Nitrogen in Agricultural Systems: Implications for Conservation Policy

Marc Ribaudo, Jorge Delgado, LeRoy Hansen (), Michael Livingston, Robert Mosheim and James M. Williamson

No 118022, Economic Research Report from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: Nitrogen is an important agricultural input that is critical for crop production. However, the introduction of large amounts of nitrogen into the environment has a number of undesirable impacts on water, terrestrial, and atmospheric resources. This report explores the use of nitrogen in U.S. agriculture and assesses changes in nutrient management by farmers that may improve nitrogen use effi ciency. It also reviews a number of policy approaches for improving nitrogen management and identifi es issues affecting their potential performance. Findings reveal that about two-thirds of U.S. cropland is not meeting three criteria for good nitrogen management. Several policy approaches, including fi nancial incentives, nitrogen management as a condition of farm program eligibility, and regulation, could induce farmers to improve their nitrogen management and reduce nitrogen losses to the environment.

Keywords: Environmental Economics and Policy; Resource/Energy Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 82
Date: 2011-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-env
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (32)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uersrr:118022

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.118022

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