Project Number: 3655-21630-003-01
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Jun 25, 2002
End Date: Feb 28, 2006

Objective:
The primary objective of the parent CRIS "Integrated Cropping Systems and Nutrient Management on Dairy Farms" is to develop integrated cropping, feeding, harvest, and manure management systems that are profitable, sustainable, and environmentally sound. Under this SCA, research in the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems (WICST) trial will continue, and data will be summarized to assess the long-term production, profit, and environmental impact of six cropping systems that differ in inputs and crop diversity.

Approach:
Six different cropping systems of the WICST trials vary from a high to low level of purchased inputs, and in length and diversity of crop rotation. The underlying hypothesis of the WICST trials is increased cropping diversity results in "improved" production systems that are more productive, profitable, and environmentally benign than their less diverse counterparts. To ensure that the project's results are pertinent to local producers, we use large plots and farm-sized machinery at experimental sites, and conduct on-farm testing. The WICST plots (2 locations, 4 blocks/site, 6 rotations, 14 phases) have been carefully monitored since 1989. Data analysis of economic, agronomic, and environmental variables will be conducted. It is expected that we will find trade-offs between these 3 performance criteria, and no one system (level of diversity) will be "best" on all 3 counts. The results of these analyses will be published in scientific journals and in the popular press, and will help nourish the debate on future directions for agriculture in the Upper Midwest.

Project Team

Grabber, John Joshua Posner - Professor Of Agronomy 608-264-5820

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Integrated Farming Systems (207)