Using Response Surface Methodology for Economic and Environmental Trade-offs at the Farm Level. Issue 6 (January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ascough, James C.; Fathelrahman, Eihab M.; Hoag, Dana L.
• Is Part Of: Air, soil and water research. Volume 2013:Issue 6(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-01
• Subjects: response surface method -- trade-off analysis -- environmental impacts -- nitrogen -- optimization; Air quality -- Research -- Periodicals; Soil science -- Periodicals; Water quality -- Research -- Periodicals; Conservation of natural resources -- Research -- Periodicals; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Agricultural conservation -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7
• DOI: 10.4137/ASWR.S11697
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1178-6221

Abstract

United States farmers typically spend over $10 billion annually on commercial fertilizer. Chemical inputs such as nitrogen (N) are essential for maintaining crop yields; however, farmers often apply excessive N inputs as an insurance policy. Nitrogen fertilizer consumption in the U.S. quadrupled from 3 million metric tons in 1961 to over 12 million metric tons in 2004, and per ha N fertilizer use quadrupled. Increase in N use has been associated with the impairment of U.S. streams, lakes, and aquifers. The objective of this research study was to develop an integrated farm-level economic/environmental risk framework for trade-off analysis between farm profitability and environmental externalities (impacts). Results indicated that there was no single point of optimal trade-off between farm profitability and the environment. Additionally, trade-offs between farm profit and environmental impacts varied significantly depending on the choice of cropping or tillage system.