ANSC 4120 - Whole-Farm Nutrient Management

(CU-SBY)

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ANSC 4110 preferred but not required. Enrollment limited to: junior, senior, or graduate standing.

Q. Ketterings, M. Van Amburgh.

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 (Concentrated) Animal Feeding Operations ((C)AFO’s), develop a fertilizer and manure Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) for a case-study farm, and conduct a whole farm nutrient balance for a farm of choice. 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 three software programs for nutrient management planning and herd nutritional management: Cropware, the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS), and the Whole Farm Nutrient Mass Balance program. 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.