Estimated effect of alternative production practices on profit and ground water quality: Texas Seymour Aquifer
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The Seymour Aquifer of north-central Texas is identified as containing elevated levels of nitrate. The effect of alternative production practices on the relative changes in nitrate leaching through the vadose zone was measured by adding an extended soil profile in the EPIC-WQ simulation model. Net returns from alternative production methods were estimated by using returns from associated yield and adjusting the cost of different levels of nitrogen, irrigation, and harvesting. Tradeoffs between nitrate percolation and net returns were explored by plotting the net returns-percolation data points for various methods of production. The results indicate that the relationship between nitrate percolation and net returns is not strictly positive for all production methods; potential remains where a lower percolation level could be achieved without a significant reduction in farmer's profit. -Authors
