Low-Input Crop and Livestock Systems for the Southeastern United States

1991 Annual Report for LS91-037

Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 1991: $360,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1993
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $419,440.00
Region: Southern
State: Virginia
Principal Investigator:
J.P. Fontenot
Virginia Tech

Low-Input Crop and Livestock Systems for the Southeastern United States

Summary

Objectives

This was a long-running, interdisciplinary, multifaceted research and education project funded by the USDA LISA Program from 1988-1990 and the SARE Program from 1991-1993 (extended to 1995). It consisted of three major components:

1) A long-term whole farm systems research project involving crops and livestock.

2) An on-farm systems demonstration.

3) The development and implementation of a low-input corn production system.

The overall objectives were to develop and evaluate crop/livestock farming systems that minimize reliance on non-renewable inputs while maintaining crop and animal productivity, maintaining economic viability, improving long-term soil productivity and minimizing undesirable environmental impact.

Whole Farm System
The first component, the whole farm systems research project, was an interdisciplinary research and education farming systems project, begun in 1989 and located at the VPI&SU Kentland Research Farm, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. Although the SARE funding period is over, the farming systems project will continue as long as funds can be obtained to support it.

It is a replicated farm-scale experiment designed to compare a conventional crop/livestock system with an experimental, alternative, sustainable system to produce cattle of desirable slaughter weight and grade. Each system involves 48 steers per year and 80 acres of crop and pasture land.

The conventional system uses technology currently recommended by state Cooperative Extension specialists and practices currently used by producers in Virginia. The sustainable system uses grazing management for pest control and nutrient management as well as improved animal performance. Crop production includes rotations, use of legumes, development and demonstration of reduced chemical input corn production practices, use of conservation tillage systems, winter annual cover crops, and integrated pest management practices for weed and insect pests.

Results to date have demonstrated that nitrogen inputs can be reduced by one half or more with no reduction in crop or livestock production. By the ending date of the SARE project period the sustainable system had dramatically reduced requirements for pesticides while maintaining crop productivity and weed control.

Effects of grazing system on internal parasites in steers in being investigated. Animal production was slightly higher for the conventional system during the first two cattle but this has reversed and steers on the sustainable system have had higher gains during the third, fourth, and fifth cattle cycles/

Crop rotation on the sustainable system has successfully controlled western corn rootworm at a savings of about $15/acre since a soil insecticide has not been necessary. Profitability of the two systems has been similar thus far but a longer time period will be necessary to access risks.

Grazing System
The second component of this project was a complimentary on-farm grazing systems demonstration project established on a cooperative farm in Southwestern Virginia. Although the project funding period is over, the grazing system on the River Ridge Farm is now in place and continues with significant matching financial support from the cooperating farmer. Intensive grazing management, the use of legumes vs. nitrogen fertilizer and the sequencing of various forage species for year-round grazing were implemented.

Systems are being designed to demonstrate profitable beef production on steep hill lands in systems that promote nutrient recycling with reduction of external chemical inputs, avoid run-off and erosion, and maintain stable stream banks and clean water. Effects of grazing management on stream bank erosion and water quality are being investigated at this point.

The third component of this project involved the development and demonstration of sustainable corn production practices, including the use of conservation tillage systems, winter annual legume cover crops, and integrated pest management practices for weeds and insects pests.

Test-demonstrations were conducted on farms throughout Virginia. Research results from the whole farm systems project as well as component research conducted as a part of this effort has demonstrated that corn can be produced using reduced herbicides and pesticides while maintaining yields similar to those achieved by conventional no-till corn production techniques.

Strategic grazing of the cover crop prior to corn planting may offer additional benefits in weed control and increased corn plant populations.

Educational programs for growers, extension agents and others are coordinated through the Virginia Tech/Virginia State Cooperative Extension Service, and consists of several approaches: multi-county field days, the annual Virginia Conference on Sustainable Agriculture, winter grower meetings, Extension agent training tours and workshops in sustainable farming practices and systems, tours of the ongoing research and test-demonstration project. Fourteen graduate students have worked on thesis and dissertation research projects that are subcomponents of this overall project.

December 1995.