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Relative riskiness of fixed vs. flexible crop rotations in the dryland cropping region of Western Canada
Author(s) -
Weisensel W. P.,
Van Kooten G. C.,
Schoney R. A.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
agribusiness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1520-6297
pISSN - 0742-4477
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6297(199111)7:6<551::aid-agr2720070605>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - cropping , monte carlo method , crop rotation , agricultural engineering , value (mathematics) , econometrics , multiple cropping , mathematics , crop , economics , environmental science , statistics , geography , agriculture , engineering , forestry , archaeology
Monte Carlo simulation is used to compare the expected net returns and relative riskiness of alternative cropping strategies in Saskatchewan. The strategies include traditional fixed rotations and flexible ones that have been recommended by researchers. Three important conclusions follow. (a) Flexcropping based on available soil moisture at seeding time is the most profitable cropping strategy. (b) However, the value of measuring spring soil moisture depends crucially on the level of confidence the decision maker has in these measurements. (c) Finally, simple flexcrop strategies based on a break‐even formula are an effective extension tool, perhaps more so than those found using dynamic optimization.