A DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF NITRATE LEACHING IN CORN PRODUCTION UNDER NON UNIFORMIRRIGATION CONDITIONS

Authors: VICKNER, S - UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY; HOAG, D - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY; FRASIER, W - COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY; Ascough Ii, James

Submitted to: American Journal of Agricultural Economics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: This paper develops a dynamic economic model that includes control variables for both nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water to analyze inter-seasonal corn production and nitrate leaching in the presence of irrigation system nonuniformity. The economic model is used to estimate profit maximizing nutrient management plans under varying levels of system uniformity. The model is also used to appraise several policy options that have been proposed in the nitrate leaching literature as a means of regulating water quality. Investments in technology are considered, as well as limits on nitrate leaching, nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water.

Technical Abstract: This paper develops a dynamic economic model that includes control variables for both nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water to analyze inter-seasonal corn production and nitrate leaching in the presence of irrigation system nonuniformity. The economic model is used to estimate profit maximizing nutrient management plans under varying levels of system uniformity. The model is also used to appraise several policy options that have been proposed in the nitrate leaching literature as a means of regulating water quality. Investments in technology are considered, as well as limits on nitrate leaching, nitrogen fertilizer and irrigation water.