RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Profit and risk for integrated conservation farming systems in the palouse
JF Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
FD Soil and Water Conservation Society
SP 601
OP 606
VO 49
IS 6
A1 Young, Douglas L.
A1 Kwon, Tae-Jin
A1 Young, Frank L.
YR 1994
UL http://www.jswconline.org/content/49/6/601.abstract
AB This paper evaluates the economic performance of 12 farming systems field tested from 1986 to 1991 in the Palouse region of southeastern Washington. These systems comprised two rotations (monoculture wheat (Triticum aestivum)and wheat-barley (Hordeum vulgare)-peas (Pisum sativum)). The systems also included two tillage intensities (conservation and conventional)and three weed management levels. Based upon prices and program provisions projected for 1991–95, the conservation tillagelwinter wheat-spring barley-spring pea system at maximum weed management dominated all others in high profitability and had low economic risk. Furthermore, this system satisfied soil conservation compliance. It also reduced nitrogen use compared to monoculture wheat. There are at least three potential explanations of the income-stabilizing advantage of the optimal conservation cropping system. The conservation systems yielded relatively better in dry years and withstood cold damage to winter wheat better, especially in the severe 1990–91 winter. The three-crop rotation also fostered disease resistance under the moist, high-residue seedbed of conservation tillage.