COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF CONSERVATION AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT-PRACTICES IN PENNSYLVANIA

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.