Abstract
This paper is concerned with a farmer's decision on the timing of nitrogen fertilizer application. Analytical models are developed to determine the necessary conditions for the optimal timing of the application of nitrogen fertilizer. The models, coupled with an estimated cotton yield function, are used to assess a farmer's decision on the optimal application timing of nitrogen fertilizer in cotton production. The empirical results explain various observed application timings of nitrogen fertilizer being used in cotton production in Mississippi, USA, and provide an estimate of the cost to a farmer when he or she must comply with a restriction on the timing of the application of nitrogen fertilizer.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson JR, Dillon JL, and Hardaker B (1977) Agricultural decision analysis. Ames, IA: The Iowa State University Press. 435 pp
Arrow K (1971) Essays in the theory of risk-bearing. Chicago: Markham Publishing. 241 pp
Baumol W (1972) Economic theory and operations analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. 635 pp
Belsley D, Kuh E, and Welsch R (1980) Regression Diagnostics. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 396 pp
Bock BR (1984) Efficient use of nitrogen in cropping systems. In: JR Thompson (ed.) Nitrogen in crop production. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy. Chapter 18
Boggess WG and Ritchie JT (1988) Economic and risk analysis of irrigation decisions in humid regions. Prod Agric 1:12–23
Borch K (1968) The economics of uncertainty. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. 398 pp
Bureau of the Census (1988) 1987 census of agriculture: Farm and ranch irrigation survey. Washington, DC: US Department of Commerce
Cantor P (1988) Health effects of agrichemicals in groundwater: what do we know? Agricultural chemicals and groundwater protection: Emerging management and policy. Proceedings of a conference held in St. Paul, Minnesota, 22–23 October. pp 21–32
Cerrato ME and Blackmer AM (1990) Comparison of models for describing corn yield response to nitrogen fertilizer. Agron J 82:138–143
Crutchfield, SR, Ribaudo MO, Setia P, Letson D, and Hansen L (1991) Cotton production and water quality: An initial assessment. Washington, DC: Resources and Technology Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture. 52 pp
Feinerman E, Choi EK, and Johnson SR (1990) Uncertainty and split nitrogen application in corn production. Am J Agric Econ 72:975–984
Frank MD, Beattie BR, and Embleton ME (1990) A comparison of alternative crop response models. Am J Agric Econ 72:598–603
Gilliam JW and Hoyt GD (1987) Effect of conservation tillage on the fate and transport of nitrogen. In: JW Gilliam (ed.) Effects of conservation tillage on groundwater quality. Chelsea, MI: Lewis Publishers. Chapter 13
Huang WY, Hansen L, and Uri ND (1992) The effects of the timing of nitrogen fertilizer application and irrigation on yield and nitrogen loss in cotton production. Environ Plan A 24:1449–1462
Johnson S, Adams R, and Perry G (1991) The on-farm costs of reducing groundwater pollution. Am J Agric Econ 73:112–124
Kanwar RS, Baker JL, and Baker DG (1988) Tillage and split N-fertilizer effects on subsurface drainage water quality and crop yields. Trans Am Soc Agric Eng, 31:453–461
McElroy R, Dismukes R, and Ali M (1989) State-level costs of production, 1987. Washington, DC: Agriculture and Rural Economy Division, Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture. 116 pp
Metcalfe D and Elkins D (1980) Crop production: Principles and practices. New York: Macmillan. 473 pp
Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service (1986) 1987 cotton costs and returns. Mississippi State, MS: Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi State University. 79 pp
National Agricultural Statistics Service (1991) Agricultural prices. Washington, DC: National Agricultural Statistics Service, US Department of Agriculture: 142 pp
Newbery DMG and Stiglitz JE (1981) The theory of commodity price stabilization. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 442 pp
Nielsen E and Lee L (1987) The magnitude and cost of ground water contamination from agricultural chemicals: A national perspective. Washington, DC: Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture. 45 pp
Office of Technology Assessment (1984) Protecting the nation's groundwater from contamination. Washington, DC: Office of Technology Assessment. 217 pp
Pope RD and Just RE (1991) On testing the structure of risk preferences in agricultural supply analysis. Am J Agric Econ 73:743–748
Rhoads T (1984) Nitrogen or water stress: Their interrelationships. In: JR Thompson (ed.) Nitrogen in crop production. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy. Chapter 20
Robison L and Berry P (1987) The competitive firm's response to risk. New York: Macmillan, 378 pp
Soil Conservation Service (1983) Application of soil information: Part 603. Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture. 354 PP
Stan G and Hinkle D (1987) Maintaining cotton yields through fertilizer and crop rotations. Albuquerque, NM: Agricultural Experiment Station, University of New Mexico. 142 pp
Wischemeier W and Smith D (1978) Predicting rainfall erosion losses. Washington, DC: US Department of Agriculture. 76 pp
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The views expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent the policies of the US Department of Agriculture or the views of other US Department of Agriculture staff members
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Huang, W.Y., Uri, N.D. & Hansen, L. Assessing a farmer's decision concerning the application timing of nitrogen fertilizer. Geo 24, 43–56 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00768076
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00768076