Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Agronomic: canola, corn, cotton, peanuts, sorghum (milo), wheat
Practices
- Farm Business Management: whole farm planning
- Production Systems: agroecosystems, holistic management, integrated crop and livestock systems
Abstract:
• Summary
Results from production practices and on-farm demonstrations for sustainability of canola with popular summer crops showed that the highest seed yield of 3,204 kg ha-1 was obtained with October 1-10 planting dates, 180 kg N and 6.0 kg ha-1 seeding rates. Per acre yield and income from canola was equal or higher than wheat, it fits well in rotation with wheat and summer crops. Experiment station research and on-farm demonstration results from limited resource farms showed that canola as a winter crop is promising in southeast US if a regional oil extracting mill and markets are made available.
Project objectives:
• Objectives/Performance Targets
The specific objectives of this project are:
1. To develop efficient cultural practices for canola production and determine nitrogen rates for economical (optimum) yield of canola.
2. To compare the agronomic and economic performance of canola using no-till versus conventional tillages system on a few limited resource farms.
3. To develop sustainable and viable cropping systems which include canola in sequences with soybean, wheat, sorghum, various millets and corn.
4. To provide information about the economics and the profitability of canola on its own merits and in comparison with wheat.
The project’s performance and success of targeted goals will introduce a new crop with great potential and will have the following economic effects on the rural communities in Alabama.
1. Demonstrate the feasibility of producing canola as an alternative crop by providing research-based production recommendations for farmers.
2. Provide economic information about the profitability of producing canola and the extended market opportunities for one of the healthiest edible and multi-purpose industrial oils.
3. Through on-farm demonstrations and extension programs, create new opportunities in the rural communities of Alabama by educating farmers about the potential profits of growing canola.