Browsing by Author "Volkmar, K."
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Item The economics of potato crop rotations in southern Manitoba(2003-02-18) Khakbazan, M.; Kularatne, H.; Mohr, R.; Volkmar, K.; Tomasiewicz, D.Rapid expansion of the potato industry in Manitoba has led to increased potato production in Manitoba. While the introduction of potatoes into current cropping systems may provide an opportunity for producers to increase the profitability of their farming operation, development of economically and environmentally sustainable production systems is key to the long-term success of the industry. Currently, little information is available about the economic and environmental impacts of such crop rotations with respect to potato production in Canada. Recognizing the importance of sustainable production systems, in 1998, a potato crop rotation study was established at Manitoba Crop Diversification Center (MCDC) at Carberry to develop recommendations for irrigated potato management in southern Manitoba. Six crop rotations ranging from two to four years in duration, and containing potatoes in combination with oilseed, cereal and/or legume crops, were included in this study. Each phase of each rotation was present in each year making a total of 18 treatments. This paper discusses the economic return of these six different crop rotations. The data with respect to all the production practices, including storage, transport and marketing for the period of 1998 to 2001 were collected and analyzed using a computer model developed for this purpose. Econometrics View software was used to develop this model, and the model takes into account the whole system for each rotation when analyzing the data. The preliminary results suggest that, for the period of 1999 through 2000, both potato-canola and potato-oat-wheat rotations appeared to be promising rotations. However, the poor potato yield of the potato-oatwheat rotation in 2001 resulted in low average net income for that rotation. The higher net benefit of the potato-canola rotation during the time period analyzed was primarily the result of a higher proportion of the tuber yield being of marketable size, not for higher gross tuber or canola yields. It is, however, difficult to make firm conclusions at this point of time as to which rotation will be most profitable in the long term. This is mainly because of the rotation treatments have only been in place since 1998 and, as such, observed differences among rotations may be a function not only of the rotation but also of environmental conditions and management within a given year.Item In-crop application of liquid hog manure for irrigated potatoes(2000-02-22) Volkmar, K.; Irvine, B.; McLaren, D.; Buckley, K.Item Irrigated potato rotation research in Manitoba(2000-02-22) Volkmar, K.; Mohr, R.; Moulin, A.; McLaren, D.; Monreal, M.; Derksen, D.; Tomasiewicz, D.; Wiebe, B.Increasing demand for potatoes from Manitoba, mostly from the expanding french fry processing industry, has increased the need for acreages suitable for irrigated potato production. That need can be met by bringing additional land into potato production, and by increasing the frequency of potatoes in rotation with other crops on existing potato land. The first option is limited by the suitability of soils, the high cost of irrigation equipment, and the availability of water for irrigation. However, increasing the frequency of potatoes in rotation with other crops raises important concerns about soil sustainability, buildup of pests (diseases, insects, weeds), and potential contamination of surface and groundwater by fertilizer and pesticides. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of crop rotation and rotation length on potato yield and quality, disease incidence, weed ecology, and soil chemical, physical and biological properties.Item Potential for wind erosion as affected by management in bean-potato rotations(2005-02-17) Moulin, A.; Volkmar, K.The potential for soil erosion in the bean phase of bean-potato rotations is significant due to low levels of crop residue following potatoes and the effect of management on soil structure particularly in light textured soils typical of the potato growing area of Manitoba. This potential can be mitigated by fall cover crops, application of straw or composted manure. In a study at Carberry, MB crop residue cover from 2000 to 2004, the proportion of small erodible aggregates and stability of aggregates were measured in treatments with fall applied cereal, fall applied compost, and spring applied polymer. Crop residue cover, proportion of erodible aggregates and aggregate stability were not consistently affected by management over the short term. In some years application of cereal residue in the fall increased residue cover, reduced the proportion of small erodible aggregates (<0.5 mm) and increased stability of aggregates. Application of polyacrylamide did not affect stability of wet-sieved aggregates but decreased the proportion of small aggregates (<0.5 mm) in 2002. Further research is required to assess the long-term impact of management on potential for wind erosion and properties of soil aggregates in bean-potato rotations.