations and articles written about your work. Articles: Doll, J. May 6, 2004. WeedCast on the Web. Wisconsin Crop Manager vol.11 no. 9. Department of Agronomy-University of Wisconsin Extension. Madison, WI. Stender, C. 2004. Lab celebrates 45 years of conservation. Agri News. Rochester, MN. Presentations: Archer, D. November 7, 2003. Demonstration of WeedCast. Presented at local Golden Harvest Seeds representatives meeting, Morris, MN. Archer, D. March 4, 2004. WheatScout: Decision
Aid for Integrated Management of Grass Weeds in Spring Wheat. Presented at West Central, Inc. Spring Agronomy Update. Fargo, ND. Archer, D. March 11, 2004. Economic analysis of cuphea production costs. Presented at Cuphea Technical Winter Meeting. Bloomington, MN. Archer, D. June 15, 2004. Using Computer Decision Aids to Put Research Results into Action: WeedCast/WheatScout. Presented at NRCS National Agronomist's Meeting. Nebraska City, NE. Archer, D. June 22, 2004. Input Plot Economics. Presented at Eastern South Dakota Research Farm 10th Annual Field Day. Brookings, SD.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- REICOSKY, D.C., ARCHER, D.W., LIGHTLE, D., WILTS, A.R. A TILLAGE-RESIDUE DECISION AID FOR SOIL CARBON. CD-ROM. MADISON, WI: ASA-CSSA-SSSA. 2003.
- JARADAT, A.A., ARCHER, D.W. CHARACTERISTICS AND HIERARCHY OF CONSTRAINTS TO SYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IN FARMING SYSTEMS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION. PROCEEDINGS OF DYNAMIC CROPPING SYSTEMS: PRINCIPLES, PROCESSES AND CHALLENGES. 2003. P. 285.
- ARCHER, D.W., GESCH, R.W. VALUE OF TEMPERATURE-ACTIVATED POLYMER-COATED SEED IN THE NORTHERN CORN BELT. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS. 2003. V. 35(3). P. 625-637.
- JARADAT, A.A. AGRICULTURE IN IRAQ: RESOURCES, POTENTIALS, CONSTRAINTS AND RESEARCH NEEDS AND PRIORITIES. FOOD, AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT. 2003. V. 1(2). P. 160-166.
- LINDSTROM, M.J., ARCHER, D.W. CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT IN THE UNITED STATES. LANDBAUFORSCHUNG VOELKENRODE SONDERHEFT. 2003. V. 256. P. 11-16.
- JARADAT, A.A. HALOPHYTES FOR SUSTAINABLE BIOSALINIE FARMING SYSTEMS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALSHARHAN, A.A. ET AL. EDITORS. A.A. BALKEMA/SWETS & ZEITLINGER, ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS. DESERTIFICATION FOR THE THIRD MILLENNIUM. 2003. P. 187-203.
- Archer, D.W., Forcella, F., Beverly, D., Eklund, J.J. 2003. Wheat scout: Decision aid for integrated management of grass weeds in spring wheat. North Central Weed Science Society. 58:145.
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