The basis of tractor power selection on arable farms

Impact of projected climate change on workability, attainable yield, profitability and farm mechanization in Norwegian spring cereals

“…Impact of machinery size and type on workability (Rounsevell andJones, 1993) andcompaction (Lorenz et al, 2016) Potential changes in sowing techniques in the future. Direct impact of tractor size on timeliness costs: Ploughing timeliness costs for tractors above 65 kW strongly depend on workability threshold (Witney and Oskoui, 1982). Sub soil compaction (Birkás et al, 2009;Håkansson, 2005;Jones et al, 2003;Håkansson and Reeder, 1994)…”

“…Whether the fieldwork is done too early or too late, the farmer experiences loss of attainable yield, in economic terms here called timeliness costs. By balancing the farm specific risk of the two different types of timeliness costs, farmers have long been adapting to year-to-year climate variability to maximize short-term profit (Bryant et al, 2000;Cerf et al, 1998;Choi et al, 2016;Maton et al, 2007;Maxwell et al, 1997;Peltonen-Sainio et al, 2009b;Riley, 2016;Smit et al, 1996;Urban et al, 2015;Witney and Oskoui, 1982;Reeve and Fausey, 1974). In order to maximize long-term profitability, farm management balances those potential timeliness costs with machinery costs.…”

“…In order to maximize long-term profitability, farm management balances those potential timeliness costs with machinery costs. A large working capacity increases the chance to complete spring work within the window of opportunity, but is also associated with high machinery costs (de Toro, 2005;Elliot et al, 1977;Søgaard and Sørensen, 2004;Witney and Oskoui, 1982). Similar to the balance between the two different timeliness costs, the balance between timeliness costs and machinery costs is depending on year-to-year climate variability.…”