Future Dryland Cropping Systems Shifts for the US and Canadian Great Plains.

Dealing with wide swings in growing season temperatures and annual precipitation are the constant concern of dryland farmers in the central and northern Great Plains of North America. Some future climate scenarios forecast increasing levels of climate variability and shifting patterns in mean annual temperatures and precipitation. This presentation will address some potential management alternatives that may be useful in improving or maintaining cropping system sustainability in this region as weather patterns change, including using flexible/opportunity cropping in conjunction with forages.