Potential Farm-Level Economic Impact of Incorporating Environmental Costs Into Nitrogen Decision Making: A Case Study in Canadian Corn Production

Abstract

Corn yield response to nitrogen (N) rates typically follows a flat plateau polynomial function with a relatively “flat” region on either side of the Economically Optimum N Rate (EONR). This flat region indicates that a wide range of N rates can approximate the maximum returns achieved at the EONR. To avoid yield penalties due to N stress, farmers tend to over- apply N which results in complex tension between farmers and other stakeholder groups. Using 10-years field data (2009–2018) from Elora, Ontario, we estimated the magnitude of cost to farmers if optimal N rate is based on both economic and environmental costs, and assessed whether incorporating environmental costs into optimum N rate increases profit variability. A cropping system model (DeNitrification and Decomposition model, DNDC) was calibrated and validated for corn yield and environmental N losses against five N rates (30, 58, 87, 145, and 218 kg N ha−1) during 2009–2018. Our results suggest that N rates could vary by 46–91 kg N ha−1 around the EONR without reducing profits substantially (