Challenges for identifying best management practices--integrating emerging modern technologies and philosophies

Sojka, R.E. and Upchurch, D.R. (1999) Challenges for identifying best management practices--integrating emerging modern technologies and philosophies. In: Currie, L.D. and Hedley, M.J. and Horne, D.J. and Loganathan, P., (eds.) Best soil management practices for production. Occasional report, No. 12. pp. 11-25. Fertilizer and Lime Research Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand (Massey University).

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Abstract

Best management practice. This term is charged with meaning and assumptions. The values
affecting the term and its definition are not universal for all farmers, environmental stewards,
resource industries, agricultural industries, government bureaus, politicians and the public. How
we develop the philosophy governing assessment and adoption of management practices will
significantly impact the environment, the public at large and the agricultural community. We
submit that natural resources management in general, and particularly management of soil
resources must balance three primary considerations—productivity, environmental impact, and
sustainability. A given management practice or criterion may not prove beneficial for all three
considerations. To obtain the results desired, we must choose and prioritize goals for soil
management with as much care as we choose specific practices. The tendency is to adopt a
paradigm and do only research confirming the positive aspects of the paradigm. It is important
to objectively recognize and weight both the positive and negative contributions of all
management alternatives and goals for each of the primary considerations. We explore several
traditional and two emerging environmental and agricultural management technologies and
philosophies and consider their positive and negative implications for land management at the
dawn of the new millennium.

Item Type:	Book Section
NWISRL Publication Number:	0989
Subjects:	Mass Import - unclassified
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:54
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2016 15:51
Item ID:	740
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/740