Soybean Production Systems in Tennessee

Transcription

1 University f Tennessee, Knxville Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Bulletins AgResearch -983 Sybean Prductin Systems in Tennessee Univsersity f Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Statin Dn Mrris Alan Miller C. M. Cuskaden Fllw this and additinal wrks at: Part f the Agriculture Cmmns Recmmended Citatin Univsersity f Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Statin; Mrris, Dn; Miller, Alan; and Cuskaden, C. M., "Sybean Prductin Systems in Tennessee" (983). Bulletins. The publicatins in this cllectin represent the histrical publishing recrd f the UT Agricultural Experiment Statin and d nt necessarily reflect current scientific knwledge r recmmendatins. Current infrmatin abut UT Ag Research can be fund at the UT Ag Research website. This Bulletin is brught t yu fr free and pen access by the AgResearch at Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted fr inclusin in Bulletins by an authrized administratr f Trace: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. Fr mre infrmatin, please cntact trace@utk.edu.

2 ybesn Prductin Systems in Tennessee Dn Mrris, Alan Miller, and C. M. Cuskaden The University f Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Statin Knxville, Tennessee D. M. Gssett, Dean Bulletin 69 Nvember 983

3 SOYBEAN PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN TENNESSEE By Dn Mrris, Alan Miller and C. M. Cuskaden* A sybean prductin system cnsists f a cmbinatin f cultural practices and tillage peratins utilized n a sybean field. Traditinally, Tennessee sybean prducers have utilized a cnventinal system which emplys the plw-disk-harrw tillage sequence alng with the rw-crp planting methd and mechanical cultivatin. Technical develpments in recent years have increased the number f viable sybean prductin alternatives available t prducers. Tw main develpments giving farmers mre prductin alternatives are: () new farm machinery designs, and () herbicides which mre effectively cntrl grass and weeds. The purpse f this study was t prvide infrmatin t farm peratrs and agricultural research and extensin persnnel which will be useful in evaluating alternative sybean prductin systems. Objectives and Prcedure The bjectives f the research reprted in this bulletin were t: () identify sybean prductin systems used by West Tennessee farmers in 976 and 98, () analyze changes which ccurred between 976 and 98 in sybean prductin systems used by West Tennessee farmers, and (3) summarize the advantages and disadvantages f changing sybean prductin systems experienced by West Tennessee farmers. Tennessee Crp Reprting Service Districts and were selected as the sample area fr this study because f the heavy cncentratin f sybean prductin in West Tennessee. The 8 cunties in thse tw districts accunted fr f the ttal harvested acreage and f the ttal bushels f sybeans prduced fr beans in Tennessee in 976 and fr f the ttal harvested acreage and f the ttal bushels f sybeans prd uced fr beans in Tennessee in 98. The primary data used in this study were btained frm randmly selected samples f farm peratrs by means f mailed questinaires. All Mrris and Miller are frmer Graduate Research Assistants and Cuskaden is Assciate Prfessr, Agricultural Ecnmics and Rural Scilgy. ITennessee Agricultural Statistics, Tennessee Crp Reprting Service, Annual Bulletins T-4 (977) and T-9 (98). Questinnaires were mailed t a randm sample f,000 farm peratrs in 977 t btain infrmatin fr the 976 crp year and t anther randm sample f,000 farm peratrs in 98 t btain infrmatin fr the 98 crp year. The sample was drawn by the Tennessee Crp Reprting Service frm the Farm Universe List maintained cperatively with the Tennessee Agricultural Extensin Service. Sybeans are prduced n apprximately 68% f the farms in the sample area (Surce: 978 U. S. Census f Agriculture, State and Cunty Data, Tennessee, farms with sales f $,500 r mre). Therefre, abut,360 f the,000 farm peratrs in each sample were expected t prduce sybeans. The estimated respnse rates f sybean prducers t the surveys were % in 977 and 0% in 98.

4 infrmatin btained frm respndents pertained t the 976 and 98 crp years. Data frm 66 farm peratrs wh prduced sybeans in 976 and frm 3 farm peratrs wh prduced sybeans in 98 were used in the analyses summarized in this reprt. Sybean grwers prviding infrmatin fr the 976 crp year were mre representative f all sybean grwers in the survey area based n acres f sybeans prduced per farm than thse respnding t the secnd survey (Table ). Hwever, respnses frm sy- Table. Sybean Prductin in 976 and 98 by Survey Respndents and Sybean Prductin in 978 by All Farmers Prducing Sybeans in Survey Area Sybean Prducer Categry Survey Respndents Survey Respndents All Farmers Prducing Sybeansb Year Number f Farms 66 8a 88 Sybean Acreage per Farm ant all respndents reprted sybean acreage. bfarms with sales f $500 r mre 978 U.S. Census f Agriculture, State and Cunty Data, Tennessee. bean prducers surveyed in 98 were mre representative f the sample area than were thse f grwers surveyed in 977 in that the number f respnses frm a particular cunty was mre highly crrelated with the number f sybean grwers in that cunty in 98 than in 977 (Table ). Survey respndents indicated the crpping-planting system(s) they used t prduce sybeans by selecting frm amng eight predetermined cmbinatins listed n the questinnaire. 3 After identifying the sybean prductin system(s) they used, respndents prvided selected infrmatin abut acreage, machinery use, and prductin practices fr each system they utilized. 4 Grwers prducing sybeans in 98 wh had used a different prductin system(s) in 976 were asked t identify the advantages and/r disadvantages n a predetermined list which they had experienced as a result f changing systems. 3The predetermined crpping-planting alternatives were: (I) single crp-rw crp, () single crp-grain drill, (3) single crp-n till, (4) single crp-bradcast, (5) duble crp-rw crp, (6) duble crp-grain drill, (7) duble crp-n till, and (8) duble crp-bradcast. These alternatives were selected based n cnversatins with farmers and University f Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Statin and Extensin Service persnnel, review f ppular farm publicatins, and review f previus research. 4Sybean prducers were asked,t identify the implements and prductin practices used with each prductin system and t indicate the number f times each implement r practice was nrmally used per field.

5 Table. Distributin f Sybean Prducer Survey Respnses 977 and 98 and Farms Prducing Sybeans 978, by Cunty Sybean Prducer" Sybean Prducer" Farms Prducing Respnses 977 Respnses 98 Sybeans 978 Cunty Numberb % Ttal Number % Ttal Numberd % Ttal Carrll Chester Crckett Dyer Fayette Gibsn Hardeman Haywd Hendersn Henry Lake Lauderdale McNairy Madisn Obin Shelby Tiptn Weakley TOTAL " " " athe crrelatin cefficient between the number f sybean grwers respnding t the 977 survey in a cunty and the ttal number f sybean grwers in that cunty in 978 was 0.5. bsybean prducer lcatin was nt reprted n ne questinnaire. cthe crrelatin cefficient between the number f sybean grwers respnding t the 98 survey in a cunty and the ttal number f sybean grwers in that cunty in 978 was 0.8. dfarms with sales f $500 r mre, 978 U.S. Census f Agriculture, State and Cunty Data, Tennessee. "Ttal des nt equal 00% due t runding errr. Sybean Prductin Systems Over 80070f the sybean prducers reprted utilizing nly ne crppingplanting system in 976 (Table 3). Hwever, the prprtin f sybean prducers using nly ne crpping-planting system decreased t just under 66070in 98. The single crp-rw crp system was the mst frequently reprted sybean prductin system in bth 976 and It was the nly prductin system used by 7.3% f all sybean prducers in 976. But nly f all sybean prducers reprted using nly that system in 98. The prprtins f farmers using nly the single crp-rw crp system in 976 and 98 were significantly different (Table 4). 5The single crp-rw crp system is characterized by sybeans being planted in a seedbed prepared by the plw-disk-harrw sequencein rws wide enugh t permit cultivatin. 3

6 Table 3. Number and Type f Sybean Prductin Systems Per Farm Reprted by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers. 976 and 98 Prducers Prducers Reprting Reprting Number and Type f Prductin Systems Number % Ttal Number % Ttal One System per Farm Single Crp-Rw Crp Single Crp-Grain Drill Single Crp-N Till Single Crp-Bradcast Duble Crp-Rw Crp Duble Crp-Grain Drill Duble Crp-N Till Duble Crp-Bradcast Subttal Tw Systems per Farm Three Systems per Farm Fur Systems per Farm TOTAL Table 4. Sybean Prducers in West Tennessee Using Only the Single Crp-Rw Crp Sybean Prductin System and Other Sybean Prductin Systems and Cmbinatins f Systems. 976 and 98 Sybean Prductin System by Farm- Single Crp-Rw Crp Only All Other Systems and Cmbinatins f Systems TOTAL Number f Prducers Chi Square Statistic b alnfrmatin used t frm categries btained frm Table 3. bx 0 = The extent t which each sybean prductin system was utilized in 976 and 98 was measured bth in terms f the ttal incidence f each system and the ttal sybean acreage planted using each system n the farms analyzed in this study. 6 The relative imprtance f each f the alternative systems in terms f thse tw measures is illustrated in Table 5. 6The ttal incidence f each sybean crpping-planting system is presented in Table 5 as ppsed t the incidence f systems n farms illustrated in Table 3. Since mre than ne system was utilized n sme farms, there were several mre systems bservatins than farm bservatins. 4

7 Table 5. Incidence f Sybean Crpping-Planting Systems and Sybean Acreage Planted by Crpping-Planting System in West Tennessee, 976 and 98 Incidence f Systems Sybean Acreage Planted Number" % Ttal Acres % Ttal Crpping-Planting System Single Crp Rw Crp ,776 6, Grain Drill ,99, VI N Till Bradcast Subttal ,79 9, b Duble Crp Rw Crp ,070 3, Gcain Drill , N Till , Bradcast Subttal b 33.3b,64 0, TOTAL , athe number f systems exceeds the number f farmers respnding t the survey because several farmers indicated crpping-planting system. the use f mre than ne bpercentage subttal des nt equal the sum f individual categry percentages due t runding errr.

8 The single crp-rw crp system was by far the mst imprtant sybean prductin system utilized n the farms analyzed. It accunted fr f the 06 ttal systems bservatins fr 976 and f the ttal sybean acreage planted in 976. The relative imprtance f the single crprw crp system had declined by 98 t just ver 50070f the ttal systems bservatins and abut 67070f the ttal sybean acreage planted. Even s, it remained the mst imprtant sybean prductin system utilized in that year. Tw ther relatively imprtant systems in 976 were the single crp-grain drill and duble crp-rw crp systems which accunted fr and 3.070f the ttal number f systems bservatins, respectively. Althugh the duble crp-rw crp system was reprted mre frequently than the single crp-grain drill system in 976, the single crp-grain drill system was used t plant apprximately.4 times mre sybean acreage in that year than was the duble crp-rw crp system. The single crp-grain drill and duble crp-rw crp systems each accunted fr apprximately the same percentage f ttal systems bservatins in 98 as they had in 976. Hwever, the duble crp-grain drill and duble crp-n till systems each accunted fr a greater percentage f ttal systems bservatins in 98 than they had in 976. The increased utilizatin f thse tw systems between 976 and 98 accunted fr mst f the decline in the relative imprtance f the single crp-rw crp system between thse tw years. Representative Implements and Prductin Practices Sybean prductin peratins and prductin implements and practices representative f thse reprted by prducers using each crpping-planting system in 976 and 98 were determined in carrying ut Objectives and f this study. The prcedure used in identifying representative prductin peratins, implements, and practices is presented belw. Prcedure Farmers wh received the mail questinnaire were asked t indicate the number f times they used each implement and prductin practice n a predetermined list in the prductin f sybeans by each crpping-planting system they utilized. That infrmatin was used in the selectin f representative prductin peratins and representative implements and prductin practices fr each sybean prductin system. 7 The selectin f representative prductin peratins and representative implements and prductin practices included the three steps utlined belw. 7The selectin f representative sybean prductin implements and practices was based n a prcedure reprted by Willard F. Wlf and Patrick D. Leary, Effects (~.rprductin Practices n Sybean Yields, Csts, and Returns, Macn RidRe Area, Luisiana, Luisiana State University, Department f Agricultural Ecnmics Research Reprt 497, December

9 First, representative preharvest sybean prductin peratins were identified fr each prductin system. Each implement and prductin practice n the survey questinnaire was assigned t ne f seven preharvest prductin peratins it culd mst apprpriately be used t perfrm, e.g., a mldbard plw perfrmed primary tillage. The seven preharvest prductin peratins were: B () pre-tillage field preparatin, () primary tillage, (3) secndary tillage, (4) seedbed cnditining, (5) cultivatin, (6) herbicide applicatin, and (7) pesticide applicatin. If mre than 5000 f the farmers utilizing a given crpping-planting system reprted using implements and/r practices assigned t a particular preharvest prductin peratin, that peratin was cnsidered representative f the system being analyzed. Then the implements and/r practices which culd be used t perfrm that peratin were cnsidered during the secnd step f the selectin prcedure. If 50% r mre f the farmers utilizing a given crpping-planting system did nt reprt using implements and/r practices assigned t a particular preharvest prductin peratin, that peratin was nt cnsidered representative f the system being analyzed and it was excluded frm further cnsideratin. Secnd, the implement r practice used mst ften by prducers t perfrm each prductin peratin selected as representative f a given crpping-planting system was included in the representative set f implements and prductin practices fr that system. If tw r mre implements r practices which culd be used t perfrm a given prductin peratin in a given crpping-planting system were reprted by an equal number f sybean prducers, the implement r practice used in the prductin f the largest ttal acreage f sybeans prduced using the system under cnsideratin was chsen as representative f that system. Third, the number f times each representative implement r practice was nrmally used per field fr sybean prductin was determined. The mdal number f times each representative implement r practice was used per field by sybean prducers using a given crpping-planting system was selected as representative f the number f times that implement r practice was used with that system. If the representative number f times a representative implement r practice was used per field was bimdal, the number f times that implement r practice was used in the prductin f the largest ttal acreage f sybeans prduced using the system under cnsideratin was chsen as representative f that system. BAll seven prductin peratins were nt applicable fr each sybean prductin system analyzed. Fr example, primary tillage wuld nt be perfrmed in the prductin f sybeans by a n-till system. 7

10 Results The implements and practices selected as representative f thse used by West Tennessee farmers t perfrm preharvest prductin peratins in 976 and 98 fr eight sybean prductin systems are presented in Tables 6-9. Representative prductin peratins, implements, and practices fr the single crp-n till, single crp-bradcast, duble crp-grain drill, duble crp-n till, and duble crp-bradcast systems shuld be interpreted with cautin because f the limited number f bservatins in ne r bth years (Table 5). The representative peratins perfrmed and the representative implements and practices used t perfrm thse peratins in the prductin f single crp-rw crp sybeans were almst identical in 976 and 98. Representative prductin peratins perfrmed and the implements and practices used t perfrm them in 976 and 98 were als very similar fr the single crp-grain drill system. The principle difference between the tw years analyzed fr bth f thse prductin systems was the number f times certain prductin peratins were perfrmed. Bth secndary tillage and cultivatin were perfrmed less frequently in the prductin f single crp-rw crp sybeans in 98 than in 976. Secndary tillage was als perfrmed less frequently in 98 with the single crp-grain drill system than in 976. Spreading a herbicide-fertilizer cmbinatin replaced ther herbicide applicatin methds as a representative prductin practice between 976 and 98 fr bth the single crp-rw crp and single crp-grain drill systems. Representative prductin peratins perfrmed by farmers grwing duble crp-rw crp sybeans did nt change between 976 and 98. Hwever, changes were bserved in the implements and practices mst cmmnly used in perfrming thse peratins and in the mdal m:mber f times representative implements and practices were used in thse tw years. The chisel plw replaced the mldbard plw between 976 and 98 as the mst cmmnly used primary tillage implement fr duble crp-rw crp sybean prductin. And pst-emergence herbicides replaced preplant herbicides between 976 and 98 as the herbicide mst frequently applied t duble crp-rw crp sybeans. The mdal frequency f use f bth the tandem disk fr secndary tillage and the rw-crp cultivatr fr cultivatin declined frm twice per field in 976 t nce per field in 98. 8

11 TableS. Representative Implements and Practices Used by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers fr Single-Crp Sybeans by Planting Methd, Planting Methd Rw Crp Grain Drill Bradcast Type f Implement r Operatin Practice Times Used per Field Implement r Times Used Implement r Times Used Practice per Field Practice per Field Pre-Tillage Preparatin \0 Primary Tillage Secndary Tillage Chisel Plw Tandem Disk Chisel Plw Mldbard Plw Tandem Disk 3 Tandem Disk Seedbed Cnditining Cultimulcher Cultimulcher Cultimulcher Cultivatin Rw Crp NA NA Herbicide Applicatin Preplant Preemergence Fertilizer Cmbinatin Pesticide Applicatin athe single crp-n till sybean system was nt used in 976 by any farmers respnding t the survey. : Prductin peratin nt representative fr sybean prductin system indicated. NA: Prductin peratin nt applicable fr sybean prductin system indicated.

12 Table 7. Representative Implements and Practices Used by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers fr Single-Crp Sybeans by Planting Methd. 98 Planting Methd Rw Crp Grain Drill N Till Bradcast Type f Implement r Times Used Implement r Times Used Implement r Times Used Implement r Times Used Operatin Practice per Field Practice per Field Practice per Field Practice Per Field Pre-Tillage Preparatin NA Primary Tillage Chisel Plw Chisel Plw NA Chisel Plw 0 Secndary Tillage Tandem Disk Tandem Disk NA Tandem Disk Seedbed Cnditining Cultimulcher Cultimulcher NA Cultimulcher Cultivatin Rw Crp NA NA NA Herbicide Applicatin Fertilizer Fertilizer Pst- Fertilizer Cmbinatin Cmbinatin Emergencea Cmbinatin Pesticide Applicatin athis result is cntrary t apriri expectatins. The small number f bservatins (4) fr this system may be the reasn this unexpected result was btained. : Prductin peratin nt representative fr sybean prductin system indicated. NA: Prductin peratin nt applicable fr sybean prductin system indicated.

13 Table 8. Representative Implements and Practices Used by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers fr Duble-Crp Sybeans by Planting Methd 976 a Planting Methd Rw Crp Grain Drill N Till Type f Operatin Implement r Practice Times Used per Field Implement r Practice Times Used per Field Implement r Practice Times Used per Field Pre-Tillage Preparatin Burn Straw Burn Straw... Primary Tillage... Mldbard Plw Secndary Tillage Tandem Disk Tandem Disk NA NA Seedbed Cnditining Cultimulcher NA Cultivatin Rw Crp NA NA Herbicide Applicatin Preplant Preplant Burndwn Pesticide Applicatin athe duble crp-bradcast system was nt used i!l976 by any farmers respnding t the survey. : Prductin peratin nt representative fr sybean prductin system indicated. NA: Prductin peratin nt applicable fr sybean prductin system indicated.

14 Table 9. Representative Implements and Practices Used by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers fr Duble-Crp Sybeans by Planting Methd, 98 Planting Methd Rw Crp Grain Drill N Till Bradcast Type f Implement r Times Used Implement r Times Used Implement r Times Used Implement r Times Used Operatin Practice per Field Practice per Field Practice per Field Practice per Field - Primary tv Pre- Tillage Preparatin Remve Straw. Remve Straw Tillage Chisel Plw NA Secndary Tillage Tandem Disk Tandem Disk NA Tandem Disk Seedbed Cnditining Cultimulcher Cultimulcher NA Cultivatin Rw Crp NA NA NA Herbicide Applicatin Pst- Pst- Pst- Fertilizer Emergence Emergence Emergence Cmbinatin Pesticide Applicatin Straw remval accmplished by either burning r baling. Specific methd f remval nt ascertained in this year. : Prductin peratin nt representative fr sybean prductin system indicated. NA: Prductin peratin applicable fr sybean prductin system indicated.

15 Sybean Prductin Systems Changes: The farmers surveyed wh prduced sybeans in 98 were asked t indicate which f the eight specified sybean prductin systems they had used in 976 in rder t assess the changes they had made in prd.uctin systems during that perid. Additinally, grwers wh changed sybean prductin systems were asked t indicate any advantages and/r disadvantages which they had experienced as a result f the change. The same system(s) was used in bth 976 and 98 by abut f the farmers prducing sybeans in 98. Apprximately 35 % f the farmers prducing sybeans in 98 reprted using different systems in 976 and 98 and 5.8% f them had nt prduced sybeans in 976 (Table 0). The majrity f the sybean grwers wh changed prductin systems between 976 and 98 instituted changes which invlved discntinuing ne system and adpting anther (Table ). A change frm the single crp-rw crp system in 976 t sme ther system in 98 was the mst cmmn ne reprted by sybean grwers. Over 54% f the farmers reprting prductin system changes between 976 and 98 made such a change. Mre farmers changed frm the single crp-rw crp t the duble crp-n till system than frm any ther ne prductin system t anther. That change was made by 7.4% f all farmers reprting changing prductin systems between 976 and 98. Table 0. Sybean Prductin System Changes Reprted by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers Sybean Prducers in 98 Using Same System(s! as in 976 Using Different System(s! Than in 976a Nt Prducing Sybeans in 976 TOTAL Prducers Reprting Number % Ttal aa systems used in 98 by a prducer in this categry were nt necessarily different frm thse used in 976. Hwever, all prducers in this categry reprted using at least ne system in 98 which they had nt used in 976. Advantages and Disadvantages f Sybean Prductin System Changes Advantages and disadvantages f sybean prductin system changes reprted by farm peratrs were analyzed nly fr a change frm the single crp-rw crp system t anther prductin system. The analysis f advantages and disadvantages f changing prductin systems was restricted t nly that ne type f change in rder t directly link prducer respnses 3

16 t a specific change in prductin systems. In additin, prductin system changes frm the traditinal single crp-rw crp system t the single crp-grain drill, duble crp-rw crp, duble crp-grain drill, r duble crp-n till systems accunted fr ver f the changes reprted by prducers (Table ).9 The mst frequently cited advantages f changing frm the single crp-rw crp t a single crp-grain drill prductin system were "reduced sil ersin" and "less labr required" (Table ). Bth "fewer weed prblems" and "lwer capital investment" were als cited as advantages f that change by ver f the farmers wh made it. Farmers wh had changed frm the single crp-rw crp system t the single crp-grain drill system reprted experiencing fewer disadvantages than advantages as a result f the change. The mst frequently cited disadvantage f that change in prductin systems was "mre weed prblems" (Table 3). Table. Sybean Prductin System Changes Reprted by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers Using Different System(s) in 98 than in 976 Prductin System Change (S)8 One System 976 t Anther System 98 System Used 976 System Used 98 SC-RC SC-RC SC-RC SC-RC SC-GD DC-GO SC-BC DC-NT SC-BC SC-GD DC-RC SC-GD One System 976 t Tw Systems 98 One System 976 t Three Systems 98 Tw Systems 976 t One System 98 SC-GD DC-RC DC-GO DC-NT SC-RC SC-RC SC-RC SC-RC DC-BC DC-GC DC-GO DC-NT Subttal TOTAL Prducers Reprting Number % Ttal aeach cmbinatin cnsists f ne crpping practice and ne planting methd. The cdes fr designating crpping practices are: SC = single crp, DC = duble crp. The cdes fr designating planting methds are RC= rw crp, GO= grain drill, BC= bradcast, NT = n till. Thus, the cde SC-RC represents a single crp-rw crp system. 9This analysis f advantages and disadvantages f sybean prductin system changes shuld be cnsidered as nly tentative. The number f farmers reprting anyne f the fur changes discussed was relatively small. Additinal bservatin shuld be btained befre inferences are made abut the advantages and disadvantages sybean grwers are likely t experience as a result f a given change in prductin systems. 4

17 Table. Advantages Experienced by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers as a Result f Changing frm Single Crp-Rw Crp Prductin System in 976 t Anther Sybean Prductin System in 98 Prducer Respnses Change in System Advantages f Change Reduced Cst/Acre Increased Yield Reduced Sil Ersin Fewer Weed Prblems Less Labr Required Less Yield Variability Lwer Capital Investment Other System Used Fllwing Change" SC-GD DC-RC DC-GO DC-NT Prducers Reprting aeach system cnsists f ne crpping practice and ne planting methd. The cdes fr designating crpping practices are: SC = single crp, DC = duble crp. The cdes fr designating planting methds are: RC = rw crp, GO = grain drill, BC = bradcast, NT = n till. Thus, the cde SC~GDrepresents a single crp~grain drill system. Table 3. Disadvantages Experienced by West Tennessee Sybean Prducers as a Result f Changing frm Single Crp-Rw Crp Prductin System in 976 t Anther Sybean Prductin System in 98 Prducer Respnses Change in System Disadvantages f Change Increased Cst/Acre Decreased Yield Increased Sil Ersin Mre Weed Prblems Mre Labr Required Mre Yield Variability Higher Capital Investment Other System Used Fllwing Change" SC-GD DC-RC DC-GO DC-NT 5 - Prducers Reprting aeach system cnsists f ne crpping practice and ne planting methd. The cdes fr designating crpping practices are: SC = single crp, DC = duble crp. The cdes fr designating planting methds are RC = rw crp, GO = grain drill, BC = bradcast, NT = n till. Thus, the cde SC-GD represents a single crp~grain drill system. 5

18 The fact that sme farmers experienced "fewer weed prblems" while thers experienced "mre weed prblems" after changing frm the single crp-rw crp t the single crp-grain drill system indicates that unifrm results with respect t weed prblems shuld nt be expected frm that change. The advantage experienced mst ften by sybean prducers making a change frm a single crp-rw crp t a duble crp-rw crp prductin system was "reduced sil ersin." "Reduced cst/acre" was als cited as an advantage by f the prducers invlved in this type f prductin system change. The disadvantage mst frequently reprted in cnjunctin with changing frm the single crp-rw crp t the duble crp-rw crp system was "higher capital investment." "Reduced sil ersin" was the advantage experienced mst ften by peratrs making a change frm a single crp-rw crp t a duble crpgrain drill system. Other advantages reprted by at least f thse farmers instituting that change were "reduced cst/acre," "fewer weed prblems," "less labr required," and "lwer capital investment." The disadvantage farmers mst frequently experienced after changing frm the single crp-rw crp t the duble crp-grain drill system was "mre weed prblems." Cntradictry experiences were reprted with respect t "weed prblems" by farmers making that prductin system change. Operatrs changing frm a single crp-rw crp t a duble crp-n till prductin system reprted the advantage f "less labr required" mst frequently. "Reduced sil ersin" was the secnd leading advantage experienced by farmers making that change. The disadvantage experienced mst frequently by farmers changing frm the single crp-rw crp system t the duble crp-n till system was "mre weed prblems." Summary The purpse f this study was t prvide infrmatin t farm peratrs and agricultural research and extensin persnnel which will be useful in evaluating alternative sybean prductin systems. The bjectives f this study were t: () identify sybean prductin systems used by West Tennessee farmers in 976 and 98, () analyze changes which ccurred between 976 and 98 in the sybean prductin systems used by West Tennessee farmers, and (3) summarize the advantages and disadvantages f changing sybean prductin systems experienced by West Tennessee farmers. The principal data surces fr this study were mail surveys f tw randm samples f farm peratrs in Tennessee Crp Reprting Service Districts and. Infrmatin abut sybean prductin in 976 was btained in the first survey cnducted in 977 and a secnd survey in 98 was the surce f sybean prductin infrmatin fr the 98 crp year. Respndents t bth surveys indicated which ne(s) f eight predetermined sybean prductin systems they used and the number f times per field 6

19 they used selected prductin implements and/r cultural practices with each prductin system they used. Respndents t the 98 survey als indicated the sybean prductin system(s) they had used in 976. If the respndents changed prductin systems between 976 and 98, they identified the advantages and/r disadvantages they experienced as a result f the change. Sybean prducers used duble-crp systems mre widely in 98 than they had in 976, but the single crp-rw crp system was the mst imprtant prductin methd in bth years. It was the nly system used by 7.3% f the farmers in 976 and by f the farmers in 98. Althugh the percentage f ttal sybean acreage planted by the single crp-rw crp system declined between 976 and 98, 66.8% f the sybean acreage was still planted by that system in 98. Representative prductin peratins perfrmed in 976 and 98 by sybean grwers using a given prductin system were almst identical. Hwever, several changes ccurred between 976 and 98 in the implements and practices which were representative f thse used t perfrm varius prductin peratins by farmers prducing sybeans by a given system. And the mdal number f times several representative implements and practices were used per field in the prductin f sybeans by a given system declined between 976 and 98. Apprximately 35 percent f the farmers prducing sybeans in 98 had changed sybean prductin systems between 976 and 98. The majrity f thse changes were frm the single crp-rw crp system in 976 t ne f fur ther systems in 98: single crp-grain drill, duble crp-rw crp, duble crp-grain drill, and duble crp-n till. The advantages experienced mst frequently by farmers making ne f thse fur changes were: "reduced sil ersin," "decreased labr," "reduced cst per acre," and "reduced capital investment." The disadvantage experienced mst frequently by grwers changing frm a single crp-rw crp system t ne f thse fur systems was' 'mre weed prblems." 7

20 Bibligraphy Jhnsn, David R. and Maurice R. Gebhardt. "A Systems Apprach t Sybean Prductin," Sybean News, Octber 975, Vl. 7, N.. McArthur, W. C. Sybean Prductin Practices and Csts in the United States, The University f Gergia Cllege f Agriculture Experiment Statin Research Reprt N. 360, Octber 980. Miller, William Alan. "Identificatin and Ecnmic Analysis f Alternative Sybean Prductin Systems," (unpublished Master's Thesis, The University f Tennessee, Knxville, 978). Mrris, Richard Dnald. "Sybean Prductin Systems Used in West Tennessee: 976 and 98," (unpublished Master's Thesis, The University Of Tennessee, Knxville, 983). Paxtn, Kenneth W. Cttn and Sybean Prductin Csts and Returns, Estimates fr Luisiana fr 978, Luisiana State University, Department f Agricultural Ecnmics Research Reprt N. 58, January 978. Tennessee Crp Reprting Service, Tennessee Agricultural Statistics, Annual Bulletin T-4, Nashville, Tennessee, 977. Tennessee Crp Reprting Service, Tennessee Agricultural Statistics, Annual Bulletin T-9, Nashville, Tennessee, 98. Wlf, Willard F. and Patrick D. Leary. Effects f Prductin Practices n Sybean Yields, Csts, and Returns, Macn Ridge Area, Luisiana, Luisiana State University, Department f Agricultural Ecnmics Research Reprt N. 497, December 975. Wlf, Willard F., Blake J. Vidrine, and Adlf Martinez. Csts and Returns fr Sybeans, Suthwest Luisiana Rice Area, Prjectins fr 977, Luisiana State University, Department f Agricultural Ecnmics Research Reprt N. 5, December 976.

21 THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE 3796 Ell-04S-OO.()()4-84 Agricultural Cmmittee, Bard f Trustees Edward J. Bling, President f the University; William M. Jhnsn, Chairman; William H. Walker, Cmmissiner f Agriculture, Vice Chairman; Jack J. Craddck; James F. Harrisn; Ben S. Kimbrugh; Turner O. Lashlee; W. W. Armistead, Vice President fr Agriculture STATION OFFICERS Administratin Edward J. Bling, President W. W. Armistead, Vice President fr Agriculture B. H. Pentecst, Assistant Vice President D. M. Gssett, Dean T. J. Whatley, Assciate Dean J. I. Sewell, Assistant Dean O. Clintn Shelby, Directr f Business Affairs Fletcher Luck, Directr f Services Department Heads J. A. Martin, Agricultural Ecnmics and Rural Scilgy D. H. Luttrell, Agricultural Engineering D. O. Richardsn, Animal Science Priscilla N. White, Child and Family Studies Carrll J. Suthards, Entmlgy and Plant Pathlgy Betty R. Carruth, Nutritin and Fd Sciences J. T. Miles, Fd Technlgy and Science Gary Schneider, Frestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries G. D. Crater, Ornamental Hrticulture and Landscape Design L. F. Seatz, Plant and Sil Science Jacqueline Y. Dejnge, Textiles, Merchandising and Design BRANCH STATIONS Ames Plantatin, Grand Junctin, James M. Andersn, Superintendent Dairy Experiment Statin, Lewisburg, J. R. Owen, Superintendent Frestry Experiment Statin: Lcatins at Oak Ridge, Tullahma, and Wartburg, Richard M. Evans, Superintendent Highland Rim Experiment Statin, Springfield, L. M. Safley, Superintendent Knxville Experiment Statin, Knxville, Jhn Hdges III, Superintendent Martin Experiment Statin, Martin, H. A. Hendersn, Superintendent Middle Tennessee Experiment Statin, Spring Hill, J. W. High, Jr., Superintendent Milan Experiment Statin, Milan, Jhn F. Bradley, Superintendent Plateau Experiment Statin, Crssville, R. D. Freeland, Superintendent Tbacc Experiment Statin, Greeneville, Philip P. Hunter, Superintendent West Tennessee Experiment Statin, Jacksn, James F. Brwn, Superintendent