Economics of Windbreaks Leah Moore USDA-NRCS Agricultural Economist

Objectives Benefits to: –Crop Production –Livestock –Wildlife –Rural Living –Snow Management Establishment and Maintenance Costs Examples

Benefits of Windbreaks Benefits of windbreaks are not always easy to assess. For all practical purposes, use the range of estimated “change” attributable to windbreaks. Qualitative versus Quantitative

Crop Production - Benefits Higher product quality Increased crop yields over the entire field Reduced irrigation needs Less soil loss from wind erosion Protects from frost damage

Often crop yields are lowest next to a windbreak…the greatest gains are out a few more rods.

For example…

Field Windbreaks – Estimated “Change” % ChangeNotes Crop Production (yield) +6% to +44% Wind Erosion (tons/ac/year soil loss) -50% to -100%Wind velocity dependent Snow Distribution (cm dph w/in 20H) >+50%Highly variable Irrigation (in or mm/day or gr. sea.) -3% to -22%Based on sprinkler drop size

Average, Net Yield Increases of Common Grain and Oilseed Crops in Response to Shelter CropYield Increase (%) Spring Wheat6% to 10% Winter Wheat20% to 25% Barley23% to 25% Oats5% to 7% Rye18% to 20% Millet40% to 45% Corn10% to 15% Soybeans12% to 17%

Livestock - Benefits Better livestock protection, production, and survival Feed savings Increased weight gain Feed is not blown away Decreased problems with flies

Livestock – Estimated “Change” % ChangeNotes Feed – Feedlot and Open Range ($) -10% to -30%Variable by Climate Livestock Mortality (Number of Animals) -?Variable by Operation

Animal Wind Chill Chart

Wildlife - Benefits Improved game and non-game fish and wildlife habitat Increased hunting opportunities Cover and nesting areas for upland game and songbirds Benefit of “just knowing they exist”

Rural Living - Benefits Increased property values Lower farmstead heating and cooling bills Less blowing snow, dust, and odors, and reduction in noise Protects yards, machinery, etc. Protects buildings during high winds Enhances accessibility by control of snow/ice

Farmstead Windbreaks – Estimated “Changes” % ChangeNotes Energy Consumption (e.g., kWh)-10% to -40%Variable by Region Snow Removal ($ of labor) -?Variable by Individual Working Conditions ($ of labor) -?Variable by Individual Equipment Maintenance/Replacement ($) -?Variable by Operation Structure Maintenance ($)-?Variable by Operation Road Dust ($ - Accident Frequency)-?Variable by Locality Property Value ($)+6% to +12%Variable by Region Noise Level (decibels, dBA) -10% to -20%Dependent on Barrier

Wind Chill Index

Snow Management - Benefits Reduced ditch cleaning and snow removal costs Better ability to “harvest” water through improved snow management Less ice accumulation Serves as snow fences

Living Snow Fence – Estimated “Changes” % ChangeNotes Snow Removal ($ of Labor) -?Variable Traffic Flow ($/mi fuel, oil, etc.) -?Variable

Other Benefits Diversified source of income and less risk Profits from valuable specialty crop and forest products Improved financial returns from on-farm value-added activities Improved water quality Greater biological and aesthetic diversity Increased recreational opportunities Provides picnic and social areas

Economic Costs Costs vary in time and place Costly to establish and to maintain and renovate Becoming less effective at sheltering crops and controlling moisture because older windbreaks are losing trees that are not being replaced

Crop Production – Economic Costs Damage from herbicide drift Shelters harmful insects Map sap moisture from crops Interferes with irrigation Lower production near shelterbelt Loss of crop acres

Livestock – Economic Costs Impedes air circulation in summer

Rural Living – Economic Costs Blocks the view

Other – Costs Restricts farm arrangement Establishment takes time, etc. Maintenance costs

Cost of Establishment Cost of site preparation Cost to buy plant materials Cost of planting Cost of weed control Cost of fencing Cost of irrigation

Cost of Maintenance Cost of weed control Cost of replanting Cost of pruning Cost of thinning

Land Costs Taxes Rental Utility assessments

Cost of Renovation Cost of clearing away the old rows of trees Cost of planting new trees Cost of maintaining the new windbreak Opportunity cost of the land on which the windbreak is located.

The End Any Questions?