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Research ArticleResearch Section

Precision feeding and forage management effects on phosphorus loss modeled at a watershed scale

L.T. Ghebremichael, T.L. Veith, J.M. Hamlett and W.J. Gburek
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation September 2008, 63 (5) 280-291; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.63.5.280
L.T. Ghebremichael
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T.L. Veith
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J.M. Hamlett
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W.J. Gburek
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Abstract

Delaware County and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County of New York State have initiated a farm-scale precision feed management (PFM) program to reduce soil-phosphorus build-up and phosphorus (P) losses to the Cannonsville Reservoir, a major supply source of New York City drinking water. The PFM program includes strategies that more precisely balance dairy cattle dietary P requirements with actual P intake and that improve on-farm forage production and utilization in the animal diet. The goal of the PFM program is to reduce manure P concentration, feed nutrients importation, P imbalance problems, and soil-P build-up while maintaining farm profitability. In this study, several PFM strategies were evaluated with respect to controlling P losses and soil-P build-up at both field and watershed scales using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Using the SWAT model, manure with reduced P concentration was applied to cropland while grass-forage crop productivity was increased through N fertilizer application. The SWAT model simulation revealed decreased particulate phosphorus and soluble phosphorus losses by 22% and 13%, respectively. Predicted reductions of average particulate phosphorus and soluble phosphorus losses at the watershed outlet were 16% and 13% respectively, over a three-year period, compared to the baseline (conditions before changes were implemented). Model results also demonstrated an appreciable decrease in field-level soil-P during the growing season, indicating increased soil-P uptake by the improved grass-forage. For the growing season, reductions for predicted active and labile P pools were 11 and 5 mg kg-1 (0.02 and 0.01 lb tn-1), respectively, compared to the baseline. The corresponding reductions in field-level soil P were equivalent to 8% and 7% for labile and active P pools, respectively. Overall, the PFM strategies were found to have a potential for reducing soil-P build-up and P losses both at field and watershed levels. Performing a model-based environmental evaluation of farm management strategies at a watershed level helps to integrate farm management planning (the smallest management unit) into watershed level planning. Also, evaluating farm management strategies at a watershed scale provides valuable and comprehensive information for assessing the potential for long-term, cost-effective, and permanent reduction of P loss from dairy agriculture to the Cannonsville Reservoir.

Footnotes

  • Lula T. Ghebremichael is a post doctoral research associate and Tamie L. Veith is a scientist and agricultural engineer at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, University Park, Pennsylvania. James M. Hamlett is associate professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. William J. Gburek is a scientist and hydrologist at the Agricultural Research Service, University Park, Pennsylvania.

  • © 2008 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

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Journal of Soil and Water Conservation: 63 (5)
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Vol. 63, Issue 5
September/October 2008
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Precision feeding and forage management effects on phosphorus loss modeled at a watershed scale
L.T. Ghebremichael, T.L. Veith, J.M. Hamlett, W.J. Gburek
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Sep 2008, 63 (5) 280-291; DOI: 10.2489/jswc.63.5.280

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Precision feeding and forage management effects on phosphorus loss modeled at a watershed scale
L.T. Ghebremichael, T.L. Veith, J.M. Hamlett, W.J. Gburek
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Sep 2008, 63 (5) 280-291; DOI: 10.2489/jswc.63.5.280
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