Project Number: 5402-61660-006-06
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Sep 15, 2007
End Date: Sep 14, 2012

Objective:
(1)Extend RZWQM2 applications to multiple locations in the Great Plains and the Northwest (e.g., Akron, Fort Collins (Water Management Unit), Bushland, Sidney, Mandan, Pullman, Pendleton, and Corvallis) to evaluate current limited-water agricultural systems, extend the experimental results to long-term weather and soil conditions, and derive alternative optimal crop sequences and management; (2) Achieve testing and validation of ARS models for a variety of agricultural systems and conditions for wider model applications in water management and protection; and (3) Evaluate effects of climate change on agricultural systems and explore adaptations required.

Approach:
Colorado State University (CSU) and ASRU will collaborate closely with selected scientists at above noted locations in the Great Plains And Northwest for applications of models to their data. The various steps involved are: (1) develop and document existing and new datasets for RZWQM2 applications; (2) use them to validate the model and evaluate/synthesize cropping systems results and extend the results to long-term weather and different soil conditions; document simulation results in the database; (3) develop strategies, information and simple tools for optimum management of water and minimizing other inputs; and (4) use forecasted climate-change weather data on a daily basis to evaluate effects on agriculture and adaptations required to cope with changes.