Monday, June 18, 2007 - 10:00 AM
A Survey on Livestock and Crop Production Systems in Montana.
Chengci Chen1, Dave Buschena1, Clain Jones1, John Paterson1, and James Krall2. (1) Montana State University, Central Ag Research Center, Moccasin, MT 59462, (2) University of Wyoming, 132 Camino Del Rey, 132 Camino Road, Torrington, WY 82240-9223
Concerns regarding economic and environmental sustainability of wheat-fallow systems have led researchers and producers in Montana to search for more sustainable cropping systems. The Australian ley farming system that integrates livestock and cereal grain production provides many benefits, including replacing fallow with a ground cover of high quality animal forage, competing with weeds, and fixing atmospheric N for plant use. Some research on ley farming in Montana was conducted in the early 1970s, and several producers have attempted to adopt the technology, but there has been limited follow-up work done on ley farming in Montana. In this study, a research team has surveyed producers in different geographic regions of Montana to assess the current production systems, knowledge and interest in ley farming. Specifically, a survey pamphlet was finalized and mailed out to 4200 Montana farmers and ranchers in December, 2006. As of April 1, 2007 , 627 farmers and ranchers had returned their survey pamphlets. These farmers and ranchers are located in almost every county of the state. Among them, 72 farmers and ranchers expressed their interests in participating in the study. Representative producers have been selected and interviewed to identify the successes and problems encountered regarding ley and conventional farming systems. The survey information will be further analyzed and presented in this conference.