Developing Organic Cropping Systems for Grain Production in Texas

View the project final report

Commodities

• Agronomic: corn, soybeans

Practices

• Crop Production: cover crops, crop rotation, double cropping, nutrient cycling
• Education and Training: extension, on-farm/ranch research
• Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns
• Pest Management: competition, cultural control, mulches - killed, weed ecology
• Production Systems: transitioning to organic
• Soil Management: nutrient mineralization, organic matter, soil quality/health

Texas ranks first in number of farms and third in total agricultural production in the U.S. However, the state lags behind in organic crop production. The low rate of adoption of organic farming for grain crops such as corn and sorghum has been a major bottleneck for expansion of the organic livestock sector in this state. The specific goals of this study are based on our interactions with farmers and other stakeholders in the region. Collectively, these discussions have shaped the goals and objectives of the project. Our goals are: (1) Conduct research and on­farm demonstrations in a partnership between scientists and stakeholders for greater understanding of the influence of cover cropping in no-till organic systems on soil fertility, weed dynamics, water­yield relations, and soil health, (2) Develop best management practices that optimize both agricultural profitability and ecosystem services in transitioning cropping systems (corn and soybeans), (3) Develop an educational and outreach program for efficient transfer of project results to the various stakeholders and organize training efforts on the certification process, farm plan development, environmental benefits, and best management strategies while transitioning to organic production. Through this project, we will address some of the critical needs of farmers and other stakeholders in Texas who plan to adopt organic farming.

1. Conduct research and on­farm demonstrations in a partnership between scientists and stakeholders for greater understanding of the influence of cover cropping in no-till systems on weed dynamics, soil-water relations and crop yield for organic grain cropping systems (corn and soybean).
2. Develop best management practices that optimize both agricultural profitability and ecosystem services in organic cropping systems (corn and soybean).
3. Develop an educational and outreach program for efficient transfer of project results to the various stakeholders and organize training efforts on organic certification process, farm plan development, environmental benefits, and best management strategies for cover crops and tillage practices while transitioning to organic