The Crop Rotation Study was established in 1972 by Dr. Dale Flowerday, University of Nebraska Professor of Agronomy at the Eastern Nebraska Research, Education, and Extension Center near Ithaca, Nebraska and was originally called the crop sequence study. The experiment was transitioned to the USDA-ARS in 1982-1983 where N blocks and existing crop rotations were established along with an additional replication. The experiment, in its current form, aims to understand how the interaction of crop rotations and nitrogen fertilizer effect production potential and yield stability of corn (Zea mays L.), grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in rain-fed environments. The overall goals of the experiment are to understand linkages between cropping system performance and soil carbon trends; yield stability; and soil biology.

Producer relevance

The experiment represents cash-grain, grain-forage, and mixed crop-animal production systems. The majority of producers in the area would employ the simplest crop rotation (control). The most complex crop rotation represents an aspirational treatment that most farmers in the area would not employ.

Expected benefits

Experimental treatments were selected to be carbon-building, use fewer external inputs, no-tillage, and soil health-building.

Local stressors

The expected climate change-related stressors in the area are: droughts, heat, extreme precipitation events, seasonal temperature changes, shifting rainfall patterns, and shifting snowfall patterns.