Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T06:50:27.318Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Factors Influencing Wheat Yield and Variability: Evidence from Manitoba, Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Richard Carew ,
Elwin G. Smith  and
Cynthia Grant
Richard Carew
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, British Columbia, Canada
Elwin G. Smith
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Cynthia Grant
Affiliation:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon, Manitoba
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Production functions to explain regional wheat yields have not been studied extensively in the Canadian prairies. The objective of this study is to employ a Just-Pope production function to examine the relationship between fertilizer inputs, soil quality, biodiversity indicators, cultivars qualifying for Plant Breeders' Rights (PBR), and climatic conditions on the mean and variance of spring wheat yields. Using regional-level wheat data from Manitoba, Canada, model results show nitrogen fertilizer, temporal diversity, and PBR wheat cultivars are associated with increased yield variance. Mean wheat yield is reduced by the proportion of land in wheat, the interaction of growing temperature and precipitation, and spatial diversity. By contrast, higher soil quality and PBR wheat cultivars increase mean yield. The wheat yield increases attributed to PBR range from 37.2 (1.4%) to 54.5 kg/ha (2.0%). Plant Breeders' Rights may have enhanced royalties from increased certified seed sales, but the benefits in terms of higher wheat yield or lower yield variability are limited. Future research is required to understand the interactive effects of fertilization practices, genetic diversity, and environmental conditions on regional wheat yield stability.

Keywords

climatefertilizerManitobaPlant Breeders' Rightsproduction riskwheatyieldO18Q16
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 41 , Issue 3 , December 2009 , pp. 625 - 639
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada “Profile of the Canadian Wheat Industry.” Strategic Policy Branch, Market Analysis Division. Bi-weekly Bulletin 17(2004): 1–8.Google Scholar
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada “Comparing the Yields of Hard Red Spring Wheat Lines from Canada and the United States.” Strategic Policy Branch, Market Analysis Division. Bi-weekly Bulletin 18(2005): 1–4.Google Scholar
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. “KVD Ends in 2008 for All Classes of Wheat.” Internet site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/index_e.php?s1=n&s2=2008&page=n80211 (Accessed October 27, 2008).Google Scholar
Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. “Wheat Nutrition and Fertilizer Requirements: Sulfur.” Internet site: http://wwwl.agrie.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/crop1297 (Accessed November 6, 2006).Google Scholar
Alston, J.M., and Venner., R.J. “The Effects of the U.S. Plant Variety Protection Act on Wheat Genetic Improvement.” Research Policy 31(2002):527–42.Google Scholar
Asche, F., and Tveterås, R. “Modeling Production Risk with a Two-Step Procedure.” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 24(1999): 424–39.Google Scholar
Bakker, M.M., Govers, G., Ewert, F., Rounsevell, M., and Jones., R. “Variability in Regional Wheat Yields as a Function of Climate, Soil and Economic Variables: Assessing the Risk of Confounding.” Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 110(2005): 195–209.Google Scholar
Barkley, A., and Nalley., L.L. “Yield Stability in Kansas Wheat Varieties, 1977–2006.” Selected Paper at the Western Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting, Portland, OR, July 29-August 1, 2007.Google Scholar
Barkley, A.P., and Porter., L.L. “The Determinants of Wheat Variety Selection in Kansas, 1974 to 1993.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics 78(1996):202–11.Google Scholar
Campbell, C.A., Selles, F., Zentner, R.P., McConkey, B.G., Brandt, S.A., and Mckenzie., R.C. “Regression Model for Predicting Yield of Hard Red Spring Wheat Grown on Stubble in the Semiarid Prairie.” Canadian Journal of Plant Science 77(1997a):43–52.Google Scholar
Campbell, C.A., Seiles, F., Zentner, R.P., McConkey, B.G., Mckenzie, R.C., and Brandt., S.A. “Factors Influencing Grain N Concentration of Hard Red Spring Wheat in the Semiarid Prairie.” Canadian Journal of Plant Science 77(1997b):53–62.Google Scholar
Canadian Food Inspection Agency. “10-Year Review of Canada's Plant Breeders' Rights Act.” Internet site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/1Oy re.shtml#4.0 (Accessed October 22, 2007).Google Scholar
Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Plant Breeders' Rights Applications by Crop Kind. Internet site: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/pbrpov/croproe.pdf (Accessed April 17, 2008).Google Scholar
Canadian Wheat Board. Canadian Wheat Board Variety Survey. Internet site: http://www.cwb.ca/public/en/farmers/surveys/variety (Accessed: October 18, 2007).Google Scholar
Carew, R., and Smith., E.G. “Assessing the Contribution of Genetic Enhancements and Fertilizer Application Regimes on Canola Yield and Production Risk in Manitoba.” Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 54(2006): 215–26.Google Scholar
Claffey, B.A. “Patenting Life Forms: Issues Surrounding the Plant Variety Protection Act.” Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics 13(1981):29–37.Google Scholar
Dahl, B.L., and Wilson., W.W. “Factors Affecting the Supply of High Quality Spring Wheat: Comparisons Between the United States and Canada.” Agricultural Economics Report No. 374-S. Department of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Experiment Station, North Dakota State University, 1997.Google Scholar
Dahl, B.L., Wilson, W.W., and Wilson., W.W. “Factors Affecting Spring Wheat Choices: Comparisons Between Canada and the United States.” Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 47(1999):305–20.Google Scholar
DePauw, R.M., Thomas, J.B., and Townley-Smith, T.F. “Spring Wheat Production in the Brown and Dark Brown Soil Zones of Western Canada.” Wheat Production in Canada. Slinkard, A.E. and Fowler, D.B., eds. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: University of Saskatchewan, 1986, pp. 27–45.Google Scholar
Di Falco, S., and Chavas, J.-P. “Crop Genetic Diversity, Farm Productivity and the Management of Environmental Risk in Rainfed Agriculture.” European Review of Agriculture Economics 33(2006):289–314.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dumanski, J., Cann, M., and Wolynetz., M.S. Identification of Crop Production Risk Areas in Manitoba based on Agroecological Resources. Ottawa, Ontario: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch Report, 1992.Google Scholar
Environment Canada. Canadian Climate Data. Internet site: http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climateData/Canada_e.html (Accessed October 15, 2007).Google Scholar
Graf, R.J. “Meeting the Challenges Head-On: Wheat Breeding Challenges.” Joint Annual Convention of the Western Barley Growers' Association and Western Canadian Wheat Growers' Association, Canmore, Alberta, Canada, February 16–18, 2005.Google Scholar
Graf, R.J. Personal Communication. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Lethbridge Research Centre, November, 7, 2006.Google Scholar
Grant, C. “Optimizing Wheat Yield and Protein on the Canadian Prairies.” Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI) Project # 98–147. Internet site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/research/ardi/projects/98-147.html (Accessed October 5, 2006).Google Scholar
Grant, C.A., Platen, D.N., Tomasiewicz, D.J., and Sheppard., S.C. “The Importance of Early Season Phosphorus Nutrition.” Canadian Journal of Plant Science 81(2001):211–24.Google Scholar
Holzapfel, C.B., Lafond, G.P., Brandt, S.A., May, W.E., and Johnston., A.M. “In-soil Banded versus Post-seeding Liquid Nitrogen Applications in No-till Spring Wheat and Canola.” Canadian Journal of Plant Science 87(2007):223–32.Google Scholar
Hurd, B.H. “Yield Response and Production Risk: An Analysis of Integrated Pest Management in Cotton.” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 19(1994):313–26.Google Scholar
Hussain, S.S., and Mudasser., M. “Prospects for Wheat Production under Changing Climate in Mountain Areas of Pakistan - An Econometric Analysis.” Agricultural Systems 94(2007): 494–501.Google Scholar
Judge, G.G., Hill, R.C., Griffiths, W.E., Lutkepohl, H., and Lee., T. Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Econometrics. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1982.Google Scholar
Just, R., and Pope., R.D. “Stochastic Specification of Production Functions and Economic Implications.” Journal of Econometrics 7(1978):67–86.Google Scholar
Just, R., and Pope., R.D. “Production Function Estimation and Related Risk Considerations.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics 61(1979):276–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kolady, D.E., and Lesser., W. “But are they Meritorious? Genetic Productivity Gains under Plant Intellectual Property Rights.” Journal of Agricultural Economics 60(2009):62—79.Google Scholar
Lindo, J. Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Special Tabulation Request of Spring Wheat Cultivars Registered in Canada. March, 2008.Google Scholar
Malhi, S.S., Grant, C.A., Johnston, A.M., and Gill., K.S. “Nitrogen Fertilization Management for No-till Cereal Production in the Canadian Great Plains: A Review.” Soil & Tillage Research 60(2001): 101–22.Google Scholar
Manitoba Agricultural Service Corporation. Manitoba Management Plus: Wheat Varietal Yield and Acreage Data plus Fertilizer Data by Production Risk Areas. Internet site: http:// www.mmpp.com/ (Accessed August 21, 2007).Google Scholar
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. Manitoba Fertilizer Recommendations: Guidelines Based on Soil Tests. Internet site: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/soil water/soilfert/fbd02sl6.html (Accessed December 20, 2006).Google Scholar
McCaig, T.N., and DePauw., R.M. “Breeding Hard Red Spring Wheat in Western Canada: Historical Trends in Yield and Related Variables.” Canadian Journal of Plant Science 75(1995):387–93.Google Scholar
Meristem Land and Science. Canada in the Big Picture. Updates for the 2004 Wheat Breeding Report. Western Grains Research Foundation. Internet site: http://www.meristem.com/wheatRpt/WheafRpt04.pdf (Accessed September 11, 2006).Google Scholar
Naseem, A., Oehmke, J.F., and Schimmelpfennig., D.E. “Does Plant Variety Intellectual Property Protection Improve Farm Productivity? Evidence from Cotton Varieties.” AgBioForum 8(2005): 100–107.Google Scholar
Pray, C.E., and Knudson., M. “Impact of Intellectual Property Rights on Genetic Diversity: The Case of U.S. Wheat.” Contemporary Economic Policy 12(1994): 102–12.Google Scholar
Raddatz, R.L., and Shaykewich, C.F. “Impact of Warm Summers on the Actual Evapotranspiration from Spring Wheat Grown on the Eastern Canadian Prairies.” Canadian Journal of Soil Science 78(1998):171–79.Google Scholar
Rangnekar, D. “R&D Appropriability and Planned Obsolescence: Empirical Evidence from Wheat Breeding in the UK (1960–1995).” Xth EAAE Congress ‘Exploring Diversity in the European Agri-Food System’, Zaragoza (Spain), August 28–31, 2002.Google Scholar
Roberts, R.K., Walters, J.T., Larson, J.A., English, B.C., and Howard., D.D. “Effects of Disease, Nitrogen Source, and Risk on Optimal Nitrogen Fertilization Timing in Winter Wheat Production.” Agronomy Journal 96(2004):792–99.Google Scholar
Smale, M. Valuing Crop Biodiversity: On-farm Genetic Resources and Economic Change. Wallingford, UK: CABI Publishing, 2005.Google Scholar
Smale, M., Hartell, J., Heisey, P.W., and Senauer., B. “The Contribution of Genetic Resources and Diversity to Wheat Production in the Punjab of Pakistan.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics 80(1998) :482–93.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smale, M., Meng, E., Brennan, J.P., and Hu., R. “Determinants of Spatial Diversity in Modem Wheat: Examples from Australia and China.” Agricultural Economics 28(2003): 13–26.Google Scholar
Smith, E.G., McKenzie, R.H., and Grant., C.A. “Optimal Input Use When Inputs Affect Price and Yield.” Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 51(2003):1—13.Google Scholar
Statistics Canada. Estimated Area, Yield, Production and Average Farm Price of Canadian Hard Red Spring Wheat. Table 001–0010. Internet site: http://estat.statcan.ca (Accessed October 18, 2007).Google Scholar
Stewart, J.W.B., and Karamanos., R.E. “Phosphorus, Potassium and Minor Elements in Wheat Production.” Wheat Production in Canada. Slinkard, A.E. and Fowler, D.B., eds. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Crop Development Centre, University of Saskatchewan, 1986, pp. 192–226.Google Scholar
Subedi, K.D., Ma, B.L., and Xue., A.G. “Planting Date and Nitrogen Effects on Grain Yield and Protein Content of Spring Wheat.” Crop Science 47(2007):36–44.Google Scholar
Tiessen, K.H.D., Flaten, D.N., Grant, C.A., Karamanos, R.E., and Entz., M.H. “Efficiency of Fall-banded Urea for Spring Wheat Production in Manitoba.” Canadian Journal of Soil Science 85(2005):649–66.Google Scholar
Traxler, G., Falck-Zepeda, J., Ortiz-Monasterio, J.I., and Sayre., K. “Production Risk and the Evolution of Varietal Technology.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics 77(1995): 1–7.Google Scholar
Walburger, A.M., Klein, K.K., and Folkins., T. “Diffusion of Wheat Varieties in Three Agro-Climatic Zones of Western Canada.” Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 47(1999): 293–304.Google Scholar
Wilcox, D. Personal Communication. Manitoba Agricultural Service Corporation, Winnipeg, Manitoba. May 25, 2006.Google Scholar
Willis, B. Canadian Agriculture Research Council. Professional and Technical Person Years Devoted to Public Wheat Research in Canada. Tabulation Data Request. Ottawa, Ontario, March 21, 2008.Google Scholar
Yang, S.-R., Koo, W.K., and Wilson., W.W. “Het-eroskedasticity in Crop Yield Models.” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 17(1992): 103–109.Google Scholar