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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353640
Research Project: Sustaining Agroecosystems and Water Resources in the Northeastern U.S.

Location: Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research

Title: Distribution of dairy production strategies in the US and environmental impact

Author
item Holly, Michael
item Kleinman, Peter
item Soder, Kathy

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2017
Publication Date: 10/22/2017
Citation: Holly, M.A., Kleinman, P.J., Soder, K.J. 2017. Distribution of dairy production strategies in the US and environmental impact[abstract].P. 1.

Interpretive Summary: No interpretive summary is required for this Abstract. JLB.

Technical Abstract: The documented emergence of alternative management strategies for dairy production may have implications for productivity and environmental losses. This study compared farm strategies and simulated environmental impact of the major dairy production regions in the United States. The Agricultural Research Management Survey (ARMS) was used to determine characteristics of five farm strategies (confinement, semi-confinement, organic, management intensive rotational grazing MIRG, and Amish farm production strategies) and determine distribution within regions of the US. Average farm sizes and management strategies from survey data were then with the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) to simulate whole farm production and environmental impact. Results from the study will be used to identify recommendations for feasible best management practices to decrease environmental implications with negligible impact to profit margins.