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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #334097
Research Project: Improving Air Quality, Soil Health and Nutrient Use Efficiency to Increase Northwest Agroecosystem Performance

Location: Northwest Sustainable Agroecosystems Research

Title: Impacts of terrain attributes on economics and the environment: Costs of reducing potential nitrogen pollution in wheat production

Author
item WALTERS, CORY - University Of Nebraska
item SHUMWAY, RICHARD - Washington State University
item Huggins, David

Submitted to: American Journal of Agricultural Economics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2016
Publication Date: 3/17/2017
Citation: Walters, C.G., Shumway, R.C., Huggins, D.R. 2017. Impacts of terrain attributes on economics and the environment: Costs of reducing potential nitrogen pollution in wheat production. American Journal of Agricultural Economics. 48:143-152.

Interpretive Summary: The economic cost of achieving desired environmental outcomes from uniform and variable rate fertilizer application technologies depends both on market forces and agronomic properties. Using spatial econometric methods, we analyze the impact of nitrogen fertilizer supply by terrain attribute on the yield and protein content of hard red spring wheat grown in Eastern Washington as well as the impact on residual nitrogen. We find significant association with all three. The economic impact of nitrogen restrictions depends critically on both prices and level of the restriction. Uniform application of nitrogen was found to economically outperform variable rate application, but variable rate application provided positive environmental benefits due to less residual nitrogen. These results will be useful for producers, NRCS, Conservation Districts and scientists interested in the economic and environmental impacts of precision N management.

Technical Abstract: The economic cost of achieving desired environmental outcomes from uniform and variable rate fertilizer application technologies depends both on market forces and agronomic properties. Using spatial econometric methods, we analyze the impact of nitrogen fertilizer supply by terrain attribute on the yield and protein content of hard red spring wheat grown in Eastern Washington as well as the impact on residual nitrogen. We find significant association with all three. The economic impact of nitrogen restrictions depends critically on both prices and level of the restriction. Uniform application of nitrogen was found to economically outperform variable rate application, but variable rate application provided positive environmental benefits due to less residual nitrogen.