Examining the Potential of Conservation Practices to Maximize Subfield Profitability and Environmental Benefits

GIS Seminar

Examining the Potential of Conservation Practices to Maximize Subfield Profitability and Environmental Benefits

Haleigh Summers, GIS certificate candidate, sustainable agriculture

Advisors:

Brian Gelder, research manager, agricultural and biosystems engineering, and adjunct assistant professor, community and regional planning

John Tyndall, associate professor, natural resource ecology and management

Emily Zimmerman, assistant professor, natural resource ecology and management

Abstract

Around 5-15% of an average farm field in Iowa regularly has low yields due to soil properties and landscape position, resulting in lower profitability than the surrounding field and often net financial loss (Muth, 2014). While these unprofitable areas may make economic sense for conversion to conservation practices, it remains unclear if these locations are also the best opportunities to address resource concerns or enhance environmental benefits, such as reduced soil erosion and nutrient loss.

I will examine how often the least profitable areas of fields overlap with areas where a conservation practice could be placed to maximize spatially-determined environmental benefits. This research will provide insights into if subfield profitable areas are ideal placement for conservation practices and what possible financial incentives exist.