An Economic Comparison of Conventional and Alternative Cropping Systems for a Representative Northeast Kansas Farm

The 1990 Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act (FACTA) prescribes a vigorous agenda for environmentally-compatible farmingsystems research. This type of system has been labeled alternative agriculture and can be defined as a system of food production that includes a plan for profitable production with concern for reduction in off-farm inputs; use of natural or biological processes; and improved management and conservation of soil, water, and other biological resources (National Research Council). Alternative agriculture studies are important to producers who are developing production plans that must meet the increasing demands of agricultural and environmental soil conservation policies, water quality legislation, and uncertainty in the marketplace.