Map-induced journey-planning biases for a simple network: A Docklands Light Railway study

A usability study was conducted to identify the most effective prototype Docklands Light Railway map for installation on trains. This comprised a series of tasks that required station finding and also planning of routes between pairs of stations, with response time and accuracy as measures of performance. In addition, subjective ratings of map design were collected via questionnaire-based evaluations, and also ranked preferences between designs. A clear best-option was easily identifiable as a result of this research. The existing design was associated with the most journey planning errors, and two of the prototypes were associated with inefficient journey choices. The latter finding suggested that respondents were using unsophisticated planning strategies that were put at a disadvantage by certain route depictions. This has wider implications for suggestions that schematic maps should maintain topographical relationships in order to facilitate appropriate journey choices, with the danger that the inevitable increased complexity of line trajectories for such designs would simultaneously reduce the ability of passengers to identify the most appropriate routes

Fallow Replacement Crop (Cover Crops, Annual Forages, and Short-Season Grain Crops) Effects on Wheat and Grain Sorghum Yields

Producers are interested in growing cover crops and reducing fallow. Growing a crop during the fallow period would increase profitability if crop benefits exceeded expenses. Benefits of growing a cover crop were shown in high rainfall areas, but limited informa­tion is available on growing cover crops in place of fallow in the semiarid Great Plains. A study was done from 2007–2016 that evaluated cover crops, annual forages, and short season grain crops grown in place of fallow. In the first experiment (2007-2012) the rotation was no-till wheat-fallow, and in the second experiment (2012-2016) the rotation was no-till wheat-grain sorghum-fallow. This report presents results from the second experiment. The previous crop affected wheat yield; however, growing a previ­ous crop as hay or cover did not affect wheat yield. Wheat yield following the previous crop was dependent on precipitation during fallow and the growing season. In dry years (2011-2014), growing a crop during the fallow period reduced wheat yields, while growing a crop during the fallow period had little impact on wheat yield in wet years (2008-2010). The length of the fallow period also affected yields of the following wheat crop. Growing a cover or hay crop until June 1 affected wheat less than if a winter or spring crop were grown for grain, which was approximately the first week of July. Cover crops did not improve wheat or grain sorghum yields compared to fallow. To be suc­cessful, the benefits of growing a cover crop during the fallow period must be greater than the expense of growing it; plus compensate for any negative yield impacts on the subsequent crop. Cover crops always resulted in less profit than fallow, while annual forages often increased profit compared to fallow. The negative effects on wheat yields might be minimized with flex-fallow, which is the concept of only growing a crop in place of fallow in years when soil moisture at planting and precipitation outlook are favorable at the time of making the decision to plant

Integrated Grain and Forage Rotations

Producers are interested in growing forages in rotation with grain crops. Many produc­ers are interested in diversifying their operations to include livestock or grow feed for the livestock industry. By integrating forages into the cropping system, producers can take advantage of more markets and reduce market risk. Forages require less water to make a crop than grain crops, so the potential may exist to reduce fallow by including forages in the crop rotation. Reducing fallow through intensified grain/forage rotations may increase the profitability and sustainability compared to existing crop rotations. This study was started in 2013, with crops grown in-phase beginning in 2014. Grain crops were more sensitive to moisture stress than forage crops. Growing a double-crop forage sorghum after wheat reduced grain sorghum yield the second year, but never reduced second-year forage sorghum yield in the years of this study. As long as double-crop forage sorghum is profitable, it appears the cropping system can be intensified by growing second year forage sorghum. Caution should be used when planting double-crop forage sorghum by evaluating soil moisture condition and precipitation outlook, since other research has found cropping intensity should be reduced in dry years. The “flex-fallow” concept could be used to make a decision on whether or not to plant double-crop forage sorghum to increase the chance of success. Of important note, this research showed forages are more tolerant to moisture stress than grain crops and the potential exists to increase cropping intensity by integrating forages into the rotation

Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations

Producers are interested in growing forages, yet the southwest region of Kansas lacks proven recommended crop rotations such as those for grain crops. Forage production is important to the region’s livestock and dairy industries and is becoming increasingly important as irrigation well capacity declines. Forages require less water than grain crops and may allow for increased cropping intensity and opportunistic cropping. A study was initiated in 2013 comparing several 1-, 3-, and 4-year forage rotations with no-till and minimum-till (min-till). Data presented are from 2013 through 2014. Winter triticale yields were not affected by tillage in 2013 but were increased by tillage in 2014. Double-crop forage sorghum yielded 30% of full-season forage sorghum in 2013, which was a drought year, but across years yielded 70% of full-season sorghum. Oats failed to make a crop during the drought year and do not appear to be as drought tolerant as spring triticale or forage sorghum. Subsequent years will be used to compare forage rotations and profitability

2015 Kansas Winter Annual Forage Variety Trial

A total of 16 winter annual forage varieties were tested for performance near Garden City, KS, at the Southwest Research-Extension Center in 2014-2015. Winter crops evaluated included wheat, triticale, and cereal rye

Media Coverage of Climate Change: Current Trends, Strengths, Weaknesses

human development, climate change

Determining Profitable Annual Forage Rotations

Producers are interested in growing annual forages, yet the region lacks proven recom­mended crop rotations such as those for grain crops. Forage production is important to the region’s livestock and dairy industries and is becoming increasingly important as irrigation well capacity declines. Forages require less water than grain crops and may al­low for increased cropping intensity and opportunistic cropping. A study was initiated in 2013 comparing several 1-, 3-, and 4-year forage rotations with no-till and minimum-till (min-till). Data presented are from 2013 through 2015. Winter triticale yields were increased by tillage. Double-crop forage sorghum yielded 23% less than full-season for­age sorghum across years. Oats failed to make a crop in 2013 and do not appear to be as drought tolerant as spring triticale or forage sorghum. Subsequent years will be used to compare forage rotations and profitability

Herbicide Evaluation for Control of Kochia and Palmer Amaranth in Teff Grass

Eleven postemergence herbicide treatments were applied to teff grown for forage to evaluate Palmer amaranth and kochia control, as well as crop tolerance. Effective Palmer amaranth control was achieved with all herbicide treatments, while less than satisfactory kochia control was obtained with atrazine and Harmony. Clarity, 2,4-D, and Huskie applied alone appeared to control kochia, but kochia density was low in the plots. Had the kochia population been higher, similar efficacy ratings may have been attained. Huskie or atrazine caused the most injury to teff. The first harvest suggests these herbicides reduced forage yield to less than 3,000 lb/a

2015 Kansas Spring Annual Forage Variety Trial

A total of 3 spring annual forage varieties were tested for performance at the Southwest Research-Extension Center near Garden City, KS and the Western Kansas Agricul­ture Research Center near Hays, KS, in 2015. Spring crops evaluated included oat and triticale

Fallow Replacement Crop (Cover Crops, Annual Forages, and Short-Season Grain Crops) Effects on Available Soil Water

Producers are interested in growing cover crops and reducing fallow. Limited information is available on growing crops in place of fallow in the semiarid Great Plains. Between 2012 and 2015, spring cover, annual forage, and grain crops were grown in place of fallow in a no-till wheat-grain sorghum-fallow (WSF) rotation in southwest Kansas. Growing a cover, hay, or grain crop in place of fallow reduced the amount of stored soil moisture at wheat planting. On average, cover crops stored slightly more moisture than hay crops, but this soil moisture difference did not affect wheat yields. Soil moisture after grain crops was less than after cover or hay crops, and this difference resulted in reduced wheat yields. These results do not support claims that cover crops increase soil moisture compared to fallow. Soil moisture storage from fallow crop termination to wheat planting was greatest among those treatments that were most dry at termination and produced the most aboveground biomass. On average, cover crops had a 28% precipitation storage efficiency (PSE) and hay crops had a 22% PSE between termination and wheat planting. Fallow during the full-fallow period (sorghum harvest to wheat planting) had an 18% PSE. Crops grown in place of fallow must compensate for the expense of growing the crop plus the reduction in soil moisture for the next crop