scholarly journals Trading biodiversity for pest problems

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. e1500558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan G. Lundgren ◽  
Scott W. Fausti
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Network Centrality ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Species Abundances

Recent shifts in agricultural practices have resulted in altered pesticide use patterns, land use intensification, and landscape simplification, all of which threaten biodiversity in and near farms. Pests are major challenges to food security, and responses to pests can represent unintended socioeconomic and environmental costs. Characteristics of the ecological community influence pest populations, but the nature of these interactions remains poorly understood within realistic community complexities and on operating farms. We examine how species diversity and the topology of linkages in species’ abundances affect pest abundance on maize farms across the Northern Great Plains. Our results show that increased species diversity, community evenness, and linkage strength and network centrality within a biological network all correlate with significantly reduced pest populations. This supports the assertion that reduced biological complexity on farms is associated with increased pest populations and provides a further justification for diversification of agroecosystems to improve the profitability, safety, and sustainability of food production systems. Bioinventories as comprehensive as the one conducted here are conspicuously absent for most agroecosystems but provide an important baseline for community and ecosystem ecology and the effects of food production on local biodiversity and ecosystem function. Network analyses of abundance correlations of entire communities (rather than focal interactions, for example, trophic interactions) can reveal key network characteristics, especially the importance and nature of network centrality, which aid in understanding how these communities function.

Ecoagriculture for a Sustainable Food Future

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Chalmer
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Cultural Sensitivity ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Constant Input ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
European Farming

Global food security is dependent on ecologically viable production systems, but current agricultural practices are often at odds with environmental sustainability. Resolving this disparity is a huge task, but there is much that can be learned from traditional food production systems that persisted for thousands of years. Ecoagriculture for a Sustainable Food Future describes the ecological history of food production systems in Australia, showing how Aboriginal food systems collapsed when European farming methods were imposed on bushlands. The industrialised agricultural systems that are now prevalent across the world require constant input of finite resources, and continue to cause destructive environmental change. This book explores the damage that has arisen from farming systems unsuited to their environment, and presents compelling evidence that producing food is an ecological process that needs to be rethought in order to ensure resilient food production into the future. Cultural sensitivity Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used in this book that are culturally sensitive, and which might not normally be used in certain public or community contexts. While this information may not reflect current understanding, it is provided by the author in a historical context.

Optimal seeding rate for organic production of lentil in the northern Great Plains

2009 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 1089-1097 ◽  
Author(s):  
J M Baird ◽  
S J Shirtliffe ◽  
F L Walley
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Weed Suppression ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Economic Return ◽  
Conventional Production

Organic lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) producers must rely upon the recommended rate for conventional production of 130 plants m-2, but this seeding rate may not be suitable, as organic and conventional production systems differ in management and inputs. The objective of this study was to determine an optimal seeding rate for organic production of lentil considering a number of factors, including yield, weed suppression, soil nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, plant uptake of phosphorus, and economic return. A field experiment was conducted for 4 site-years at locations near Saskatoon, SK. Treatments included seeding rates of 15, 38, 94, 235 and 375 seeds m-2. Seed yield increased with increasing seeding rate up to 1290 kg ha-1. Weed biomass was reduced by 59% at the highest seeding rate as compared with the lowest seeding rate. Post-harvest soil phosphorus and nitrogen levels were similar between seeding rate treatments. Economic return was maximized at $952 ha-1 at the highest density of 229 plants m-2, achieved with a seeding rate of 375 seeds m-2. Organic farmers should increase the seeding rate of lentil to achieve a plant density of 229 plants m-2 to increase profitability and provide better weed suppression.Key words: Lentil, organic, seeding rate, weed suppression, economic return

scholarly journals An Environmental Assessment of Cattle Manure and Urea Fertilizer Treatments for Corn Production in the Northern Great Plains

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1185-1196
Author(s):  
C. Alan Rotz ◽  
Senorpe Asem-Hiablie ◽  
Erin L. Cortus ◽  
Mindy J. Spiehs ◽  
Shafiqur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cattle Manure ◽  
System Model ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Corn Production ◽  
Recent Climate ◽  
Farm System

HighlightsThe Integrated Farm System Model appropriately represented average emission rates measured in corn production.Compared to the use of feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses.Compared to inorganic fertilizer use, cattle manure increased soluble P loss while reducing GHG emission.Production and environmental differences among production systems were similar under recent and future climates.Abstract. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) emissions from livestock systems have become important regional, national, and international concerns. Our objective was to use process-level simulation to explore differences among manure and inorganic fertilizer treatments in a corn production system used to feed finishing cattle in the Northern Great Plains region of the U.S. Our analysis included model assessment, simulation to compare treatments under recent climate, and comparisons using projected midcentury climate. The Integrated Farm System Model was evaluated in representing the performance and nutrient losses of corn production using cattle manure without bedding, manure with bedding, urea, and no fertilization treatments. Two-year field experiments conducted near Clay Center, Nebraska; Brookings, South Dakota; and Fargo, North Dakota provided observed emission data following these treatments. Means of simulated emission rates of methane, ammonia, and nitrous oxide were generally similar to those observed from field-applied manure or urea fertilizer. Simulation of corn production systems over 25 years of recent climate showed greater soluble P runoff with use of feedlot and bedded manure compared to use of inorganic fertilizers, but life-cycle fossil energy use and greenhouse gas emission were decreased. Compared to feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses in corn production by retaining more N in manure removed from a bedded housing facility and through increased runoff because a large portion of the stover was removed from the cornfield for use as bedding material. Simulation of these treatments using projected midcentury climate indicated a trend toward a small increase in simulated grain production in the Dakotas and a small decrease for irrigated corn in Nebraska. Climate differences affected the three production systems similarly, so production and environmental impact differences among the fertilization systems under future climate were similar to those obtained under recent climate. Keywords: Climate change, Greenhouse gas, Integrated Farm System Model, Nutrient losses.

Consumer demand for animal welfare products.

2020 ◽  
pp. 53-74
Author(s):  
Faical Akaichi ◽  
Cesar Revoredo-Giha
Keyword(s):  
Economic Theory ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Consumer Demand ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Demand Side

Abstract Modern agricultural practices have increased the efficiency of food production with a decrease in their cost and prices for consumers. However, to some extent this has been detrimental to the ethical way in which livestock are treated, particularly in more intensive production systems. On the demand side, an increasing number of consumers are interested in the way that food is produced and the attributes behind it. Animal welfare is one of those ethical attributes that are particularly important for consumers, and at the retail level, it is reflected in a number of labels aiming at passing cues (due to its nature as a credence attribute) to consumers. For meat supply chains, these labels have the possibility to positively affect sales if consumers are willing to pay more for products with those attributes. Moreover, if increasing animal welfare implies higher costs of production, it is important for the supply chain to know whether these costs can be passed on to consumers. These issues have motivated a substantive literature on the measurement of consumers' interest in animal welfare and their willingness to pay for its attributes. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the economic theory behind the measurement of animal welfare and some empirical applications.

Profitable, Effective Herbicides for Planting-Time Weed Control in No-till Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Weed Science ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
William W. Donald ◽  
Tony Prato
Keyword(s):  
Nonionic Surfactant ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Net Returns ◽  
Wild Mustard ◽  
No Till

High herbicide costs and uncertainty about annual weed control at planting have limited adoption of no-till spring wheat production systems in the northern Great Plains. Chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, and CGA-131036 at 10 to 20 g ai ha–1plus nonionic surfactant generally controlled both emerged kochia and wild mustard equally well (>80%) whether or not combined with glyphosate at 250 g ha–1plus nonionic surfactant. In two of three trials persistent phytotoxic residues of these sulfonylurea herbicides in soil controlled both weeds better in midseason and early summer 1 yr after treatment than did glyphosate, which has only foliar activity. While the absolute net returns of different treatments varied among herbicides, relative net returns were insensitive to changes in either herbicide or wheat price. Herbicide use tended to boost net returns for no-till spring wheat in years with good weather but depressed net returns in a drought year. Chlorsulfuron at 10 and 20 g ha–1increased net returns in all three trials. Metsulfuron and combinations of either metsulfuron or chlorsulfuron with glyphosate had variable effects on net returns.

scholarly journals Environmentally Smart Nitrogen Performance in Northern Great Plains’ Spring Wheat Production Systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga S. Walsh ◽  
Kefyalew Girma
Keyword(s):  
Economic Analysis ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
N Source ◽  
Net Benefits ◽  
N Rates ◽  
Plot Design

Experiments were conducted in Montana to evaluate Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) as a nitrogen (N) source in wheat. Plots were arranged in a split-plot design with ESN, urea, and a 50%-50% urea-ESN blend at low, medium, and high at-seeding N rates in the subplot, with four replications. Measurements included grain yield (GY), protein (GP), and N uptake (GNU). A partial budget economic analysis was performed to assess the net benefits of the three sources. Average GY varied from 1816 to 5583 kg ha−1and grain protein (GP) content ranged from 9.1 to 17.3% among site-years. Urea, ESN, and the blend resulted in higher GYs at 3, 2, and 2 site-years out of 8 evaluated site-years, respectively. Topdressing N improved GY for all sources. No trend in GP associated with N source was observed. With GP-adjusted revenue, farmer would not recover investment costs from ESN or blend compared with urea. With ESN costing consistently more than urea per unit of N, we recommend urea as N source for spring wheat in Northern Great Plains.

Impact of hazardous substances and pesticides on farmers and farming communities

2018 ◽  
pp. 93-108
Author(s):  
Jinky Leilanie Del Prado-Lu
Keyword(s):  
Health Risks ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Institutional Support ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Agricultural Policies ◽  
Institutional Level ◽  
Farming Communities

Understanding the health risks of farmers and farming communities is essential in elaborating the phenomenon of food crime. This chapter argues that the production of agricultural food products is inimical to the health and safety of those who produce them. This is an ironic situation where the providers of food – farmers – become vulnerable, ill or injured, or disabled, or even die in the process of agricultural production. This is compounded by the lack of social and health protection for farmers, and absence of institutional support for farming in many developing countries despite the fact that farming is the most elemental and basic means of food production in society. This chapter argues that agricultural practices arising from market-oriented agricultural policies of institutions and governments present as food crime, and there should be conscious and concerted considerations at the institutional level, in including ecologic, health, and social implications of food production systems.

Profitability and risk of organic production systems in the northern Great Plains

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 152-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elwin G. Smith ◽  
M. Jill Clapperton ◽  
Robert E. Blackshaw
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Northern Great Plains
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