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ARS Home » Plains Area » Mandan, North Dakota » Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #159194
Title: INTEGRATED CROP/LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Author
item Hendrickson, John
item Hanson, Jonathan
item Kronberg, Scott
item KARN, JAMES - RETIRED USDA-ARS
item Tanaka, Donald
item Liebig, Mark

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/25/2003
Publication Date: 11/5/2003
Citation: Hendrickson, J.R., Hanson, J.D., Kronberg, S.L., Karn, J.M., Tanaka, D.L., Liebig, M.A. 2003. Integrated crop/livestock systems in the northern plains: conceptual framework for evaluating alternative management strategies. American Society of Agronomy Abstracts.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Integrating crops and livestock production enterprises may present opportunities to enhance the economic and environmental aspects of agricultural systems. However, currently, many producers are moving away from integrated systems. If integrated systems have advantages, these must be identified and research conducted to enhance potential synergies. This requires a better understanding of the current status of integrated systems and exploration of the limiting factors to successful integration. Development of models to evaluate present livestock-cropping production systems and their interactions is crucial for a more complete understanding of these systems to be accomplished. Much research on integrated crop and livestock systems is conducted on each enterprise separately and then combined to evaluate the whole system. We propose a conceptual model that allows for the linkages between crop and livestock enterprises to be explored more completely. Rather than operate as separate units the enterprises will be totally integrated and outcomes explored on the whole system. This should provide a better understanding of potential synergies and the development of more robust relationships.