RISK SIMULATION OF THE ECONOMICS OF MANURE APPLICATION TO RESTORE ERODED WHEAT CROPLAND

The economics of hauling manure as an amendment for restoring the prod uctivity of artificially eroded wheat cropland was investigated using a simulation model. The model incorporated data on the long-term varia bility of wheat price, growing season precipitation and manure moistur e content, and data from manure application experiments conducted on l and where topsoil had been removed in levelling. Results showed that o n average over the long term, the value of manure as an amendment for restoring the productivity of slightly eroded wheat cropland (< 20 cm soil lost/removed) is sufficient to allow manure to be hauled 3-5 km f urther than would be the case on non-eroded soils. On heavily eroded w heat cropland (> 80 cm soil lost/removed), hauling distance can be ext ended approximately 20 km. The disposal market for feedlot manure can be expected to extend to a distance of about 55 km from its source. Re sults are applicable to the dryland wheat areas of the dark brown soil zone of the Canadian prairies.