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

摘要: 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) phosphorus (P) balances of Northeast Mid-Atlantic dairy farms using (1) a hypothetical representative Northeastern farm, (2) three case study with densities 1.6 2.4 milking cows ha -1 . Analyses N P for the farm showed an annual surplus 258 kg 31 2 O 5 For farms, 65-73% 41-62% entered through feed, fertilizer, fixation, purchases and/or bedding not exported in form milk, animals or crops, resulting excesses 114-248 37-42 These quantifications suggest BMPs will fall short expectations over long-term because they do recognize strategic issues faced by many today’s farmers regions. We conclude sustainability industry, BMP approach should be complimented whole nutrient mass balance assessments reduction manure treatment export. The latter requires change cropping systems innovative treat decrease transport costs add economic value.