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Dairy farm nutrient management model: 2. Evaluation of different strategies to mitigate phosphorus surplus

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  • Huhtanen, Pekka
  • Nousiainen, Juha
  • Turtola, Eila

Abstract

To reduce (P) surpluses on dairy farms and thereby the risk of P losses to natural waters we studied different management alternatives by a nutrient balance model described in the companion paper. The strategies evaluated mitigating the P surpluses were: mineral P fertilisation, dietary mineral P supplementation, replacement rate, animal density, production level, feeding intensity, dietary P concentration and nutrient efficiency in crop production. Responses to several interventions (e.g. mineral P fertilisation, purchased feed P, replacement rate) were similar to those observed in Finnish field studies. Reducing or completely giving up the use of purchased mineral P fertilisers was the most efficient measure to reduce P surplus. The slope between the amount of mineral fertilisers and P surplus was 0.98-0.99 (in the field data 1.0). Increased animal density resulted in a greater P surplus, but the slope between P input from purchased feed and surplus was considerably smaller (0.65) than that of P fertilisation. Increasing milk yield with improved genetic potential of the cows would have minimal effects on P surplus per unit of product, but it would increase P surplus per hectare. When the intensity of energy and protein feeding was increased, P surplus rose markedly both per unit of product and hectare. This is (1) due to increased dietary P concentration and (2) due to smaller marginal production responses than those calculated from feeding standards. Reducing dietary P concentration by constraining P excess per kg milk in least-cost ration formulation improved P efficiency in milk production and dairy farming system. However, feed cost increased as low P energy (sugar-beet pulp) and protein (soybean meal) supplements are more expensive than cereal grains or rapeseed feeds. Improving the nutrient use efficiency in crop production had a strong influence in the whole-farm efficiency and P surplus. The modelling results showed that Finnish dairy farms have a great potential to improve P efficiency and reduce P losses to the environment, even by increasing production intensity (milk/ha). It is concluded that the most cost-effective scenario to mitigate P surpluses at a dairy farm would be to reduce or give up the use of mineral P as fertilisers and supplements, and to improve the use of present soil P reserves.

Suggested Citation

  • Huhtanen, Pekka & Nousiainen, Juha & Turtola, Eila, 2011. "Dairy farm nutrient management model: 2. Evaluation of different strategies to mitigate phosphorus surplus," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(5), pages 383-391, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:104:y:2011:i:5:p:383-391
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bruce A. Babcock, 1992. "The Effects of Uncertainty on Optimal Nitrogen Applications," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 14(2), pages 271-280.
    2. Nousiainen, J. & Tuori, M. & Turtola, E. & Huhtanen, P., 2011. "Dairy farm nutrient management model. 1. Model description and validation," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(5), pages 371-382, June.
    3. Buysse, J. & Van Huylenbroeck, G. & Vanslembrouck, I. & Vanrolleghem, P., 2005. "Simulating the influence of management decisions on the nutrient balance of dairy farms," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 86(3), pages 333-348, December.
    4. Modin-Edman, Anna-Karin & Oborn, Ingrid & Sverdrup, Harald, 2007. "FARMFLOW--A dynamic model for phosphorus mass flow, simulating conventional and organic management of a Swedish dairy farm," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 94(2), pages 431-444, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adenuga, Adewale Henry & Davis, John & Hutchinson, George & Donnellan, Trevor & Patton, Myles, 2018. "Estimation and determinants of phosphorus balance and use efficiency of dairy farms in Northern Ireland: A within and between farm random effects analysis," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 11-19.
    2. Mihailescu, E. & Ryan, W. & Murphy, P.N.C. & Casey, I.A. & Humphreys, J., 2015. "Economic impacts of nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency on nineteen intensive grass-based dairy farms in the South of Ireland," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 121-132.
    3. Buckley, Cathal & Wall, David P. & Moran, Brian & O'Neill, Stephen & Murphy, Paul N.C., 2016. "Phosphorus management on Irish dairy farms post controls introduced under the EU Nitrates Directive," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 1-8.
    4. Vadas, Peter A. & Mark Powell, J. & Brink, Geoff E. & Busch, Dennis L. & Good, Laura W., 2015. "Whole-farm phosphorus loss from grazing-based dairy farms," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 40-47.
    5. Nousiainen, J. & Tuori, M. & Turtola, E. & Huhtanen, P., 2011. "Dairy farm nutrient management model. 1. Model description and validation," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(5), pages 371-382, June.
    6. Áine Macken-Walsh & Anne Byrne & Nata Duvvury & Tanya Watson, 2014. "Gender, Power and Property: “In my own right”," Working Papers 1401, Rural Economy and Development Programme,Teagasc.
    7. Cathal Buckley & Paul Murphy & David Wall, 2013. "Farm-gate N and P balances and use efficiencies across specialist dairy farms in the Republic Ireland," Working Papers 1302, Rural Economy and Development Programme,Teagasc.

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