bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rotations: Influence and constraint from commodity programs
Authors: Frerichs Stephen 
Published: October 2009

AbstractRecent research and debate in sustainable agriculture has focused on the role of commodity programs in shaping rotation decisions. The commodity programs are often cited as obstacles to establishing long-term, diversified rotations. However, predicting which rotations would be practiced in the absence of commodity programs is difficult. How strongly commodity programs influence the rotation decision depends on the size of the economic incentive to participate and the percentage of cropland enrolled in the program. Data from the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) were used to calculate the distribution of the percentage of cropland in corn base for each farm record at ASCS in the Corn Belt and Lake States in 1988. The distribution shows that the level of corn program enrollment varies widely. Many corn base acres are found on farms with high corn base enrollment levels, which potentially constrains the rotation choice. However, enrollment levels in the corn program do appear to allow the option of diversified rotations for many corn base acres in the Corn Belt and Lake States, even during the high corn price support years of the mid to late 1980s.
The meaning and benefits of partnership in agricultural research: Past successes-future potentials
Authors: Bunch Roland 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPoor and often illiterate villager farmers in Central America have been taught by World Neighbors programs to (a) establish and manage simple agricultural experiments with one variable, (b) measure accurately the results, and (c) report the results to the program and each other. The impact on the areas' yields of the technology thus generated, validated, spread, and/or locally adapted, has been significant. Although the situation there differs from that of the United States, and therefore the experimental design would differ, many of the principles and advantages of such a system would probably also apply in North America.
Learning from each other: A look at how we do research
Authors: Miller Robert H. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe research agenda for agriculture remains an important concern for anyone interested in the future of sustainable agriculture. Differences in opinion remain on both prioritization of topics and on how and where the necessary research should be done. The inferences are that the research strategies of the 1960's and 70's were not appropriate. If we truly “learn from each other,” we must consider what recent reports, models, and recommendations from written sources and individuals seem to be saying. Examination of these sources suggests a number of characteristics for the research that is needed: 1) Research which addresses problems regional in scope and which are often site specific; 2) research prioritization must involve a broader cross-section of opinions than ever before and include farmers, private non-profit organizations and scientists; 3) research must be more multidisciplinary and include farmers, extension faculty, and staff more directly; 4) systems research requires more emphasis and adoption f or progress in many areas; 5) basic principles and theory for many agricultural disciplines will need examination and eventual modification; and 6) on-farm research is an essential part of the total research effort. The final obligation for all of us is a vigilance to assure that the research done is always of the highest quality.
Agricultural addiction
Authors: Bender Jim 
Published: October 2009

AbstractImpediments to agricultural change extend beyond lack of appropriate research and the federal farm program to addiction to use of agricultural chemicals. Several recent trends in American agriculture have been caused by or have resulted in dependence on agricultural chemicals. They include the continuing separation of livestock from farms, farm size, separation of ownership and farming of the land, discontinuity of learned procedures, part-time farming, and certain aspects of noxious perennial weeds. This implies that prospects for agricultural change are related to the trends with which they are associated.
Farmers' role in sustainable agriculture research
Authors: Lockeretz William , Anderson Molly D. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractInvolvement of farmers in sustainable agricultural research can have important benefits, since farmers originated many sustainable agriculture innovations and can contribute a valuable perspective different from that of researchers. However, this does not mean, as is sometimes said, that all kinds of sustainable agricultural research necessarily should give farmers a major role—perhaps the dominant role—in choosing topics and overseeing the work. This belief overlooks the fact that farmers are just one of many groups that publicly supported research is supposed to serve and that their interests do not by themselves embody the full range of goals that sustainable agriculture tries to achieve. Moreover, although farmers can bring valuable insights to research, these alone will not be enough to insure that a sustainable agriculture research program has an appropriate mix of applied versus basic, short-term versus long-term, and component-level versus system-level studies.
Institutional support for practicing sustainable agriculture
Authors: Korsching Peter F. , Malia James E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractA mail survey of Iowa farmers with membership in the Practical Farmers of Iowa, a sustainable agriculture organization, was used to examine perceptions of institutional support for information on reducing chemical inputs, needed research for farming with sustainable practices, and policy needs for encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices. We first developed a chemical input index to measure commitment to sustainable practices and to analyze information sources and research and policy needs. Results indicate that sustainable farmers rely primarily on each other and on their personal experience for information about sustainable practices; they use conventional farm practice information sources considerably less. The primary research need identified by the respondents was for better nonchemical weed control. Other important research needs identified were: nonchemical insect control, new seed varieties, cover crops, alternative tillage methods, and the economics of sustainable systems. The primary policy needs identified were more information and educational programs about sustainable agriculture and increased taxes on farm chemical use. We discuss the implications of the relationship between institutional support and the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.
Sustainable swine production in the U.S. Corn Beit
Authors: Honeyman Mark S. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractSwine production is a major component of Corn Belt agriculture; thus development of a sustainable Corn Belt agriculture depends on sustainable swine production systems. Swine are versatile enough to adapt to sustainable concepts, and swine production raises several opportunities to enhance sustainability. These include: 1) feeding with increased use of forages and by-product feeds; 2) nutrient cycling through improved handling of manure; 3) low-capital housing systems that offer an improved environment for the operator and reduced financial risk; 4) management systems suited to the swine's behavior; and 5) preventive approaches to swine health and a broader genetic base. The challenge beyond identifying the opportunities is research and technology transfer and incorporation of sustainable concepts into ecologically based swine production systems.
Cover crop contributions to N supply and water conservation in corn production
Authors: Sullivan Preston G. , Parrish David J. , Luna John M. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWinter annual legume cover crops can reduce nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirements and provide a water-conserving mulch to a subsequent crop. A two-year study was designed to test cover crops of rye (Secale cerealeL.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosaRoth), and big/lower vetch (Vicia grandifloraScopoli) for their ability to produce N and to conserve soil water for a succeeding corn (Zea maysL.) crop. We measured the cover crops' biomass, N yield, carbon (C) to N ratio, and influence on a subsequent corn crop grown under two tillage regimes (disk tillage or no-till). Nitrogen content in cover crop biomass at time of corn planting ranged from 37 to 187 kg/ha. Pure stands of hairy vetch and a mixture of hairy vetch plus bigflower vetch had generally higher N yields, and rye was lowest. Rye growing in association with hairy vetch had lower C:N ratios than rye growing alone. Legume C:N ratios remained generally unchanged from earlier (disked) to later (herbicide) kill dates, but total N and biomass typically increased in the last 2 to 3 weeks before corn planting. Soil water retention was affected by tillage in some cases; no-till was superior to disk incorporation in each case where there was a tillage effect. Cover crops with greater biomass resulted in greater soil water retention. Among cover crops, uptake ofNby corn was greater from hairy vetch or hairy vetch plus bigflower vetch mixture. Biological immobilization of N appeared to be reducing N uptake by corn grown in rye residues. Corn in nonlegume plots fertilized with 140 or 210 kg N/ha took up more N than corn following legumes, but there was no corresponding yield increase. Corn biomass yields following the cover crops ranged from 8.6 to 18.0 Mg/ha with no additional fertilizer N. In the second year of the study, average corn yields following hairy vetch (15.3 Mg/ha) or hairy-bigflower vetch mixtures (16.4 Mg/ha) were not statistically different from corn yields produced by a 140 kg N/ha fertilizer rate (17.4 Mg/ha). These results suggest N from a legume cover crop can replace or substantially reduce fertilizer N requirements in corn production systems in the Appalachian region.
Energetics and ecosystem integrity: The defining principles of sustainable agriculture
Authors: Crews Timothy E. , Mohler Charles L. , Power Alison G. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we criticize recent definitions of sustainable agriculture as being overly based on short-term economic criteria, rather than long-term ecological criteria. A concise definition of sustainable agriculture is put forth, premised on the assumption that the ecological parameters of energetics and ecosystem integrity ultimately determine the long-term viability of farming systems. We share with others the view that, in designing sustainable farming systems, a broad array of social and economic factors should be taken into consideration. We believe, however, that these factors are not intrinsic to a sustainable agriculture, but rather separate, desirable goals.
Soil biological criteria as indicators of soil quality: Soil microorganisms
Authors: Visser Suzanne , Parkinson Dennis 
Published: October 2009

AbstractDiverse soil microbiological studies have attempted to assess deterioration or improvement in soil quality. These studies have been done on three levels: population level studies of the dynamics of species that are presumed to be important or sensitive; community level studies of microbial community structure, such as species diversity and frequency of occurence of species; and ecosystem level studies of a range of soil processes. We suggest that ecosystem level approaches offer the best possibilities for rapidly assessing changes in soil quality. Data from such studies will allow researchers to decide whether to proceed with population or community level studies.
Soil and crop management effects on soil quality indicators
Authors: Karlen D.L. , Eash N.S. , Unger P.W. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPeople are becoming more aware that our soil resources are as vulnerable to degradation as air or water, but criteria are needed to learn how soil quality is changing. Our objectives in this review are: (1) to illustrate that interactions between human and natural factors determine soil quality; (2) to identify indicators that can be used to evaluate human-induced effects on soil quality; and (3) to suggest soil and crop management strategies that will sustain or improve soil quality. The physical, chemical, and biological processes and interactions within the soil are critical factors affecting all indicators of soil quality. The biological processes are especially important because they provide much of the resiliency or buffering capacity to ameliorate stress. Presumably, no single soil or crop management practice will guarantee improved soil quality, but conservation tillage, cover crops, and crop rotations are practices that may be effective. Alley or narrow-strip cropping may facilitate adoption of several of those agronomic practices and increase temporal and spatial diversity across the landscape. To maintain or possibly improve soil quality and simultaneously address a growing waste disposal problem, we suggest that urban lawn and newspaper waste be evaluated as carbon sources. We conclude that the most critical factor, regardless of the soil and crop management strategy, is to recognize that carbon is an essential element for improving soil quality in the U.S. and around the world.
Potential effects on rural economies of conversion to sustainable farming systems
Authors: Dobbs Thomas L. , Cole John D. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractConversions from conventional to sustainable farming systems could affect local rural economies either positively or negatively, by several means: changes in income of agricultural households; backward linkages to input supply firms; forward linkages to transportation, processing, and marketing firms; and changes in consumer expenditures by agricultural and other households. We estimated these effects for five local rural economies in South Dakota, representing different agroclimatic and population settlement patterns. Whole-farm economic models of case study conventional and sustainable farms in each area were used to estimate differences in input purchase and marketing patterns. We found declines in on-farm personal income (returns to farm labor and management) in four of the five case comparisons under a conversion to sustainable farming systems if organic price premiums are ignored; we found increases in three of five cases if applicable organic premiums are included. In all five study areas, total off-farm personal income drops in the portions of local economies connected to farming through backward linkages. It also drops in four of the five study areas in the portions of local economies connected through forward linkages if organic premiums are ignored (all five if organic premiums are included). However, net forward linkage effects are usually much smaller than net backward linkage effects, and on-farm personal income effects are substantially greater than either backward or forward off-farm linkage effects in most cases. The total (on-and off-farm) personal income effect of converting to sustainable systems is positive in only one area without organic premiums, and in one additional area with premiums. The ratio of total to on-farm personal income effects within local economies, considering only first round effects on backward- and forward-linked firms, averages 1.2 without organic premiums, or 0.6 with them. Taking account of more complete multiplier effects, which also consider changes in consumer expenditures and changes in expenditures for supplies by backward- and forward-linked firms, the average is 1.8 without organic premiums, or 0.8 with them. With more time for changes in sustainable production techniques and in the structure of farms and the rural economy, the overall economic effects of conversions to sustainable farming are likely to be more positive than our estimates.
Incorporating agroecology into the conventional agricultural curriculum
Authors: Altieri Miguel A. , Francis Charles A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAgroecology is the development and application of ecological theory to the management of agricultural systems, according to the specific land and other resources available. Beyond the biological and climatic dimensions of agriculture and ecology, there is growing appreciation of the influence of social, economic, and political factors on the structure and success of farming systems. This broader field is becoming known as “agroecology and sustainable development.” Expansion of the conventional curriculum to include integrative themes is essential because of the need for students to appreciate a whole farm focus for analysis, to understand the impact of socio-economic factors, and to further develop their abilities to link people and environment. Two courses are proposed and described in detail “Biology of Agroecosystems” includes study of system structure and function, cycles and interactions among components, system development and performance, and the importance of resource conservation and use. “Agroecology and Sustainable Agricultural Development” includes a survey of systems around the world, an evaluation of resources and their use, the environmental impact of agriculture, the relationships between society and agriculture, the applications of agroecology to rural development, and some projections of alternative future strategies for food production. Future agricultural professionals need to understand how improvement of agroecosystems is closely linked to economic, cultural, and political systems, and how they are both enhanced and constrained by factors beyond biology and climate.
Re-integrating agricultural research
Authors: Auburn Jill Shore , Baker Brian P. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractInteraction between farmers and researchers has benefits for both groups. Researchers gain an understanding of farmers' needs and the production system into which new techniques must fit; farmers are helped in adopting new techniques, and get insights into why some techniques are more successful than others. However, communication between farmers and researchers usually has been just from the university to the farmer. The recovery of information from farmers, integration of techniques into whole production systems, and the research priorities of farmers have not been very important to researchers.An exception has been in sustainable agriculture, where some researchers have been asking farmers what they are doing and what they want the university to do, and spending time observing existing practices before they design research trials. Ideally, farmers and researchers interact as equals, sharing information and expertise. We present examples from California and New York that show that this approach is highly effective, and recommend policie s to expand on this approach in researchfunding, training of research and extension personnel, and the dissemination ofinformation. We also discuss practical ways to carry out those policies, drawn from the experiences of both university and private non-profit organizations.
Comparison of taste quality between organically and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables
Authors: Basker Dov 
Published: October 2009

AbstractPanels of 40 to 60 “non-expert” consumers attempted to distinguish between the taste of organically and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. Wherever possible, samples of the two types of produce were obtained by picking them in the growing orchards/fields to avoid any question of authenticity, and cold-stored without treatment under the same conditions, for periods reflecting their shipping time to markets. Some physical, chemical, and instrumental analytical tests were also performed. No consistent preference pattern emerged. For grapefruit, grapes, carrots, spinach, sweet corn and tomatoes, the differences in hedonic ratings and scores between the two types of produce were not significant. For mangoes and orange juice, the conventional type was preferred, while the reverse was true for bananas; in each of these three instances the result could be ascribed to fruit being tasted closer to its optimum maturity.Screening tests were performed to detect any traces, at the parts-per-billion level, of chlorinated hydrocarbons and organophosphorus compounds used as pesticides, or their degradation products. No traces were detected in any of the samples examined (bananas, grapes, carrots, spinach, sweet corn or tomatoes), whether organically or conventionally grown. In those samples examined (bananas, grapes, carrots, spinach, sweet corn and tomatoes) by quantitative tests for the three major fertilizer elements used conventionally (NPK), nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were not consistently greater, while potassium concentrations were either equal or greater, than in the organically grown samples. Among the anion analyses performed on orange juice, grapefruit juice, carrots, spinach and tomatoes, nitrates and particularly nitrites either were not detected, or occurred at negligible concentrations in all samples. Phosphates were found at higher concentrations, but not significantly so, in four of the five organic products tested; no phosphates were detected in either type of tomatoes.
Comparison of alternative farming systems. III. Soil aggregate stability
Authors: Jordahl J.L. , Karlen D.L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractQuantitative studies are needed to separate the real and supposed benefits of alternative farming practices. Our objective was to learn how conventional and alternative practices on adjacent farms in central Iowa affected the water stability of soil aggregates. We collected samples of Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) from adjacent 16 ha fields in fall 1990 and spring 1991. Aggregate stability was determined by wet-sieving and by measuring turbidity of soil-water suspensions. The combined effects of alternative practices resulted in greater water stability of soil aggregates, higher soil organic matter content, and lower bulk density compared with conventional practices. The components of the alternative system that were mainly responsible for these differences were: rotations that included oat and hay crops; ridge-tillage; and additions of 45 Mg/ha of a mixture of animal manure and municipal sludge during the first 3 years of each 5 year rotation. The more favorable soil physical conditions, shown by increased water stability of soil aggregates, presumably will improve soil water regimes and reduce long-term soil erosion losses from the alternatively managed fields.