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Title: ESTIMATING THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF UNIFORMITY-IMPROVING CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN IRRIGATED CROP ENTERPRISES: IMPLICATIONS FOR PRODUCER PROFITS AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Author
item VICKNER, S - UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
item HOAG, DANA - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
item FRASIER, W - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
item Ascough Ii, James

Submitted to: Farm Bureau Members National Convention
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A dynamic optimization model is constructed to serve as a decision support tool to better understand corn production and nitrate leaching processes. Center-pivot irrigated, continuous corn on a sandy loam soil is chosen as the agricultural system to be modeled and is considered a leaching "hot spot." Baseline scenarios representing a range of typical producer behaviors are developed. The impacts of two classes of policies, optimal farm planning/taxes and limits on polluting activities, are assessed on farm profit and nitrate leaching.

Technical Abstract: A dynamic optimization model is constructed to serve as a decision support tool to better understand corn production and nitrate leaching processes. Center-pivot irrigated, continuous corn on a sandy loam soil is chosen as the agricultural system to be modeled and is considered a leaching "hot spot." Baseline scenarios representing a range of typical producer behaviors are developed. The impacts of two classes of policies, optimal farm planning/taxes and limits on polluting activities, are assessed on farm profit and nitrate leaching.