Cost and timeliness of alternative nitrogen application methods

Kinkade, Shawn Patrick

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/98119 Copy

Description

Title

Cost and timeliness of alternative nitrogen application methods

Author(s)

Kinkade, Shawn Patrick

Issue Date

2017-06-16

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Schnitkey, Gary D.

Department of Study

Agr & Consumer Economics

Discipline

Agricultural & Applied Economics

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Nitrogen
• Climate
• Net present value
• Machinery

Abstract

Production, in terms of revenue and cost for well-drained farms in the Midwest, is a function of amongst other things, climatic variability. In the current situation of low commodity prices, producers often focus on ways in which they can modify their practices to maximize profits. With nitrogen being the single most important macronutrient for corn production in the Midwest, the timing of application has several implications both financially and environmentally. Regulation of fall-applied nitrogen is a timely issue to address. There has been an increase in technology to be able to apply nutrients closer to crop utilization but there is an impending question of how all planned nitrogen application will be accomplished in a policy and weather constrained system. This thesis develops cost analysis for nitrogen application completion given workday probabilities and machinery specifications. Improving nitrogen use efficiency has been the goal of many while adaptation of new technology has been slow. This paper seeks to provide insight into the decision-making process that goes along with nitrogen application which includes costs and probability of completion.

Graduation Semester

2017-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/98119

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2017 Shawn Kinkade

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