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ARS Home » Northeast Area » University Park, Pennsylvania » Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #134968
Title: OPTIMIZATION OF MANURE STORAGE MANAGEMENT: AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC APPROACH

Author
item GIASSON, ELVIO - CORNELL UNIVERSITY
item Bryant, Ray
item BILLS, NELSON - CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/13/2003
Publication Date: 7/1/2003
Citation: Giasson, E., Bryant, R.B., Bills, N.L. Optimization of phosphorus index and costs of manure management on a New York dairy farm. Agronomy Journal. 2003. v. 95. p. 987-993.

Interpretive Summary: Producers that manage livestock operations are faced with increasing challenges to manage manure to reduce the risks of nutrient losses to surface waters. Phosphorus (P) is the nutrient of primary concern, and many states are implementing P-Indices as a tool for assessing the environmental risks posed by nutrient management. Although management options that reduce the risk of P loss are available, the costs of implementing new management practices may impact already thin profit margins. Consequently, manure management decisions are complex and important to the economic sustainability of the farm. This study used mathematical programming techniques to evaluate the environmental and economic benefits of improved allocation and timing of manure application among fields, surface application versus incorporation, and manure storage facilities of different capacities for a typical mid-sized dairy farm in New York State. The farm has 587 adult dairy cows and 430 young animals (1,202 animal units). Fifty-three fields (26 cornfields and 27 pastures) ranging in size from one ha to 15 ha are available to receive livestock manure. The results indicate that the best management decision would be to follow an improved manure allocation scheme, to have three months manure storage capacity, and to surface apply manure. Compared to current practices, the recommended combination of practices result in an approximate 45 percent reduction in environmental risks as quantified by the P-Index (64.2 vs. 36.1) for a cost increase of less than two percent ($146,573 vs. $148,821).

Technical Abstract: Manure allocation on large-scale confinement Animal Feeding Operations is a complex management decision. This study assesses the cost effectiveness and environmental benefits derived from various combinations of manure management options for a typical mid-sized dairy farm in New York State. The farm has 587 adult dairy cows and 430 young animals (1,202 animal units). Fifty-three fields (26 cornfields and 27 pastures) ranging in size from one ha to 15 ha are available to receive livestock manure. Morgan's Soil Test P values range from 1.1 kg ha-1 to 87.3 kg ha-1 (mean of 20.1 kg ha-1). Options included optimal allocation of manure in time and space, surface application, incorporation, and manure storage facilities of three, six, and eight-month storage capacities. The decision process included economic and environmental indicators, including nutrient management costs (manure handling and fertilization) and the New York State Phosphorus Site Index (P-Index). Mathematical programming techniques and utility functions are used to select the best combination of manure management practices. The results show a convergence indicating that the best management decision would be to follow a manure allocation scheme optimized in time and space, to have three months manure storage capacity, and to surface apply manure. Compared to current practices, the recommended combination of practices result in an approximate 45 percent reduction in the mean area weighted P-Index (64.2 vs. 36.1) for a cost increase of less than two percent ($146,573 vs. $148,821).