The Variable Input Crop Management Study (VICMS) was initiated in 1989. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of various management levels. (No Input, Lower Purchased Inputs, Higher Purchased Inputs, and Organic Inputs) on two crop rotations (corn-soybean and corn-soybean-oat-alfalfa). This study has every crop every year, so all treatments are presented each year. Each treatment is replicated three times, which totals to 72 plots [4 mgmt. levels * 6 crops (4 yr. + 2 yr. rotations) * 3 replications]. In 1990, one third of the No Input plots were planted with native grass. This allows us to make comparisons between natural and disturbed soil dynamics.

Fact Sheets:

• Long Term Effects of Crop Management: Yield
• Long Term Effects of Crop Management: Soil Quality
• Long Term Effects of Crop Management: Profitability

  Researchers:

  Dr. Kent Crookston - Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
  Dr. Dave Huggins - Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
  Dr. Paul Porter - Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
  Dr. Elizabeth Dyck - Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics
  Dr. Deborah Allen - Department of Soil, Water, and Climate
  Dr. Kent Olson - Department of Applied Economics
  Dr. Jeff Strock - Department of Soil, Water, and Climate

  Published Papers:

  Profitability of organic cropping systems in Southwestern Minnesota.” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 19(1):35-46, 2004.

  Porter, P., D. Allan, K. Crookston, M. Harbur, K. Olson, and D. Wyse. 2006. Overview of the U of M Variable Input Crop Management Systems (VICMS) Trial In: Long-term Field Experiments in Organic Farming. J. Raupp, C. Pekrun, M. Oltmanns, and U. Köpke (Eds.) ISOFAR Scientific Series No 1. Verlag Dr. Köster, Berlin, Germany. p204. (ISBN 3-89574-590-1)