Influence of Variable Rate Fertilization and Cover Crops on Cotton Sustainability Using the Field to Market Fieldprint Calculator

The Field to Market Fieldprint Calculator can be used to provide information on the sustainability of management strategies. This paper will compare sustainability metrics of variable rate application of fertilizers vs traditional, uniform rates. The effects of cover crops on sustainability metrics and soil erosion models will also be evaluated. The goal of these analyses is to determine management practices that will reduce the impacts from agriculture on the environment, while maintaining or increasing profitability.