Management Adaptation and Diversification Strategies to Increase Productivity of KY Grain Cropping Systems

Productivity of rainfed grain crops in Kentucky can be limited by water availability depending on precipitation patterns and the timing of critical crop developmental stages. Producers often need to address yield reductions due to water stress by increasing insurance costs, or compensate with years of greater yields. Developing site-specific management strategies would help reduce risk of yield losses and increase the overall farm net economic returns. One strategy to reduce risk and increase average economic returns is to use diversification strategies, or not put “all your eggs in the same basket”. Previous research in the U.S. Midsouth showed that soybean MG and planting date diversification strategies can greatly reduce risk of yield losses under irrigated conditions. The potential to increase productivity and yield stability under rainfed conditions in KY with management adaptation and diversification is expected to be much greater, but has not been quantified yet. This proposal will add to another proposal submitted by the PI Dr. Salmeron to conduct an irrigated planting date trial in Princeton, KY with maturity group (MG) 2 to 5 soybeans. This data will be combined with other planting date x MG x Irrigation trials previously conducted by the PI to calibrate a predictive tool. Thereafter, yield predictions across different locations, planting dates, MGs, and different soil and weather pattern scenarios will be generated to conduct an economic analysis and provide producers with site-specific management recommendations.