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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #262297
Title: Modeling and implementing feed management decisions into whole farm nutrient management

Author
item HARRISON, J - Washington State University
item Rotz, Clarence - Al

Submitted to: Joint Meeting of the ADSA, AMSA, ASAS and PSA
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2011
Publication Date: 3/14/2011
Citation: Harrison, J., Rotz, C.A. 2011. Modeling and implementing feed management decisions into whole farm nutrient management. Proceedings of the 2011 Joint Meeting of the ADSA, AMSA, ASAS and PSA. p. 1.

Interpretive Summary: An interpretive summary is not required.

Technical Abstract: Feed management plays a major role in whole farm nutrient management. On most dairy farms, imported feed contributes more than 50% of the nutrients entering the farm. Export of nutrients from the farm in milk approximates 30% or less of the nitrogen and phosphorus consumed by the herd. Whole farm nutrient management must consider the magnitude and role that feed management decisions have on whole farm nutrient flows. Software tools are helpful when quantifying and evaluating feed management options. Three tools will be used to demonstrate the scope that feed management plays in whole farm nutrient management. The tools are: Whole Farm Balance Nutrient Education Tool (WFBNET) and Feed Nutrient Management Planning Economics (FNMP$) (http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/dairy/nutrient-management/software.asp); and the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM - http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/docs.htm?docid=8519). WFBNET was developed to quickly aid dairy producers with understanding nutrient management at the whole farm level. FNMP$ was developed to connect feeding decisions to the whole farm level and to estimate environmental and economic implications of feed management decisions. IFSM is a farm simulation model developed to evaluate the impact of a wide range of management decisions such as cropping strategy, feeding options, manure handling methods, equipment selection, and weather factors on environmental and economic performance of farms. Factors such as forage selection and use of high phosphorus byproduct feeds will be used to show the impact that these decisions have on economics and environmental factors.