ESTIMATION OF SOIL EROSION TIME PATHS: THE VALUE OF SOIL MOISTURE AND TOPSOIL DEPTH INFORMATION

Rates of soil erosion in the dryland cropping region of Saskatchewan are investigated under alternative cropping strategies. Chemical fallow is examined as an alternative to tillage fallow for moisture and soil conservation. Conclusions include: (a) flexible cropping increases net discounted returns and substantially reduced soil erosion compared to the predominant crop rotation; (b) chemical fallow is a viable alternative to tillage fallow but only when topsoil already has been eroded substantially; and (c) an increase in the discount rate is soil conserving, since it causes producers to plant more often rather than fallow.