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Long-term crop research studying ways to lower input costs and improve soil health

An ecosystem scientist at Michigan State University says cropping system research is highlighting ways farmers can offset fertilizer use and other inputs.

Phil Robertson is the director of the Long-Term Agroecosystem Project at the Kellogg Biological Station in Hickory Corners.

“The nitrogen fertilizer, as an example, is one of the major costs in these systems, and when you increase the cost of one of your major inputs by 50 percent, you’re really eating into the potential profit,” he says. “In our aspirational corn system, we’re using about 1/3 of the fertilizer.”

He tells Brownfield compost and cover crops are reducing the need for synthetic fertilizer n and helping cut costs.

“And part of that is just increased efficiency due to the use of no-till and better attention to what the crop actually is pulling out of the soil in terms of nitrogen,” he shares.

Robertson says the profitability gap between conventional corn and soybeans and an aspirational system, which also includes wheat, forages, and canola, has been narrowing over the past five years.

“We’re very committed to our stakeholder-researcher partnership that we think is really going to push Michigan agriculture in directions that will be better for everyone, whether farmer or producer or consumer or environmental advocate,” he says.

Researchers recently published a new roadmap to guide future work focused on crop diversification; nutrient cycling and livestock integration; tillage management; precision inputs and conservation; soil health; and systems integration. 

The project is part of a nationwide network of USDA-funded research sites working with stakeholders to improve farm profitability and long-term sustainability.