Economic analysis of organic cropping systems under different tillage intensities and crop rotations

Abstract Costs of production and organic price premiums are defining factors influencing the economic viability crop systems. Different agronomic practices, such as rotation tillage intensity, known to affect performance The aim this study was compare impact two sequences (simplified diversified) levels intensity (high low) on cost production, gross return margin crops when grown under management in semi-arid Brown soil zone Canadian Prairies. 2-year simplified sequence consisted forage pea ( Pisum sativum L.) a green manure followed by hard red spring wheat (HRSW) Triticum aestivum L.), while 4-year diversified flax Linum usitatissimum or yellow mustard Sinapis alba field lentil Lens culinaris HRSW. Our hypothesis that more would increase profitability over traditional supported findings. However, findings did not support our reducing combination reduction through synergetic response, further enhance profitability. Analysis breakeven prices yields for indicated importance adopting rotations choosing with high means maximize long-term cropping