Alternative Farming Systems Research Articles

Ecological study on the dynamics of soil organic matter and its related properties in shifting cultivation systems of Northern Thailand

There is a large number of hill people in northern Thailand, who practices shifting cultivation. In order to analyze the soil ecological problems involved in the transition from traditional shifting cultivation to more intensive upland farming, the authors carried out comparative studies on the dynamics of organic matter and its related properties in soils both in the traditional shifting cultivation systems adopted by Karen people and more intensive upland farming practiced by Thai and Hmong people in the area. The contents of organic matter and available N in the surface 10 cm layers of soil from the fields continuously cultivated were lower than those in soils under prolonged fallow (more than 10 y) or natural forest. Based on the rate of soil respiration, the amount of organic matter decomposed within 1 y was estimated to reach nearly 10% of that stored in the upper 50 cm layers of the soil profile in the upland crop fields. These results indicate that the organic matter-related resources markedly decreased under continuous cropping. The contents of C, N, and P in the microbial biomass of the surface 10 cm layers of soil ranged from 0.37 to 2.09 mg C g−l soil, from 22.7 to 188 µg N g−l soil, and from 6.1 to 65.7 µg P g−l soil, respectively. Since the contents of microbial C, N, and P in the surface soils were generally higher under prolonged fallow and natural forests than in the fields continuously cultivated, the microbial activity and/or the amounts of C, N, and P available for biological activity seemed to have declined under continuous upland farming. The incubation experiment to assess the N mineralization pattern showed two remarkable characteristics: 1) there was an initial time lag until active mineralization of N occurred in the soils from young fallow forest and 2) the soil burning effect was observed after burning in the fields under prolonged fallow. The active process of nitrification after N mineralization was always associated with a sharp fall in soil pH, suggesting that soil acidification was promoted and basic cations were lost from the soils. In conclusion, rapid deterioration of the soil organic matter-related properties in cropping fields can be considered to be one of the ecological reasons why upland fields must be returned to fallow again a few years after forest reclamation in traditional shifting cultivation systems. Therefore, in alternative farming systems with more intensive land use, it is essential to apply organic materials into soils to decrease the rate of soil degradation, or to improve the soil fertility, in avoiding soil acidification along with nitrification.

Transmission dynamics of helminth parasites of pigs on continuous pasture: Oesophagostomum dentatum and Hyostrongylus rubidus

An increase in alternative outdoor pig production systems is occuring in Denmark, and this study was designed to elucidate the transmission patterns of Oesophagostomum dentatum and Hyostrongylus rubidus in pigs allowed to graze continuously on a pasture. A group of pigs was turned out in May 1993 (Year 1 of the study) and subsequently inoculated with low numbers of both helminths. These pigs were followed parasitologically until October by serial necropsy and sampling of faeces, grass and soil. A non-inoculated group of pigs was similarly followed on the same pasture in Year 2 (1994). Pasture infectivity was measured using helminth-naïve tracer pigs during all seasons. The pasture vegetation was rapidly destroyed by the pigs, resulting in a dirt lot by the autumn of Year 2. The area was soon contaminated with eggs, resulting in heavy pasture infectivity and increasing worm burdens in late summer; then the numbers of larvae declined markedly. In May of Year 2, newly exposed pigs became only lightly infected (mostly O. dentatum), and no transmission was observed in July–August of Year 2, probably due to an unusually dry summer and a lack of protecting vegetation. The results indicate that both O. dentatum and H. rubidus are very sensitive to environmental factors, because significant transmission occurred only under the most favourable conditions (summer combined with protecting vegetation as in Year 1). Transmission was severely reduced during the low temperatures experienced in the winter between Years 1 and 2 and during the dry summer of Year 2, when vegetation was lacking. Continuous grazing actually reduced transmission of O. dentatum and H. rubidus because of the reduction in vegetation. This, however, is not a desirable alternative farming system, because of its adverse environmental effects. This environmental impact may be mitigated by employment of a pasture rotation system in place of continuous grazing.

Institutions, Alternative Farming Systems, and Local Reregulation

The weakening of the postwar nexus of a productivist agriculture and a distinctive system of regulating the rural economy has created new challenges for British rural institutions. The task of diversifying rural and farm economies has required the institutions to change how they operate. Using the concept of the local mode of social regulation (MSR) we explore the interrelationships between the development of alternative farming systems and the institutional regulatory environment, using as a case study an area in northern England. We conclude by demonstrating how institutions cope with new policy challenges. The diversity of local responses to this challenge is illustrated and the links between local and national MSRs are explored.

Productivity and Profitability of Conventional and Alternative Farming Systems: A Long-Term On-Farm Paired Comparison

ABSTRACT A “Conventional” and an “Alternative” farm located on the western edge of the Corn Belt were compared for relative productivity and profitability over the 8-year time period from 1985 through 1992. Although earnings on both farms were respectable for the area, the Conventional farm was more profitable, on average, than the Alternative farm when organic premiums for the Alternative farm were excluded. This was due in part to higher soybean and com yields and a greater proportion of acreage in corn and soybeans on the Conventional farm. Federal farm program support payments were higher for the Conventional farm in the first 5 years, but not in the last 3 years.

Forage-Based Beef Finishing Systems: A Review

The objective of this paper is to review alternative methods of increasing the use of forage in beef finishing systems. Most finishing systems based on an all-forage diet have not been particularly successfuL Without grain finishing, the final product can have an inconsistent quality grade and a grassy flavor. The greatest sensory difference between forage-fed and grain-fed steers appears to be the flavor of the fat. Diterpenoids seem to be the off-flavor's source. These are derived from the action of ruminal microorganisms as they break down chlorophyll. Phyt-2-ene has been identified as the most discriminating compound for off-flavor. It was also found to be the strongest indicator that a steer had been forage-finished. As time on grain lengthened, the levels of - tetradecalactone and -hexadecalactone increased, indicating their correlation with desirable flavor characteristics of grain-finished beef. Other investigators have correlated the off-flavor to C 18:3 unsaturated fatty acids. The two methods that show the most promise and increase the use of forage in beef finishing systems are (i) supplemental feeding of cattle on pastures to reduce length of time required for feedlot finishing and (ii) finishing cattle in a pasture with supplemented energy. Efforts to reduce feedlot time have lessened the total concentrate fed and have been economically successful. When finishing cattle in a pasture with supplemental energy, those studies that limited grain intake the last 60 to 80 d before slaughter had mixed results. However, when proper forage management was used in order to ensure adequate supply of high quality forage, carcasses with acceptable quality were produced. Researchers who provided limited supplementation or energy for at least 112 d and fed free choice grain the last 60 to 80 d before slaughter reported that USDA Choice beef was produced. However, USDA quality grade is not necessarily an adequate means to determine the effectiveness of a pasture-based finishing system. Researchers have to determine when meat flavor changes from grass to grain and the possibility of achieving this transfer on pasture with energy supplementation.

Choosing between Alternative Farming Systems: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process

When using analytical tools to make decisions, farmers frequently complement formal analysis with personal experience, judgement, and intuition as part of the decision-making process. The array of analytical decision aids available to farmers is expanding. Although some of these decision aids are more complex than others, nearly all are based on a rigorous analysis of factual information and quantitative data (Downey and Erickson). This article illustrates the application of a decision model called the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to a problem in farm-level decision making. AHP is based on the principle that decision-maker knowledge and experience are as valuable within the decision-making process as are quantitative data and information from other sources. In AHP

Biodynamic vs. Conventional Farming Effects on Soil Structure Expressed by Simulated Potential Productivity

AbstractEffects of alternative farming systems on soil structure need to be quantified to judge the sustainability of the systems. This study was conducted to compare two farming systems by converting “static” basic soil properties into a “dynamic” assessment using simulation modeling. Increasingly popular biodynamic farming systems use no commercial fertilizers and pesticides but apply organic manure and compost. Soil conditions on four fields on two farms where biodynamic and conventional soil management had been practiced for about 70 yr were investigated with morphological and physical methods. Soils (Loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Fluvaquents) were pedologically identical. Four procedures were used to express differences in soil structure as a function of different management: (i) morphological description; (ii) measurement of basic and static soil parameters such as bulk density, organic matter, and porosity; (iii) measurement of soil hydraulic characteristics; and (iv) determination of simulated water‐limited yields. The latter procedure provides a criterion that is quantitative, is directly related to a practical aspect of soil behavior, and reflects the highly nonlinear soil‐water processes. The WAVE simulation model was used to predict water‐limited potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yields with climatic data of 30 yr. Basic static soil parameters were not significantly different but simulated yields were significantly different and were 10 200 and 10 300 vs. 9400 and 9700 kg dry matter tuber yield ha−1 yr−1 for the biodynamic and the conventional fields, respectively. Simulation modeling of crop yields thus provides a relevant expression for the production potential of the two different farming systems.

Integrated Dryland Crop and Livestock Production Systems on the Great Plains: Extent and Outlook

Integrated Dryland Crop and Livestock Production Systems on the Great Plains: Extent and Outlook

A Case Study Approach to Comparing Weed Management Strategies under Alternative Farming Systems in Ontario

When research was initiated into comparing alternative method's of managing weeds in Ontario's major field cash crops, no field trial data existed. Twenty‐five farmers were therefore surveyed for their production data on corn, beans and fall‐seeded cereal grains, including weed management practices, input costs and wage rates, yields and product prices. Nine farmers were classified “conventional” because of their heavy dependence on synthetic herbicides, which were routinely broadcast on the three focus crops. Nine farmers were classified as “reduced input” if they placed reduce dependence on herbicides for at least one of the focus crops. Seven organic farmers placed zero reliance on herbicides, using instead substitutes such as crop rotations, smother crops, soil tillage and timeliness of field operations. Although organic farmers spent the most time and money on weed control, their overall direct costs of production were lowest for all three focus crops. Crop gross margins were highest on organic farms, partly because of lower production costs, but also because of higher product prices along with comparable crop yields. Linear programming model results for whole‐farm analyses revealed highest net farm incomes on organic farms and lowest on conventional farms, in part due to lower overhead costs on organic farms, and in part due to greater enterprise diversification and to greater self‐sufficiency in material inputs. These case study results need broader‐scale testing to verify the conclusion that organic or reduced‐input methods of weed management offer viable alternatives to conventional approaches.

Evaluating the sustainability of alternative farming systems: A case study

AbstractThe sustainability of farming systems must be assessed by their potential environmental, economic, and social performance. We present a case study to illustrate an assessment of relative sustainability that uses all three performance criteria.We developed two scenarios for farmland currently enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in Putnam County, Missouri: a conventional scenario reflecting farming practices typical of northern Missouri, and an alternative that we hypothesize to be more environmentally sound. We used selected economic and social indicators to assess whether the latter would be at least as economically viable and socially responsible as the conventional system.Estimated direct farm income was $3.4 million for the alternative and $2.4 million for the conventional scenario. The alternative system applies more labor and management to a given land resource and may support more farming families. Estimated total community economic impacts were 25% greater for the alternative than the conventional farming scenario. CRP land, therefore, could be returned to production in a way that could significantly enhance local economic and social benefits while retaining many of the CRP's environmental benefits.

Nutrient, Labor, Energy and Economic Evaluations of Two Farming Systems in Iowa

Farmer-researcher partnerships are needed to ensure soil and crop management practices are productive, environmentally safe, economically sound, and socially acceptable. We developed a farmer-researcher partnership to compare nutrient, labor, energy, and economic budgets for two conventional 40-acre fields where a 2-yr corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation is used with those for two adjacent fields where a 5-yr corn, soybean, corn, oat (Avena sativa L.), and hay rotation is used. Conventional fields received commercial fertilizer and herbicides. Alternative fields received no herbicides and a mixture of animal manure plus municipal sewage sludge as the primary nutrient source. A 10-yr nutrient budget suggests that N 2 fixation would have to provide at least 53% of the N removed by soybean grain to prevent depletion of soil organic matter or other soil N sources from conventional fields. By assuming similar amounts of N fixation in the alternative fields, we show that 962 lb N/acre, 244 lb P/acre, and 844 lb K/acre were applied (or fixed) in excess of crop removal. Soil-test P, K, and organic matter changes reflect these applications. More fieldwork hours per acre per year were required to handle manure, avoid using herbicides, and harvest hay than to use conventional practices. Energy budgets were dependent on whether nutrients in the manure plus municipal sludge were considered as (i) an input cost for the crop, or (ii) a disposal cost that should be charged against an animal enterprise. Economic budgets were dependent on assumptions made regarding how to account for management costs. Overall, developing farmer-researcher partnerships was an effective method for evaluating alternative farming systems.

Whole farm systems research: An integrated crop and livestock systems comparison study

AbstractTo examine the long-term productivity, profitability, and ecological interactions associated with whole farming systems, we established an interdisciplinary replicated comparison of a conventional and an experimental alternative crop-livestock farming system in southwest Virginia in 1988. The conventional system uses the best management practices commonly used in the mid-Atlantic region. The alternative system puts more emphasis on crop rotation, grazing and forage management, conservation tillage, cover crops, and integrated pest management. Each is managed as a year-round system, with management decisions based on the system's overall goals.The comparison is planned to run for 10 years, so that only preliminary conclusions can be drawn so far. These include the following: 1) similar total productivity can be achieved with either reduced or full use of herbicides and insecticides; 2) the need for N fertilization can be decreased using grazing management and short-rotation alfalfa; and 3) recycling of manure from cattle fed corn silage provides most nutrients needed for the following corn crop. The comparative profitability of the two systems has fluctuated among years, and it is too early to know which system is more profitable. The process of interdisciplinary systems research has increased our knowledge of total system interactions, challenged prior assumptions, and clarified the methodological problems of integrated systems research.

Educational Delivery Methods to Encourage Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices

The growing public concern about groundwater contamination, pesticide residues, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat runs parallel to “an emerging interest by many farmers for a more costeffective and environmentally benign agriculture” (USDA, 1990). But only a small number of farmers are using alternative farming systems (Board of Agriculture, 1989). The cause of the limited adoption of sustainable agricultural practices is the lack of dissemination of clear and reliable information. “Although science has accumulated a great base of knowledge of potential benefit to alternative agriculture, research and extension have not focused on integrating this knowledge into practical solutions to farmers’ problems” (Board of Agriculture, 1989). The link between research and reality is still a tenuous one.

Comparison of alternative farming systems. II. Earthworm population density and species diversity

Effects of soil fauna on soil quality are largely unknown. Our objective was to learn whether long-term soil management has significantly affected earthworm species and populations at two Iowa locations. Soil cores were collected in fall 1989, spring 1990, and fall 1990 from a long-term tillage study in Polk County, Iowa, involving monoculture of corn (Zea mays L.) with either no-tillage, fall disking, fall chisel plowing, or fall moldboard plowing. Species found wereLumbricus terrestris(L),Octolasion tyrtaeum(Savigny),Aporrectodea trapezoides(Duges),A. turgida(Eisen), andA. tuberculata(Eisen), withO. tyrtaeumdominant across all treatments. As the amount of tillage increased, the number of earthworms generally decreased. InBoone County, Iowa, we compared the populations of mature and immature earthworms and cocoons on two adjacent fields, one managed conventionally, the other managed with an alternative farming system for more than 20 years. The predominant species was A. tuberculata. Regardless of management practice, the most worms were found in Canisteo soil on the toeslope landscape position.

Comparison of alternative farming systems. I. Infiltration techniques

AbstractQuantitative data are needed to understand how alternative farming practices affect surface infiltration of water and associated surface soil properties. We used a rainfall simulator, double ring infiltrometer, small single ring infiltrometers, and tension infiltrometers to measure water infiltration for Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) and for Webster silty clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) soils located on a conventionally-managed and an alternatively-managed farm in central Iowa. Steady-state measurements suggested that infiltration rates were somewhat higher for the alternative farming system. Bulk densities were sometimes lower, and volume of large pores was a little higher for the alternative farming system. Small single rings were more reproducible than rainfall simulators or double ring infiltrometers, and data trends were the same as for rainfall simulators.

Comparison of alternative farming systems. III. Soil aggregate stability

AbstractQuantitative studies are needed to separate the real and supposed benefits of alternative farming practices. Our objective was to learn how conventional and alternative practices on adjacent farms in central Iowa affected the water stability of soil aggregates. We collected samples of Clarion loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll) from adjacent 16 ha fields in fall 1990 and spring 1991. Aggregate stability was determined by wet-sieving and by measuring turbidity of soil-water suspensions. The combined effects of alternative practices resulted in greater water stability of soil aggregates, higher soil organic matter content, and lower bulk density compared with conventional practices. The components of the alternative system that were mainly responsible for these differences were: rotations that included oat and hay crops; ridge-tillage; and additions of 45 Mg/ha of a mixture of animal manure and municipal sludge during the first 3 years of each 5 year rotation. The more favorable soil physical conditions, shown by increased water stability of soil aggregates, presumably will improve soil water regimes and reduce long-term soil erosion losses from the alternatively managed fields.

Alternative Farming System Effects on Profile Nitrogen Concentrations on Two Iowa Farms

AbstractThere is a general lack of quantitative data to assess alternate farming systems. Our objectives were to quantify long‐term (20‐yr) effects of conventional and alternative farming practices on soil NH4‐N, NO3‐N, and total‐N concentrations. Contiguous soil map units of Clarion loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll), Nicollet loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludoll), Canisteo silty clay loam (fine‐loamy, mixed [calcareous], mesic Typic Haplaquoll), and Webster silty clay loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Haplaquoll) were identified and used to compare long‐term farming system effects. Sixty‐four soil profile cores averaging 4.5 m in depth were collected from a 16‐ha conventional field and from a 16‐ha alternative field in April 1989 following a year in which total precipitation was ≈30% below normal (588 vs. 848 mm). In autumn 1990, 32 cores averaging 3.0 m in depth were collected from each of two other 16‐ha conventional and alternative fields just north of those sampled in 1989. Farming practice significantly affected total‐N, NH4‐N, and NO3‐N concentrations measured at the various sampling depths, but differences were small and inconsistent. Corn (Zea mays L.) grain yields averaged 9093 kg ha−1 in the conventional field and 8977 kg ha−1 in the alternative field in 1989. Comparing conventional and alternative fields, total aerial N accumulation 6 wk after planting averaged 203 and 123 mg plant−1, ear leaf N concentration averaged 26.6 and 20.6 g kg−1, and total N removed by corn grain averaged 91.6 and 85.7 kg ha−1. All measured differences were generally within the 95% confidence interval, and neither system was consistently better. We conclude that well‐managed conventional and alternative farming systems do not differ in their risk for groundwater N pollution in central Iowa.

Profit, Cost, and Soil Erosion Implications of Dryland Crop Production Systems: Texas High Plains

Environmentalists, farmers, legislators, and researchers are interested in reduced soil erosion, water quality protection, reduced use of purchased inputs, and greater farm net returns. This paper determines if these are simultaneously obtainable goals on the Texas High Plains. A crop simulation model is used to estimate crop yield and soil erosion for each of 14 alternative dryland farming systems that include cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.]. A crop budget generator is then used to estimate costs and returns from each of the croping systems (...)

Periodicals Pertaining to Alternative Farming Systems

Periodicals Pertaining to Alternative Farming Systems

Periodicals Pertaining to Alternative Farming Systems

Culture & AgricultureVolume 11, Issue 42 p. 9-9 Periodicals Pertaining to Alternative Farming Systems First published: December 1991 https://doi.org/10.1525/cuag.1992.11.42.9.2AboutPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume11, Issue42December 1991Pages 9-9 RelatedInformation