Survey and Economic Analysis of Montana Farms Utilizing Integrated Livestock-Cereal Grain (Ley Farming) Systems

Survey and Economic Analysis of Montana Farms Utilizing Integrated Livestock-Cereal Grain (Ley Farming) Systems

Summary

This is the last year of the project. The project has completed the survey with Montana farmers and ranchers. The research team also interviewed selected farmers and ranchers and assessed their ley farming practices for successes and problems. An on-farm demonstration study on an organic farm and a research and demonstration study at the CARC were established in 2007. On the organic farm, the yields of four crop rotation systems, i.e. winter pea (grazed)-winter what, winter lentil (green manure)-winter wheat, winter pea (grain) –winter wheat, and oat-winter wheat, were compared. At the CARC, six rotation systems, i.e. summer fallow-winter wheat, winter pea (hay)-winter wheat, winter lentil (green manure)-winter wheat, spring pea (grain)-winter wheat, winter lentil (grain)-winter wheat, and spring wheat-winter wheat, were compared for crop yields. Net economical return of each system will be analyzed this winter and final report will be submitted in May 2010. Two journal publications are under preparation and will be submitted in the spring of 2010. One field day/crop tour was organized on July 9, 2009.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1) Survey the current crop and livestock production systems in Montana and assess the awareness and knowledge of producers on Australian ley farming.

2) Conduct in-depth assessments on the successes and problems (agronomic and economic) of representative producers and farms practicing ley farming.

3) Demonstrate the adaptability of newly-developed annual legume species, disseminate this information and educate producers on the incorporation of these crops into their cropping systems.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Major accomplishments and milestones include:

1) Completed the survey with 4200 Montana farmers and ranchers in 2007.

2) Presented survey results at 2007 Western Society of Crop Science Annual Conference.

3) Interviewed selected Montana farmers and ranchers and assessed the successes and problems in practicing ley farming.

4) Established an organic on-farm demonstration study and a research and demonstration study at CARC in 2007.

5) Successfully organized a field day/crop tour on June 19, 2008 at both the CARC research plot and the farmer’s field. Preliminary research results were presented at 2008 American Society of Agronomy Annual Conference.

6) The research team, including Chengci Chen, Dave Buschena, Jim Krall and Roy Latta, met during the 2008 field day to evaluate the progress and difficulties of the project.

7) At the CARC, compared six crop rotation systems, i.e. summer fallow-winter wheat, winter pea (hay)-winter wheat, winter lentil (green manure)-winter wheat, spring pea (grain)-winter wheat, winter lentil (grain)-winter wheat, and spring wheat-winter wheat, for crop yields.

8) On the organic farm, compared the yields of four crop rotation systems, i.e. winter pea (grazed)-winter what, winter lentil (green manure)-winter wheat, winter pea (grain) –winter wheat, and oat-winter wheat.

9) Spread medic seed-pods collected from Wyoming to the field to test the germination and establishment. Winter lentil self re-establishment and seed dormancy are under evaluation.

10) Organized a field day/crop tour on July 9, 2009.

11) Economical analysis will be completed in the winter of 2009.

12) Final report and extension and journal publications will be completed by May 2010.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Small grain and livestock production is important in the western region of the United States. About 43% of the farmers and ranchers in Montana have both grain and livestock productions on their farms. Farmers and ranchers are continuously seeking economically and environmentally sustainable integrated crop-livestock production systems. The newly-developed winter pea and lentil cultivars have been tested and were proven to be able to adapt to the environment of central Montana. The benefits of these legumes in the conventional and organic farming systems have been shown to producers during the field days and crop tours. Several farmers have accepted or indicated interest in the winter pea and lentil as rotation crops on their farms. Pea production in the Moccasin area expanded from 3000 acres in 2008 to 8000 acres in 2009. The preliminary results of this study have been presented at regional and national crop science and agronomic conferences.

Collaborators: