Increasing numbers of animals on dairy farms in New England have increased the amount of manure produced by livestock farms. In addition, imported grains and feed concentrates have increased the concentration of nutrients in manure. Both the USDA and US EPA recognize that land application is the best method of utilizing animal manures. However, if the manure is not applied properly or if the manure load exceeds the site’s nutrient demand, ground and surface water quality can become impaired. Particularly, phosphorus (P) can build up in soils with regular manure applications. The nitrogen demand of plants is far greater than their need for P, but manure provides about equal amounts of both nutrients when applied. Thus, when farmers use manure to supply the nitrogen needs of their crops, the result is an excess amount of P that can be carried by runoff into surrounding water bodies.
New England research projects with links to their CRIS records are found here.
Research Topics
Pasture Management and Grass-based Agriculture
Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Impacts with Manure Management
Tools and Technology
Manure and Nutrient Management Research
Riparian Buffers
Pasture Management and Grass-based Agriculture
Pasture-based livestock farming offers livestock farmers in New England a way to reduce production costs and increase profitability in ways that are also beneficial to soil and water quality. Proper management encourages a reduction in pesticide use, balances animal stocking rates, reduces soil erosion, and provides a sound, economical way to recycle manure and nutrients. The University of Massachusetts (UMASS) is conducting research and education on pasture management and is organizing the development of a Pasture Research and Learning Center for New England and Eastern New York. Visit our pasture management page to learn about this research and education.
Reducing Nitrogen and Phosphorus Impacts with Manure Management Tools and Technology
UMASS together with MA NRCS have completed an update of the MA nutrient transport index through
incorporating aspects of the Cornell P-index and tailoring it to MA
conditions for use in nutrient management plans developed as part of EQIP contracts with farmers.
The update places more emphasis on P as a nutrient of concern and is currently being field tested.
UVM and UNH have also refined the
P-index
to tailor it to Northern New England soils and hydrological conditions, further protecting water
resources and continue to educate about the land application management factors that reduce the
potential for P build-up and runoff.
UMASS has recently used the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System
(CNCPS) with livestock producers to predict requirements, feed utilization, animal performance and
nutrient excretion for dairy and beef cattle and sheep. The computer program allows one to optimize
feed composition in a feeding strategy to meet animal requirements, taking into account feed digestion
and metabolism, and minimize nutrient excretion.
UMASS conducted a five page in-depth survey with over 40 dairy
farmers through face-to-face collection of farm data and manure
samples for running the fecal P indicator test. This one-hour
plus farmer interview enabled individual farmer education
on feed and nutrient application issues related to phosphorus management.
The survey data was summarized and presented at the 2007 New England In-service Training for Agricultural Service Providers.
Manure and Nutrient Management Research
Research on the use of cover crops to reduce nutrient loss
Research at UMASS during the 2004 and 2005 growing seasons focused on evaluating the role of cover crops in nutrient planning and end of season nutrient uptake in field corn. The study considered cover crop planting dates and varieties that are effective in utilizing residual nutrient levels in the soil after harvest, as well nutrients from fall applied manure. The study also considers improved soil erosion control (which further reduces potential phosphorus loss). The project has brought together UMASS faculty and Extension, USDA NRCS and farmers.
- This research at UMass
will continue for two additional years (2006-2008) with a USDA NE SARE grant entitled: Conserving end-of-season N with effective seeding dates for cover crops based on fall growing degree days. On farm trials and field tours are planned and will be advertised regionally.
- Research, education and outreach on cover crops will be continued in 2008 as part of a grant from the Mass. Agricultural Innovations Center to improve on-farm feed and nutrient balance on MA farms.
Research and education on improving on-farm feed and nutrient balance
UMASS received a grant from the Mass. Agricultural Innovations Center and UMASS Extension to provide research and education on improving on-farm grain through adjustments in corn management. The project will also improve on-farm nutrient balance through timely planting of winter cover crops, and will develop nutrient management tools such as a field calculator to estimate nutrient credits and nutrient needs. The project will also evaluate tools such as the Whole Farm Nutrient Balance Program. For more information contact Stephen Herbert and visit the UMASS Crops, Dairy, Livestock website.
Multi-state Hatch Project:
UMASS participates in the multi-state Hatch Project 1024: Whole Farm Dairy and Beef Systems for Environmental Quality. In 2007, UMASS coordinated a trip to New Zealand to study nutrient flows, manure and pasture management on dairy and beef farms. 13 LGU and USDA scientists from the US participated.
RI and CT evaluating manure management practices; enhanced infiltration for animal waste treatment:
The URI Watershed
Hydrology Lab is
collaborating with the CT NEMO
Program and
the USDA NRCS Rhode Island to adapt and examine the use of bioretention
filters for small livestock operations. Treatment of leachate
from composted manure and runoff from heavy use horse paddocks
will be the initial focus of the work. Results will be incorporated into
URI Cooperative Extension’s small
acreage livestock education program . This team recently gave a presentation
on "Bio-infiltration
and Bio-reactors: New WQ BMPs for Agricultural Applications in
Southern RI?" at the Southern New England Chapter of the Soil
and Water Conservaton Society's Low Impact Development Workshop.
Reducing nutrient loss from manure field stacks
Research at UConn concentrated on reducing nutrient loss from manure field stacks by layering organic materials such as compost, leaves, straw and wood chips. The research included on-farm trials and collaboration with the New England Small Farm Institute and was supported by USDA Northeast SARE and USDA NRCS. Results of the research are being incorporated into the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Small Acreage Livestock Education Program . For more information about the research contact Tom Morris , UCONN.
Nutrient management on organic farms
The use of manure and other organic nutrient sources can result
in conditions that create nutrient deficiencies or excess depending on management.
Particularly, excessive phosphorus levels can build up in the soil when
organic nutrient sources are used to supply adequate nitrogen causing water
quality risks. Current research at
UConn aims to develop organic vegetable production systems that reduce excessive
P loading.
See the Nutrient Management Tools and Technology
page for additional information.
Riparian Buffers
Understanding the effectiveness of buffers on agricultural lands for water
quality improvement also enables farmers and agricultural service providers to estimate nutrient use
on farms using on-farm residuals. Buffer research is being conducted at the Universities of
Connecticut
,
New Hampshire, Rhode Island
,
and Vermont
.
To learn more about research at New England Land Grant Universities related to
Animal Waste Management visit the following websites:
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program:
Agriculture and Water Quality
Soil and Water Management
University of Massachusetts Extension:
Crops, Dairy, Livestock
University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension:
Water Quality Programs in Agriculture
University of Vermont:
Phosphorus Management on Your Farm
Nutrient and Manure Management
CropMD Computer Software
Land Grant University Agricultural Experiment Stations (AES):
University of Connecticut Storrs AES
University of Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station
University of Massachusetts AES
University of New Hampshire AES
University of Rhode Island AES
University of Vermont AES
For more information on Sustainable Agriculture Research in the northeast visit: USDA Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program
Related
Research:
| Project ID |
Title |
Investigator(s) |
Affiliation |
| 0190603 |
HORTICULTURAL EVALUATION OF PRODUCTS MADE FROM DAIRY MANURE FIBER |
Morris, T. F.; Elliott, G. C. |
UNIV OF CONNECTICUT |
| 0189597 |
MANAGERIAL ASPECTS OF THE POTATO INDUSTRY |
Leiby, J. D. |
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE |
| 0190168 |
RE-INTEGRATING CROP AND LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES IN THREE NORTHERN STATES |
Smith, S. N.; Black, J. R.; Dalton, T.; Flora, C.; Kersbergen, R.; Liebman, M.; Snapp, S.; White, G.
|
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE |
| 0170804 |
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF NUTRIENT FLOWS IN DAIRY FORAGE SYSTEMS
|
Herbert, S. |
UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS
|
| 0193947 |
EVALUATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PHOSPHORUS INDEX TO ASSESS P RUNOFF POTENTIAL FROM AGRICULTUREAL FIELDS IN VERMONT |
Jokela, W. , Magdoff, F. , and Carter, J. |
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT |
| 0197705 |
MULTI-SCALE MEASUREMENT OF PHOSPHORUS LOSS IN SURFACE RUNOFF FROM MANURED FIELDS |
Magdoff, F. R.; Jokela, W. E.; Aleong, J. |
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT |
| 0402834 |
EFFICIENT NUTRIENT USE IN MANURE-AMENDED CROPPING SYSTEMS |
HONEYCUTT C W , HE Z , STARR G C , and GRIFFIN T S |
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE |
| 0188228 |
APPLICATION OF SEWAGE BIOSOLIDS TO AGRICULTURAL SOILS IN THE NORTHEAST: LONG-TERM IMPACTS AND BENEFICIAL USES |
McDowell, W. H. |
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE |
| 0186211 |
SOIL ORGANIC MATTER AND SOIL QUALITY |
Osher, L. J. |
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE |
| 0185672 |
EFFECTS OF CROP RESIDUE, MANURE, AND BIOSOLIDS AMENDMENT ON SOIL PHOSPHORUS CHEMISTRY AND BIOAVAILABILITY |
Ohno, T. |
UNIVERSITY OF MAINE |
