Quantifying dairy farm nutrient fluxes and balances for improved assessment of environmental performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Innocent Rugoho ◽  
Hayden Lewis ◽  
Muhammad Islam ◽  
Andrew McAllister ◽  
Gemma Heemskerk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Nutrient Fluxes ◽  
Preliminary Evaluation ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Nutrient Mass Balance

Excess nutrients are challenging the long-term sustainability of grazing-based dairy farming. Whole-farm nutrient-mass balance (NMB) is a well recognised approach to improve on-farm nutrient management decisions. In the present paper, we use a standardised approach for quantifying NMB on grazing-based dairy farms, using a newly developed online tool. Preliminary evaluation, using selected farm data from a previous Australia-wide dairy-farm nutrient study, demonstrated highly comparable estimates of farm area, nutrient fluxes and NMB, with substantial efficiencies in time and sample analysis. Nutrient mass balances were also determined on 16 diverse dairy farms across the five major dairy regions of Victoria, Australia. These results highlighted the importance of purchased feed, fertiliser and milk sales, as major sources of nutrient inputs and outputs, with whole-farm NMB for the 16 dairy farms ranging from 185 to 481 kg/ha for nitrogen, 12–59 kg/ha for phosphorus, 9–244 kg/ha for potassium and –6–55 kg/ha for sulfur. Current industry adoption of the NMB tool has confirmed the benefits of a standardised and efficient collation and processing of readily available farm data to inform nutrient management decisions on commercial dairy farms. We suggest that the standardised assessment of nutrient fluxes, balances and efficiency, as well as feed- and milk-production performance at the whole-farm level, provides dairy farmers, farm advisors and industry and policy analysts with the ability to determine industry-wide goals and improve environmental performance.

Improving the nutrient status of a commercial dairy farm: An integrated approach

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek H. Lynch ◽  
Rupert W. Jannasch ◽  
Alan H. Fredeen ◽  
Ralph C. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Regulatory Constraints ◽  
Soil Test P

AbstractMinimizing nutrient surpluses and improving efficiency of nutrient use are key challenges for all dairy farming production systems, driven by economic, environmental and increasing regulatory constraints. Our study examined the efficiency of N, P and K use on a commercial dairy farm through an integrated approach that evaluated the nutrient status of all aspects of the production system of the case-study farm, a 75 lactating Holstein cow dairy in Kings County, Nova Scotia, Canada. During the decade after 1988, the farm owner implemented a series of changes in production practices, including diversification of the crop rotation, implementation of a management intensive grazing (MIG) regime and adoption of a systematic approach to soil and nutrient management. Milk production, and associated farm exports of N, P and K, increased by 666 kg cow−1 between 1990 and 2000. Purchases of N-P-K fertilizers were eliminated in 1990 and feed nutrient imports were dramatically reduced. Feed costs per liter of milk declined from 14.3 cents (CDN) liter−1 in 1990–92 to 11.6 cents liter−1 in 1998–2000, even as feed prices increased regionally by 10–20% over the same period. Modeling of current whole farm mass N, P and K balance indicated that 25.0% of all N inputs are recovered inform products, milk and meat. Non-legume-derived field N input (67kg Nha−1 before losses) was close to optimum for the predominantly legume/grass-based forage cropping system. Model-determined annual farm nutrient surpluses (outputs-inputs) for P (9.0kgha−1 yr−1) and K (8.2 kg ha−1 yr−1) were significantly lower than those previously reported for regional confinement-based dairy farms, which were more reliant on corn production. However, data from 16 years of soil analysis (1985–2001) indicated an increase in soil-test P levels of approximately 2 mg kg−1 yr−1. Recent refinements in dairy animal dietary P levels have further reduced the farm P surplus (2.6 kg ha−1 in year 2001) and are shown as key to a strategy for reversal of the trend in soil-test P levels. In summary, the combined approach of whole-farm system nutrient management, crop diversification and MIG increased milk production and minimized costs while reducing farm nutrient inputs. The study demonstrates how an approach to dairy farm nutrient management which integrates livestock and crop nutrient requirements may reduce dairy farm nutrient loading while maintaining productivity.

scholarly journals Farm-scale nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur balances and use efficiencies on Australian dairy farms

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (10) ◽  
pp. 929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron J. P. Gourley ◽  
Warwick J. Dougherty ◽  
David M. Weaver ◽  
Sharon R. Aarons ◽  
Ivor M. Awty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Nutrient Balance ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Farm Size ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Management Tools ◽  
Farm Scale ◽  
Use Efficiency

Efficient and effective nutrient management decisions are critical to profitable and sustainable milk production on modern Australian dairy farms. Whole-farm nutrient balances are commonly used as nutrient management tools and also for regulatory assessment on dairy farms internationally, but are rarely used in Australia. In this study, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S) imports and exports were measured during a standardised production year on 41 contrasting Australian dairy farms, representing a broad range of geographic locations, milk production, herd and farm size, reliance on irrigation, and soil types. The quantity of nutrients imported varied markedly – with feed and fertiliser generally the most substantial imports – and were principally determined by stocking rate and type of imported feed. Milk exports were the largest source of nutrient exports. Nitrogen balance ranged from 47 to 601 kg N/ha.year. Nitrogen-use efficiency ranged from 14 to 50%, with a median value of 26%. Phosphorus balance ranged from –7 to 133 kg P/ha.year, with a median value of 28 kg P/ha. Phosphorus-use efficiencies ranged from 6 to 158%, with a median value of 35%. Potassium balances ranged from 13 to 452 kg K/ha, with a median value of 74 kg K/ha; K-use efficiency ranged from 9 to 48%, with a median value of 20%. Sulfur balances ranged from –1 to 184 kg S/ha, with a median value of 27 kg S/ha; S-use efficiency ranged from 6 to 110%, with a median value of 21%. Nitrogen, P, K and S balances were all positively correlated (P < 0.001) with stocking rate and milk production per ha. Poor relationship between P, K and S fertiliser inputs and milk production from home-grown pasture reflected the already high soil fertility levels measured on many of these farms. The results from this study demonstrate that increasing milk production per ha will be associated with greater nutrient surpluses at the farm scale, with the potential for greater environmental impacts. We suggest that simplified and standardised nutrient balance methodologies should be used on dairy farms in Australia to help identify opportunities for improvements in nutrient management decisions and to develop appropriate industry benchmarks and targets.

Nutrient budgeting as an approach to improving nutrient management on Australian dairy farms

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (9) ◽  
pp. 1064 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. P. Gourley ◽  
J. M. Powell ◽  
W. J. Dougherty ◽  
D. M. Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Nutrient Use Efficiency ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Nutrient Losses ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Nutrient Pools ◽  
Farming Community ◽  
Societal Pressure

Dairy farming in Australia continues to intensify. Increased stocking rates have resulted in increased milk production per ha, but have also required greater inputs of purchased feed and fertiliser. The imbalance between nutrient inputs, primarily as feed and fertiliser, and nutrient outputs, in milk and livestock, has resulted in significant nutrient accumulation on dairy farms and, consequently, a greater risk of nutrient loss to the environment. Nutrient budgeting is a technique used to quantify or predict nutrient deficits or surpluses, either at a whole-farm or field scale, in an attempt to improve nutrient use efficiency and reduce nutrient losses from agriculture. A broad range of nutrient budgeting approaches are used internationally, and depending on their purpose, they vary from the very simple to the very complex. Nutrient budgeting has been widely used to assist on-farm nutrient management decisions, in research to identify major nutrient pools, transformations and losses, to enable farmers to access cost-sharing support from governments, and in some countries as a major regulatory tool. The changing nature of Australian dairy operations, the increasing societal pressure on the farming community to reduce nutrient losses to water and air, and the need to provide evidence that farm practices are meeting environmental standards, justifies the need for improved nutrient management practices on Australian dairy farms. This paper describes different types of nutrient budgeting approaches used internationally and assesses the benefits of developing a practical, scientifically rigorous and nationally standardised nutrient budgeting approach for the Australian dairy industry.

Modelling whole farm profitability and environmental performance of four alfalfa‐grass binary mixtures in Eastern Canadian dairy farms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronique Ouellet ◽  
Gaëtan F. Tremblay ◽  
Jean‐Philippe Laroche ◽  
Gilles Bélanger ◽  
Simon Binggeli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Farm Profitability

scholarly journals Nutrient Management Effects on Wine Grape Tissue Nutrient Content

Plants ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
John L. Havlin ◽  
Robert Austin ◽  
David Hardy ◽  
Adam Howard ◽  
Josh L. Heitman
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Nutrient Content ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Soil Test ◽  
Full Bloom ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Late Season ◽  
Foliar N ◽  
N Management

With limited research supporting local nutrient management decisions in North Carolina grape (Vitis vinifera) production, field studies (2015–17) were conducted to evaluate late season foliar nitrogen (N) application on leaf and petiole N concentration and yeast assimilable N (YAN) in the fruit. Foliar urea (1% v/v) was applied at different rates and application times beginning pre-and post-veraison. Compared to soil applied N, late season foliar N substantially enhanced petiole N and grape YAN. Smaller split N applications were generally more effective in increasing YAN than single larger N rates. These data demonstrate the value of assessing plant N content at full bloom with petiole N analysis or remote sensing to guide foliar N management decisions. Additional field studies (2008–11) were conducted to evaluate pre-bud soil applied phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) effects on petiole P and K nutrient status. Fertilizer P and K were initially broadcast applied (0–896 kg P2O5 ha−1; 0–672 kg K2O ha−1) prior to bud-break in 2008–09 and petiole P and K at full bloom soil test P and K were monitored for three to four years after application. Soil test and petiole P and K were significantly increased with increasing P and K rates, which subsequently declined to near unfertilized levels over the sampling time depending on site and P and K rate applied. These data demonstrate the value of annually monitoring petiole P and K levels to accurately assess plant P and K status to better inform nutrient management decisions.

scholarly journals The Comparison of Innovative Technology Usage Levels of Dairy Farms Supported and Non-Supported by IPARD Program; A Case Study of Konya

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 1809
Author(s):  
Aykut Örs ◽  
Cennet Oğuz
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Technology Usage ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Production Values ◽  
Usage Level ◽  
High Level

The purpose of this study is to compare innovative technology usage levels of dairy farms, supported and non-supported by The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance-Rural Development (IPARD) program, by scoring their usage level of 10 innovative technologies in their dairy farms. Another purpose of the study is to determine the factors associated with the innovative technology usage levels of dairy farms. The main material of the study is dairy farms supported and not supported by the IPARD program in Konya. Full count sampling method was used when determining the dairy farms supported by IPARD Program and Neyman allocation sampling method was used when determining the dairy farm non-supported by IPARD program. Research data were collected from 50 dairy farms supported by IPARD program and 100 dairy farms non-supported by IPARD program by administering a questionnaire filled during the face-to-face interviews conducted with each individual respondent. As a result of the study, it was determined that the average gross production values and gross profits of dairy farms supported by IPARD program were 4 times higher than those non-supported by IPARD program. While innovative technology usage level of dairy farms non-supported by IPARD program were entirely low level, 90% of dairy farms supported by IPARD program were high level. From the point of view of dairy farm scale, it was determined that innovative technology usage levels were high (69.84%) in dairy farms that had 51 and more milking cows. As a result of chi-square independence test, statistically significant relationship was found between innovative technology usage level of dairy farm and 12 of 13 factors.

Materials Accounting as a Policy Tool for Nutrient Management in the Danube Basin

1999 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 43-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ch. Lampert ◽  
P. H. Brunner
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Limited Resources ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Scenario Development ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Danube Basin ◽  
Efficient Measures

Nutrient management has to consider both: Nutrients as essential elements for the biosphere with limited resources and nutrients as potential environmental pollutants (eutrophication, groundwater-deterioration). Materials Accounting techniques enable to describe and quantify the metabolism of Nitrogen and Phosphorus in large river Basins, such as the Danube Basin. By knowing the sources and pathways of nutrients it is possible (i) to identify the key causes of pollution problems and (ii) to point out inefficient use of the limited resource “nutrients”. Additionally, it is possible to design efficient measures based on nutrient balances. Materials Accounting observes the changes of stocks within a time interval. Therefore, it allows the early recognition of the accumulation and depletion of harmful substances (e.g. Nitrate in the groundwater) or of limited resources (e.g. P in topsoils) in the environment. In combination with scenario development Materials Accounting has a high predictive power. There is a substantial difference in designing the most efficient measures for reducing nutrient inputs or to optimise the use of limited resources in the entire Danube Basin and in individual countries.

scholarly journals The influence on biogas production of three slurry-handling systems in dairy farms

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiano Coppolecchia ◽  
Davide Gardoni ◽  
Cecilia Baldini ◽  
Federica Borgonovo ◽  
Marcella Guarino
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Biogas Production ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Organic Matter Concentration ◽  
Deep Pit ◽  
Volatile Solids ◽  
Methane Potential ◽  
Solid Liquid ◽  
Solid Liquid Separation

Handling systems can influence the production of biogas and methane from dairy farm manures. A comparative work performed in three different Italian dairy farms showed how the most common techniques (scraper, slatted floor, flushing) can change the characteristics of collected manure. Scraper appears to be the most <em>neutral</em> choice, as it does not significantly affect the original characteristics of manure. Slatted floor produces a manure that has a lower methane potential in comparison with scraper, due to: a lower content of volatile solids caused by the biodegradation occurring in the deep pit, and a lower specific biogas production caused by the change in the characteristics of organic matter. Flushing can produce three different fluxes: diluted flushed manure, solid separated manure and liquid separated manure. The diluted fraction appears to be unsuitable for conventional anaerobic digestion in completely stirred reactors (CSTR), since its content of organic matter is too low to be worthwhile. The liquid separated fraction could represent an interesting material, as it appears to accumulate the most biodegradable organic fraction, but not as primary substrate in CSTR as the organic matter concentration is too low. Finally, the solid-liquid separation process tends to accumulate inert matter in the solid separated fraction and, therefore, its specific methane production is low.

Dairy farm nutrient management model. 1. Model description and validation

2011 ◽  
Vol 104 (5) ◽  
pp. 371-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Nousiainen ◽  
M. Tuori ◽  
E. Turtola ◽  
P. Huhtanen
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Model Description
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