Whole farm systems research: An integrated crop and livestock systems comparison study

Abstract

To examine the long-term productivity, profitability, and ecological interactions associated with whole farming systems, we established an interdisciplinary replicated comparison of a conventional and an experimental alternative crop-livestock farming system in southwest Virginia in 1988. The conventional system uses the best management practices commonly used in the mid-Atlantic region. The alternative system puts more emphasis on crop rotation, grazing and forage management, conservation tillage, cover crops, and integrated pest management. Each is managed as a year-round system, with management decisions based on the system's overall goals.The comparison is planned to run for 10 years, so that only preliminary conclusions can be drawn so far. These include the following: 1) similar total productivity can be achieved with either reduced or full use of herbicides and insecticides; 2) the need for N fertilization can be decreased using grazing management and short-rotation alfalfa; and 3) recycling of manure from cattle fed corn silage provides most nutrients needed for the following corn crop. The comparative profitability of the two systems has fluctuated among years, and it is too early to know which system is more profitable. The process of interdisciplinary systems research has increased our knowledge of total system interactions, challenged prior assumptions, and clarified the methodological problems of integrated systems research.

Principles of integrated agricultural systems: Introduction to processes and definition

“…Recently, some US producers have adopted more diversified management systems that include crops and livestock 7 , 21 . However, operators of integrated production systems face immense challenges, including labor availability and allocation, timing of operations, equipment considerations, and supply and market availability 22 . Even with economic risks spread over multiple enterprises, producers with integrated operations still require information on potential benefits and trade-offs to manage their enterprises successfully.…”

Integrated crop/livestock systems research: Practical research considerations

“…Our review of the literature found three examples of crop/livestock systems that were truly integrated. The first was an interdisciplinary research project integrating both crop and livestock in a whole farm system initiated in southwest Virginia, USA in 1988 15 . The second was in Syria where a model farm approach using three farm types was employed to investigate the benefits of closer crop/livestock integration and to determine which farm type best enhanced sheep production 16 .…”

Integrating Cotton and Beef Production to Reduce Water Withdrawal from the Ogallala Aquifer in the Southern High Plains

“…Integrated crop and livestock systems in Australia that included legume pastures improved soil quality and reversed a decline in wheat yields (Donald, 1981). Luna et al (1994) described whole‐farm system comparisons for integrated crop and livestock production in Virginia. In these system comparisons, integrating grazing into a 4‐yr corn ( Zea mays L.)–alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) rotation increased steer gains, reduced N and pesticide use, and maintained profitability compared with the nonintegrated system (J.P. Fontenot et al, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, unpublished data, 2000).…”