Photo Credit: Shelby Gruss
Agronomy & Agroecology
This page provides information on the ongoing research on integrating forages to enhance resiliencey.
Research Projects
Our experiments have been carefully designed to benefit from ongoing and new research comparing the effectiveness of annual and perennial forage systems in promotinh soil health, biodiversity, and yield. We will evaluate three distinct systems: corn-based systems with alfalfa or integration with other perrenials, wheat-based systems with perennial and annual forages, and grazing systems with perennial and annual, or with perennials with increasing level of diversity, across different locations in the US. New and ongoing experiments will be meticulously evaluated and will include an assessment of insect biodiversity at specific sites. The data collected through this work will contribute to the accuracy of important models. See below for information on some of the studies being conducted.
Environmental Impact Assessment
We’re conducting a meta-analysis to compare the environmental impacts of perennial and annual systems across diverse regions and ecosystems. Our goal is to establish standardized Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies. We’ll evaluate existing data, compare annual and perennial systems, and select a suitable crop-soil simulation model. This model will simulate carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles, including nutrient loading estimations to water sources.
Using the chosen model, we’ll develop a comprehensive LCA, considering multiple impact categories such as global warming potential, eutrophication, acidification, ecotoxicity, and more. We’ll quantify environmental improvements in perennial systems and express results per hectare, per dollar, and per unit of feed value. These findings will be discussed alongside economic assessments and stakeholder input, with an uncertainty analysis of LCA results. Data and results will be shared through platforms like the USDA-NAL LCA data commons and the forage data hub, fostering broader understanding and collaboration.
Photos
Forage Datahub
We are creating an online searchable database, specifically for sustainable agricultural intensification and diversification, especially regarding forages. We combined existing forage databases to create the first national forage database.
If you woud like to add your forage data to the Forage Datahub, please contact Amanda Ashworth. Email: amanda.ashworth@usda.gov
Publications
Framework to Develop an Open-Source Forage Data Network to Improve Primary Productivity and Enhance System Resiliency
-A.J. Ashworth, L. Marshall, J.J. Volenec, M.D. Casler, M.T. Berti, E. van Santen, C.L. Williams, V. Gopakumar, J.L. Foster, T. Propst, V. Picasso. Agronomy Journal
This study discusses the importance of utilizing legacy data repositories to prevent redundant research, enhance knowledge synthesis, and improve agricultural system productivity. The focus is on creating an online searchable database, specifically for sustainable agricultural intensification and diversification, especially regarding forages. The authors outlined the process of developing a community-driven forage database (Forage Data Hub) using various datasets encompassing different timeframes, spatial scales, and species. The steps include defining the data requirements, standardizing and structuring the data, creating a data thesaurus and model, and designing a web interface for database access.
This study demonstrates the value of curating diverse datasets by analyzing forage system resilience during extreme weather events. This was done by comparing the standardized yields to the yields during low-precipitation years. The results show that perennial systems outperform annual systems in terms of yield under challenging weather conditions. The development of the Forage Data Hub highlights the advantages of collaborative data sharing and curation, offering a way to assess sustainability and to promote practices that enhance ecological intensification and resilience to climate variability.
Diverse perennial circular forage systems are needed to foster resilience, ecoystem services, and socioeconomic benefits in agricultural landscapes
– Picasso, V.D., M. Berti, K. Cassida, S. Collier, D. Fang, A. Finan, M. Krome, D. Hannaway, W. Lamp, A.W. Stevens, and C. Williams. Grassland Research
In the current agricultural landscape, which is dominated by annual crop monocultures, vulnerabilities to extreme weather events, soil degradation, water and air pollution, biodiversity loss, as well as negative impacts on human health and social equity, have become pronounced. In pursuit of enhanced resilience, stability, and a broader range of ecosystem services, we advocate for a pragmatic framework that places diversity, perennials, and circularity at its core. This innovative framework has the potential to drive land transformations that effectively address the sustainability challenges facing agriculture. However, navigating the obstacles posed by policy, economic, and social barriers necessitates a transdisciplinary approach to equitable knowledge production.
For more information on all our articles. Click on the button below for our entire library.