Can a change in cropping patterns produce water savings and social gains: A case study from the Fergana Valley, Central Asia

Abstract The study examines possible water savings by replacing alfalfa with winter wheat in the Fergana Valley, located upstream of the Syrdarya River in Central Asia. Agricultural reforms since the 1990s have promoted this change in cropping patterns in the Central Asian states to enhance food security and social benefits. The water use of alfalfa, winter wheat/fallow, and winter wheat/green gram (double cropping) systems is compared for high-deficit, low-deficit, and full irrigation scenarios using hydrological modeling with the HYDRUS-1D software package. Modeling results indicate that replacing alfalfa with winter wheat in the Fergana Valley released significant water resources, mainly by reducing productive crop transpiration when abandoning alfalfa in favor of alternative cropping systems. However, the winter wheat/fallow cropping system caused high evaporation losses from fallow land after harvesting of winter wheat. Double cropping (i.e., the cultivation of green gram as a short duration summer crop after winter wheat harvesting) reduced evaporation losses, enhanced crop output and hence food security, while generating water savings that make more water available for other productive uses. Beyond water savings, this paper also discusses the economic and social gains that double cropping produces for the public within a broader developmental context

Winter wheat roots grow twice as deep as spring wheat roots, is this important for N uptake and N leaching losses?

Cropping systems comprising winter catch crops followed by spring wheat could reduce N leaching risks compared to traditional winter wheat systems in humid climates. We studied the soil mineral N (Ninorg) and root growth of winter- and spring wheat to 2.5 m depth during three years. Root depth of winter wheat (2.2 m) was twice that of spring wheat, and this was related to much lower amounts of Ninorg in the 1 to 2.5 m layer after winter wheat (81 kg Ninorg ha-1 less). When growing winter catch crops before spring wheat, N content in the 1 to 2.5 m layer after spring wheat was not different from that after winter wheat. The results suggest that by virtue of its deep rooting, winter wheat may not lead to high levels of leaching as it is often assumed in humid climates. Deep soil and root measurements (below 1 m) in this experiment were essential to answer the questions we posed

Production Systems Involving Stocker Cattle and Soft Red Winter Wheat

A three year study at the Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville, Arkansas evaluated production systems involving stocker cattle and soft red winter wheat. Grazing of soft red winter wheat forage from October through February followed by harvesting wheat grain or grazing through April with stocker cattle offers an alternative to conventional farming. Soft red winter wheat, when planted by September 15, produces an ample supply of high-quality forage that supports rapid growth of stocker cattle during October through April. Net income from stocker cattle averaged over $100 per acre. A normal wheat grain crop can also be harvested. These alternative production systems could increase the agricultural income by over$75,000,000 per year if 750,000 acres of wheat are grazed

Indicators of weed competition on Organic Winter Wheat

Organic winter wheat production is limited by climatic and agronomic factors, including weed competition. The incidence of weeds on yield limitation can be characterized through various early indicators to predict weed occurrence and competition. A network of 10 fields of organic winter wheat was implemented in the South East of France in 2005-2006. Results showed that weed density, dynamics and diversity are good indicators for weed occurrence and competition

Winter Wheat Variety Trial

In 2012, the University of Vermont Extension, in collaboration with the University of Maine, began the third year of extensive organic variety trials evaluating hard red winter wheat in order to determine which varieties thrive in our northern climate. The trials were established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont and at Cornell University’s Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro, New York. In the 2012 varietal selection process, varieties that in previous trial years had not performed well were eliminated. This trial is one of several in a USDA Organic Research Education Initiative grant focused on the production of high quality organic bread wheat in New England

Winter Wheat Variety Trial

In 2010, the University of Vermont Extension in collaboration with the University of Maine began an extensive organic variety trial of hard red winter wheat in order to determine which varieties thrive in our northern climate. The trials were established at the Borderview Research Farm in Alburgh, Vermont and at Cornell University’s Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro, New York. This trial is one of several in a USDA OREI grant focused on the production of hig

Heirloom Winter Wheat Trial

In 2012, UVM Extension conducted a winter heirloom variety trial. Many consumers are interested in heirloom wheat for flavor, perceived health benefits or its history, while many farmers are interested in heirloom wheat because it may have superior genetics better adapted to the challenging growing conditions in the Northeast. This variety trial was established to determine what heirloom winter wheat varieties are viable in Vermont’s growing conditions

Optimizing Dual Interdependent Products from a Single Crop

The objective of the research is to determine the optimal grazing termination date that maximizes expected net returns from dual-purpose winter wheat production. Preliminary results indicate that grazing should be terminated at or before first hollow stem to generate the highest expected net returns in a dual-purpose winter wheat production enterprise.Crop Production/Industries,

South Dakota Elevator\u27s Winter Wheat Marketing Practices and Seasonality of Cash Wheat Prices

South Dakota is among 12 states which consistently produce both spring and winter wheat. Since 1983, South Dakota and two other states have produced approximately equal amounts of spring and winter wheat. Historically, South Dakota has predominantly produced spring wheat. From 1977 through 1982 spring wheat production in South Dakota averaged 48.4 million bushels per year. Winter wheat production during the same period averaged 22.4 million bushels. However, since 1983 South Dakota winter wheat production has been slightly larger than spring wheat production. Increased acreage was the major reason for the increase in winter wheat production. South Dakota acreage used for winter wheat production increased from 680,000 acres in 1977 to 1.8 million acres in 1986. Since 1977, spring wheat acreage has remained fairly constant at about 2 million acres, for the ten years reported, except for 1983. Since 1977, South Dakota wheat production emphasis has changed from predominantly spring wheat to a combination of spring and winter wheat. Because spring wheat production was large relative to winter wheat production from 1977-1982, the pricing of South Dakota wheat was probably based on spring wheat prices. Spring wheat and winter wheat compete in a number of product markets. Therefore, the prices of spring and winter wheat will most likely have similar characteristics. Because South Dakota winter wheat production has expanded relative to South Dakota spring wheat production, pricing of South Dakota winter wheat needed to be assessed. Are the South Dakota winter wheat prices more strongly influenced by spring wheat prices or winter wheat prices? Previous analysis regarding hedging versus cross-hedging of winter wheat was performed by Stowater. Cross-hedging of winter wheat on Minneapolis Grain Exchange\u27s spring wheat contracts was recognized as a viable alternative to traditional hedging of winter wheat on the Kansas City Board of Trade. The emphasis of this project was to identify market factors affecting winter wheat prices in South Dakota and to identify the seasonal price patterns in winter and spring wheat prices. Determination of these pricing patterns would help strengthen agribusiness\u27s as well as producer\u27s understanding of wheat price volatility. The research objectives, methodology, and sources of data for this thesis are provided in this chapter

Results from the arable crop rotation study at Oak Park 2000 - 2007

An organic rotation trial was established at Oak Park in 2000. The crop sequence in the seven year rotation was: two years grass-clover, winter wheat, potatoes, winter oats, lupins and spring barley. The grass-clover, which supplies nitrogen to the system, also provides vegetation which of late is cut and mixed with cereal straw to produce compost. The compost replaced sheep manure which was available up to 2007. Manure was applied to potato plots prior to cultivation for the period 2002 to 2007 and to barley plots from 2005 to 2007. The average yield of crops over the period of the rotation was: winter wheat 5.9 t/ha, potatoes 32.7 t/ha, winter oats 5.8 t/ha, lupins 2.4 t/ha and spring barley 4.5 t/ha. Triticale, which was grown in one of the plots designated for winter wheat, had an average yield of 7.5 t/ha. Lupins have been unsatisfactory due to uncompetitiveness with weeds and lateness of maturity