Transition strategies for an organic peanut-grain cropping system

View the project final report

• 2007 annual report
• 2008 annual report
• 2009 annual report

Commodities

• Agronomic: millet, peanuts, rye

Practices

• Crop Production: cover crops, organic fertilizers
• Education and Training: demonstration, networking, on-farm/ranch research
• Farm Business Management: agricultural finance
• Pest Management: genetic resistance, physical control
• Production Systems: transitioning to organic

The purpose of this project is to assist farmers transitioning to organic peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and grain production. Although markets of these crops are strong and organic production systems are under development, there is little information to help growers economically manage the required 3-year transition period from the last application of a non-approved substance to the first organically certified crop. Many growers are choosing to transfer previously fallow land to organics as a means to skip the 3-year transition period; however, previous research has shown that weed pressures in these fields are nearly unmanageable using organically acceptable techniques (x). It is critical that southeastern growers interested in organic production of peanut and grains are provided with economical transitioning options. Otherwise, growers will get frustrated and disillusioned with organic production during the transition period or while trying to manage weeds in a weedy organic field.

1. The objectives of this proposal are: 1. Determine impacts of prior land use on the effectiveness of organic transition strategies to manage weeds and improve soil quality. 2. Evaluate the impact of transition practices and weed management strategies on organic peanut production, pest management, and returns on investment. 3. Determine how physical and human characteristics of farms relate to crop yield and economic returns of organic transition strategies across the transition period. 4. Assist farmers and technical support personnel select effective transition strategies for organic peanut-grain production through an understanding of weed, pest, soil, and crop interactions occurring during the organic transition process.