Kynda Curtis
Kynda Curtis
Assistant Professor in the Department of Resource Economics at the University of Nevada, Reno and State Specialist for University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Her areas of research interest include international agriculture/food marketing, consumer economics and industrial organization. She works with Nevada agricultural producers to assist them in developing new markets for their products and assessing the feasibility of new products and value-added processes.
Abstract: Economic Viability of Low Water-Use Crops in the Walker River Basin
Walker Lake is facing critical water shortages and becoming excessively saline due to surface water withdrawals from its sources, endangering its ecosystem and economic resources. Water diverted from surface inputs for agricultural use is one cause of this shortage. Unless agricultural water use can be reduced, the ecology of Walker Lake will be altered. The implementation of alternative low water-use crops is one option for producers, but is it economically feasible? This study uses the WinEPIC model, which synthesizes both agronomics and economics, to model yields and returns to alternative crop production under differing irrigation levels. Risk analysis, or the distribution of net returns to alternative crop production is also examined through the use of SIMETAR. Data on current and alternative crops for this study include cost and return studies, producer interviews, and field trials in Northwest Nevada. Study results show that there are alternative crops that could be feasibly substituted for alfalfa or used as a diversification strategy, while reducing water use by at least one-half. Net returns meet or exceed returns from alfalfa, maintaining profitable agricultural operations.
Walker Lake is facing critical water shortages and becoming excessively saline due to surface water withdrawals from its sources, endangering its ecosystem and economic resources. Water diverted from surface inputs for agricultural use is one cause of this shortage. Unless agricultural water use can be reduced, the ecology of Walker Lake will be altered. The implementation of alternative low water-use crops is one option for producers, but is it economically feasible? This study uses the WinEPIC model, which synthesizes both agronomics and economics, to model yields and returns to alternative crop production under differing irrigation levels. Risk analysis, or the distribution of net returns to alternative crop production is also examined through the use of SIMETAR. Data on current and alternative crops for this study include cost and return studies, producer interviews, and field trials in Northwest Nevada. Study results show that there are alternative crops that could be feasibly substituted for alfalfa or used as a diversification strategy, while reducing water use by at least one-half. Net returns meet or exceed returns from alfalfa, maintaining profitable agricultural operations.
Bear River Bird by Fred Holley
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.