Research of the Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit occasionally produces software that is made available for public use. The following software tools are currently available. Further information on this software and instructions for downloading to your computer are obtained using the following links.

Dairy Greenhouse Gas Model

The Dairy Greenhouse Gas Model (DairyGHG) is an easy to use software tool that estimates greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of dairy production systems. If you are interested in working with this tool, we recommend that you use the DairyGEM software that follows. DairyGEM includes everything in the original DairyGHG software along with predictions of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions and a few updates in greenhouse gas emissions. For more information on DairyGHG or a copy of this software, click on the heading above. For more information on DairyGEM, click on the heading below.

Dairy Gas Emissions Model

The Dairy Gas Emissions Model (DairyGEM) is an expansion of the DairyGHG software tool described above. This new tool predicts ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions along with greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of dairy production systems. A process-based simulation is used to predict ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions as influenced by climate and farm management. Net carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide emissions are also estimated using process simulation or process related emission factors. A carbon footprint is determined that includes both primary and secondary emissions. Primary emissions occur during the production process and secondary emissions are those occurring during the production of resources used including machinery, fuel, electricity, fertilizer, pesticides, and plastic. Click on the heading to read more about DairyGEM or to download the software.

Integrated Farm System Model

The Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) is a process-based simulation of dairy, beef, and crop farming systems. This farm model provides a tool for evaluating the long term performance, economics, and environmental impacts of production systems over many years of weather. Environmental impacts include volatile nitrogen losses, nitrate loss to ground water, erosion, soluble and sediment phosphorus losses to surface water, and greenhouse gas emissions. This model is an expanded version of the former Dairy Forage System Model (DAFOSYM). Click on the heading to download or read more about the Integrated Farm System Model.