Best Management Practices: How Economical is it in Southern Agricultural Systems?

Conventional drainage systems tend to aggravate runoff and nutrient leaching problems on farms especially during the off-season. This study uses a biophysical economic model to identify, evaluate and determine multifunctional benefits of implementing and establishing nitrogen rate fertilizer application and conservation tillage practices as best management practices (BMPs) in the lower Mississippi River Basin (MRB). Simulation results showed that agricultural producers generally preferred no tillage to conventional tillage in reducing nutrient runoffs from fields because of higher net revenue per acre. Finally, given nitrogen runoff restrictions, farmers reduced crop acreage and nitrogen fertilizer application rates to help minimize losses.