Oormsby Mori, G.

English

Universidade Técnica de Lisboa

Specialty crop development for temperate agroforestry systems: sustainable management, marketing and promotion for the Midwest region of the USA

UTL Repository

      Biodiversity and added value  2884th European Agroforestry Conference  Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use SPECIALTY CROP DEVELOPMENT FOR TEMPERATE AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS: SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT, MARKETING AND PROMOTION FOR THE MIDWEST REGION OF THE USA  Ormsby Mori G1*, Gold M1, Jose S1 (1) Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA *Corresponding author: ormsbyg@missouri.edu  Abstract Farmers and rural communities across the American Midwest face numerous sustainability challenges, both economic and environmental. Agroforestry practices present a more sustainable alternative, but key to success is the selection and development of appropriate species to integrate into these systems.  The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA), with long-term goals of creating viable on-farm enterprises and promoting the adoption of practices that can contribute to enhanced ecosystem services across the landscape, has focused on the research and development of regionally adapted and promising specialty crops for agroforestry through a comprehensive, multi-foci approach. Key components include breeding and selection of improved cultivars, research and dissemination of production techniques, market research, consumer education and support to growers. This presentation provides an overview of recent advances and remaining challenges of these ongoing efforts. Keywords: specialty crops; improved cultivars; market development  Introduction Agriculture is the dominant land use across the American Midwest and the region is home to some of the most agriculturally intensive production in the world. Approximately 66.8 million hectares across the region are under some form of commodity agriculture, just over 50% of the total land surface. U.S. agricultural and rural communities face ongoing challenges including profitability and environmental stresses that threaten the livelihoods and well-being and long-term environmental sustainability of many who work the land and/or live in rural areas. Agroforestry practices present a more sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural practices. An important consideration in the design and promotion of agroforestry systems (AFS) is the selection and development of appropriate species that can be successfully integrated into these systems. For example, comprehensive efforts are underway to develop the University of Nebraska, beginning in 1999, evaluated the potential of 30 species of fruit and woody floral species in demonstration trials intercropped with corn, soy and wheat. The data from these trials confirmed that a market driven approach to encourage natural resource conservation through agroforestry specialty crops can be a viable approach for the region (Josiah et al. 2004).  The University of Missouri Center for Agroforestry (UMCA), recognizing the importance and potential of specialty crops for design of robust, ecologically sustainable and economically productive agroforestry systems, has placed an emphasis on the research and development of regionally adapted and promising specialty crops. This includes genetic improvement and the release and promotion of cultivars of familiar species like native eastern black walnut  (Juglans nigra) as well as lesser known species such as non-native Chinese chestnut  (Castanea mollissima) for managed production within an agroforestry practice.       Biodiversity and added value  2894th European Agroforestry Conference  Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use This presentation providdevelopment, with an update on advances and remaining challenges of ongoing efforts with specific candidate species: chestnuts (Castanea mollissima), black walnuts (Juglans nigra), elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), hybrid pine for pine straw (P. taeda x P. rigida), shiitake (Lentinula edodes). The long-term goals include creating viable on-farm enterprises and promoting the adoption of practices that can contribute to enhanced ecosystem services across the landscape.   1. Develop, test, and deploy improved cultivars 2. Research, test and disseminate field production and management techniques  3. Conduct market, consumer and value-added research  5. Create financial decision support tools  Development and testing of improved cultivars To develop a new chestnut industry in Missouri and surrounding states, it has been important to conduct long-term studies that directly compare C. mollissima cultivars at the same location or locations over multiple years to determine their local adaptation and performance (Gold and Hunt 2002). At the University of Missouri Horticulture and Agroforestry Center, New Franklin, Missouri, Center for Agroforestry scientists established a collection of 65 known Castaneacultivars from 1996 through 2005 in a germplasm repository for long-term evaluation (Hunt et al. 2004). A second more limited cultivar trial was established in 1999 in an effort to identify outstanding, locally-adapted cultivars that have traits suitable for commercial chestnut production (e.g., large size nuts and high yields). A replicated cultivar trial, with twelve cultivars and five replications (one tree per replicate) of C. mollissima and chestnut species hybrids, was established in 1999. Each fall from 2008 through 2011, plus 2015, nuts were collected, counted, and weighed for each tree and combined to determine yield and average nut weight (Table 1).  Over several decades, UMCA has evaluated dozens of improved cultivars of black walnut. A key target criterion for improvement has been the nut yield ratio. Nutmeat from the nuts of wild trees can average between 7-10% of total weight (nutmeat/shell ratio). Nut yield in cultivars under study at UMCA is averaging around 30% kernel, with some cultivars demonstrating consistent nut yields up to 38% (Coggeshall and Romero-Severson 2013).               Biodiversity and added value  290 4th European Agroforestry Conference  Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use Table 1: Average yield per tree (kg and lbs) and per acre (hectare) summed over 4 years, 2008-2011, plus 2015 Cultivar 2008-2011 Average yield / tree kg tree / lbs tree 2015 (Age 16) Average yield / tree kg tree / lbs tree 2008-2011 Average yield / ac. kg hectare/ lbs Acre 2015 Yield                      kg hectare / lbs acre Colossal 42.1 92.6 --- --- 5,187 4,631 --- --- Qing 24.0 52.8 42.9 94.4 2,957 2,640 5,285 4,719 Eaton 14.8 18.0 34.6 46.0 1,823 1,628 2,575 2,299 Sleeping Giant 11.3 17.6 29.9 58.7 1,392 1,243 3,289 2,937 Homestead 8.2 14.7 20.9 44.2 1,010 902 2,476 2,211 Mossbarger 8.0 13.6 26.7 70.4 986 880 3,942 3,520 OK-Kwang 6.7 52.8 20.1 76.1 825 737 4,263 3,806 Peach 6.2 32.6 32 65.8 764 682 3,684 3,289  Market research and development Launching and growing a specialty crop industry is more likely to achieve success when it is -oriented strategy. However, for new or emerging niche specialty crops, there is often a lack of detailed market information. Therefore, research into market dynamics and potential has been essential. An important tool guiding much of this research is the Porter Five Forces Model (Porter 1980) (Figure 1).   Figure 1: The Porter Five Forces Model (PFFM) (Porter 1980). This framework is a useful guide for analyzing competition within an industry and considers five areas of competition (competition among producers, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, potential for substitutes and threat of new entrants) and interaction between al. 2012). The methodology is particularly useful for farm businesses that are looking to enter new markets, the typical case for agroforestry practices that integrate niche specialty crops. A nationwide survey of U.S. chestnut (Castanea spp.) producers was conducted using a variety of tools (i.e., Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat (SWOT) analysis, the Porter Five Forces Model, Conjoint Analysis choice preference questions) to understand the U.S. chestnut market (Gold et al. 2006). Results indicated that the U.S. chestnut industry is in its infancy. The majority of chestnut producers have been in business less than 10 years and are just beginning to produce commercially. Volume of production is low (less than 1.5 million lb.). U.S. chestnut producers are mainly part-time or hobby farmers with small, manually harvested operations (Gold et al. 2006).       Biodiversity and added value  2914th European Agroforestry Conference  Agroforestry as Sustainable Land Use Additional information revealed through the national chestnut market survey (Gold et al. 2006) indicates that demand for quality chestnuts exceeds supply. Demand for fresh chestnuts is expected to continue increasing by 10% - 25% over the next 5 years. Producers who grow chestnuts from cultivars, grow organically, or sell under a brand name achieve the highest prices. Subsequent market surveys have consistently shown that demand exceeds supply.  Conclusion Expanding access to well researched perennial specialty crops and expanding markets for theirproducts can contribute to more widespread adoption of a range agroforestry practices andultimately to the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of farming systemsthroughout the Midwest and beyond. UMCA research and development efforts have followed astrategic approach focusing on several key areas of development and testing of improvedcultivars, developing viable markets and promotion and support with producers.   Numerous challenges for the development of emerging specialty crops have been identified and are being addressed. In the early stages, some priming is often required to promote interest, stimulate demand and catalyze the innovation that can fuel the growth of a specialty crop industry. Access to improved cultivars, solid production guidelines, reliable product supply, growing consumer demand, and sound financial decision support tools are supporting the growth of the specialty crop industry and having positive impacts up and down the supply chain. With adequate and reliable supply from growers, processors and entrepreneurs are more likely to invest and expand. In turn, existing growers and potential growers are more likely to expand production if there are a -strategy for increased production, supply and demand. Another important dimension of UMCA efforts includes bioactive phytochemical research to elucidate and test unique compounds found in plants, including the potential to patent and market value-added products for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications. This provides another avenue to create market opportunities and increase the economic attractiveness and adoption of agroforestry. References Cernusca MM, Gold MA, Godsey LD (2012) Using the Porter Model to Analyze the U.S. Elderberry Industry. AgroforSyst 86: 365-377. Coggeshall MV, Romero-Severson J (2013) Breeding black walnuts in the age of genomic. In: Van Sambeek JW, Jackson Elizabeth A, Coggeshall Mark V, Thomas Andrew L, Michler Charles H (eds) Managing fine hardwoods after a half century of research: Proceedings of the Seventh Walnut Council Research Symposium; 2011 August 1-3; Madison, WI. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-115. Newtown Square, PA; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station, pp 75-76. Gold MA, Hunt KL (2002) Growing chestnut in Missouri. Northern Nut Growers Assoc. 93rd Annual Report 93:20-26.Gold MA, Cernusca MM, Godsey LD (2006) Competitive Market Analysis: Chestnut Producers. HortTechnology 16: 360-369. Hunt KL, Gold MA, Warmund MR (2004) Chinese chestnut cultivar performance in Missouri. Acta Horticulturae 693: 145-148. Josiah SJ, Brott H, Brandle JR (2004) Producing woody floral products in an alleycropping system in Nebraska. HortTechnology 14: 203-207.  Molnar TJ, Kahn PC, Ford TM, Funk CJ, Funk CR (2013) Tree crops, a permanent agriculture: Concepts from the past for a sustainable future. Resources 2: 457-488. Porter ME (1980) Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. The Free Press, New York.   

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Specialty crop development for temperate agroforestry systems: sustainable management, marketing and promotion for the Midwest region of the USA

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