Robyn Van En
Mohammadreza Ghaffarzadeh (mog@iastate.edu)
Wed, 08 Jan 1997 14:19:34 -0600
Dear Sanneters,
I am trying to initiate a research project "Transition from Conventional to
Organic Cropping System" It may never get started. However, this is a good
time to collect your foresight,input and make necessary preparation and
adjustments.
The objective would be to evaluate practical alternative and economical
impact
of various transition strategies from a conventional cropping system to an
organic cropping system. Five transition strategies; 1) Alfalfa production
(3 years), 2) three-crop rotation (corn/soybean/oat) partitioned within a
field, with each partition completing the transition period after one
rotation cycle of the oat crop within the system (ridge tillage will be
used), 3) three- crop rotation (corn/soybean/oat+berseem clover) using
reduced tillage, and a smother crop during corn and soybean production, 4)
two crop rotations (soybean/oat) with the row cropped soybean using a flamer
(burner) for weed control, and 5)four-crop rotation
(corn/soybean/oat/berseem clover). At each site we will establish
corn-soybean rotation plots as a comparison system. Additionally, a survey,
review, and database information of ongoing and past transition strategies
by farmers in our state (Iowa) will be collected. I would like to have your
comments and your recommendations for each of these transition strategies
and the whole project. Thanks
Mohammadreza Ghaffarzadeh phone: (515) 294-7845
3503 Agronomy Hall Fax: (515) 294-3163
Iowa State University e-mail: mog@iastate.edu
Ames, Iowa 50011