This report focuses on methods to reduce emissions from agricultural field burning through alternative post-harvest treatments involving reduced burning. Annual field burning is conducted by producers of Kentucky blue-grass seed, and some cereal crops in northern Idaho. From the analysis of the effects of reduced-burning alternatives, the major findings were: (1) Air contaminent emissions and net returns to growers would be reduced in proportion to reductions in burning. The reduction in returns to producers would be due to increased production costs, more frequently incurred establishment costs, and reduced seed yields; (2) Increases in crop prices are not likely to be sufficient to offset the increased costs to farmers in the near term; (3) Though maximizing residue removal generally is best for yield retention and stand maintenance, none of the three residue treatments (straw removal, straw and stubble removal, no residue removal) was clearly superior based upon an emission benefit-to-cost analysis. The report recommends steps for the most effective approach to making emission reductions.

Cover title. "Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region X." "May, 1983." Includes bibliographical references.