Location: Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory
2024 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Develop sustainable agricultural systems (crop, livestock, and integrated) for northern climates that increase resilience and ecosystem services to farmers and society.
Sub-objective 1.A: Develop production systems that improve the sustainability of cropland agriculture in the northern Plains.
Sub-objective 1.B: Develop strategies to promote ecosystem services in integrated annual-perennial cropping systems of the northern climates, including perennial forage strips and phases.
Sub-objective 1.C: Improve the economic and ecological resilience of northern Great Plains grasslands that have been invaded by Kentucky bluegrass by increasing plant diversity and altering the forage cycle using innovative land management and post-fire technologies.
Sub-objective 1D: Characterize patterns of soil redox in managed soils of the Northern Great Plains and increase understanding of how inputs of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), such as small phenolic compounds, may contribute to CO2 efflux from soils.
Objective 2: Determine agricultural management strategies that impact soil and plant function and the nutritional and sensory qualities of food crops, forages, and livestock products while enhancing ecosystem services.
Sub-objective 2.A: Evaluate how conservation management practices compared to business-as-usual management practices impact nutritional and sensory qualities of food and forage crops.
Sub-objective 2.B: Evaluate the chemical composition of beef and goat meat grown under different management systems.
Sub-objective 2.C: Evaluate integrated crop-livestock, feedlot, and grazing systems for trace element and macro-nutrient cycling (N, P) with select tools and applicable models, including whole farm nutrient balancing, nutrient use efficiency, and plant secondary compounds.
Objective 3: Assess the human dimensions from producers to consumers and develop insights for spurring innovation and increasing development and adoption of sustainable agricultural and food systems in northern climates.
Sub-objective 3.A: Theoretical development of the concept of food security agency
Sub-objective 3.B: Assess economic and social benefits and barriers to adoption of more sustainable agricultural systems.
Objective 4: Explore the development of equitable solutions for innovative knowledge-intensive agricultural systems (including organic systems, agrivoltaics, and agroforestry).
Sub-objective 4.A: Integrate solar photovoltaics with dryland livestock forage systems to provide an alternative energy system while increasing forage production.
Sub-objective 4.B: To increase accessibility of culturally significant plants for tribal communities.
Approach
The work of NGPRL scientists integrates theories and methods from multiple disciplines and allows for unique transdisciplinary research on crop, grassland, and livestock systems while considering the ecological and human dimensions of these systems. This project builds upon long-term research on bioenergy cropping systems and integrated crop-livestock systems at the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory (NGPRL) and leverages the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network common experiment strategy of comparing business-as-usual and aspirational treatments. Objective 1 will seek to scientifically evaluate how agricultural management practices contribute to the understanding of increased resilience to climate change, species invasions, and perturbations, and expand ecosystem services to farmers and society – each of which is also formally communicated in the strategic plan priorities of the USDA LTAR network. The project’s overall goal is to design diverse agricultural livestock and cropping systems, utilizing cover crops, which promote soil health and increase the nutritional quality of crops, forages, and livestock products utilized by animals including humans. Thereby, addressing the mission of the Congressionally mandated “healthy soils, healthy food, healthy people initiative, as communicated in this project’s Objective 2. The NGPRL is also uniquely positioned to develop human dimensions research that can spur agricultural innovation and increase the development and adoption of sustainable agricultural and food systems, addressed in Objectives 3 and 4, by integrating sustainable energy development with agriculture, through the efforts of the NGPRL team and collaborations with the leadership of the LTAR human dimensions working group, and through congressionally mandated collaborations with the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Progress Report
Objective 1, Sub-objective A: Field experimentation and data collection proceeded as planned for the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network Cropland Common Experiment. Relevant plant, soil, greenhouse gas, meteorological, and management data were collected during the reporting period at plot and field scales. Fields included in the LTAR experiment are part of the National Wind Erosion Research Network (NWERN). Site data was collected and shared with NWERN. A summary of Phase I of the LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Northern Plains was provided to the Customer Focus Group in July 2024. Members were asked to identify values and emerging practices affecting cropping system sustainability in the northern Plains. Feedback will be used to guide discussions with a stakeholder group charged with developing a co-production framework for Phase II of the experiment.
Objective 1, Sub-objective B: Perennial strips have been established, as have corn-soybean and soybean-corn rotations. Measurements of ecosystem services are being made and will continue annually. A new phase of an integrated crop-livestock system has been implemented. The new phase includes perennials established every year into crop rotations. This first year, the perennials, including purple prairie clover and blue grama grass, were planted with a pea cash crop. Over time, all plots will have an understory of perennials into which the annual crop will be planted. In this phase, researchers are also looking at breeding age heifer development, and they will continuously graze the cover crop, corn, and pea residue after harvest.
Objective 1, Sub-objective C: Phase 1 of the LTAR grazing land common experiment continues in FY24, and fire and grazing treatments were performed. Soil, vegetation, hydrology, and insect assessments were continued. Phase 2 was also initiated. Burns were performed, areas needing seeding were seeded, and grazing treatments were implemented as planned.
Objective 1, Sub-objective D: Sensors were acquired, programmed, and installed to continuously monitor soil reduction-oxidation (redox) at two locations in the LTAR cropland common experiment. The sensors actively measure soil redox at four depths (10, 20, 50, and 70 cm) in concert with a suite of other environmental measurements. In addition, passive IRIS (Indicator of Redox in Soil) probes were installed at these two locations and in a historically grazed pasture to evaluate their performance. Year 1 samples of soil from experimental plots described under Subobjectives 1a, 1b, and 1c were collected and assayed for oxidation potential of simple phenolic plant secondary metabolites related to metal oxides. Researchers also successfully completed an analysis of the first set of samples from the Bioenergy Crops and from Crop Diversity Plots. Samples were assayed for their short-term response to wetting with water, a glucose solution, an acidic solution, or gallic acid. Preliminary analysis indicates significant effects of the preceding crop phase and residue management on soil respiratory response to treatments as well as convincing evidence for two distinct sources of abiotic carbon dioxide (CO2) formation resulting from treatment with acid or with gallic acid. The former is associated with soil carbonates, and the latter is likely related to redox reactions with soil manganese. A MicroResp™ system was also fully evaluated to determine whether it could be used as a rapid screening tool for plant secondary metabolites. It was determined that the method's small scale would not allow for statistically significant differences to be observed. Project collaborators have successfully used K33 CO2 sensors as an alternative method to evaluate the production of CO2 from several plant secondary metabolites in the presence of metal oxides.
Objective 2, Sub-objective A: Soil samples were collected for microbial analysis from a project evaluating spring wheat in plots that were historically grazed or ungrazed, with and without fertilizer. Researchers are also collecting soil samples for microbial analyses in a project comparing tillage and no-tillage management. Physiological data collection from Eddy-covariance (EC) flux sites, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and plant-level measurements were fine-tuned and integrated into plant response measurements. Grain samples were collected from the LTAR project comparing prevailing practices with management that utilizes cover and intercropping management. Wheat grain samples from a project that compared cropping systems with and without a perennial phase were analyzed for minerals and protein, and data were published. Wheat grain samples were collected from a project evaluating spring wheat in plots that were historically grazed or ungrazed, with and without fertilizer. Spring wheat grain samples were analyzed for minerals and protein concentration. Five varieties of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) were successfully established. Sainfoin establishment is being assessed, and tannin analyses will be conducted on varieties of sainfoin.
Researchers in Mandan, North Dakota, and in Leipzig, Germany, continued to collaborate on the data analysis of ecometabolomic profiles of corn and wheat plants to determine the benefits of different management strategies. Corn leaves, soybean leaves, and wheat leaves and roots from the LTAR project for ecometabolomic assessments. Research evaluating potential stress-induced saponin fluctuation in switchgrass variety Liberty has continued. Research also continued on a regional comparison study by ARS researchers in Lincoln, Nebraska, and ARS researchers in Mandan, North Dakota, to assess saponin concentration in switchgrass variety Liberty growing in different geographical locations. Samples are being collected from each location, and analyzed by researchers in Logan, Utah.
A new phase of a 12-year experiment comparing 4 different management strategies in 2 different crop rotations was planned and implemented. The new phase introduces black beans into the crop rotations.
Objective 2, Sub-objective B: Field and lab work for the goat and cattle studies were completed.
Objective 2, Sub-objective C: A study was planned and implemented looking at two types of pasture management (grazed yearly versus grazed every other year) and two copper mineral supplemental sources (amino acid complexed copper or copper chloride) and weekly collected mineral and forage quality data from forage and pre- and post- study liver samples. Estimated forage intake, as well as measured average daily gain, are being measured. Two in vitro digestion studies were completed and a third regarding the use of plant secondary compound-containing (PSM) forages in beef grazing supplementation is in progress. The first study simulated diets including legumes with PSM to supplement pasture grazing and has been submitted to a journal for review. The second study compared a saponin supplement with or without alfalfa forage diets naturally containing saponins. A third study utilizing switch grass, which contains saponins, is currently underway.
Objective 3: Researchers in Mandan, North Dakota, designed, developed, and collected data for the first case study of food agency in the small grain industry in Alaska. Over 30 inductive qualitative interviews were conducted with small grain input suppliers, small grain value chain processors, and producers. The second case study of Food agency in Alaska - Impacts of Climate Change on Wild Edible Plants was designed, developed, and data were collected in Quinhagak, Alaska. Data will be analyzed in FY 25.
Objective 4, Sub-objective A: An agrivoltaic system compatible with northern Great Plains agriculture was designed and installed. The forage mix was planted and germination and establishment measurements were performed.
Objective 4, Sub-objective B: Researchers collaborated with a tribal college to propagate multiple seeds and rematriate seeds of six varieties of corn, three varieties of sunflowers, four varieties of beans, and four varieties of squash to the Citizens of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation. Seeds were distributed by Tribal citizens in May 2024. Outreach events on seed saving and a Traditional Food and Seed Summit were co-hosted in April 2024. An advisory team was established to provide culturally significant knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, and provide guidance on the research. Nutritional analysis of culturally significant foods was conducted.
Researchers also established native agroecosystems. One replication of the River bottom ecosystem was established and trees for all four replications of the Woodland/Savanna agroecosystem were planted.
Accomplishments
1. Fostering seed sovereignty and rematriation. For Tribal Nations, food is a powerful way to connect with their culture and stay healthy. They have been growing and caring for traditional foods like corn, beans, squash, watermelons, and sunflowers for thousands of years. But over time, much of this knowledge was taken from them. A collaboration between ARS researchers at Mandan, North Dakota, and a Tribal College in the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation, are helping bring back these important foods and seeds to the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation. This work is contributing to giving Tribal citizens back their traditions and improving their health. The project has contributed to hundreds of Tribal citizens having learned about saving seeds, receiving seeds to plant, or taking part in events celebrating traditional foods. This work is also helping understand better ways to support Tribal communities and respect their data and knowledge. As a result, more and more traditional foods are making their way back onto the tables of Tribal citizens of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation.
2. Soil monitoring is key when soybean is included frequently in crop rotations. Corn, soybean, and cover crops are being included in crop rotations more frequently in the northern Great Plains, but their effects on soil properties are poorly understood throughout the region. ARS researchers at Mandan, North Dakota, conducted a study to investigate the effects of three crop rotations (spring wheat–soybean, spring wheat–corn–soybean, and spring wheat–corn–cover crop) on soil properties six years after the rotations were established. Spring wheat enhanced soil cover and aggregate stability, while soybean increased soil acidification and lowered levels of exchangeable potassium. These results are useful to producers in making management decisions to maintain suitable soil conditions for crop growth. Frequent soil monitoring is recommended when soybean is grown every other year, as adjustments in crop choice and/or rotation length may be needed.
3. Developing sustainable cropping strategies to support the expansion of soybeans in the northern Great Plains. Soybean production has been expanding westward in the northern Great Plains. However, drought, which occurs frequently in the region, limits soybean production and sustainability. ARS scientists in Mandan, North Dakota, compared an innovative management practice that included cover crops and residue retention with a prevailing management practice commonly used by local producers. The management practice that included cover crops and residue retention improved soybean yields, photosynthetic potential, and water-use efficiency. These results are important to producers because they suggest soybean performance can be improved under drought conditions if they adopt sustainable management practices that include cover crops and residue retention.
4. Novel insights into long-term soil change provided by Mandan, North Dakota, soil archive. Maintaining healthy agricultural land throughout the U.S. Great Plains requires an understanding of long-term management effects on soil properties. Soil change in this region, however, is generally slow, requiring long-term monitoring sites and stored soil samples to detect change in this important agricultural region. ARS researchers in Mandan, North Dakota; Lincoln, Nebraska; Fort Collins, Colorado; Big Spring, Texas; and university researchers in Adams, Oregon; Fargo, North Dakota; Moccasin, Montana; and Urbana, Illinois documented soil change under dryland cropping over a 71-year period at Moccasin, Montana; Akron, Colorado; and Big Spring, Texas, using a soil archive at Mandan, North Dakota. Changes in the direction and magnitude of soil properties over seven decades were site-specific, highlighting how crop management, soil type, and weather affect the soil in unique ways.
5. Evaluating a popular technique used to determine which plant species livestock graze. A more accurate and less expensive technique is needed to determine which plant species and how much of each species livestock eat. A relatively new technique is being used with fecal samples collected from the animals and locations of interest. The technique is called fecal DNA metabarcoding. However, there is some question on how useful and reliable the technique is. ARS researchers in Mandan, North Dakota, evaluated the technique for goats fed several broadleaf and grass species and concluded that the technique is only valid for determining which plant species animals are eating, but not how much of each species they are eating. These results suggest that producers should be cautious in rely on this technique in making livestock management decisions and that more research is needed to reliably monitor the plants that livestock eat.
Review Publications
King, A.E., Amsili, J.P., Cordova, S., Culman, S., Fonte, S.J., Kotcon, J., Liebig, M.A., Masters, M.D., Mcvay, K., Olk, D.C., Schipanski, M., Schneider, S.K., Stewart, C.E., Cotrufo, M. 2023. A soil matrix capacity index to predict mineral-associated but not particulate organic carbon across a range of climate and soil pH. Biogeochemistry. 165:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-023-01066-3.
Li, Y., Chen, J., Drury, C., Liebig, M.A., Johnson, J.M., Wang, Z., Feng, H., Abalos, D. 2023. The role of conservation agriculture practices in mitigating N2O emissions: A meta-analysis. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 43. Article 63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-023-00911-x.
Liebig, M.A., Archer, D.W., Halvorson, J.J., Clemensen, A.K., Hendrickson, J.R., Tanaka, D.L. 2024. Soil responses to inclusion of corn, soybean, and cover crops under rainfed conditions in the Northern Great Plains. Canadian Journal of Soil Science. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjss-2023-0092.
Liebig, M.A., Calderon, F.J., Clemensen, A.K., Durso, L.M., Duttenhefner, J.L., Eberly, J.O., Halvorson, J.J., Jin, V.L., Mankin, K.R., Margenot, A.J., Stewart, C.E., Van Pelt, R.S., Vigil, M.F. 2024. Long-Term soil change in the U.S. Great Plains: An evaluation of the Haas soil archive. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 7. Article e20502. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20502.
Spaeth, K., Rutherford, W.A., Houdeshell, C., Williams, C.J., Simpson, B., Green, S., Toledo, D.N., Suffridge, E., McCord, S.E. 2024. Insights from the USDA Grazing Land National Resources Inventory and field studies. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. 79(3):37A-42A. https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.2024.0107A.
Malik, R., Kronberg, S.L., Hendrickson, J.R., Scott, D.A., Dekeyser, S., Sedivec, K. 2024. Evaluating fecal DNA metabarcoding to estimate the dietary botanical composition for goats. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 94:163-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2024.03.005.
Tumuluru, J., Igathinathane, C., Archer, D.W., Mcculloch, R. 2024. Energy-based break-even transportation distance of biomass feedstocks. Frontiers in Energy Research. 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2024.1347581.
Whippo, C.W., Saliendra, N.Z., Liebig, M.A. 2024. Cover crop inclusion and residue retention improves soybean production and physiology in drought conditions. Heliyon. 10.Article e29838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29838.
Liebig, M.A., Whippo, C.W., Saliendra, N.Z., Scott, D.A., Archer, D.W., Clemensen, A.K., Halvorson, J.J., Friedrichsen, C.N., Christensen, R., Igathinathane, C. 2024. The Long-Term Agroecosystem Research cropland common experiment at Northern Plains. Journal of Environmental Quality. 53:913-920. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeq2.20572.
Moojen, F., Ryschawy, J., Wulfhorst, J., Archer, D.W., Carvalho, P.F., Hendrickson, J.R. 2024. Case study analysis of innovative producers toward sustainable integrated crop-livestock systems: trajectory, achievements,and thought process. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. 44. Article 26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-024-00953-9.
Franzluebbers, A.J., Hendrickson, J.R. 2024. Should we consider integrated crop-livestock systems for ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, and agricultural resilience to climate change? Agronomy Journal. 116:415-432. https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.21520.