Fall 1995 (v7n4)
	Best management practices for wheat: A guide to profitable and environmentally sound production. Steve Watson (ed.) National Association of Wheat Growers, Washington, DC. 1994 The premise of this new handbook for wheat growers is that the majority of farmers in the U.S. are trustworthy stewards of the country's agricultural resources. It features both tried and true methods of farming as well as innovative practices that respond to many of the environmental concerns raised during the past decade, particularly those related to soil and water quality. Steve Watson, of Kansas State University is the editor. John Hickman (John Deere), Jeff Jacobsen (Montana State University), and Drew Lyon (University of Nebraska) are principal authors. The first half of the book is devoted to the principles of soil erosion and water quality protection. It addresses the ecological limitations that many wheat farmers face (i.e., sloped lands, erodible soils, drought, and/or flooding) as well as the biological and chemical aspects of nutrient and pesticide movement in soils. This section provides important scientific background for developing appropriate crop management practices. The principles are presented in a manner that will be easily understood by a general audience. The second half of the book presents practical applications of these principles. The authors describe 39 different "best management practices" (BMPs) being implemented around the country. The BMPs outlined in this book are shown in Figure 1. The authors divide them into two categories: Management BMPs which generally involve decisions about the use of existing resources and equipment, and Conseration BMPs which involve structural changes in the farming operation as well as management decisions. Not all BMPs will work for every farm or in every part of the country, so growers are encouraged to judge for themselves whether or not a particular practice is appropriate for their situation. The final section of the handbook helps growers do this. Several figures provide a graphical link between the BMPs and the principles of erosion and water quality described in the first section. Additional charts give growers the opportunity to describe their own resource setting and the impact of various BMPs on the potential problem areas. Examples are provided to help growers through the process. Lastly, the handbook offers some guidelines for the economic analysis of a particular BMP. While the basic economic principle of calculating additional costs and additional returns holds for each BMP, how that principle is applied can vary depending on the changes that are made in the farm system. Four types of economic analyses are described to address these differences: 1) changes in input usage or modest changes in crop management; 2) changes in crop mix and rotation; 3) changes in tillage practices; 4) changes in or addition of structures. Best Management Practices for Wheat is available for $5.00 plus shipping and handling from the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation, 415 Second Street, NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 200024993. (202) 5477800. Figure 1. List of practices featured in Best Management Practices for Wheat Management BMPs Crop rotation Volunteer wheat and barley control Set realistic yield goals Site specific management Soil testing and plantanalysis Nitrogen timing and rates Nitrification inhibitors and slow release nitrogen Fertigation, chemigation Manure management Nutrient placement methods Integrated pest management Tramlines Sprayer maintenance andcalibration Pesticide application timing Pesticide applicationmethods Pesticide selection and rate determination Soil, site evaluation Rotating chemicals with different modes of action Careful handling andmixing practices Irrigation management Harvest management Emergency tillage Buffer zones Riparian and wetland protection Conservation BMPs Mulchtill Notill Field windbreaks Critical area planting Contour farming Field stripcropping Gradient terraces Storage, level terraces Grass waterways Vegetative filter strips Divided slopes Water control structures Water and sediment controlbasins Subsurface drainage Infiltration enhancement (DEC.528) Contributed by David Chaney [ Back | Search | Feedback ]