more production... vs. perennial ag.
Gruver, Joel (gruverj@css.orst.edu)
Tue, 06 Jun 95 10:57:00 PDT
I recently spoke with a soil scientist involved with short rotation
forestry research. Hybrid poplars for fiber are now being grown by a few
OR farmers as an alternative to grass seed production. When I
asked whether coppicing was part of the study, I was told that genetic
turnover is of highest priority and so new "improved" cultivars are planted
every rotation. I have also read on various occasions that the high
annual cull rates (40% +) in many dairy herds are a neccessary part of herd
improvement. These are 2 examples of what seems to me to be a basic drive in
industrial agricultural research for as rapid genetic turnover as possible.
Several questions:
How important is rapid genetic turnover to farmers... is rapid genetic
turnover a fixation of the ag. research complex that is out of line with the
goals of producers... Ex. Some dairy operators find keeping cows 5+
lactations is much more profitable than the standard lower # of
lacations...
How does this drive for genetic turnover affect the prospects
of the perennial cropping systems being touted by some as the future of
agriculture ?
Are there significant flaws in this rapid genetic turnover agenda ?
Do the benefits out weigh the flaws ?
Joel Gruver
OSU, Soils Division