Data on the efficacy and costs of different weed control strategies in Swiss wheat production

Abstract

Data on the efficacy and costs of different weed control strategies in Swiss wheat production Authors: Thomas Böcker & Robert Finger, Agricultural Economics and Policy Group, ETH Zürich This content belongs to the following publication: Böcker, T., Möhring, N., Finger, R. (2019). Herbicide free agriculture? A bio-economic modelling application to Swiss wheat production. Agricultural Systems 173, 378-392. The model used in this paper is published here: Böcker, T., Finger, R. Bio-economic model on weed control in cultivation of wheat. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000278419 Note that the data refers to the year 2018. References for data sources are given in the attached files and in the primary publications listed above. There are 4 files attached: (1) The file "Weeds" contains the weed varieties that are considered in the model . In addition, the average abundance of each variety is included as a measure of its yield effect if a weed occurs (e.g. only single weed plants or larger nests) (2) The file "Pre-sowing strat" contains the weed control strategies that can be applied before the winter wheat is grown (pre-sowing strategies) (in Swiss wheat production). In addition, the herbicide and machinery costs for the weed control strategies are given as well as the necessary working hours. Every strategy is assigned efficacy value against the weeds that are summarised in file (1) [value between 0 and 1, -> 1 very good efficacy]. Also alternative techniques are included, in this case flaming the weeds and a catch crop. More details can be found in Böcker, T., Möhring, N., Finger, R. (2019). Herbicide free agriculture? A bio-economic modelling application to Swiss wheat production. Agricultural Systems 173, 378-392, and in Böcker, T., Finger, R. Bio-economic model on weed control in cultivation of wheat. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000278419 (3) The file "Post-sowing strat" is similar to file (2), but it contains those weed control strategies that can be applied after the winter wheat is sown (post-sowing strategies) (in Swiss wheat production). Efficacy of strategies and the herbicide and machinery costs for the weed control strategies are given as well as the necessary working hours. Every strategy is assigned efficacy value against the weeds that are summarised in file (1) [value between 0 and 1, -> 1 very good efficacy]. Post-sowing strategies are mostly one or two herbicide applications and/or some harrowing passes, but also alternative strategies are included such as undersown crops, weed robots and hand weeding. For those latter strategies, however, very little data is available, so that they are partly based on assumptions. More details can be found in Böcker, T., Möhring, N., Finger, R. (2019). Herbicide free agriculture? A bio-economic modelling application to Swiss wheat production. Agricultural Systems 173, 378-392, and in Böcker, T., Finger, R. Bio-economic model on weed control in cultivation of wheat. https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000278419 (4) The file "Machinery cost" contains the assumed machinery equipment available in Extenso wheat cultivation in Switzerland. This file summarizes data taken from Gazzarin, C. (2017): Maschinenkosten. Agroscope Transfer Nr. 190/2017.