An economic appraisal of tire inflation pressure for alternative tillage systems on a silty clay loam soil
Md Rayhan Shaheb, Paula A. Misiewicz, Richard J. Godwin, Edward Dickin, David R. White, James Lowenberg‐DeBoer, Scott A. Shearer, Tony E. Grift- Agronomy and Crop Science
ABSTRACT
Compacting soil has an adverse effect on soil properties, decreases crop productivity, and subsequently reduces farm income. Low inflation pressure (LTP) tires help in managing soil compaction and protecting the soil environment; however, there is scant economic data available on LTP in U.S. Midwest farming systems. Hence, a three‐year study investigated the effects of LTP compared to tires inflated to the standard inflation pressure (STP) systems on crop yield and farm economy for a typical maize/soybean rotation. The effect of the two tire inflation pressure systems was factorialised with three tillage systems; deep tillage (DT, 450 mm), shallow tillage (ST, 100 mm), and no‐till (NT) systems. The results showed that LTP systems increased maize (Zea mays) yield by 4.51% (2017) and 2.70% (2018) and soybean (Glycine max) by 3.70% in 2018. Annual earnings for both a 200 ha and 800 ha farm increased for all tillage systems with LTP tires based on a partial budget analysis. The payback periods for LTP tires were very short, ranging from 0.32 years for DT on an 800 ha farm to 1.18 years for ST on a 200 ha farm. The net present value of the higher returns with LTP tires was substantial, especially for the DT system. This study shows a strong economic benefit from investments in LTP tires on silty clay loam soils in the US Midwest.
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