Transition strategies for an organic peanut-grain cropping system

Transition strategies for an organic peanut-grain cropping system

Summary

The use of a flex tine cultivator proved to be as helpful in the production field as it was in research plots. Budgets for organic production strategies along with identifying potential markets and returns for some of the alternative cover and rotational crops have begun.
Field preparation for the 2008 season included gathering two sets of soil samples for nutrient analyses and for determination of weed seed bank population. Samples were removed just prior to cover crop planting in early December. Cover crops were harrowed to kill cover crops in late March.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Determine effectiveness of organic transition strategies to manage weeds and improve soil quality in three prior land-use types.

Evaluate the impact of transition practices and weed management strategies on organic peanut production, pest management, and returns on investment.

Determine how management characteristics (physical and human) of farms relate to crop yield and economic returns of organic transition strategies across the transition period.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Plots were established in 2007. The flex tine cultivator was found to be of great assistance in weed control. Soil sampling of all sites for nutrients and weed seed have been conducted. Preliminary budgets have been prepared. Markets for alternative cover crops have been explored

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

The flex tine cultivator was tested on cooperating growers fields and proved a valuable tool for weed control in organic peanut.

Collaborators: