Precision Agriculture, Grower Profitability, and Resource Conservation

Transcription

1 Precision Agriculture, Grower Profitability, and Resource Conservation Ryan Heiniger Director of Agriculture & Conservation 26 June 2018

2 Outline 1) Pheasants Forever / Quail Forever Background 2) Defining Sustainability 3) Precision Ag for Precision Conservation 4) Opportunities to Partner

3 A Grassroots Habitat Organization Our Mission. Pheasants Forever is dedicated to the conservation of pheasants, quail and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public awareness, education, and land management policies and programs Text United States 140,000 Members 750 Chapters

4 First Project c Kandiyohi Co. MN

5 What We re Known For

6 What We Actually Do - Habitat

7 Father of Soil Conservation With stripping off of the natural vegetation we have lost both the soil itself and the wildlife that found food and refuge in the vegetation. If that be so, then it is perfectly logical that the only real, permanent cure for erosion is a coordinated plan of land treatment, with heavy reliance on vegetation, and that the proper handling of vegetation for the control of erosion will in a large degree restore conditions suitable for wildlife. - Hugh Hammond Bennett, 1938

8 Defining Sustainability - USDA The core concept of sustainability is that lasting success (and avoiding crises) requires an integrated approach to producing food and other products; farm profitability; quality of life for farmers, workers, and communities; and stewardship of natural resources.

9 Defining Sustainability - ASA One approach to sustainable agriculture is the practice of precision agriculture: an information technology-based management system that uses data obtained from GPS, and integrates the data into GIS. These new spatial tools are used with yield, rate, and other information to better manage the timing and application of fertilizers thereby reducing the impact on the environment and increasing the cost-effectiveness for farmers.

10 Defining Sustainability - Political It is hard to be green when you re in the red -Paul Torkelson, Farmer & MN State Representative

11 Defining Sustainability - Grower Production agriculture is a business. You have to make enough money to farm again next year. The hard truth is that farmers don t care about soil health or water quality if they can t afford to farm again the next season. So true sustainability means that you are making a profit. -AJ Blair, 2016 IA Cattlemen Environmental Stewardship Award Recipient

12 Defining Sustainability PF/QF Sustainability utilizes the best technology and a collaborative approach to continuously improve soil, water, wildlife habitat and hunting traditions for future generations while striving for landowner profitability on each acre.

13 Defining UnSustainability Bad agronomy + precision ag = bad agronomy applied precisely - Author unknown

14 Defining UnSustainability Definition of insanity is doing same thing over and over and expecting different results.

15 Then for each acre of a field consider: Input Expenses $100/acre > Breakeven Commodity Price 2 years = Unsustainable

16 The Case for Precision Conservation

17 2.5 Million Acres in 2013! Source: Brandes etal. Subfield profitability analysis reveals an economic case for cropland Diversification. Environmental Research Letters, 2016.

18 Our Precision Principles Subfield Profitability/ROI Focused Farmer Directed 100% Voluntary Customized Crop Budgets Entire Enterprise Working Lands

19 Precision Ag Optimal Workflow Increased ROI & profitability Farmer Conservation Cover Options Presented to Landowner Conservation Planning NRCS/Private Land Wildlife Biologist/Farm Bill Biologist Revenue Negative Acres Agronomist ROI Based Analysis PF/QF Precision Ag & Conservation Specialist

20 Solutions to Grow ROI on Every Acre State/Federal Conservation Programs Small grains Forage Production Pasture Restoration Pollinator Habitat Emerging Market (Kernza?) Cover Crop Seed Production

21 Iowa CRP/Wetlands Harrison County, IA Corn/Soybean rotation Harrison County, IA CRP-CP23

22 Field Level Performance

23 North Dakota Salinity LaMoure County, ND (Profit Map) Corn/Soybean Rotation LaMoure County, ND Corn/Soybean Rotation + Forage Barley for Saline Soil remediation + hay production

24 SW Corner, looking South May 16, 2018

25 Field Level Performance Before: Soybean After: Forage Barley in Saline areas

26 Minnesota Cover Crop Seed Douglas County, MN (ROI Map) Corn/SB Rotation Douglas County, MN (ROI Map) Corn/SB/Oat CC Seed Rotation

27 Field Level Performance

28 Minnesota Pollinator Habitat Chisago County, MN (ROI Map) Corn/SB Rotation Chisago County, MN (ROI Map) Corn/SB Rotation with RCPP Pollinator Habitat

29 Field Level Performance

30 Wisconsin Deer Food Plot Dunn County, WI (Profit Map) Corn/Soybean Rotation Dunn County, WI (Profit Map) Corn/Soybean Rotation + Sunflower and Field Border

31 Field Level Performance

32 Before & After

33 2018 PF Precision Farmer of the Year We do everything we can to make a living and let wildlife make a living too. It makes me real proud to be managing our land this way. The generations before us always took care of the land. But with precision agriculture, you can do so much more. -Jeff Lake Boyceville WI

34 Twitter Survey Says

35 Opportunities to Partner

36 PF/QF Professional Technical Staff

37 Summary Sub-field planning is key Innovation requires challenging convention practices Data analyses and alternatives take time Consider wildlife along with soil & water We are ready to listen, partner & assist

38 Acknowledgements

39 Ecologically Based Weed Management Matt Liebman Iowa State University 26 June 2018

40 Agricultural sustainability requires: (1) regeneration or replacement of key resources, (2) reduction of pollution to levels that can be assimilated or detoxified Resource use Product distribution Resources Pollutant emissions Farms Payment Food and beverage companies, consumers

41 Agriculture currently relies heavily on herbicides Annual application of active ingredients: U.S. 678 million lb. Worldwide 2.85 billion lb. Source: Source: US EPA (2017)

42 Herbicide resistant weeds are a critical challenge Weed resistance to herbicides has been documented for populations of at least 254 weed species worldwide. Weeds have evolved resistance to 23 of the 26 known herbicide sites of action and to 163 different herbicides. Herbicide resistant weeds have been reported in 92 crops in 70 countries. Source: Ian Heap, WeedScience.org, 2018

43 HG2 (ALS): imazethapyr HG5: atrazine HG9: glyphosate HG14 (PPO): lactofen HG27 (HPPD): mesotrione Source: Owen (2017)

44 Herbicide-resistant weed biotypes are increasing, but few new herbicide sites of action are expected Source: Westwood et al. (2018), doi: /wsc

45 Resource depletion The increase in evolved herbicide resistance, coupled with the lack of new mechanisms of action, threatens to make almost all existing herbicides unusable by Westwood et al. (2018), doi: /wsc

46 Off-site movement of herbicides and their toxic effects on non-target organisms constitute significant pollution problems.

47 Estimates of dicamba-injured soybean acreage as reported by state extension weed scientists, 2017 Total: ~3.6 million acres Source:

48 Herbicides and insecticides detected in U.S. streams and rivers ( ) Stone et al. (2014), Environ. Sci. Tech., doi: /es

49 Ecologically Based Weed Management EBWM weaves together multiple management tactics. It does not exclude the use of herbicides, but emphasizes ecological processes that suppress weeds at many life stages. By spreading the burden of crop protection across multiple tactics, EBWM reduces risks of failure and crop loss. By minimizing reliance on herbicides, EBWM can reduce selection for resistance and better protect environmental quality. Diverse cropping systems that maximize stress and mortality factors acting on weeds form the core of EBWM strategies.

50 Seedling survival Seedlings Adults Seedling recruitment Annual Weed Life Cycle Seed production Seed bank Seed survival Seeds

51 Precision cultivation with System Cameleon, Sweden Camera + computer for real-time lateral adjustment during seeding, fertilizing, cultivating, intercropping (Source: E. Gallandt)

52 A seed destructor in Australia grinding weed seeds in crop chaff passing through the combine Photo courtesy of John Millhouse

53 Seed Predation Harpalus rufipes consuming barnyardgrass seeds

54 Cropping system effects on wild oat after 18 years, Scott, SK Type of cropping system All annual Crop sequence canola-rye-peabarley-flax-wheat Annualperennial barley-alfalfa-alfalfaalfalfa-canola-wheat Wild oat panicle density (no./m 2 ) Wild oat resistance to ACC-inhibiting herbicides (%) 6.8 a 42.3 a 0.7 b 2.7 b Source: Beckie et al. (2014), doi: /cjps

55 Using data and models to develop better weed management strategies

56 Giant ragweed Ambrosia trifida University of Illinois Extension photo/lyle Paul

57 Giant Ragweed Populations Resistant to ALS-inhibitors and/or Glyphosate Regnier et al. (2016),

58 But giant ragweed has several vulnerabilities. High rates of seed consumption by predators (e.g., rodents, invertebrates, and birds) Short lifetime of seeds in and on the soil (i.e., it has a transient seedbank rather than a persistent seedbank) Relatively low rates of seed production (1,000s rather than 10,000s or 100,000s) Late summer/fall maturation

59 Model assumptions (1) Row crops (e.g., corn, soy) can be cultivated or sprayed, but weed control is less than 100% effective. (2) Solid seeded crops that are harvested in mid-summer (e.g., forages, winter cereals) can prevent reproduction by giant ragweed, without being cultivated or sprayed.

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62 Model results (1) Diversifying corn-soybean rotations with winter cereals and forages should reduce the level of weed control required to prevent an increase in giant ragweed population density. (2) Higher control efficacy in diversified systems should give better results than in simpler systems. Rotation length 2-year: Row-Row 4-year: Solid-Solid-Row-Row Control efficacy needed in row crops 99.0% 90.7%

63 Field testing: how does cropping system diversification affect weeds, yields, profits, and environmental quality in the central Corn Belt?

64 2-year rotation: corn-soybean 4-year rotation: corn-soybean-oat/alfalfa-alfalfa Plots are 60 x 275 each, all phases of each rotation present every year 2001 and 2002: base-line sampling / : start-up period 2006-present: mature period ISU Marsden Farm, Boone Co., IA

65 Mean annual herbicide use, Crop and herbicide groups used Herbicide use 2-year rotation lb a.i./acre 4-year rotation Corn (2, 15, 27) Soybean (9, 14) Oat -- 0 Alfalfa -- 0 Rotation average Reduction -50%

66 Mean yields, Sources: Hunt et al. (2017) and unpublished data, doi: /acs.est.6b04086 Rotation Corn Soybean Oat Alfalfa Yield bu/acre bu/acre bu/acre tons/acre 2-year 191 b 48 b year 200 a 59 a

67 Weed biomass, : low in corn and soybean phases of both systems, greater in oat and alfalfa Weed biomass, lb/acre Rotation Corn Soybean Oat Alfalfa 2-year 1.7 a 1.0 a year 1.8 a 0.3 a Within columns, means followed by the same letter do not differ significantly. Sources: Hunt et al. (2017) and unpublished data, doi: /acs.est.6b04086

68 Cropping system diversification led to equivalent profitability and less herbicide ecotoxicity Rotation 2-year 4-year Annual net returns to land and management, ($/acre, whole rotation) Annual freshwater toxicity load of herbicides, (CTUe/acre, whole rotation) 331 a 349 a 1914 a 957 b Sources: Hunt et al. (2017) and unpublished data, doi: /acs.est.6b04086

69 Additional environmental effects of cropping system diversification less soil compaction greater soil water content during drought more earthworms more microbial biomass

70 Ecologically based weed management strategies can protect productivity and profitability and improve environmental performance. They are thus key components of sustainable farming systems.

71 Factors limiting sustainable soybean production Matt O Neal Iowa State University 26 June 2018

72 What is sustainable agriculture? 1990 Farm Billhttps:// sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant and animal production practices that Satisfy human food and fiber needs, Enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base, Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls, Sustain economic viability of farm operations and, Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.

73 Midwest soybean pests - Before 2000 Few soybean insect pests ~ 0 soybean acres treated with insecticides (USDA estimate).

74 Midwest soybean pests - After 2000

75 Changes in environmental impacts of major crops in the US. Yi and Suh As a result [of the soybean aphid s invasion of the US], the total quantity of insecticides applied to soybean quadrupled between 2001 and 2012."

76 130-fold increase in insecticide use to soybean since the soybean aphid arrived in the US. Ragsdale et al. 2011

77 Resistance: A consequence of increased insecticide use Figure 2. Counties with reported failures of pyrethroids for control of soybean aphid. Red-shaded counties indicate those from which Extension entomologists received reports of failures. (Maps courtesy of B. Potter, University of Minnesota)

78 Resistance to Insecticides Global Pesticide Resistance in Arthropods, 2008, Ed. Whalon, Mota-Sanchez, and Hollingworth

79 How to fight resistance and grow soybeans more sustainably? 1. Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) 2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 3. Use multiple tactics.

80 1. Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) A technical group of CropLife with a mission to: Facilitate communication and education on insecticide and traits resistance. Promote insecticide resistance management (IRM) strategies to maintain efficacy and support sustainable agriculture and improved public health. 10

81 IRM and IRAC continued Rotation of insecticides for the purposes of resistance management should be based entirely on difference in mode of action. IRAC 29 different modes of action (MOA) organized by the physiological functions affected: Nerve & Muscle, Growth, Respiration, Midgut, Unknown Only three MOAs for soybean aphids. Avoid prophylactic/preventative use of insecticides. 11

82 How to fight resistance and grow soybeans more sustainably? 1. Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) 2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 3. Use multiple tactics.

83 Probability of cost effective management of soybean aphid * 4 methods compared in 3 states over 3 years: untreated control = no insecticides. Prophylactic = insecticide & fungicide applied to foliage when soybeans flower. Seed-treatment = Cruiser, seed-treatment only. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach = fields scouted and insecticide applied as needed. *Johnson et al Journal of Economic Entomology 102:

84 SBA is a highly variable pest (especially in Iowa) economic injury level economic threshold 14

85 Type & application of insecticides Treatment Insecticide Time of Application Control None NA Preventative Pyrethroid + Fungicide R1-R2 Soybean aphid IPM Pyrethroid 250 aphids per plant Seed treatment Neonicotinoid before planting (Photo by R. C. Kemerait, Jr.)

86 Experimental locations

87 Yields by treatment: all years & locations Mean yield bu per acre (+SEM) Significant difference among treatments. A A A B Control Prophylactic IPM Seed treatment

88 Probability of cost effective management of soybean aphid* *Johnson et al Journal of Economic Entomology 102:

89 High-input management systems effect on soybean seed yield, yield components, and economic break-even probabilities. Orlowski et al In each site-year both individual inputs and combination highinput (SOYA) management systems were tested.

90 Orlowski et al.2016 A single application of an insecticide exceeded the gain threshold from 37%-93% across a range of increasing values.

91 How to fight resistance and grow soybeans more sustainably? 1. Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) 2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) 3. Use multiple tactics. Biological control Host Plant Resistance Make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and integrate, where appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls

92 The enemy of my enemy is my friend USDA released Aphelinus glycinis in the US in Aphid mummies now commonly found in Michigan, Ontario Canada.

93 Which is the aphid-resistant soybean?

94 Aphid resistance protects soybean yield (Untreated Aphid Free) Yield, bushels per acre (±SEM) Susceptible Rag1 Rag2 Rag1+2 * * * NS = Significant loss without insecticide -8 McCarville et al *

95 Summary: how to fight resistance (and grow soybeans more sustainably)? 1. Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) Visit IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) 2. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Avoid prophylactic use of insecticides. 3. Use multiple tactics. Demand aphid-resistant varieties from your seed supplier.

96 If you spray for SBA and suspect performance issues, please let Erin Hodgson know! We want to assess more SBA populations for resistance in 2018 and beyond.

97 But what, there s more.

98 Thank you.

99 Changes in environmental impacts of major crops in the US. Yi and Suh As a result [of the soybean aphid s invasion of the US], the total quantity of insecticides applied to soybean quadrupled between 2001 and 2012."

100 Nerve and muscle Growth and development Respiration Midgut Unknown 1) Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (carbamates and organophosphates) 2) Gaba-gated chloride channel blockers (cyclodiene organochlorines and fiproles) 3) Sodium channel modulators (pyrethroids, DDT) 4) Nicotinic acetylchloline receptor competitive modulators (neonicotinoids, sulfoximines) 5) Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor allosteric modulators (spinosyns) 6) Glutamate-gated chloride channel allosteric modulators (avermectins) 9) Chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulators (pyridine azomethine derivatives) 14) Nicotinic acetylchloline receptor channel blocker 19) Octopamine receptor agonists (amitraz) 22) Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers 28) Ryanodine receptor modulators (diamides) 29) Chordotonal organ modulators- undefined target site 7) Juvenile hormone mimics (fenoxycarb, pyripoxyfen) 10) Mite growth inhibitors (clofentezine, etoxazole) 15) Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 0 (benzaylureas) 16) Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, type 1 (buprofezin) 17) Moulting disruptor, dipteran (cyromazine) 18) Ecdysone receptor agonists (diacylhydrazines) 23) Inhibitors of acetyl COA carboxylase (tetronic and tetramic acid derivatives) 12) Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase 13) Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation via disruption of the proton gradient 20) Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors 21) Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors 24) Mitochrondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitors 25) Mitochrondrial complex II electron transport inhibitors 11) Microbial disruptors of insects midgut membranes (Bt) 8) Misc. non-specific (multi-site) inhibitors Unknown compounds, uncertain MOA

101 Group Common name Active ingredients Formulated mixtures 1A methomyl Lannate 1B 3A 4A Insecticides targeting soybean aphids acephate chlorpyrifos dimethoate alpha-cypermethrin Acephate Lorsban Advanced, Chlorpyrifos, Govern, Hatchet, Nufos, Vulcan, Warhawk, Whirlwind, Yuma Dimethoate Fastac beta-cyflufthrin Baythroid Leverage bifenthrin cyfluthrin deltamethrin esfenvalerate Tundra, Sniper, Fanfare, Discipline, Brigade, Bifenture, Reveal Tombstone Delta Gold, Batallion Asana XL, Adjourn gamma-cyhalothrin Declare, Proaxis, Cobalt lambda-cyhalothrin permethrin Warrior II, Grizzly Z, LambdaStar, Lambda-Cy, Lamcap, Province, Silencer VC, Taiga Z Arctic Tundra Supreme, Cobalt, Cobalt Advanced, Stallion, Match-Up Justice, Match-Up, Tundra Supreme, Brigadier, Swagger, Skyraider, Hero, Steed, Triple Crown Besiege, Cobalt Advanced, Double Take, Endigo, Seeker zeta-cypermethrin Mustang Maxx, Respect Hero, Steed, Stallion, Triple Crown acetamiprid chlothianadin imidacloprid Prey, Admire Pro, ADAMA Alias, Wrangler, Nuprid, Sherpa, Leverage, Brigadier, Swagger, Skyraider, Triple Crown thiamethoxam Justice Belay Endigo 4C sulfoxaflor Transform Seeker

102 Can sustainable management be cost effective? USDA-NASS-ERS,

103 Probability of cost effective management of soybean aphid * 4 Treatments in a Randomized Complete Block Design 6 replications of each treatment at each location 3 Years (2005, 2006, and 2007) 3 States (Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota) 2 locations per state *Johnson et al Journal of Economic Entomology 102:

104 Experimental locations

105 Acknowledgements Viking Seed, Dupont Pioneer (for now), ISU Soybean breeders Walter Fehr and Danny Singh

106 Soybean aphid populations Story Co. Iowa Mean aphids per plant +SEM Jun 20-Jun 4-Jul 18-Jul 1-Aug 15-Aug 29-Aug

107 2005- Story County, Iowa Mean yield bu per acre (±SEM) 70 No significant difference among treatments Control Prophylactic IPM

108 2006- Story County, Iowa Mean yield bu per acre (+SEM) No significant difference among treatments Control Prophylactic IPM Seed treatment

109 2007-Story County, Iowa Mean yield bu per acre (+SEM) Significant difference among treatments. A A B C Control Prophylactic IPM Seed treatment