PROFIT AND RISK FOR INTEGRATED CONSERVATION FARMING SYSTEMS IN THE PALOUSE

This paper evaluates the economic performance of 12 farming systems fi eld tested from 1986 to 1991 in the Palouse region of southeastern Was hington. These systems comprised two rotations (monoculture wheat (Tri ticum aestivum) and wheat-barley (Hordeum vulgare)-peas (Pisum sativum )). The systems also included two tillage intensities (conservation an d conventional) and three weed management levels. Based upon prices an d program provisions projected for 1991-95, the conservation tillage/w inter wheat-spring barley-spring pea system at maximum weed management dominated all others in high profitability and had low economic risk. Furthermore, this system satisfied soil conservation compliance. It a lso reduced nitrogen use compared to monoculture wheat. There are at l east three potential explanations of the income-stabilizing advantage of the optimal conservation cropping system. The conservation systems yielded relatively better in dry years and withstood cold damage to wi nter wheat better, especially in the severe 1990-91 winter. The three- crop rotation also fostered disease resistance under the moist, high-r esidue seedbed of conservation tillage.