Determining Optimal Nutrient Management Strategies for Dairy Farms

Abstract

A model for dairy nutrient management was constructed to evaluate strategies for nutrient recycling using farmspecific information. The model used linear programming to determine optimal cropping systems that used nutrients from dairy manure applied to cropland. The optimal system minimized total feed costs, including purchased commodities, based on the ability of crops to take up manure nutrients and supply forages for cow rations. Nutrient uptake requirements to meet mandated regulations were incorporated as constraints to the linear programming model and were for either N or P.