Feed, Nutrient and Other Alternatives for Enhancing the Viability of Dairy and Livestock Farms in Massachusetts

In this project we propose several alternatives that can, if implemented by farmers, help off-set some of the increased feed and fertilizer costs and improve both the sustainability and viability of farming.

Producing More Home-Grown Grains:
Local production of grain corn and some other cereal grains for feed and on-farm energy production (heat and biofuel) is being evaluated. An economic analysis for cost/benefit or opportunity cost/profit of local grain production is in progress.

Management of On-farm Nutrients to Reduce Fertilizer Costs:
Managing nutrients on farms results in significant economic return in the short-term and important environmental benefits. Cover crops are effective in reducing residual soil nitrate after the harvest of corn and subsequent nitrate released from fall-applied manure. This project examines:
- the amount of nitrogen recovered when a rye cover crop is planted at different dates.
- Growing Degree Days required for achieving the growth stage for maximum N recovery.
-short season corn hybrid selection and planting date that will produce the highest silage yield and quality and providing opportunity for establishing a effective cover crop.

Evaluating Current Nitrogen Management:
Use of differing nitrogen sufficiency tests including PSNT, end-of-season stalk nitrate (CSNT), and a test for soil amino sugars can help to evaluate current nitrogen management and therefore reduce fertilizer costs by improving on-farm nutrient use. This research is on-going.