ANSC 4120 - Whole-Farm Nutrient Management

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ANSC 4110 preferred but not required. Junior, senior, or graduate standing.

M. E. Van Amburgh and Q. M. Ketterings.

Provides students with an understanding of the concepts and practices underlying whole-farm nutrient management planning of livestock and dairy farms. Improving profitability and efficiency are key factors considered while improving air and water quality associated with dairy production. Students learn about nutrient management on Animal Feeding Operations (AFO’s) and develop a fertilizer and manure Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) for a case-study farm. This course integrates crop and manure management with nutrition and herd management to provide a broad but focused and action-oriented approach. The course utilizes two software programs developed at Cornell for nutrient management planning and herd nutritional management, Cornell Cropware and the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS). Current topics are also discussed, such as greenhouse gas emissions and impacts of dairy and livestock production and local versus global food production and environmental impacts.