Sustainable dryland agroecosystems management

Authors: HANSEN, NEIL - Colorad0 State University; Sherrod, Lucretia; PETERSON, GARY - Colorad0 State University; WESTFALL, DWAYNE - Colorad0 State University; PEAIRS, FRANK - Colorad0 State University; Poss, David; SHAVER, TIM - Colorad0 State University; LARSON, KEVIN - Colorad0 State University; THOMPSON, DENNIS - Colorad0 State University; Ahuja, Lajpat

Submitted to: Experiment Station Bulletins
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2012
Publication Date: 5/1/2012
Citation: Hansen, N.C., Sherrod, L.A., Peterson, G.A., Westfall, D.G., Peairs, F.B., Poss, D.J., Shaver, T., Larson, K., Thompson, D., Ahuja, L.R. 2012. Sustainable Dryland Agroecosystems Management. Experiment Station Bulletins. TB 12-02.

Interpretive Summary: The Dryland Agroecosystem Project with No-till management was established in the fall of 1985, with 1986 being the first harvest year. Grain and stover yields, crop residue amounts, soil water measurements, crop nutrient content and climate data have been reported annually in previously published technical bulletins. This publication covers the 2006 and 2007 data for six locations in Eastern Colorado, namely Briggsdale, Sterling, Akron, Stratton. Lamar and Walsh from North to South. The 2006 crop year had below normal precipitation when looking at a 18 month period. Wheat yields were below average with the exception of the Lamar site. Corn yields for Sterling and Stratton where below average but sorghum yields at Walsh were above average due to 35% above normal July and August precipitation. Millet yields were low at Stratton and Walsh and sprayed out at Sterling. In 2007 precipitation was near normal at Sterling and Akron but well below normal at Briggsdale, Stratton and Walsh. Lamar had above normal precipitation over a 18 month period. Wheat yields for 2007 where average to above average at Walsh and Briggsdale. Rotation effects were seen in the wheat crop at Sterling, Akron, Briggsdale and Lamar. Corn yields for Sterling and Stratton were near long-term means as was Sorghum yields at Walsh. Proso millet yields were mixed with above average yields at Sterling and lower than average at Stratton and near complete crop failure at Walsh. Forage triticale and forage sorghum, foxtail millet and spring barley were grown at Akron, Briggsdale and Lamar sites which yielded relatively well.

Technical Abstract: The Dryland Agroecosystem Project with No-till management was established in the fall of 1985, with 1986 being the first harvest year. Grain and stover yields, crop residue amounts, soil water measurements, crop nutrient content and climate data have been reported annually in previously published technical bulletins. This publication covers the 2006 and 2007 data for six locations in Eastern Colorado, namely Briggsdale, Sterling, Akron, Stratton, Lamar and Walsh from North to South. The 2006 crop year had below normal precipitation when looking at an 18 month period. Wheat yields were below average with the exception of the Lamar site. Corn yields for Sterling and Stratton were below average but sorghum yields at Walsh where above average due to 35% above normal July and August precipitation. Millet yields were low at Stratton and Walsh and were sprayed out at Sterling. In 2007 precipitation was near normal at Sterling and Akron but well below normal at Briggsdale, Stratton and Walsh. Lamar had above normal precipitation over an 18 month period. Wheat yields for 2007 where average to above average at Walsh and Briggsdale. Rotation effects were seen in the wheat crop at Sterling, Akron, Briggsdale and Lamar. Corn yields for Sterling and Stratton were near long-term means as was Sorghum yields at Walsh. Proso millet yields were mixed with above average yields at Sterling and lower than average at Stratton and near complete crop failure at Walsh. Forage triticale and forage sorghum, foxtail millet and spring barley were grown at Akron, Briggsdale and Lamar sites which yielded relatively well.