Data presented by University of Minnesota Extension Corn Agronomist Dr. Jeff Coulter during the U of M’s Organic Field Day, held July 8, 2010, at the SWROC near Lamberton, demonstrates the long-term productivity of organic cropping systems.
In 1989, the Variable Input Crop Management System (VICMS) trials were initiated on 40 acres of the Elwell Agroecology Farm at the SWROC to evaluate zero-external input; low-external-input; high-external-input; and organic-input management strategies in a 2-year soybean/corn rotation and a 4-year oat/alfalfa/alfalfa/corn-soybean rotation. Crop yields, yield variability, and yield stability were measured over time for these cropping systems.
According to Dr. Coulter, many long-term trials have demonstrated the value of including forage legumes in crop rotations, and this was confirmed in the VICMS research. Read Jim Riddle’s entire article. View
Dr. Coulter’s presentation, including graphs of crop yields and variability. For more information on this research, contact Dr. Coulter at: coult077@umn.edu
