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Evaluating the Returns to Variable Rate Nitrogen Application

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2015

Roland K. Roberts ,
Burton C. English  and
S.B. Mahajanashetti
Roland K. Roberts
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, The University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, Knoxville, TN
Burton C. English
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, The University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, Knoxville, TN
S.B. Mahajanashetti
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, The University of Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station, Knoxville, TN
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Abstract

Potential benefits of variable rate nitrogen application are illustrated and information needs identified. Lower costs of precision farming services, higher crop prices, and greater divergence in yield response potentials across management zones reduce the spatial variability required for profitable variable rate application. Information needs include identification and measurement of management zones within a field and estimation of management zone yield response functions, crop and input prices, and the cost of precision farming services.

Keywords

production economicsmanagement zonesnitrogenprecision farmingspatial break-even variability proportionsspatial variabilityvariable rate applicationyield response variability
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 32 , Issue 1 , April 2000 , pp. 133 - 143
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2000

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