Dj. Epp et Jm. Hamlett, COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF CONSERVATION AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT-PRACTICES IN PENNSYLVANIA, Journal of soil and water conservation, 51(6), 1996, pp. 486-494
Citations number
10
Categorie Soggetti
Water Resources",Ecology,"Agriculture Soil Science
We evaluated changes in field costs and revenues with each of seven co
nservation best management practices (BMP) and two nutrient management
programs (BMP) for three sites in the Susquehanna River Basin in Penn
sylvania. Field layouts, rotation selection BMP design, and CREAMS mod
eling of sediment and nutrient losses are reported elsewhere. BMP impl
ementation costs, field operation rests, and crop revenues were calcul
ated with each BMP as well as the baseline condition representing pres
ent practices. The present value of net field revenue over a 10-year p
eriod for each BMP/NMP combination is compared to that of the baseline
. The BMP/NMP combinations are compared for cost-effectiveness in redu
cing sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus losses. Nonstructural BMPs (no
-till contour, contour with waterways, strip crop with waterways, filt
er strips) produced less reduction in net field income than did struct
ural BMPs (terraces with waterways, parallel tile outlet terraces, sed
iment basins). In some instances nonstructural BMPs increased net fiel
d income relative to the baseline even without including cast sharing.
When combined with the improved NMP (improved manure storage and nutr
ient application matched to crop needs), nonstructural BMPs produced h
igher net field incomes than did structural BMPs. The most cost-effect
ive BMP/NMP combinations were no-till, filter strip, and strip crop wi
th waterways. At one of the sites, the most cost-effective combination
included the improved NMP. At the other two sites, a BMP without impr
oved NMP was more cost-effective.