Land Use Assessment Based on Soils
CRP, CREP or Biofuel Production — Which is the most profitable?
Farmers in Pennsylvania with land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) are currently evaluating whether it is economical for them to maintain their CRP/CREP leases or switch these lands into biofuels production (corn or switchgrass). Not renewing CRP/CREP leases and placing these lands into production could jeopardize the benefits Pennsylvania has gained from these conservation programs over the years including decreased soil erosion, improved stream water quality, and increased wildlife habitat. We conducted a geospatial analysis of CRP/CREP lands in Pennsylvania to derive soil limitations and potential yield in order to determine the cost of growing corn, switchgrass or leaving land enrolled in the CRP/CREP program. Data on potential yields for corn and interpolated values for switchgrass, were derived from data available in the USDA-NRCS Soil Ratings for Plant Growth (SRPG) dataset. The results of this analysis will ultimately form the basis for an interactive web map-based decision support tool designed for farmers that will provide them with the expert guidance needed to make the decision to leave their land enrolled in CRP/CREP or to place it back in production with switchgrass or corn.
Collaborators: Carrie Foster, PSU-MGIS program; Patrick Drohan, PSU Soil Characterization Lab; Doug Miller, PSU Center for Environmental Informatics.
