Many changes have occurred in the technology, management, and resulting productivity and environmental impacts of United States dairy farms over the past 50 years. Based on research recently published in the Journal of Dairy Science, Dr. Al Rotz will discuss how changes in production have impacted 13 environmental metrics and where improvements can still be made in the future. This presentation was originally broadcast on August 16, 2024. Continue reading “Fifty Years of Environmental Progress for US Dairy Farms”
Staying in the Loop: Circularity in Integrated Crop and Livestock Production
Have you heard or read about circularity and the circular economy? These buzzwords describe sustainability concepts that are being adopted in many sectors, including food animal production. This webinar shares definitions for these concepts and how they can inform thinking about changes to animal systems and manure management. This presentation was originally broadcast on June 21, 2024. Continue reading “Staying in the Loop: Circularity in Integrated Crop and Livestock Production”
Precision Ag In the Barn and In the Pasture
This webinar shares updates on approaches to precision agriculture for animal management, welfare and productivity, and how these applications influence nutrient management. This presentation was originally broadcast on May 17, 2024. Continue reading “Precision Ag In the Barn and In the Pasture”
Optimizing Agricultural Practices: Balancing Manure Use and Minimizing Compaction
This webinar discusses why compaction is a cropping challenge, considers how the application of manure can lead to it, and the effects of manure on soil resiliency. This presentation was originally broadcast on April 19, 2024. Continue reading “Optimizing Agricultural Practices: Balancing Manure Use and Minimizing Compaction”
Implications of Managing Manure on a Nitrogen Basis
Meeting crop nitrogen needs with manure while overapplying other nutrients can save the crop farmer the cost of additional fertilizer, but every decision on a farm has consequences. This webinar discusses using whole farm and field-based nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) balances to identify opportunities for improvements in nutrient use and monitor the impact of management changes over time, the time necessary to reduce the soil phosphorus levels, and the issues with zinc accumulation in soils. This presentation was originally broadcast on March 15, 2024. Continue reading “Implications of Managing Manure on a Nitrogen Basis”
Upcoming Models and Tools to Improve Manure Management
Responsible manure management uses multiple data types from a wide range of sources. This webinar highlights three new tools that aim to ease this burden while supporting effective decision-making. ManureDB aggregates U.S. manure analysis data and provides user-specified reports of manure characteristics. ManureTech synthesizes the environmental, economic and operational facets of manure treatment technologies. Manure Management Planner is a trusted tool but has also undergone recent updates for site-specific setback distances. Participants will be able to see these tools in action, and where further developments are headed. This presentation was originally broadcast on February 16, 2024. Continue reading “Upcoming Models and Tools to Improve Manure Management”
Animal Feeding Operations Air Emission Estimation Methods
To be sustainable, producers need to conserve energy while still maintaining or improving their facilities and the lives of the animals they house. This presentation was originally broadcast on January 19, 2024. Continue reading “Animal Feeding Operations Air Emission Estimation Methods”
Energy Conservation in Livestock and Poultry Operations
To be sustainable, producers need to conserve energy while still maintaining or improving their facilities and the lives of the animals they house. This presentation was originally broadcast on December 15, 2023. Continue reading “Energy Conservation in Livestock and Poultry Operations”
Minimizing Risk on Livestock & Poultry Operations
In the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community, we are well aware that @#$% happens. In this webinar, presenters share insurance considerations and ways to minimize risk on livestock and poultry operations. This presentation was originally broadcast on November 17, 2023. Continue reading “Minimizing Risk on Livestock & Poultry Operations”
Models & Tools to Improve Manure Management: Part II
This webinar features the Oregon NMPT, an internet-based record keeping and planning tool, and the Ruminant Farm Systems (RuFaS) project, which aims to build an integrated, whole-farm model that simulates milk, meat, and crop production, and critical metrics of sustainability from ruminant farms. This presentation was originally broadcast on October 20, 2023. Continue reading “Models & Tools to Improve Manure Management: Part II”