Long-Term Trial of Organic, Reduced-Input and Conventional Integrated Crop-Range-Livestock Systems in the Western High Plains, Wyomng.

A continuum of small plots for mechanistic research, large plots for systems research, and on-farm studies have been established for long-term monitoring and trials of innovative techniques within farming approaches used by High Plains farmers. For the intensive plot studies, six production systems (3 approaches x 2 systems) on four replicated plots were established at James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research & Extension Center in Lingle, WY. Cow-calf pairs graze on rangelands in summer and are fed grain and forage from plots during fall and winter. Parameters measured include 1) weed, pathogen, arthropod and nematode populations; 2) soil biological, physical, and chemical properties; 3) water use efficiency and soil moisture dynamics; 4) crop and forage growth, yield and quality; 5) livestock performance; and 6) economic viability. For the extensive, on-farm studies, five farms operating under each production system were selected for on-farm monitoring of stable indicators of soil productivity, economics, and marketing potential for products from the three approaches. Year 1 and 2 results are presented.