Systematic Nutrient (im) Balances in Dairy Farm Systems of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions of the United States

Quirine M. Ketterings, Karl J. Czymmek, Douglas B. Beegle, Larry E. Chase and Caroline N. Rasmussen

Journal of Agricultural Science, 2012, vol. 4, issue 11, 1

Abstract: Many governmental programs that address non-point source pollution from animal feeding operations havefocussed on promoting land-based best management practices (BMPs). Our objectives were to illustrate and quantify nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic dairy farms using (1) a hypothetical and representative Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic dairy farm, and (2) three case study dairy farms with animal densities of 1.6 to 2.4 milking cows ha-1. Analyses of N and P balances for the representative farm showed an annual surplus of 258 kg N and 31 kg P2O5 ha-1. For the three case study farms, 65-73% of the N and 41-62% of the P that entered the farm through feed, fertilizer, fixation, animal purchases and/or bedding were not exported in the form of milk, animals or crops, resulting in excesses of 114-248 kg N ha-1 and 37-42 kg P2O5 ha-1. These quantifications suggest that land-based BMPs to address non-point source pollution will fall short of expectations over the long-term because they do not recognize the strategic issues faced by many of today’s dairy farmers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. We conclude that for the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry, a land-based BMP approach should be complimented with whole farm nutrient mass balance assessments and address nutrient source reduction and/or manure treatment and export. The latter requires a change in cropping systems and/or innovative systems to treat the manure to decrease transport costs and/or add economic value.

Date: 2012
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