A multi-field bio-economic model of irrigated grain–cotton farming systems

Power, B., Rodriguez, D., deVoil, P., Harris, G. and Payero, J. (2011) A multi-field bio-economic model of irrigated grain–cotton farming systems. Field Crops Research, 124 2: 171-179.


Author Power, B.
Rodriguez, D.
deVoil, P.
Harris, G.
Payero, J.
Title A multi-field bio-economic model of irrigated grain–cotton farming systems
Journal name Field Crops Research  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank A)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2011-11-14
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1016/j.fcr.2011.03.018
Volume number 124
Issue number 2
ISSN 0378-4290; 1872-6852
Start page 171
End page 179
Total pages 9
Place of publication Amsterdam, Netherlands
Publisher Elsevier
Collection year 2012
Language eng
Formatted abstract We present a participatory modelling framework that integrates information from interviews and discussions with farmers and consultants, with dynamic bio-economic models to answer complex questions on the allocation of limited resources at the farm business level. Interviews and discussions with farmers were used to: describe the farm business; identify relevant research questions; identify potential solutions; and discuss and learn from the whole-farm simulations. The simulations are done using a whole-farm, multi-field configuration of APSIM (APSFarm). APSFarm results were validated against farmers’ experience. Once the model was accepted by the participating farmers as a fair representation of their farm business, the model was used to explore changes in the tactical or strategic management of the farm and results were then discussed to identify feasible options for improvement.

Here we describe the modelling framework and present an example of the application of integrative whole farm system tools to answer relevant questions from an irrigated farm business case study near Dalby (151.27E – 27.17S), Queensland, Australia. Results indicated that even though cotton crops generates more farm income per hectare a more diversified rotation with less cotton would be relatively more profitable, with no increase in risk, as a more cotton dominated traditional rotation. Results are discussed in terms of the benefits and constraints from developing and applying more integrative approaches to represent farm businesses and their management in participatory research projects with the aim of designing more profitable and sustainable irrigated farming systems.
Keyword APSIM
Whole farm resources allocation
Farming systems design
Q-Index Code C1
Q-Index Status Confirmed Code
Institutional Status UQ
Additional Notes This Issue Includes a Special Issue Section on: The Use of Field Crop Knowledge in Integrative Inter-Scale Systems Approaches: The Plant, the Field and the Property

Document type: Journal Article
Sub-type: Article
Collections: Official 2012 Collection
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
 
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Created: Wed, 05 Oct 2011, 15:26:39 EST by Kat Payne on behalf of Qld Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation