The effects of tillage systems on the economic performance of spring wheat, winter wheat, flax and field pea production in east-central Saskatchewan

Abstract

The long-term viability of Canadian prairie agriculture depends on the ability to arrest soil degradation caused by wind and water erosion and excessive tillage. The challenge is to develop crop-production systems that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable. The objective of this study was to quantify the short-term economic performance of field pea (Pisum sativium L.), flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) and spring and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under three tillage-management systems. The economic analysis was based on a tillage × crop rotation experiment started in 1986 and involving zero tillage (ZT), minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) and three 4-yr crop rotations. The economic analysis considered only costs associated with purchased inputs and machinery. The effects of method of tillage management on herbicide and fuel use were also determined for each crop. Costs of production were similar for all tillage systems and crop types. Net returns were higher for field pea, flax and spring wheat grown on stubble using ZT and MT than when CT was used, because of higher grain yields. Net returns were similar for winter wheat grown on stubble and for spring wheat grown on fallow for all tillage-management systems. Fuel consumption was highest for CT, intermediate for MT and lowest for ZT for all crops except winter wheat. In contrast, herbicide use was greater for ZT and MT than for CT for al crops except winter wheat; no differences were observed among tillage systems for this crop because it was always seeded directly into standing stubble. The shift from CT to ZT or MT systems did not increase costs of production or reduce short-term economic returns. ZT and MT had higher production potential than CT because increased soil-moisture conservation generally provided higher net returns. ZT used less fuel but more herbicides than MT and CT. Key words: Stubble cropping, fallow cropping, zero, minimum, conventional