Integrating nemade-resistant crops into sugar beet rotations

Integrating nemade-resistant crops into sugar beet rotations

Summary

A whole-farm economic analysis in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming, incorporating research results with trap crops, showed that by substituting trap crops in the rotation in lieu of nematicides rate of return could be increased from 3.9 to 5.8% if trap crops were grown as green manure and to 9.5% if trap crops were grazed. In southeastern Wyoming, where different rotations are practiced, whole-farm analysis showed that use of trap crops in lieu of nematicide increased rate of return from 2.5 to as high as 6.3%. Both analyses resulted in decreased downside risk. Growing trap crops is less expensive than applying either of the currently-used nematicides, less hazardous to applicators and others and environmentally friendly. Since sugar beets have been the most profitable crop in the area, the practice of growing trap crops can help sustain this important crop, which generates at least $5 value-added income for every dollar of farm sales.

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