Agricultural Production Management. Production Management Categories Classified into four types of Production Management Soil and Crop management Soil.

Agricultural Production Agricultural Production ManagementManagement

Production Management Production Management CategoriesCategories

Classified into four types of Classified into four types of Production ManagementProduction Management

Soil and Crop managementSoil and Crop management Pest managementPest management Nutrient managementNutrient management Water managementWater management

Types of Farming SystemsTypes of Farming Systems

Combination of production management Combination of production management practices employed to achieve production, practices employed to achieve production, profit, and increasingly, environmental and profit, and increasingly, environmental and sustainability objectivessustainability objectives

Conventional, high-synthetic-input systemsConventional, high-synthetic-input systems Reduced –synthetic-input systemsReduced –synthetic-input systems Cultural practicesCultural practices Biological practicesBiological practices Organic farming systemsOrganic farming systems

Types of Farming SystemsTypes of Farming Systems

Other ways of Grouping SystemsOther ways of Grouping Systems

• Cropping systemsCropping systems• Tillage systemsTillage systems• Irrigation systemsIrrigation systems

Factors Affecting Farmer’s Factors Affecting Farmer’s DecisionsDecisions

Management skillsManagement skills Economic factorsEconomic factors Environmental pressuresEnvironmental pressures Availability of technology and Availability of technology and

technical supporttechnical support

Soil Management and Soil Management and ConservationConservation

Importance of SoilImportance of Soil

As the key resource in crop productionAs the key resource in crop production It supports the physical, chemical, and It supports the physical, chemical, and

biological processesbiological processes Regulates water flow such asRegulates water flow such as

• InfiltrationInfiltration• Root-zone storageRoot-zone storage• Deep percolationDeep percolation• Run-offRun-off

Importance of SoilImportance of Soil

Acts as a buffer between inputs and Acts as a buffer between inputs and environmentenvironment

Functions as “degrader” or Functions as “degrader” or “immobilizer” of agricultural “immobilizer” of agricultural chemicals, wastes, or other chemicals, wastes, or other pollutantspollutants

Soil also sequesters carbon from the Soil also sequesters carbon from the atmosphereatmosphere

Important Soil attributesImportant Soil attributes

TextureTexture StructureStructure Bulk density and rooting depthBulk density and rooting depth Permeability and water storage capacityPermeability and water storage capacity Carbon contentCarbon content Organic matter and biological activityOrganic matter and biological activity pHpH Electrical conductivityElectrical conductivity

Three functions of soilThree functions of soil(from NRC)(from NRC)

1.1. Provides the physical, chemical, and Provides the physical, chemical, and biological processes for the growth biological processes for the growth of plantsof plants

2.2. To store, regulate, and partition To store, regulate, and partition water flow through the environmentwater flow through the environment

3.3. To buffer environmental change by To buffer environmental change by decomposing organic wastes, decomposing organic wastes, nitrates, pesticides, and other nitrates, pesticides, and other substances that could become substances that could become pollutantspollutants

Soil QualitySoil Quality

Defined: The capacity of soil to function or Defined: The capacity of soil to function or the fitness for usethe fitness for use

Can be maintained through use of Can be maintained through use of appropriate crop production technologies appropriate crop production technologies and resource management systemsand resource management systems

Two concepts of measuring soil qualityTwo concepts of measuring soil quality• More traditional: focuses on inherent soil More traditional: focuses on inherent soil

propertiesproperties• More recent: focuses on dynamic properties of More recent: focuses on dynamic properties of

soilsoil

Land capability and suitabilityLand capability and suitability

Two types of measurements:Two types of measurements:• Land Capability Classes (LCC’s)Land Capability Classes (LCC’s)• Prime farmland designationPrime farmland designation

Used to measure land capabilities for Used to measure land capabilities for a particular purpose:a particular purpose:• Growing crops and treesGrowing crops and trees• Grazing animalsGrazing animals• Nonagricultural usesNonagricultural uses

Land Capability Classes Land Capability Classes (LCC’s)(LCC’s)

Range from I to VIII:Range from I to VIII:• Class I: no significant limitations for Class I: no significant limitations for

raising crops; About 7% of US croplandraising crops; About 7% of US cropland• Classes II and III: have some limitations Classes II and III: have some limitations

such as poor drainage, limited root such as poor drainage, limited root zones, climatic restrictions, or erosion zones, climatic restrictions, or erosion potential; make up over ¾ of US potential; make up over ¾ of US croplandcropland

Land Capability Classes Land Capability Classes (LCC’s)(LCC’s)

• Class IV: suitable only under selected Class IV: suitable only under selected cropping practicescropping practices

• Classes V, VI, and VII: best suited for Classes V, VI, and VII: best suited for pasture and rangepasture and range

• Class VIII: is only suited for wildlife Class VIII: is only suited for wildlife habitat, recreation, and other non-habitat, recreation, and other non-agricultural usesagricultural uses

LCC’s I through III total 337 million LCC’s I through III total 337 million acres, or 82% of US cropland acres, or 82% of US cropland excluding Alaskaexcluding Alaska

Prime FarmlandPrime Farmland

Based on physical and morphological soil Based on physical and morphological soil characteristics:characteristics:• Depth of water table to the root zoneDepth of water table to the root zone• Moisture-holding capacityMoisture-holding capacity• Degree of salinityDegree of salinity• Permeability Permeability • Frequency of floodingFrequency of flooding• Soil temperatureSoil temperature• ErodibilityErodibility• Soil aciditySoil acidity

Prime FarmlandPrime Farmland

Factors needed to sustain high yields Factors needed to sustain high yields when treated and managedwhen treated and managed• Growing seasonGrowing season• Moisture supplyMoisture supply• Soil qualitySoil quality

Totals 222 million acres, or 54% of Totals 222 million acres, or 54% of US cropland excluding AlaskaUS cropland excluding Alaska

ProductivityProductivity

Measures output per unit inputMeasures output per unit input Often measured as crop yield per Often measured as crop yield per

acreacre Can reflect soil degradation if yields Can reflect soil degradation if yields

decline as soils become degraded decline as soils become degraded and more inputs are used to and more inputs are used to compensate for decline in soil qualitycompensate for decline in soil quality

ErodibilityErodibility

Highly erodible lands (HEL) is a soil Highly erodible lands (HEL) is a soil quality measure that is important to quality measure that is important to USDA conservation policyUSDA conservation policy

USDA uses the erodibility index (EI) USDA uses the erodibility index (EI) to classify erosion potentialto classify erosion potential

Erosion Productivity LossErosion Productivity Loss

Measure of productivity loss that Measure of productivity loss that converts total erosion from tons per converts total erosion from tons per acre per year to inches per yearacre per year to inches per year

3 factors reflected in this measure:3 factors reflected in this measure:• Erosion ratesErosion rates• Soil depthSoil depth• Rental values of landRental values of land

Five major concentrations of Five major concentrations of vulnerable soilsvulnerable soils

Largest: Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri in the Largest: Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri in the corn beltcorn belt

Second: eastern North Dakota and western Second: eastern North Dakota and western and south central Minnesotaand south central Minnesota

Third: eastern bluffs of Mississippi River in Third: eastern bluffs of Mississippi River in western Kentucky, Tennessee, and along western Kentucky, Tennessee, and along eastern edge of Mississippi Deltaeastern edge of Mississippi Delta

Fourth: eastern edge of ColoradoFourth: eastern edge of Colorado Fifth: band of land in eastern Washington Fifth: band of land in eastern Washington

and Oregon around Palouse and Central and Oregon around Palouse and Central PlateauPlateau

Effects of erosionEffects of erosion

Two types:Two types:• Onsite effectsOnsite effects• Offsite effectsOffsite effects

Major onsite effect is impact on soil Major onsite effect is impact on soil productivityproductivity

Offsite damages occur when:Offsite damages occur when:• Sediment enter the streams, rivers, lakes, and Sediment enter the streams, rivers, lakes, and

other water bodies and damages municipal other water bodies and damages municipal water systemswater systems

• Fills reservoirs and streams interfering with Fills reservoirs and streams interfering with navigation, and contributes to floodingnavigation, and contributes to flooding

Inappropriate farming practicesInappropriate farming practices

Lead to:Lead to:• Soil degradationSoil degradation• Soil erosionSoil erosion• Loss of organic matterLoss of organic matter• Soil compactionSoil compaction• AcidificationAcidification• Loss of nitrates, phosphates, and pesticidesLoss of nitrates, phosphates, and pesticides• Accumulation of salts and trace elementsAccumulation of salts and trace elements• Increased run-off of fertilizers and pesticides to Increased run-off of fertilizers and pesticides to

water systemswater systems

Soil DegradationSoil Degradation 3 Processes3 Processes

• Physical Physical Wind erosionWind erosion Water erosionWater erosion CompactionCompaction

• ChemicalChemical ToxificationToxification SalinizationSalinization Acidification Acidification

• Biological Biological Declines in organic matterDeclines in organic matter Declines in carbonDeclines in carbon Declines in the activity and diversity of soil faunaDeclines in the activity and diversity of soil fauna

Rotational CroppingRotational Cropping

Can play significant role in Can play significant role in conserving soil, maintaining soil conserving soil, maintaining soil fertility, controlling pests, and also fertility, controlling pests, and also helps break up insect and disease helps break up insect and disease cyclescycles

Cover CropsCover Crops

Cover crop of small grains, meadow, Cover crop of small grains, meadow, or hay planted in the fall after or hay planted in the fall after harvest of a row crop provides harvest of a row crop provides vegetative cover to reduce soil loss, vegetative cover to reduce soil loss, hold nutrients, add organic matter to hold nutrients, add organic matter to the soil, and sequester carbonthe soil, and sequester carbon

Crop Residue Management (CRM)Crop Residue Management (CRM)

CRM leaves crop residues on soil CRM leaves crop residues on soil surface through less intensive tillage surface through less intensive tillage practices.practices.• Usually cost effectiveUsually cost effective• Protects soil surfaceProtects soil surface• Leads to higher farm economic returnsLeads to higher farm economic returns

Conservation buffers and Conservation buffers and StructuresStructures

Structures and buffers reduce water Structures and buffers reduce water erosion caused by rainfallerosion caused by rainfall

Very important component of farm Very important component of farm soil management systemssoil management systems

Pest Management Pest Management PracticesPractices

About pesticideAbout pesticide

One of the first growing agricultural One of the first growing agricultural production inputs since the post production inputs since the post WW2WW2

$8.8 billions spent in the U.S. in 1997$8.8 billions spent in the U.S. in 1997 Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides, Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides,

and Other pesticidesand Other pesticides Herbicides and insecticides account Herbicides and insecticides account

for mostfor most

HerbicidesHerbicides

Largest pesticide class (62% of total Largest pesticide class (62% of total quality of pesticide active quality of pesticide active ingredients)ingredients)

Weeds compete with crops for water, Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients, and sunlight, and cause nutrients, and sunlight, and cause reduced yields.reduced yields.

Atrazine,2,4-D, dicamba, and Atrazine,2,4-D, dicamba, and trifluralin are widely used for more trifluralin are widely used for more than 30 yearsthan 30 years

InsecticidesInsecticides

Account for 10 percent of the total Account for 10 percent of the total quantity of pesticides applied in 1997quantity of pesticides applied in 1997

Damaging insect populations can Damaging insect populations can vary annually depending on weather, vary annually depending on weather, pest cycles, cultural practices such pest cycles, cultural practices such as rotation and destruction of host as rotation and destruction of host crop residuescrop residues

Preventive treatments and Preventive treatments and intervention treatmentsintervention treatments

Insecticides, cont.Insecticides, cont.

Corn and cotton account for the Corn and cotton account for the largest shares of insecticide uselargest shares of insecticide use

Chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion Chlorpyrifos and methyl parathion are the two most widely used are the two most widely used insecticidesinsecticides

FungicidesFungicides

Applied to fewer acres than are Applied to fewer acres than are herbicides and insecticides and herbicides and insecticides and account for the smallest shares of account for the smallest shares of total pesticide usetotal pesticide use

Mostly used on fruits and vegetables Mostly used on fruits and vegetables to control diseasesto control diseases

Other pesticidesOther pesticides

Including soil fumigants, growth Including soil fumigants, growth regulators, desiccants, and harvest regulators, desiccants, and harvest aidsaids

Use of these pesticides increases Use of these pesticides increases about 8 percent each year since about 8 percent each year since 19901990

About one-fifth of the total pounds of About one-fifth of the total pounds of all active ingredients applied to the all active ingredients applied to the surveyed cropssurveyed crops

Pesticide Treatment TrendsPesticide Treatment Trends

CornCorn• Corn is the largest crop in the U.S. in Corn is the largest crop in the U.S. in

terms of acreage terms of acreage • About 30% of the corn acreage in the 10 About 30% of the corn acreage in the 10

States received insecticides in 1997States received insecticides in 1997• Corn rootworm was the most frequently Corn rootworm was the most frequently

treated insecttreated insect

Trends, cont. Trends, cont.

SoybeansSoybeans• Herbicides account for virtually all the Herbicides account for virtually all the

pesticides used on soybeanspesticides used on soybeans• The number of acres treated and The number of acres treated and

number of treatments per acre have number of treatments per acre have increased, partly due to the growth in increased, partly due to the growth in no-till soybean systemsno-till soybean systems

• 48% treated both before and after 48% treated both before and after plantingplanting

Trends, cont.Trends, cont.

WheatWheat• Wheat , which is one of the largest field Wheat , which is one of the largest field

crops in the U.S. is the least pesticide-crops in the U.S. is the least pesticide-intensiveintensive

• Account for 27% of the surveyed crop Account for 27% of the surveyed crop acreage in 1997, though only 4% of total acreage in 1997, though only 4% of total pesticidespesticides

• Herbicide used 47%of the winter wheat Herbicide used 47%of the winter wheat and 82% of the spring and durum sheats and 82% of the spring and durum sheats

Trends, contTrends, cont

CottonCotton• One of the most pesticide-intensive field One of the most pesticide-intensive field

crops in the U.S.crops in the U.S.• 96% of cotton acreage received 96% of cotton acreage received

herbicidesherbicides• 74% received insecticides and 68% 74% received insecticides and 68%

received other types of pesticidesreceived other types of pesticides• Much greater insect infestation on cotton Much greater insect infestation on cotton

is due to its longer growing seasonis due to its longer growing season

Trends, cont.Trends, cont.

PotatoesPotatoes• Most pesticide-intensive crops for all Most pesticide-intensive crops for all

types of pesticidestypes of pesticides Other Vegetable and FruitsOther Vegetable and Fruits

• found it profitable to use insecticides found it profitable to use insecticides and fungicides on a higher percentage and fungicides on a higher percentage of acreage than growers of most field of acreage than growers of most field crops docrops do

Pesticide ExpendituresPesticide Expenditures

Annual pesticide expenditures for all Annual pesticide expenditures for all farm uses increased from $6.3billion to farm uses increased from $6.3billion to $8.8 billion over 1991-97 (40% $8.8 billion over 1991-97 (40% increase)increase)

Pesticide costs per acre increased forPesticide costs per acre increased for Corn 20%Corn 20% Cotton 19%Cotton 19% Soybeans 25%Soybeans 25% Wheat 10%Wheat 10%

Pesticide ResistancePesticide Resistance

Most likely to develop when a pesticide with a Most likely to develop when a pesticide with a single mode of action is used over and over single mode of action is used over and over in the absence of any other management in the absence of any other management measures to control a specific pestmeasures to control a specific pest

Herbicide-resistant weeds Herbicide-resistant weeds Scouting to determine economic thresholds Scouting to determine economic thresholds

for treatments, alternating the use of for treatments, alternating the use of pesticide families, and several other pesticide families, and several other management strategies to combat resistance management strategies to combat resistance are in useare in use

Biological Pest Management Biological Pest Management PracticesPractices

Include the use of pheromones, plant Include the use of pheromones, plant regulators, and microbial organismsregulators, and microbial organisms

Biorational pesticides- microbial Biorational pesticides- microbial pesticides and pheromonespesticides and pheromones

biologicals are unlikely to replace biologicals are unlikely to replace pesticides in the foreseeable future, pesticides in the foreseeable future, due to the small marketdue to the small market

Beneficial organismsBeneficial organisms

Cultural Pest Management PracticeCultural Pest Management Practice

Number of production techniques and Number of production techniques and practices, including crop rotation, practices, including crop rotation, tillage, trap crops, and irrigation tillage, trap crops, and irrigation scheduling, and such and suchscheduling, and such and such

Controls work by preventing pest Controls work by preventing pest colonization of the crop, reducing pest colonization of the crop, reducing pest populations, reducing crop injury, and populations, reducing crop injury, and increasing the number of natural increasing the number of natural enemies in the cropping systemenemies in the cropping system

Cultural Pest Management Cultural Pest Management Practice, cont.Practice, cont.

Crop rotationCrop rotation• One of the most important cultural One of the most important cultural

techniquestechniques• 82% of the U.S. corn acreage82% of the U.S. corn acreage• 89% of soybeans89% of soybeans

Cultivation for weed controlCultivation for weed control Field sanitation and water Field sanitation and water

managementmanagement

Decision Criteria and InformationDecision Criteria and Information

Scouting and Economic thresholdsScouting and Economic thresholds• To monitor the populations of major To monitor the populations of major

insect and other arthropod pests for insect and other arthropod pests for several decadesseveral decades

• Scouting on 70-90% of grape, orange, Scouting on 70-90% of grape, orange, apple acreage, and thresholds used on a apple acreage, and thresholds used on a significant proportion of that acreagesignificant proportion of that acreage

Decision Criteria and Information, Decision Criteria and Information, cont.cont.

Sources of pest management Sources of pest management informationinformation• Farm supply/chemical dealersFarm supply/chemical dealers• consultants’/pest control advisorsconsultants’/pest control advisors• Professional scouting servicesProfessional scouting services• Extension advisorsExtension advisors

Decision Criteria and Information, Decision Criteria and Information, cont.cont.

Expert systemExpert system• Integrate information on pest density, Integrate information on pest density,

economic thresholds, application methods, economic thresholds, application methods, and other elements of pest management and other elements of pest management into a computer software packageinto a computer software package

Precision FarmingPrecision Farming• Emerging technology that may allow a Emerging technology that may allow a

more efficient application of inputs by using more efficient application of inputs by using yield monitors, satellite images, etc.yield monitors, satellite images, etc.

Factors Affecting Pest Factors Affecting Pest Management DecisionsManagement Decisions

Factors should be influenced by pest Factors should be influenced by pest infestations, yield and quality losses infestations, yield and quality losses caused by those infestations, as well caused by those infestations, as well as by crop prices and the costs of as by crop prices and the costs of pesticides and alternative control pesticides and alternative control methodsmethods• Changes in planted acresChanges in planted acres• Weather and other environmental Weather and other environmental

conditionsconditions

Factors Affecting Pest Factors Affecting Pest Management Decisions, cont.Management Decisions, cont.

Pesticide pricesPesticide prices• Increased 17% over 1991-96Increased 17% over 1991-96• Herbicides 17% increaseHerbicides 17% increase• Fungicide almost 14% increaseFungicide almost 14% increase• Insecticide about 24% increaseInsecticide about 24% increase

Pesticide Regulatory IssuesPesticide Regulatory Issues

EPA regulates pesticides under the EPA regulates pesticides under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

Pesticide residues in food under the Pesticide residues in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)Act (FFDCA)

The Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act The Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act also contain provisions that affect also contain provisions that affect pesticide manufacturerspesticide manufacturers

Pesticide Regulatory Issues, cont.Pesticide Regulatory Issues, cont.

Important regulatory actionsImportant regulatory actions• Ex.) Stop selling products containing Ex.) Stop selling products containing

cyanazine by 1999cyanazine by 1999 Pesticide registration costsPesticide registration costs

• The research and development of a new The research and development of a new pesticide averages 11years and cost pesticide averages 11years and cost manufacturers $50-$70 millionmanufacturers $50-$70 million

Regulatory streaming for reduced-Regulatory streaming for reduced-risk pesticidesrisk pesticides

Pesticide Regulatory Issues, cont.Pesticide Regulatory Issues, cont.

New pest control products and technologyNew pest control products and technology• The EPA registers new pesticides every yearThe EPA registers new pesticides every year• Between 22 and 31 new pesticides per year Between 22 and 31 new pesticides per year

from 1994 to 1998 are registered from 1994 to 1998 are registered Genetically Engineered plantsGenetically Engineered plants

• Seed and chemical companies have expanded Seed and chemical companies have expanded research on plant biotechnology because of the research on plant biotechnology because of the increasing costs to develop chemical pesticidesincreasing costs to develop chemical pesticides

Pesticide Regulatory Issues, cont.Pesticide Regulatory Issues, cont.

Genetically engineered plantsGenetically engineered plants• Reduces the time required to identify Reduces the time required to identify

desirable traitsdesirable traits• Allows a precise alteration of a plant’s Allows a precise alteration of a plant’s

traitstraits• Development of genetically modified Development of genetically modified

plants takes about 6 years and cost plants takes about 6 years and cost about $10 millionabout $10 million

• U.S. consumer acceptance U.S. consumer acceptance

Alternative Pest Management Alternative Pest Management Programs and InitiativesPrograms and Initiatives

Integrated pest management (IPM) Integrated pest management (IPM) programs research and promote a programs research and promote a combination of cultural, biological combination of cultural, biological and pesticide efficiency toolsand pesticide efficiency tools

Areawide pest management systems Areawide pest management systems implements IPM and biological implements IPM and biological approaches on an areawide basisapproaches on an areawide basis

Alternative Pest Management Alternative Pest Management Programs and Initiatives, cont.Programs and Initiatives, cont.

Biologically based pest managementBiologically based pest management• Intended to complement IPM programsIntended to complement IPM programs

USDA incentive paymentsUSDA incentive payments• Environmental Quality Incentives Environmental Quality Incentives

Program (EQIP) provides assistance to Program (EQIP) provides assistance to eligible farmers and ranchers to address eligible farmers and ranchers to address natural resource concerns on their lands natural resource concerns on their lands in an environmentally beneficial and in an environmentally beneficial and cost-effective mannercost-effective manner

Alternative Pest Management Alternative Pest Management Programs and Initiatives, cont.Programs and Initiatives, cont.

Voluntary environmental standardsVoluntary environmental standards• Initiated by the private sectorInitiated by the private sector• Enforced by firms themselvesEnforced by firms themselves• Use sanctions such as peer pressure for Use sanctions such as peer pressure for

compliancecompliance• Focus on life-cycle impactsFocus on life-cycle impacts• Emphasize management systemsEmphasize management systems

Nutrient Use and Nutrient Use and ManagementManagement

Role of Plant NutrientsRole of Plant Nutrients

Major nutrients:Major nutrients:• Nitrogen (N)Nitrogen (N)• Phosphorus (P)Phosphorus (P)• Potassium (K)Potassium (K)

Other required nutrients:Other required nutrients:• MagnesiumMagnesium• CalciumCalcium• SulphurSulphur

Role of Plant NutrientsRole of Plant Nutrients

If no nutrients applied, crops would If no nutrients applied, crops would deplete the soil’s store of nutrients deplete the soil’s store of nutrients and yields would declineand yields would decline

Why manage nutrients?Why manage nutrients?

According to the EPA, nutrient According to the EPA, nutrient pollution is leading cause of water pollution is leading cause of water quality impairment in lakes and quality impairment in lakes and estuaries and third leading cause in estuaries and third leading cause in rivers.rivers.

This usually occurs because of This usually occurs because of leaching and run-off.leaching and run-off.

Nutrient SourcesNutrient Sources

Commercial fertilizerCommercial fertilizer• Anhydrous ammonia is source of nearly Anhydrous ammonia is source of nearly

all nitrogen fertilizerall nitrogen fertilizer• Phosphate fertilizer produced by Phosphate fertilizer produced by

treating phosphate rocktreating phosphate rock• Potash is used for potassium. Canada Potash is used for potassium. Canada

supplies US with 95% of their potashsupplies US with 95% of their potash

Animal manureAnimal manure

Transportation costs limits using Transportation costs limits using animal waste as fertilizeranimal waste as fertilizer

Among major field crops share of Among major field crops share of acres treated with manure:acres treated with manure:• Corn: 15%Corn: 15%• Soybeans: 10%Soybeans: 10%• Wheat: < 3%Wheat: < 3%

Municipal and Industrial WastesMunicipal and Industrial Wastes Municipal Solid Waste (MSW):Municipal Solid Waste (MSW):

• Paper and paperboardPaper and paperboard• GlassGlass• MetalsMetals• PlasticsPlastics• RubberRubber• LeatherLeather• TextileTextile• WoodWood• Food wastesFood wastes• Yard trimmingsYard trimmings• And othersAnd others

Municipal and Industrial WastesMunicipal and Industrial Wastes

Three major methods for MSW Three major methods for MSW disposaldisposal• Land filling (61%)Land filling (61%)• Recoveries for recycle (17%)Recoveries for recycle (17%)• Incineration (12%)Incineration (12%)

Commercial fertilizer useCommercial fertilizer use

Was 7.5 million nutrient tons in 1960Was 7.5 million nutrient tons in 1960 Rose to 23.7 million nutrient tons in Rose to 23.7 million nutrient tons in

19811981 Dropped to 21.3 million nutrient tons Dropped to 21.3 million nutrient tons

in 1995in 1995 Rose again to 22 million nutrient tons Rose again to 22 million nutrient tons

in 1999in 1999

Factors Affecting Fertilizer useFactors Affecting Fertilizer use

Principal factors:Principal factors:• Level and mix of planted croplandLevel and mix of planted cropland• Fertilizer pricesFertilizer prices• Commodity prices and programsCommodity prices and programs

Other factorsOther factors• Soil characteristicsSoil characteristics• Climate and weatherClimate and weather• Crop rotationsCrop rotations• Application technologyApplication technology• Nutrient management practicesNutrient management practices

Nutrient BalanceNutrient Balance

Nutrient mass calculates the residual Nutrient mass calculates the residual nitrogen or phosphorus that may remain in nitrogen or phosphorus that may remain in the soil or be lost to the environmentthe soil or be lost to the environment

Categorized as:Categorized as:• High: nutrient input exceeded output in High: nutrient input exceeded output in

harvested crop by more than 25%harvested crop by more than 25%• Moderate: nutrient input exceeded output by Moderate: nutrient input exceeded output by

less than 25%less than 25%• Negative: total nutrient input was less than the Negative: total nutrient input was less than the

outputoutput

Nutrient management practicesNutrient management practices

Effective management can help Effective management can help reduce nutrient losses to the reduce nutrient losses to the environment while sustaining long-environment while sustaining long-term productivity and profitabilityterm productivity and profitability

Includes:Includes:• Assessing nutrient needsAssessing nutrient needs• Timing nutrient applicationTiming nutrient application• Placing nutrients close to crop rootsPlacing nutrients close to crop roots

Assessing nutrient needsAssessing nutrient needs

Improved management requires Improved management requires more information about the nutrients more information about the nutrients and the use of balances to better and the use of balances to better assess needsassess needs

Timing nutrient applicationTiming nutrient application

Timing applications leaves less Timing applications leaves less nutrients available for loss and can nutrients available for loss and can reduce total amount appliedreduce total amount applied

Times vary by crop, texture of soil, Times vary by crop, texture of soil, climate, and stability of the fertilizerclimate, and stability of the fertilizer

Irrigation managementIrrigation management

Irrigation management is important Irrigation management is important because:because:• Too much water promotes leaching, Too much water promotes leaching,

affects nutrient concentration, and affects nutrient concentration, and affects the rate of nutrient movementaffects the rate of nutrient movement

• Too little water can stunt plant growth, Too little water can stunt plant growth, and reduce crop yield. and reduce crop yield.

Improving nutrient managementImproving nutrient management

Societies through government can:Societies through government can:• Adjust the anticipated costs or benefits Adjust the anticipated costs or benefits

of production practicesof production practices• Regulate certain production practicesRegulate certain production practices• Establish markets for animal wastesEstablish markets for animal wastes• Research develop and demonstrate Research develop and demonstrate

production practices less production practices less environmentally damagingenvironmentally damaging