Yield gaps in Dutch arable farming systems: Analysis at crop and crop rotation level

João Vasco Silva, Pytrik Reidsma and Martin K. van Ittersum

Agricultural Systems, 2017, vol. 158, issue C, 78-92

Abstract: Arable farming systems in the Netherlands are characterized by crop rotations in which potato, sugar beet, spring onion, winter wheat and spring barley are the most important crops. The objectives of this study were to decompose crop yield gaps within such rotations into efficiency, resource and technology yield gaps and to explain those yield gaps based on observed cropping frequencies and alternative farmers' objectives. Data from specialized Dutch arable farms between 2008 and 2012 were used. Production frontiers and efficiency yield gaps were estimated using the stochastic frontier framework. The resource yield gap was quantified through the estimation of highest farmers' yields (YHF, average across farms with actual yields above the 90th percentile). Crop model simulations and variety trials were compiled to assess climatic potential yields (Yp) and technology yield gaps. The contribution of crop area shares and farmers' objectives to actual yields were assessed using regression analysis and based on five different farm level indicators (N production, energy production, gross margin, nitrogen-use efficiency and labour use), respectively.

Keywords: Solanum tuberosum L.; Beta vulgaris L.; Allium cepa L.; Triticum aestivum L.; Hordeum vulgare L.; Yield variability; Yield response; Stochastic frontier analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agisys:v:158:y:2017:i:c:p:78-92

DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2017.06.005

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