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Welcome to Version 3 of the
Crop Sequence Calculator.
This program is designed to assist agricultural managers
determine workable cropping sequences for the northern Great Plains. Cropping systems need to be inherently
flexible to take advantage of economic opportunities and/or adapt to environmental realities. Therefore, this
program applies the principles of
Dynamic Cropping Systems
to help users select cropping sequences best suited
to their particular situation. The research data used to develop
the Crop Sequence Calculator were collected
from
no-till farming
experiments conducted near Mandan, ND from 1998 to 2005. This version (3.1) contains the
previous version (3.0) and adds new information gathered from additional cropping sequence research, as well as
supplemental information related to use of annual crops as
cover crops. Users are asked to
select the appropriate
data set for answering questions unique to their enterprise. The first data set is what we call Phase II. The
Phase II experiment consisted of predominantly cool-season crops, and the weather conditions were considerably
wetter than average. The ten crops used for this phase are shown in the Phase II Crops box below. The Phase III
experiment used some of the same crops as the Phase II, but included other crops considered to be warm-season
crops. These crops are listed in the Phase III Crops box below. The crops used in both phases are highlighted.
Precipitation received during the Phase III experiment was below average.
To use the program, the user should select the appropriate data set to use. This is done by selecting either
the Phase II or Phase III button beside the crop lists.
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