Plant nutrient management strategy implications for optimal herd size and performance of a simulated dairy farm

Westphal, Patrick; Lanyon, L. E.; Partenheimer, Earl J.

doi:10.1016/0308-521x(89)90036-x

Cited by 25 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Even though opportunities exist for farm nutrient load management through reduced animal inputs, if the farm feed inputs are essential to support the animal numbers, economically optimal herd size and farm revenue can be reduced. This has been illustrated in simulated dairy farm situations (Coote et al, 1975;Westphal et al, 1989). Plant nutrients flowing to and from the southeastern Pennsylvania dairy farm in the transported materials link the farm to geographic areas of several scales ranging from the local to the international.…”

Section: Pennsylvaniamentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Application of manur~~ to alfalfa increased net farm revenue on a simulated dairy farm by increasing the area for manure application and consequently the total manure that could be applied. A larger optimal herd size was determined as a result of this management option than when the optimal herd size was limited by N applications to crops to meet environmental restrictions (Westphal et al, 1989).…”

Section: Nutrient Flow At All-fields and Individual Fieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plant Nutrient Flow in the Managed Pathways of an Intensive Dairy Farm

1990

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The magnitude, and spatial and temporal patterns of nutrient flow in the managed pathways of a farm are related to farm management decisions and interact with the biological processes of the farm. These descriptions of nutrient flow can be part of a nutrient management process that is consistent with the specifics of individual farm operations and particular farm performance goals. Nutrient flow in the managed pathways of a Pennsylvania dairy farm was measured at farm, field, and livestock unit boundaries using on‐farm equipment scales, farm records, and material sampling and analysis. Farm nutrient inputs of N, P, and K were twofold or more greater than outputs of these nutrients in the managed pathways. The temporal distribution of flows was closely related to the livestock activities on the farm. Manure storage capacity and crop developmental stage were significant factors influencing the timing of nutrient flows to and from the fields. Nutrient inputs and outputs in the managed flows at the boundary for the set of all fields were approximately equal except for the negative calculated crop available N balance. However, the range in balances for individual fields was large. Manure N and potential biological N fixation were not used efficiently on this farm due primarily to the volatilization of N from manure and the application of manure to alfalfa. Additions of nutrients to the farm in the managed flows decreased by 26, 60, and 43% for N, P, and K, respectively, in the 2nd yr of the study due primarily to less purchased animal feeds.

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Section: Pennsylvaniamentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Nutrient Flow At All-fields and Individual Fieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant Nutrient Flow in the Managed Pathways of an Intensive Dairy Farm

1990

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“…Several investigators (Eardly et al, 1985) reported that N application to alfalfa lowered herbage yields, reduced numbers of alfalfa plants in the field and increased the pemntage of weeds in the field. Recently, however, investigators concluded that the benefits of manure application to alfalfa can be justified economically and environmentally (Schmitt et al, 1994, Westphal et al, 1989).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alfalfa Composition and insaccoFiber and Protein Disappearance as Influenced by Nitrogen Application

Cherney¹,

Cherney

Siciliano-Jones

1995

Journal of Applied Animal Research

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“…Perceptions that anything other than crop requirement–based material applications are due to farmer mismanagement are often at the core of agency programs (USDA and USEPA, 1999; USEPA, 2001). However, nutrient loading to farms specializing in animal production may not be related to the needs of the crops at all (Bacon et al, 1990) and constraining nutrient applications to crop requirements can actually limit the economic success of animal‐based farms (Westphal et al, 1989).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing Material Transfer and Nutrient Flow in an Agricultural Watershed

Nord

Lanyon

2003

J of Env Quality

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Place-based resource management, such as watershed or ecosystem management, is being promoted to replace the media-focused approach for achieving water quality protection. We monitored the agricultural area of a 740-ha watershed to determine the nature and scale of farm material transfers, N and P balances, and farmer decisions that influenced them. Using field data and farmer interviews we found that 3 of 15 farms, emphasizing hog, dairy, or cash crops with poultry production, accounted for more than 80% of the inputs and outputs of N and P for the 362-ha agricultural area (332 ha of managed cropland and animal facilities). Feed for hogs (38% each of total N and P) and manure applied to fields as part of the cash crop and poultry operation (28 and 38% of total N and P, respectively) were the dominant inputs. No crops grown in the watershed were fed to animals in the watershed and more manure nutrients were applied from animals outside than from those in the watershed. A strategic decision by the hog farmer to begin marketing finished hogs changed the material transfers and nutrient balances more than tactical decisions by other farmers in allocating manure to cropland. Since the components of agricultural production were not all interconnected, the fundamental assumption of place-based management programs is not well-suited to this situation. Alternative approaches to managing the effect of agriculture on water quality should consider the organization of agricultural production and the role of strategic decisions in controlling farm nutrient balances.

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Plant nutrient management strategy implications for optimal herd size and performance of a simulated dairy farm

Cited by 25 publications

References 9 publications

Plant Nutrient Flow in the Managed Pathways of an Intensive Dairy Farm

Plant Nutrient Flow in the Managed Pathways of an Intensive Dairy Farm

Alfalfa Composition and insaccoFiber and Protein Disappearance as Influenced by Nitrogen Application

Managing Material Transfer and Nutrient Flow in an Agricultural Watershed

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