Crop Sequence Calculator Version 2.0 Available
Saturday, February 2, 2002
filed under: Weeds
Crop Sequence Calculator Version 2.0 Available
Free CD-ROM from USDA-ARS Mandan
helps producers assess crop options, returns
An updated version of the “Crop Sequence Calculator” computer software program is available to help producers assess crop production options, and calculate the potential returns of ten different crops.
Information on crop production, plant diseases, weeds, water use, and surface soil properties has been expanded in this version 2.0 from last year’s version 1.0, to aid producers in their evaluation of management risks associated with different crop sequences. Another year of research data has been added, along with new information on economics and insects.
Once the previous crop (residue producing crop) and the expected crop are entered with a click of the mouse, summary statements appear regarding crop production, economics, plant diseases, weeds, insects, water use, and surface soil properties. The program can show the yield effect of ten crops (barley, canola, crambe, dry pea, dry bean, flax, safflower, soybean, sunflower, and spring wheat) grown in any two-year combination.
Expected crop prices and expected loan deficiency payments and/or crop premiums can be entered to provide rapid calculations of potential returns. By selecting the “More Info” buttons adjacent to each summary statement, graphs, photos, Internet resources and additional information is easily accessed.
For example, additional information concerning plant diseases includes an introduction to plant diseases, research data, Internet resources, and photographs of plant diseases to aid in their identification. The program also includes numerous photographs of weeds and insects to aid in identification.
The program was developed by the USDA-ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory in Mandan, N.D., with support of the Area IV Soil Conservation Districts, National Sunflower Association, North Dakota Oilseed Council, Northern Canola Growers Association and North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil Association.
Program content and data were provided by Joe Krupinsky, Don Tanaka, Steve Merrill, Mark Liebig, John Hendrickson, Jon Hanson, Dave Archer, Randy Anderson, Janet Knodel (NDSU, Minot, ND), Phillip Glogoza (NDSU, Fargo, ND), Larry Charlet, Sara Wright, and Ron Ries (Retired). Programming was done by Jeffrey Fehmi, with the U.S. Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center.
The program is designed for computers running on Windows, all versions. Copies of the Crop Sequence Calculator can be obtained from the ARS website: www.mandan.ars.usda.gov, ph. 701-667-3000, or by writing: Crop Sequence Calculator,
Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Box 459, Mandan, North Dakota 58554-0459.