The LTAR integrated common experiment at Southern Plains

Authors: Fortuna, Ann Marie; NORTHUP, BRIAN - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); STARKS, PATRICK - Retired ARS Employee; Moriasi, Daniel; STEINER, JEAN - Kansas State University; PRADEEP, WAGLE - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); Zhang, Xunchang; Flanagan, Paul; Busteed, Phillip; Teet, Stephen; WITT, TRAVIS - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); Hunt, Sherry; Moffet, Corey; Cibils, Andres; Gunter, Stacey

Submitted to: Journal of Environmental Quality
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The southern part of the Great Prairie Grasslands is a region characterized by mild winters, hot summers, small grains, livestock grazing, and low annual rainfall. This ecoregion is subject to highly variable weather and changing climate. Constant dramatic shifts in atmospheric conditions often result in adverse outcomes. Future climate projections indicate that the timing, frequency, and intensity of rainfall can negatively affect current agricultural systems and flood-control structures. The Southern Plains Long Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site is managed by the USDA, Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center. Here, scientists are developing and implementing dynamic, sustainable crop and forage-based beef production systems that perform in highly variable climates. Scientists are also assisting agriculture producers and land and water resource managers by developing and implementing tools to determine the effects of climate, topography, and varying conservation management practices on hydrological structures, water, and soil resources. Together, we can institute sound management practices aimed at ensuring food security while becoming better stewards of the environment.USDA is an equal oportunity provider and employer.

Technical Abstract: The southern Plains (SP) of the United States is a region characterized by mild winters, hot summers, and variable annual rainfall, with perennial grasslands, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), and cattle (Bos taurus) production dominating the agricultural landscapes. Future projections of climate indicate the frequency, and intensity of precipitation may negatively affect current agricultural systems, and flood-control structures in the SP. Integrated wheat livestock systems are business as usual (BAU) and lack alternative management practices that aid in mitigating the effects of climate variability that often reduce the potential for diversifying forage and crop production. Incorporation of rain-fed, minimally tilled cool and warm season cover, or grain crops as aspirational management (ASP) could fill forage gaps, increase grain production, and ground cover potentially reducing sediment and nutrient loading to surface waters, enhance soil health, and water holding capacity. Tools to aid agricultural producers and natural resource managers are being developed and implemented to determine how climate, topography, and varying conservation management practices alter hydrological structures, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water usage, and soil resources. Our research will develop new and improved methods to identify stakeholder behaviors, attitudes, and decisions that link water use, conservation management, and flood control. Application and modeling of the measured outcomes will enable researchers, farmers, ranchers, landowners, and land and water management agencies to evaluate multiple strategies that promote resilient and sustainable systems of agricultural production that are economically feasible and environmentally friendly. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.