Economics of monoculture cereal and mixed oilseed-cereal rotations in west-central Saskatchewan

Zentner, R. P.; Campbell, C. A.; Brandt, S.A.

doi:10.4141/cjps96-070

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The breakeven prices for CPS wheat were lower than for CWRS wheat and averaged $130 t -1 when grown on fallow and $103 t -1 when grown on stubble, both being lower than the base market price for this product. In the earlier study by Zentner and Campbell (1988), we reported that the cash cost (excluding labor and machinery overhead costs) per unit of wheat produced for the complete rotation systems averaged $88 t -1 for F-W, $94 t -1 for F-W-W, and $140 t -1 for Cont W; the comparable values in our current study are $109 t -1 for F-W-W, $115 t -1 for LGM-W-W, $92 t -1 for F-HY-HY, and $106 t -1 for F-W-W-W and Cont W. In the more moist Dark Brown soil zone at Scott, Saskatchewan, Zentner et al (1996) reported that cash cost for CWRS wheat production averaged $64 t -1 for F-W, $74 t -1 for F-W-W, and $97 t -1 for Cont W based on 1994 input costs. Unit production costs for the complete rotation systems evaluated by Walburger et al (2004) were considerably lower than those reported in our current study because several costs items were not included in their analysis (e.g., crop insurance premiums, land taxes, interest, farm utilities, and miscellaneous costs).…”

Section: Production Costs and Breakeven Conditionssupporting

confidence: 75%

“…In 1991In , 1996, and 1997 the summer fallow plots received a second herbicide application in early-to mid-July, followed by one or two tillage operations as required using a wide V-blade cultivator. In , 1998In , 1999, and 2002 tillage was not used and weeds were controlled by herbicides alone.…”

Section: Experimental Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Research completed during the 1980s and earlier has shown that F-W and F-W-W were the most economical and risk-efficient production systems for wheat in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones under the economic and technology conditions of the day (Brown 1987;Zentner and Campbell 1988;Smith et al 1994;Zentner et al 1996Zentner et al , 2001); however, these same cropping systems have also been destructive to soil quality (Biederbeck et al 1984;Campbell et al 1990;Campbell and Zentner 1993). Changes in market conditions during the past decade, brought about by globalization of trade and elimination of farm subsidies, together with the development of new crop types and management methods, may offer wheat producers in these regions new opportunities for enhancing farm income or reducing financial risk, while improving environmental sustainability (Acton and Gregorich 1995;Smith and Hoppe 2000;Zentner et al 2002).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Effect of fallow frequency, flexible rotations, legume green manure, and wheat class on the economics of wheat production in the Brown soil zone

Zentner¹,

Campbell²,

Selles³

et al. 2006

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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Producers in the semiarid Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan have historically produced spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in fallow-based rotations because these cropping systems are profitable and risk efficient; however, their use has also been most damaging to soil quality. New wheat types and management methods have been developed that may offer wheat producers opportunities to enhance economic returns, while improving environmental sustainability. This study compares the economic merits of reducing fallow (F) frequency, using an annual legume green manure (LGM) crop as a summer fallow replacement, adopting a flex-cropping approach based on available soil water reserves (if water) or the need to control problem weeds (if weeds), and the production of Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat (W) versus the higher yielding Canada Prairie Spring (CPS) wheat class (HY). The results are based on 15 yr of data from seven crop rotations included in an ongoing experiment being conducted on an Orthic Brown Chernozem at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The crop rotations included F-W-W, LGM-W-W, F-HY-HY, F-W-W-W, continuous W (Cont W), Cont W (if water), and Cont W (if weeds). Cropping systems were managed using conservation tillage practices. They were fertilized with recommended rates of N and P based on soil tests, and crop residue was maintained as tall as possible (usually > 30 cm) to enhance snow trapping. The 1988–2002 study period was characterized by above normal growing season precipitation; thus, grain yields were also above average for this region. Results showed that producers will earn the highest net return with Cont W ($41 ha-1), despite this rotation having the highest production costs. Net returns ranked second highest for F-W-W-W, F-HYHY, and the flex-crop rotations (about $15 ha-1 less than Cont W), and ranked lowest for F-W-W and LGM-W-W (about $25 ha-1 less). However, since 1993, when the LGM was managed more effectively than in the first 6 yr, LGM-W-W was more profitable than F-W-W. On average, it was more profitable to produce CPS compared with CWRS wheat when the CPS/CWRS price ratio was greater than 0.8. Producers who are highly averse to risk would still choose cropping systems that included some summer fallow, while those with lower risk aversion would choose Cont W, but with all-risk crop insurance. In the absence of an all-risk crop insurance program, producers would typically choose Cont W (if water), F-W-W-W, or F-W-W. We concluded that area producers, who practice conservation tillage management and use tall stubble for snowtrapping, can enhance farm income by moving to more intensive cropping systems, and while doing so, they will foster improved environmental sustainability. Key words: Crop rotations, wheat, summer fallow, legume green manure, flex-cropping, production costs, net returns, income variability

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Section: Production Costs and Breakeven Conditionssupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Experimental Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Effect of fallow frequency, flexible rotations, legume green manure, and wheat class on the economics of wheat production in the Brown soil zone

Zentner¹,

Campbell²,

Selles³

et al. 2006

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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“…Effect of crop rotation on unit costs of wheat production by period Crop rotation Fertilizer 198519671967 (Campbell et al 1992). In our companion study at Swift Current (Zentner et al 2006), we reported breakeven prices for wheat grown on N and P fertilized fallow and stubble using conservation tillage management to be $159 t -1 and $150 t -1 , respectively, during 1988-2002. In the more moist Dark Brown soil zone at Scott, Saskatchewan, Zentner et al (1996) reported that breakeven prices to recover cash costs (excluding labor and machinery overhead costs) for N and P fertilized wheat production averaged $64 t -1 for F-W, $74 t -1 for F-W-W, and $97 t -1 for Cont W based on 1994 input costs. Unit production costs for the complete rotation systems evaluated by Walburger et al (2004) were considerably lower than those reported in our current study because cost items such as land taxes, farm utilities, and miscellaneous costs were not included in their analysis.…”

Section: Production Costs and Breakeven Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economics of spring wheat production systems using conventional tillage management in the Brown soil zone – Revisited

Zentner¹,

Campbell²,

Selles³

et al. 2007

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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Producers in the semiarid Brown soil zone of the Canadian Prairies have historically used fallow (F)-based cropping systems with mechanical tillage methods to produce spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (W). However, in the past two decades government policies and programs have changed, as have cropping practices, market opportunities, and weather patterns. This study re-examines the economic merits of these conventional cropping systems under today’s conditions in regard to the optimal cropping frequency, value of applying N and P fertilizer at soil test rates, and the possible advantage of replacing monoculture wheat with lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) (Lent) or flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) (Flx) grown in mixed rotations. The analysis draws on data from a long-term crop rotation experiment that was established in 1967 on an Orthic Brown Chernozem at the Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. All cropping systems were managed using conventional tillage practices, which attempted to conserve as much surface crop residue as possible (i.e., stubble mulch tillage techniques were used). The findings for 1985–2002, a period characterized by above normal precipitation, were compared with those reported previously for the 1967–1984 period when growing conditions were less favorable but more typical for this area. Net returns during 1985–2002 were highest for W-Lent ($93 ha-1 yr-1) and lowest for F-Flx-W ($38 ha-1 yr-1). Net returns for well-fertilized F-W, F-W-W, F-W-W-W-W-W, and Cont W during this same period were similar, averaging about $52 ha-1 yr-1 or 44% less than for W-Lent. These results contrast with those reported for the previous 18-yr period when F-W and F- W-W generally produced higher net returns than Cont W. Within the F-W-W systems, the application of both N and P fertilizer increased the 18-yr (1985–2002) mean net returns by $18 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of N only, and by $32 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of P only. For Cont W the application of N and P fertilizer increased the mean net returns by $71 ha-1 yr-1 compared with application of P only. These economic benefits from N and P fertilization were much higher than those reported in 1967–1984 due to the more humid growing conditions and the increased rate of N fertilizer prescribed by the soil testing lab since 1991. Further, our findings showed that only if producers were highly risk averse, do not subscribe to all-risk crop insurance , or if the price for wheat was high or price for lentil low, would the monoculture wheat systems be preferred to W-Lent. However, producers who are highly risk averse would still opt for the cropping systems that included some summerfallow. Our findings support the recent trends in land use practices by area producers towards more diversified and intensive cropping systems which are less reliant on frequent fallowing. Key words: Crop rotations, wheat, lentil, flax, summerfallow, production costs, net returns, income variability

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“…Multilocation trials in India showed linear response of mustard to N fertilization up to 80 kg ha 71 (Singh et al 1998), 100 kg ha 71 (Aulakh & Pasricha 1998) and 120 kg ha 71 (Patil et al 1996). Response of mustard to P varied from 12.9 -25.8 kg P ha 71 (Narang et al 1993) depending on soil moisture and available P. Due to high productivity and low water requirement, the oilseed crop, mustard adds profitability to the traditionally cereal-based rotation (Sharma et al 1993;Zenter et al 1996), helps to disrupt the cycle of soil borne pathogens (Kirkegaard et al 1997) and is potentially suitable for double cropping systems like maize-mustard, mungbean/urdbean-mustard, sorghum-mustard and rice-mustard. Fodder sorghum, due to its quick growth, high yielding ability, palatability and wider adaptability to varied edapho-climatic conditions, make it an ideal forage crop.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Partitioning of photosynthates, N and P in mustard as influenced by nutrient management in fodder sorghum (Sorghum BicolorL.) - mustard (brassica junecaL.) cropping sequence

Ramanjaneyulu

Shivay

Giri

2007

Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science

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Partitioning of photosynthates, N and P in mustard as influenced by nutrient management in fodder sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.) -mustard (brassica juneca L.) cropping sequence Abstract A field experiment was carried out to find out the effect of N, P and biofertilizers (Azotobacter and phosphate solubilizing bacteria [PSB]) on partitioning of photosynthates, N and P and growth and yield attributes and yield of fodder sorghum-mustard cropping system in north west India. It was observed that yield of fodder sorghum on fresh as well as dry weight basis obtained due to recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF, 60 kg N þ 12.9 kg P ha 71 ) and half RDF þ biofertilizers was not only highest but also significantly higher than that of half RDF and control. However, N and P uptake by fodder sorghum was significantly higher when supplied with RDF. Results on the succeeding crop of mustard showed that stems had a maximum share in total dry matter accumulation regardless of nutrient management practices. Up to 90 days after sowing (DAS), the total phytomass accumulation of mustard was statistically equal under previously applied RDF and half RDF þ biofertilizers treatments. At later stages, RDF produced significantly higher dry matter accumulation. Regarding directly applied nutrients, RDF (80 kg N þ 17.2 kg P ha 71 ) produced the highest phytomass throughout the crop growth period of mustard. Mustard crop gave significantly higher seed yield due to residual and directly applied RDF as compared to that of other residual and directly applied nutrients, respectively barring half RDF þ biofertilizers. Only 22.5 -24.0% of phytosynthates transformed into sink, i.e. harvest index (HI). However, more than 80% of N was partitioned into grain (HI N ). Available N had a negative effect on nitrogen use-efficiency (NUE). Agronomic efficiency and apparent recovery of N in mustard were highest due to directly applied half RDF þ biofertilizers.

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Economics of monoculture cereal and mixed oilseed-cereal rotations in west-central Saskatchewan

Cited by 15 publications

References 11 publications

Effect of fallow frequency, flexible rotations, legume green manure, and wheat class on the economics of wheat production in the Brown soil zone

Effect of fallow frequency, flexible rotations, legume green manure, and wheat class on the economics of wheat production in the Brown soil zone

Economics of spring wheat production systems using conventional tillage management in the Brown soil zone – Revisited

Partitioning of photosynthates, N and P in mustard as influenced by nutrient management in fodder sorghum (Sorghum BicolorL.) - mustard (brassica junecaL.) cropping sequence

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