provided by Research Papers in Economics
The Variable-Rate Decision for Multiple Inputs with Multiple Management Zones
Roland K. Roberts, Burton C. English, and James A. Larson
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Tennessee
2126 Morgan Circle, Knoxville, TN 37996-4518
[email protected], (865) 974-7482
Selected Paper Prepared for Presentation at the
Southern Agricultural Economics Association Annual Meeting
Little Rock, Arkansas, February 5-9, 2005
Abstract: Research has evaluated the relative profitability of variable-rate versus uniform-rate
application of a single input in fields with multiple management zones. This paper addresses the
variable-rate decision for multiple inputs. The decision-making framework is evaluated for
nitrogen and water applied to irrigated cotton in fields with three management zones.
Keywords: Breakeven analysis, cotton, economic feasibility, multiple inputs, precision farming,
variable-rate technology
JEL Classifications: Q12
Copyright 2005 by Roland K. Roberts, Burton C. English, and James A. Larson. All rights
reserved. Readers may make verbatim copies of this document for non-commercial purposes by
any means, provided that this copyright notice appears on all such copies.