Aaron K Hoshide, PhD | The University of Maine (original) (raw)

Papers by Aaron K Hoshide, PhD

Land, 2024

Mitigating soil erosion‘s effects have been prioritized since the early 20th century. Rainfall si... more Mitigating soil erosion‘s effects have been prioritized since the early 20th century. Rainfall simulators and analytical prediction models are used to determine soil erosion susceptibility. This study used different methodologies to measure soil erodibility in two hydrographic sub-basins, the Renato and Caiabi, in the Middle and Upper Teles Pires River in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. The rainfall simulator showed a higher range of K-factor values for the Renato sub-basin of 0.0009 to 0.0086 Mg × h × (MJ × mm)−1 and a lower range of K-factor values for the Caiabi sub-basin of 0.0014 to 0.0031 Mg × h × (MJ × mm)−1. Soil loss equations similarly estimated a higher range of K-factor values for the Renato of 0.0008 to 0.0990 Mg × h × (MJ × mm)−1 and a lower range of K-factor values for the Caiabi of 0.0014 to 0.0846 Mg × h × (MJ × mm)−1. There was no significant difference at the 5% level for the K factor determined by the rainfall simulator for both sub-basins. Equations specified in Bouyoucos (1935) and Lombardi Neto and Bertoni (1975) showed significant correlation (5%) for farming systems in the Caiabi sub-basin. Indirect methodologies that performed well for correlation were equations 2 and 3 from Roloff and Denardin (1994), which use iron and aluminum as parameters. Soil erosion was most influenced by physical texture parameters of the region’s soil.

Biomass, 2024

Alternative biomass for energy can reduce fossil fuel use and environmental impacts, providing en... more Alternative biomass for energy can reduce fossil fuel use and environmental impacts, providing energy security in semi-arid areas with shallow soils that are not ideal for agro-forestry. The densification of sorghum biomass (SB) brings its energetic characteristics closer those of wood. Higher heating value (HHV) represents the heat produced by a given quantity of fuel. This Brazilian research tested different mixtures of SB, eucalyptus wood (W), and eucalyptus bio-oil (Bo) as briquettes for
HHV and least ash. Compressed mixtures of SB+B were compared to W+Bo and SB+W+Bo. The concentrations of bio-oil added to SB/W were 1%, 3%, 4%, and 5%. SB+W+Bo composites’ W content was 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%, with Bo as 3% of the weight. Sorghum biomass’ HHV is equivalent to W at 3%Bo. Bo doses of 4% and 5% had the same HHV as 3%. Eucalyptus wood did not have a significantly greater HHV with any amount of Bo. SB+W+3%Bo had the same HHV as W when W was at least 50% of the mixture. At greater than 36%W, the ash content was lower than 3%, meeting the EN-B international standard. The optimal composite mixture was 64%SB+36%W+3%Bo for HHV and ash content. SB briquettes can be more widely adopted given sorghum’s prevalence in semi-arid environments.

Grasses, 2024

Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, corr... more Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, correct residue dosage is critical for grass development and minimizing environmental impacts. This randomized block design study determined adequate dosage of mixed gelatin sludge (MGS) for Marandu grass production in wet/dry seasons in Brazil. Five MGS levels (0–200% of required nitrogen) were compared to mineral fertilizer. Agronomic/productivity characteristics, bromatological composition, macro/micronutrient composition of leaves, and soil chemical attributes were evaluated. Agronomic/productivity characteristics were influenced by MGS dose in both dry/rainy seasons, except for leaf blade pseudostem ratio and percentage of leaves/pseudostem. Bromatological composition was influenced by MGS doses in dry/rainy seasons except for dry/mineral material quantities. Marandu leaf tissue chemical composition was significantly influenced by MGS dose, except for potassium, boron, and iron. Chemical composition of four soil layers between 0 and 50 cm influenced MGS dose, except for pH, organic matter, magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc. GMS dose for Marandu production should be 200% of nitrogen requirement. MGS application increased productivity/quality of Marandu grass. Macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) and micronutrients (calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, and zinc) increased in Marandu grass and in the soil (calcium, sulfur, and sodium). The increased sodium level was not limiting.

Sustainability, 2024

Lowbush blueberry is a mass-flowering plant species complex that grows in both unmanaged wild lan... more Lowbush blueberry is a mass-flowering plant species complex that grows in both unmanaged wild landscapes and managed agricultural fields in northeastern regions of both the USA and Canada. During pollination, more than 120 native bee species are associated with lowbush blueberry
ecosystems in Maine, USA, in addition to three commercially managed bees. Over a 29-year period, we sampled 209 lowbush blueberry fields using quadrat and transect sampling, recording both native bee and honey bee densities, honey bee hive stocking density, and native bees as a proportion of total bees. These data were used to simulate economic uncertainty in pollination. We developed a novel algorithm, the Economic Pollinator Level (EPL), to estimate bee densities that economically warrant pollination investments such as rented hives and planting bee pastures. Statistical modeling indicated both native bee and honey bee activity density predicted proportion fruit set in fields. Honey bee activity density was well predicted by hive stocking density. Proportion fruit set adequately predicted yield. EPL was most sensitive to fruit set/m2/bee and less dependent on berry weight, rented hive stocking density, hive rental cost, lowbush blueberry price, and the annual cost of planting/maintaining pollinator pastures. EPL can be used to sustainably balance economical pollination investments/decisions with bee conservation in lowbush blueberry crops and potentially other pollinator-dependent crops.

Frontiers Research Topics, 2023

Sustainable agricultural systems are pivotal to future agriculture’s capacity to support the proj... more Sustainable agricultural systems are pivotal to future agriculture’s capacity to support the projected global population of 9 billion people by 2050. Future agricultural food systems must effectively tackle pressing sustainability challenges that adversely affect both food production and the environment. These challenges encompass heightened land demand, sustainable use of synthetic nitrogen, declining soil carbon pool, and biodiversity loss. This Research Topic collection highlights different approaches to improving the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems around the world. Changes in climate require regional to farm-level approaches to climate change adaptation. From 2009 to 2018, maize production in China has been impacted by changes in climate but this is regionally dependent (Zhang et al.). Strategies to reduce agriculture’s environmental impact also depend on the region evaluated and the farm or agricultural stakeholder group involved. Within this context, the concepts of sustainable intensification (SI) and ecological intensification (EI) play important roles (Figure 1). SI of agricultural systems involves more efficiently using resources in order to spare future degradation of natural habitat. Meanwhile, EI diversifies farming systems which can not only improve agricultural production, but also enhance agro-ecosystems.

Preprints.org, 2024

Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, corr... more Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, correct residue dosage is critical for grass development and minimizing environmental impacts. This randomized block design study determined adequate dosage of Mixed Gelatin Sludge (MGS) for Marandu grass production in wet/dry seasons in Brazil. Five MGS levels (0%-200% of required nitrogen) were compared to mineral fertilizer. Agronomic/productivity characteristics, bromatological composition, macro/micro-nutrient composition of leaves, and soil chemical attributes were evaluated. Agronomic/productivity characteristics were influenced by MGS dose in both dry/rainy seasons, except for leaf blade pseudostem ratio and percentage of leaves/pseudostem. Bromatological composition was influenced by MGS doses in dry/rainy seasons except for dry/mineral material quantities. Marandu leaf tissue chemical composition was significantly influenced by MGS dose, except for potassium, boron, and iron. Chemical composition of four soil layers between 0-50 cm influenced GMS dose, except for pH, organic matter, magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc. GMS dose for Marandu production should be 200% of nitrogen (N) requirement. GMS application increased productivity/quality of Marandu grass. Macronutrients (N, phosphorus) and micronutrients (Ca, Mg, S, Cu, and Zn) increased in Marandu grass and in the soil (Ca, S, and Na). Increased sodium (Na) level was not limiting.

Soil Systems, 2023

Changes in land use can cause degradation of soil physical quality with negative effects on the e... more Changes in land use can cause degradation of soil physical quality with negative effects on the environment and agricultural production. The effects of different land uses on soil physical-hydric attributes were studied in the Renato River and Caiabi River watersheds in the southern Brazilian Amazon. Three conditions of land use were evaluated: native forest, crops, and pasture in the headwater, middle, and mouth of each watershed. Particle size, particle density, bulk density, total porosity, macroporosity, microporosity, water contents at field capacity and permanent wilting point, and available water capacity in soil were evaluated in three soil layers down to 0.4 m. Data collected were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test and Pearson's correlations. Multivariate analyses were also performed using the principal component method. In the Renato watershed, in comparison with native forest, conventional management of pasture and crops caused soil physical degradation, increasing soil density in the surface layer and reducing macroporosity and total porosity. In the Caiabi watershed, converting native forest areas into pasture and crops altered water quality, influencing the water dynamics in the soil, by reducing soil water conductivity. Soil attributes varied by watershed, with texture variations between the headwater and mouth, indicating that changes in soil properties result from both management and the granulometric composition of the soil in different regions of the same watershed. Adoption of crop and pasture conservation practices can improve soil physical attributes in regions bordering agricultural areas in the southern Amazon.

Animals, Jun 2, 2023

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Sustainability, Apr 10, 2023

This research would not have been possible without the patience, advice, and willingness to provi... more This research would not have been possible without the patience, advice, and willingness to provide detailed production and financial information of all cooperating farms participating in this project. Cooperating producers in Aroostook, Franklin, Lincoln, Oxford, Penobscot, and York counties in Maine spent countless hours collaborating with and educating University of Maine researchers. Their breadth and depth of knowledge about their operations and industry as well as their commitment to making this project a success cannot be emphasized enough. It has been a pleasure working with and learning from all of them.

Agriculture, Jan 24, 2022

Sustainability, May 9, 2023

Sustainability, Dec 1, 2022

Human Ecology Review, Sep 6, 2018

Increasing use of functional agrobiodiversity, organisms that help farmers, is crucial to improvi... more Increasing use of functional agrobiodiversity, organisms that help farmers, is crucial to improving resilience of conventional agriculture in industrial countries. Literature suggests acquiring local ecological knowledge on these species is a formidable barrier. The present study uses interview data to explore farmers' acquisition of local ecological knowledge concerning wild bees, as well as farmers' use and conservation of wild bees. Wild bees are important crop pollinators and an alternative or supplement to declining commercial honeybees. We found that high uncertainty over wild bees prompts risk aversion, slowing use and conservation. However, to acquire local ecological knowledge, farmers eschew time-consuming assessment and instead develop rules of thumb that mesh with and draw on their use of honeybees. These findings illustrate the complex way in which farmers adapt to the challenge of acquiring local ecological knowledge of functional agrobiodiversity in a conventional agricultural system.

Sustainability, Jun 21, 2023

American Journal of Potato Research, Oct 6, 2012

Maine consistently ranks in the top ten potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production areas though yie... more Maine consistently ranks in the top ten potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production areas though yields are substantially lower than the mid-and western USA. Geospatial frameworks help resolve patterns and trends in production environments (at multiple scales) that may enable improvements in adaptive management strategies which enhance yield, increase whole-farm profitability, and foster sustainable land use. Results from geospatial integration of remotely-sensed cropland (2008-2010) and soil datasets for Maine indicate an estimated 61,900 ha in potato production with 62 % and 27 % on prime farmland (PF) and farmland of statewide importance (FSI), respectively. Geospatial analyses of other agri-environmental indicators indicate close to 85 % of these potato production soils are classified as either "potentially highly erodible" (PHEL) or "highly erodible" (HEL). Therefore, at least 52,300 ha require the highest standards in soil conservation practices. Crop rotation patterns for potato, derived from the time-series geo-referenced datasets, help resolve actual cropping practices and facilitated evaluation of the benefits and economic impacts for select alternate crops.

Organic agriculture, Feb 14, 2018

Weed management strategies likely provide trade-offs in economic implications. Farmers may priori... more Weed management strategies likely provide trade-offs in economic implications. Farmers may prioritize weed control during the Bcritical period^of the crop and ignore subsequent weeds; they may focus on the long term by eliminating additions to the weed seedbank with a Bzero seed rain^approach; or they may suppress weed emergence with polyethylene (PE) or hay mulch. We aimed to compare the economic tradeoffs of these approaches by implementing each system in a test crop of yellow onion (Allium cepa L.). We found that the zero seed rain system required the most weeding labor and the most evenly spread workload, while the hay mulch system required the most concentrated workload, due to the task of mulching. Despite the labor costs of the zero seed rain and hay mulch systems, net farm income (NFI) was most sensitive to onion yield and these systems resulted in the greatest NFI. The hay mulch system represented the least economic risk, followed by the zero seed rain, PE mulch, and critical period systems, respectively. In a subsequent crop of sweet corn, NFI was decreased 2524 USD ha −1 in plots where the critical period system had been implemented the previous year, likely due to increased weed competition. Overall, despite the long-term focus of the zero seed rain and hay mulch systems related to the weed seedbank and soil quality, respectively, these systems were most profitable in this short-term study.

Sustainability, Jun 18, 2023

Sustainability, Apr 23, 2023

Land, 2024

Biomass, 2024

Grasses, 2024

Sustainability, 2024

Frontiers Research Topics, 2023

Preprints.org, 2024

Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, corr... more Gelatin industry residues are increasingly used as fertilizer and soil conditioner. However, correct residue dosage is critical for grass development and minimizing environmental impacts. This randomized block design study determined adequate dosage of Mixed Gelatin Sludge (MGS) for Marandu grass production in wet/dry seasons in Brazil. Five MGS levels (0%-200% of required nitrogen) were compared to mineral fertilizer. Agronomic/productivity characteristics, bromatological composition, macro/micro-nutrient composition of leaves, and soil chemical attributes were evaluated. Agronomic/productivity characteristics were influenced by MGS dose in both dry/rainy seasons, except for leaf blade pseudostem ratio and percentage of leaves/pseudostem. Bromatological composition was influenced by MGS doses in dry/rainy seasons except for dry/mineral material quantities. Marandu leaf tissue chemical composition was significantly influenced by MGS dose, except for potassium, boron, and iron. Chemical composition of four soil layers between 0-50 cm influenced GMS dose, except for pH, organic matter, magnesium, copper, manganese, and zinc. GMS dose for Marandu production should be 200% of nitrogen (N) requirement. GMS application increased productivity/quality of Marandu grass. Macronutrients (N, phosphorus) and micronutrients (Ca, Mg, S, Cu, and Zn) increased in Marandu grass and in the soil (Ca, S, and Na). Increased sodium (Na) level was not limiting.

Soil Systems, 2023

Animals, Jun 2, 2023

Sustainability, Apr 10, 2023

Agriculture, Jan 24, 2022

Sustainability, May 9, 2023

Sustainability, Dec 1, 2022

Human Ecology Review, Sep 6, 2018

Sustainability, Jun 21, 2023

American Journal of Potato Research, Oct 6, 2012

Organic agriculture, Feb 14, 2018

Sustainability, Jun 18, 2023

Sustainability, Apr 23, 2023

13th International Vaccinium Symposium, 2024

Given the highly competitive nature of blueberry production in the world today, it is imperative ... more Given the highly competitive nature of blueberry production in the world today, it is imperative to be able to manage production inputs to maximize production at the least cost. There have been various budgets developed over the years to allow growers to evaluate the costs and returns from inputs; but these need to be continually updated to remain relevant. Wild blueberry production crop budgets in Maine have historically been developed based on a few cooperating producers using only a partial budget. Wild blueberry budgets were developed specifying revenue for farm-specific operations for both organic and conventional production with fresh pack on small and medium operations and freezer harvest operations categorized by size as small, medium, and large. These budgets differed from previous budgets in that they are more detailed with both variable and fixed cost accounting obtained by conducting indepth face-to-face interviews with 23 conventional and 12 organic Maine wild blueberry producers in 2012-13 (Asare et al., 2017). Cost updates were completed with 16 producers in 2023. The budgets developed specify both labor and fuel by crop operational step as well as list full equipment deprecation by individual piece of equipment used. Nine representative budgets were developed using average yield and price figures that provide net farm income, return over variable costs, and both short-run and longrun breakeven revenue to cover costs. Net farm income equals total revenue minus total (both variable and fixed) costs. The highest net farm income return was for the medium organic fresh pack operation at $2.

RESUMO -O Centro-Oeste do Brasil expandiu rapidamente as culturas de commodities em grande escala... more RESUMO -O Centro-Oeste do Brasil expandiu rapidamente as culturas de commodities em grande escala, como soja e milho. Pesquisamos produtores agrícolas e profissionais agrícolas na região Centro-Norte do estado de Mato Grosso (Brasil). Os profissionais da área agrícola fornecem suporte técnico aos produtores agrícolas e ambos são atendidos pela Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (ATER), com alcance de extensão reconhecido nacional e internacionalmente. Nossos objetivos foram definir e contrastar as características dos produtores agrícolas e dos profissionais agrícolas, especialmente as fontes utilizadas para treinamento agrícola. As perguntas da pesquisa foram respondidas por 94 produtores agrícolas e 89 profissionais agrícolas; suas respostas foram resumidas e contrastadas com o uso de software estatístico. Houve predominância de agricultores do sexo masculino, casados e com ampla faixa etária. Os profissionais agrícolas que aconselham os produtores tinham alto nível educacional. Os produtores e os profissionais dependiam mais de empresas agrícolas do setor privado e de organizações de apoio a negócios para treinamento agrícola do que de instituições públicas, como universidades e órgãos estaduais/federais. No estado de Mato Grosso, a extensão pode envolver esforços conjuntos de entidades dos setores público e privado. Entretanto, são necessários esforços mais direcionados para garantir que a pesquisa do setor público seja usada de forma mais igualitária pelos produtores agrícolas e profissionais da região, especialmente durante os dias de campo e palestras técnicas presenciais durante a entressafra.

VIII Brazilian Symposium of Sustainable Agriculture & V International Congress of Sustainable Agriculture, 2016

Recent reductions in the deforestation of the Amazon biome have highlighted the need for the sust... more Recent reductions in the deforestation of the Amazon biome have highlighted the need for the sustainable intensification of beef and commodity crop production in Brazil where agricultural productivity can be increased without accelerating adverse environmental impacts related to greenhouse gas emissions, eutrophication, and water and energy use. A key step to understanding the sustainability of the current status quo agricultural production systems compared to alternative systems is to use the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) Version 4.2 which was calibrated to model beef and crop production systems in the southern (Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul or RS) Pampa biome and Midwest (Sinop, Mato Grosso or MT) Amazon biome in Brazil. Beef systems in both locations were 1) entirely extensive pasture or 2) the same pasture diversified into cash crop production of soybeans (Glycine max) and corn (Zea mays) grain. Systems were simulated over historical weather profiles for RS (1988-2013) and MT (2011-2015). Simulated soybean and corn grain yields for the diversified IFSM models were compared to average yields for the mid-north region of MT where Sinop is located and recent average yields for RS state. Diversifying into commodity crops increased whole-farm profitability and reduced GHG emissions and carbon footprint but increased water, nitrogen, and energy use compared to the pasture-only baseline. Beef systems were less profitable in MT compared to RS due to lower productivity of pasture (-9%), grazing of pasture by cattle (-37%) and lower corn grain productivity (-29%) despite 6.4% higher soybean yields. Water and energy use in MT was greater due to beef cattle using more purchased feed plus higher livestock water use in the tropics.

VI Brazilian Symposium of Sustainable Agriculture & III International Congress of Sustainable Agriculture, 2014

Increasing demand for organic foods such as milk has driven a recent transition to organic dairy ... more Increasing demand for organic foods such as milk has driven a recent transition to organic dairy farms in both in the United States and Brazil with growth focused in the states of Maine and Santa Catarina respectively. The Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) was successfully adapted to a 30-cow farm size for grass- and corn-based models for Chapeco and Pelotas in southern Brazil for contrast to organic dairy farm models for Waterville, Maine. Grass forage and wheat silage yields were highest for Waterville, while corn silage and soybean yields were greatest for Pelotas in the southern most Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Pelotas grass and corn silage and soybean productivity exceeded that for Chapeco in western Santa Catarina located northwest of Pelotas. Higher modeled grass productivity in Maine compared to southern Brazil may contribute to higher organic milk production in Maine assuming southern Brazilian grass stand species are similar and not as improved with legumes. Other challenges to optimal organic milk production in southern Brazil include access to shade and water, stored feed quality, ticks and parasites, cross-breeding, and limited use of artificial insemination using computerized databases. Climate changes such as increasing days with rain over the past two decades in Waterville, Maine, may make dairy farming more challenging compared to southern Brazil, especially when this trend occurs during months where feed crops are planted and harvested.

A key historical challenge has been the identification of profitable rotation crops. Across three... more A key historical challenge has been the identification of profitable rotation crops. Across three years (2008-2010 CDLs) ~1,800 ha was detected in ‘continuous’ potato (~3% of cropping system extent – DeFauw et al. 2012); after four years, ~600 ha remained. Potato cropping systems detected in 2-year rota-tions now involve ~14,000 ha suggesting farmers have diversified their operations and appear to be shifting to rotations of 3+ years. NFIs for 65 to 120-ha farms are predominantly negative; however, 3-year cropping systems generated positive returns (assuming 28.6% higher potato yields in the L-R) compared to the traditional tightly-coupled (2-yr) potato-small grains or haylage. Work is underway to further refine the economic models for smaller farms (≤ 120 ha) considering that many grow potatoes for tablestock and seed rather than for processing and they have expanded time horizons for equipment. Development of an interactive, user-friendly, web-based version of these farm budget models would encourage more farmers and researchers to evaluate the relative profitability of alternative cropping strategies to improve the financial viability of farming in Aroostook County and elsewhere in Maine.

Agronomists and farmers are tasked with attempting to double food production over the next 30 yea... more Agronomists and farmers are tasked with attempting to double food production over the next 30 years which may entail spatial reallocation and optimization of crop water and energy footprints to better comply with ‘localized’ soil and water resource constraints. Distinctive shifts in Maine agroecosystems occur from north to south with more intensively managed irrigated farms to the north undergirded by the southern “dairy belt”. Over 25 years ago, Hepler and colleagues (1985) noted a shift toward increased dependence on PF soils in cropping systems (especially potato). Our latest findings indicate that 67% of the 4-yr potato production footprint (CDL-CLU derived) resides on prime farmland; ~50,000 ha require the highest standards in soil conservation (PHEL or HEL). Potato is in the top tier of crops with the highest erosion risk as harvest-related erosion rates are of the same order of magnitude (almost 10 Mg ha-1 yr-1) as water and tillage erosion on sloping land (Auerswald et al. 2006). Across 4 years, ~600 ha was detected in continuous potato. Potato systems in 2-year rotations involved ~14,000 ha (out of 22,000-23,000 ha planted yr-1) suggesting farmers have diversified their operations and appear to be shifting to rotations of 3+ years. The geospatial methodologies developed also facilitate monitoring shifts in crop adjacencies and thus provide a basic framework to evaluate future finer-scale dynamics of yield impacts as well as pest and/or pathogen pressures (and associated resistance issues) that may develop as a result of these configurations. Assessments linking land use, agri-environmental indicators and current crop sequences in key agroecosystems (such as potato or corn) serve to help producers, communities and policy makers begin to gauge land base requirements, spatio-temporal stability of productive capacity pools, natural resource use, land quality, farmscape economies and potential food systems security risks at multiple scales.

Geospatial interdependencies of cropping systems as well as intensities of key enterprises linked... more Geospatial interdependencies of cropping systems as well as intensities of key enterprises linked to farm sizes are often overlooked components of agricultural sustainability. We have developed a remotely-sensed framework for bridging the gap between agronomic and econometric modeling families to evaluate fine-scale systems-level dynamics and farming community-based economic geography. The objectives of this investigation were to: (1) profile potato cropping systems for three sentinel counties in Maine (Aroostook, Penobscot and Oxford) using Cropland Data Layer (CDL, 2008-2012), National Agricultural Image Program (NAIP, 2009 and 2011), Common Land Unit (CLU), soils (SSURGO) and PRISM climate datasets; (2) assess dominant crop sequences and geospatial relationships of remotely-sensed enterprises; and (3) evaluate potential economic impacts of select alternate crops across 5 years using 3 potato farm model sizes (calculating representative enterprise as well as whole-farm budget scen...

Undergraduate Thesis, 1994

The Housatonic Estuary has been altered in the past century by dredging which has changed the bat... more The Housatonic Estuary has been altered in the past century by dredging which has changed the bathymetry of the estuary and by dams which hay-e regulated the river discharge into the estuary. Dredging of the upper estuary for sand and gravel aggregate has deepened the upper estuary to a maximum depth of over 13 m. The mouth of the estuary is currently separated by a 6 km long sill. The mouth shoals up to the bar from a depth of 7.5 m to 2 m. The region north of the sill rapidly drops to a maximum depth of 13 m. Water discharge varies by an order of magnitude on a weekly basis because of the release of water from the Stevenson Dam. The combination of these two factors has resulted in a sluggish circulation regime which has lowered water quality, specifically the dissolved oxygen levels in the water column.

A laterally averaged two-dimensional numerical model of the estuary accurately predicts circulation conditions for low river flow conditions in the Housatonic River estuary. The model does not predict high and intermediate river flow conditions as well. A sensitivity analysis was successfully used to determine the proper coefficients necessary to run the model. Values were obtained for the horizontal and vertical mixing of salt under low river flow simulations.

The model results demonstrate that channel dredging has caused the Housatonic Estuary to change from a well-mixed, vertically stratified estuary to an estuary that has strong horizontal salinity stratification. The model predicts that incremental dredging of the middle estuary sill will cause increases in both salinity and horizontal salinity stratification over the entire length of the estuary. The resulting change in circulation is driven by greater magnitudes of net non-tidal currents along the bottom.

Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2023

Increased future food demand will necessitate more global food production while reducing environm... more Increased future food demand will necessitate more global food production while reducing environmental impacts of agriculture and food systems. Agriculture can be extensive where more land is required to produce food. Intensifying food production involves increasing output of crops and livestock per unit area and/or per unit time. However, such intensification typically has negative impacts on the environment (e.g., eutrophication, pasture degradation, soil erosion, greenhouse gas emissions, beneficial insect collapse, antibiotic resistant pathogens). Two general strategies can be used to farm and produce food more sustainably with lower environmental impacts. First, Sustainable Intensification increases food production using the same or less land thus limiting natural habitat conversion to agriculture. Sustainable Intensification has been criticized for green-washing if land sparing is offset by larger environmental footprints from greater input use. Second, Ecological Intensification increases food production via more complex, integrated agricultural systems. Since these systems are more management intensive, farmer adoption and expanding farm numbers and/or scale can be limited. Both Ecological Intensification and Sustainable Intensification present challenges increasing environmental benefits and/or reducing agricultural and food systems’ environmental impacts. Ecological Intensification or EI (e.g., silviculture, crop-livestock-forestry integration, cover cropping, pollinator and beneficial insect pasture strips, competitive exclusion microbes) typically confers agro-ecological and food safety benefits. However, these more complex systems increase producers’ opportunity costs which have limited successful adoption. Opportunity costs (OC) here are the costs of foregone food production required to learn and adopt these alternative EI systems. These higher OC reduce economic (versus accounting) profit, defined as total revenue minus variable and fixed production costs minus the OC borne by producers. Sustainable Intensification or SI (e.g., annual double or triple cropping, precision agriculture, managed pollination, integrated pest management) typically increases short-run economic profitability by increasing the efficient use of land and inputs. While SI can land spare to reduce habitat loss, it can have adverse environmental impacts resulting from the more intensive use of soil and chemical additives. We seek solutions to reducing producers’ OC and thus increasing profitability and adoption of EI in farm and food systems. We are particularly interested in how addressing such limitations of EI can expand its adoption by new smallholders as well as how EI can be adopted at more commercial scales without compromising ecological benefits. In addition, journal articles published in this Research Topic focus on encouraging both the traditional and current definitions of SI. Traditional SI involves intensifying production of subsistence agriculture in developing nations where both crop and/or livestock yields and agro-environmental outcomes are improved. Current SI has applied this concept to modern agricultural production in more developed nations. Articles in this Research Topic document how EI and SI benefits exceed adverse impacts, reducing adverse social, community, and/or environmental impacts of food production.

Sustainability, 2023

Agriculture, in developing and developed nations alike, will face huge challenges over the next c... more Agriculture, in developing and developed nations alike, will face huge challenges over the next century in meeting human food needs and shifting preferences. Agricultural economic development, from the personal and local level to the global and industrial level, must be balanced with communal needs (e.g., food sovereignty, self-sufficiency) and address environmental challenges (e.g., climate change, ecosystem degradation). Local, national, and global policies must support sustainable agricultural economic development, while also addressing future environmental and community impacts.

This Special Issue focuses on agricultural systems and forest management in developing or developed nations in Africa, Asia, South America, and North America, and spans conversations from the personal and local level all the way up to the production and circulation of global commodities. Analytical methods from published articles are employed to focus on socio-economic surveys, field experiments, remote sensing, and public policy proposals. The research stresses that sustainable agricultural development can be economically viable while also reducing the environmental impact of agricultural activities and strengthening local communities. An improved understanding of sustainable agricultural and forestry systems can help farmers, researchers, students, and policy makers to design and implement similar systems.

From an economic perspective, sustainability can be achieved through “economies of scale”. In simple terms, this involves increasing economic efficiency and agricultural productivity to spare land in the short run, reducing the need to convert natural habitats into agricultural areas. While export commodity agriculture can employ local workers, the diversified food needs of local communities may not be addressed under such systems. The agricultural development of both intensive and extensive systems may be more challenging in the future given changes in climate, agroecosystem degradation, and diminishing resource availability. Agricultural and forestry systems involving commodities may be less sustainable in the future. However, these systems can be designed to be
more durable to future shocks in order to address the sustainability shortcomings of the “economies of scale” approach.

Alternatively, sustainable agricultural development can use “economies of scope”, where agricultural producers diversify production and input use using systems-based approaches. While such diversification can be profitable, minimizes environmental impacts, and meets local community
food needs, the use of these systems may be challenging due to the complexity of managing farms like an ecosystem, reducing input use, the need to sell directly to consumers, or a lack of available capital. Government policies can be structured to support more diversified agricultural production.

Sustainable development involves specialization and diversification. Despite the potential for global agriculture to undergo intensification, this may not be environmentally sustainable. Diversification can involve enterprise diversification and ecological intensification. Regional case
studies highlighted in this Special Issue focus on diversified agricultural systems for the creation of more sustainable future food systems.

We are grateful to the efforts of all researchers who submitted manuscript submissions to this Special Issue of Sustainability. Your research efforts have gone a long way to improving the understanding of more sustainable agricultural and forestry systems. A special thanks to Ionut Spanu, the managing editor of this Special Issue, for his invaluable editorial and publication support over the past two years. Gabriel Rezende Faria, a journalist and public relations officer at Embrapa, Brazil, graciously provided the cover photograph for this Special Issue. Many thanks also to my family who made this work possible.

AgriSciences, 2022

Corn is one of the most important agricultural crops in the world, and Brazil is one of the main ... more Corn is one of the most important agricultural crops in the world, and Brazil is one of the main producers on a global level. The importance of corn is due to its high productivity, nutrition and energy, as well as good adaptation to different edaphoclimatic conditions. All this makes this crop one of the most important for human and animal consumption, mainly in the form of grain and silage. The state of Mato Grosso is classified as the largest corn producer in Brazil, with the off-season crop (safrinha), following soybean, extremely relevant for the state. This book, entitled “Current affairs in corn culture in soy and corn-safrinha system”, is the result of the “3rd Agricultural Technology Showcase,” an event that took place in Lucas do Rio Verde (Mato Grosso), in 2021. This event was carried out by AgriSciences, Grupo Bragança Agronegócios and National Service of Rural Apprenticeship of Mato Grosso (SENAR MT), through research projects and the Professionals of the Campo, with support from the Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT). Other supporters included the Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of Mato Grosso (FAMATO), Fazenda Bragança, the Global REDD Early Program Movers de Mato Grosso (REM MT), the Sustainable Rural Project-Cerrado (PRS-Cerrado), Empresa Mato Grosso de Pesquisa, Assistance and Rural Extension (EMPAER-MT), the University of Minnesota Extension, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ICAA/CUS/UFMT), the Research Support Foundation of the State of Mato Grosso (FAPEMAT), the Program for the Development of Dairy Farming in the Viçosa Region (PDPL-RV), the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the Rural Producers Unions of Lucas do Rio Verde, Sinop, Sorriso, and Nova Mutum, as well as the Support and Development Foundation of Federal University of Mato Grosso (UNISELVA). Written by experts from different national institutions and international institutions, this work brings together, in 11 chapters, the most recent and relevant aspects related to the safrinha corn production system planted following soybean. This involves sustainable intensification of soil, fertilization and soil fertility management, pest management and diseases, biotechnologies, harvesting for grain and silage, productivity in different regions, corn markets, use of ethanol by-products and integration, agrosilvopastoral systems, damaged grains, precision agriculture and soil fertility. Therefore, this book constitutes a rich source of information for professionals and rural producers interested in the production system of corn. The Editors

EDITORIAL article, 2023