Economic Analyses of Soil Carbon Management and Regenerative Agricultural Practices in Semi-Arid Ecoregions

Each of the three chapters in this dissertation focus on the economic implications of regenerative agricultural practices in the Texas High Plains (THP). The first chapter is a review that examines the potential for agricultural carbon sequestration in the THP, producer incentives for engaging in carbon related initiatives, key attributes of soil carbon contracts, and the relationship between climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and water conservation. The review highlights the importance of considering regional climatic and economic conditions in advancing CSA and recognizes the current state of carbon contracts as a barrier to producer participation in carbon sequestration initiatives. The review underscores the importance of regionally tailored strategies when developing both CSA and carbon sequestration initiatives to address unique environmental concerns while supporting long-term economic feasibility and agricultural sustainability. The second chapter evaluates producers’ willingness to accept values for adopting cover crops in the Southern Great Plains. The purpose of this study is to analyze agricultural producers’ willingness to adopt regenerative cover crop practices in their operation and the effects of producer and farm characteristics on willingness to accept (WTA) values. The paper utilizes the double-bounded contingent valuation method to analyze survey responses submitted by producers and non-operating landowners in the Texas and Oklahoma portions of the Southern Great Plains. Results showed that programs aimed at increasing adoption rates may require more substantial investment compared to those focused on continuity with current adopters. This third chapter explores the factors influencing soil organic carbon (SOC) levels across different soil depths in the THP using a hierarchical Bayesian (HB) modeling approach. The analysis evaluates the effects of agricultural practices, soil textures, and environmental conditions on SOC accumulation and estimates potential SOC stocks and associated economic benefits. Results indicate that management practices, particularly no-till, are linked to greater SOC levels, while soil texture and environmental conditions contribute to significant variability. These findings provide valuable insights for designing effective carbon sequestration strategies and informing agricultural policy in semi-arid regions.