Producer Driven Education to Improve Bio-Diversity in Semi-arid and High-Plains Cropping Systems

Producer Driven Education to Improve Bio-Diversity in Semi-arid and High-Plains Cropping Systems

Summary

First-time producers participated in an incentive program to promote the production of “alternative crops”, with the potential to improve bio-diversity in semi-arid cropping systems in the High Plains region. A primary program incentive is research/extension based support from university specialists and production/management support from mentor producers. The program has resulted in an increased knowledge base for the production and marketing of “alternative crops” through informational meetings, workshops, field tours, and the development of printed and electronic materials. In 2006, approximately 3,500 acres of program crops were planted.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Short-term: Increase knowledge of sustainable production practices for alternative crops in the High Plains

Intermediate: 75 producers will have had a successful experience with production of an alternative crop

Long-term: Increase bio-diversity in the region

Accomplishments/Milestones

Short-term:

A core group of mentor producers was organized for the third year of the project, each with background experience in the production of an “alternative crop” that has bio-diversity and economic potential in the High Plains. “Alternative crops” selected for the project were brown mustard, camelina, canola, sunflower, forage/grain pea, specialty millets, perennial grass seed, and chickpeas.

Mentor and first-time producers were instrumental in enhancing the knowledge base of alternative crops by sharing the pros and cons of their production experiences at informational meetings and field tours. This feedback information and research updates by university specialists helped facilitate and empower new producers.

Mentor producers and university specialists highlighted production and/or economic information for “alternative crops” at various meetings, including: a) Sunflower Production Meeting, Alliance, NE, b) Western Society of Crop Science Meeting, Torrington, WY, c) Canola/Camelina Producer Meeting, Bridgeport, NE, d) Nebraska Dry Bean Meeting, Mitchell, NE, e) Wheat Technology Conference, Sidney, NE, f) High Plains Ag Lab Advisory Board Meeting, Sidney, NE, g) Regional No-Till Conference, Greeley, CO, h) National Sunflower Association Meeting, Fargo, ND, i) Camelina Informational Meeting, Scottsbluff, NE and j) ASA-CSSA-SSSA Meetings, Indianapolis, IN.

First-time producers planted approximately 3,500 acres of “alternative crops” during the third year of the project, including: canola/brown mustard (500 acres), sunflowers (1,800 acres), chickpeas (700 acres), forage/grain peas (500 acres), and perennial grass seed (25 acres).

Follow-up visitations with participants indicated that their learning curve for the production of an “alternative crop” was advanced by one to two years by participation in the project. Most producers remain optimistic about the potential benefits of an “alternative crop” in their cropping systems, but continue to have economic and marketing concerns.

Intermediate:

A NebGuide, “Ascochyta Blight of Chickpeas in Nebraska”, was completed by a Research/Extension Cooperator and is available online (www.ianrpubs.unl.edu).

The Cooperative Extension Circular, “Alternative Crop Budgets and Decision Making”, completed by Project participants in 2005, is now available online (www.ianrpubs.unl.edu).

A regional (multi-state) grain/forage pea production guide, “Pea Production in the High Plains”, was completed and is currently available in hard copy form and online (www.ianrpubs.unl.edu).

A regional (multi-state) production manual for sunflower was revised, as well as a regional production manual for brown mustard. A cool-season grass seed production guide is still being developed.

A user-friendly, educational website (www.panhandle.unl.edu/biodiesel/index.htm), developed in 2005, was expanded to provide additional information and educational materials associated with the manufacture of biodiesel and its potential importance to the High Plains region in the production of brown mustard and other oilseed crops.

A target of seventy-five, first-time producers has been realized during three years of the project. These producers have planted approximately 10,000 acres of “alternative crops” during this period.

Long-term:

The accomplishment of long-term objectives will be a direct reflection of the success achieved in addressing short-term and intermediate objectives. To date, the active participation and positive response by mentor and first-time producers are certainly a measure of success in the advancement of bio-diversity into regional cropping systems. Informational networks and educational materials have now been developed for various “alternative crops”, which allow potential producers to assess the risks and potential benefits of a new crop. While not likely to occur during this project, the extension of “alternative crops” into the region will be carefully monitored. Regardless of how this extension may evolve, the chances for future producers to have a successful experience in producing an “alternative crop” will be significantly enhanced.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Seventy-five, first-time producers have participated in an incentive program that provides research, production/management, and limited financial support for the adoption of “alternative crops” into regional cropping systems. Approximately 10,000 acres of program crops have been planted during the three years of the project, including: brown mustard, camelina, canola, sunflowers, chickpeas, forage/field peas, and perennial grass seed.

The visibility and promotion of alternative crops, in regional cropping systems, has significantly increased due to: 1) informational meetings for program crops, 2) producer-driven field tours, workshops, and on-site visits, 3) coverage of program events by newspaper, radio, and television, and 4) increased availability of informational materials in hard copy and electronic form.

The ongoing development of a supportive network has provided a unique opportunity for producers of alternative crops to directly communicate with researchers and mentor producers about real-time problems in an effective and timely manner.

As the result of a cooperative effort among project participants, an expanded audience of regional producers and agri-business personnel now has the opportunity to access a developing resource base for “alternative crops”. Currently, extension circulars and production guides are available in hard copy and/or electronic form that detail best management practices, marketing strategies, and budgeting decisions for chickpea, canola, field/forage pea, brown mustard, sunflower, and grass seed production.

Project participants have been instrumental in providing regional research and production support for the development of “alternative oilseed crops”, including brown mustard, as renewable energy resources for the manufacture of biodiesel. Production of biodiesel has the potential to significantly enhance regional economies, improve air-quality, and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

As the result of on-going drought conditions in the High Plains region, information gained from this Project not only has the potential to improve bio-diversity in semi-arid cropping systems, but also serve an invaluable resource in the development of cropping systems involving limited irrigation.

Project limitations have included: 1) slower that expected development of a waxy proso market and its subsequent production demand and 2) decreases in the production of brown mustard and perennial grass seed, following first-year production levels (2004), due to drought conditions and/or declining markets.

Collaborators: