Item No. 1 of 1

ACCESSION NO: 0410371 SUBFILE: CRIS

PROJ NO: 1915-62660-002-10R AGENCY: ARS 1915

PROJ TYPE: USDA INHOUSE PROJ STATUS: NEW

START: 01 OCT 2005 TERM: 14 SEP 2010 FY: 2010

INVESTIGATOR: HALLORAN J M

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

ORONO, MAINE 04469

REDUCING OFF-FARM GRAIN INPUTS ON NORTHEAST ORGANIC DAIRY FARMS

CLASSIFICATION

KA Subject Science Pct

102 0110 1010 30

133 1599 2000 30

205 1699 1010 30

102 3499 2000 10

CLASSIFICATION HEADINGS: R102 . Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships; S0110 . Soil;

F1010 . Nutrition and metabolism; R133 . Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; S1599 . Grain crops,

general/other; F2000 . Chemistry; R205 . Plant Management Systems; S1699 . Pasture and forage

crops, general/other; S3499 . Dairy cattle, general/other

BASIC 0% APPLIED 100% DEVELOPMENTAL 0%

OBJECTIVES: The long term goal of this project is to reduce the reliance of New England organic

dairy farms on imported grains. The objectives of the project are to: 1) evaluate the milk yield and

forage quality of four contrasting cropping systems and to identify the level of grain importation

needed for each system; 2) identify systems that reduce the importation of grain and prevent the

accumulation of nutrient excesses to enhance the sustainability of organic dairies; 3) quantify the

efficacy of direct weed control tactics in the cropping systems, and determine the effect of weeds

on total yield, quality and net return; 4) quantify the net return and exposure to risk and identify the

economies of scale for each system; and 5) host conferences, field days and on-farm trials that will

be followed up with personal interviews with organic farmers to assess impact.

APPROACH: This project will contrast four cropping systems for supplying conserved forages and

grains to an organic dairy herd. These systems were chosen by a team of organic dairy farmers,

processors, and non-profit farm organizations to represent the cropping systems and rotation

sequences typical in New England. An interdisciplinary team of farmers and researchers will

analyze the systems for their impact on profitability, risk management, herd nutrition, nutrient

cycling, and weed management. The cropping systems will be established at the University of

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

1 of 8 5/4/17, 10:08 AM
Maine and the University of New Hampshire. Both universities will host farm-scale, unreplicated

plots of each cropping system. These multi-acre plots will allow for realistic assessments of labor

demands and equipment time for each system and provide ample forage for feeding trials.

Multi-acre plots also allow for larger scale ecological processes to operate as they would in a

working organic system. The same cropping systems will also be planted on smaller plots in a

randomized complete block design with four replications at the University of Maine. Feeding trials

at New Hampshire and Maine will monitor the milk production of each system for three years.

Herds at both locations will be divided into four treatment groups and fed rations based on each of

the systems. During the course of the feeding trials, forages from each system will undergo the

intensive and thorough analysis for nutrient composition and nutrient digestibility measurements as

required for inclusion in the database of the newly created Ruminant Feed Analysis Consortium.

Measurements will include a variety of chemical, in vitro, and in situ measurements.

KEYWORDS: MANURE DAIRY NUTRIENT USE EFFICIENCY WATER QUALITY NITROGEN

ORGANIC AGRICUTLURE PHOSPHORUS

PROGRESS: 2010/10 TO 2011/09

Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The long term goal of this project is to reduce the

reliance of New England organic dairy farms on imported grains. The objectives of the project are

to: 1) evaluate the milk yield and forage quality of four contrasting cropping systems and to identify

the level of grain importation needed for each system; 2) identify systems that reduce the

importation of grain and prevent the accumulation of nutrient excesses to enhance the

sustainability of organic dairies; 3) quantify the efficacy of direct weed control tactics in the cropping

systems, and determine the effect of weeds on total yield, quality and net return; 4) quantify the net

return and exposure to risk and identify the economies of scale for each system; and 5) host

conferences, field days and on-farm trials that will be followed up with personal interviews with

organic farmers to assess impact. Approach (from AD-416) This project will contrast four cropping

systems for supplying conserved forages and grains to an organic dairy herd. These systems were

chosen by a team of organic dairy farmers, processors, and non-profit farm organizations to

represent the cropping systems and rotation sequences typical in New England. An interdisciplinary

team of farmers and researchers will analyze the systems for their impact on profitability, risk

management, herd nutrition, nutrient cycling, and weed management. The cropping systems will be

established at the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire. Both universities will

host farm-scale, unreplicated plots of each cropping system. These multi-acre plots will allow for

realistic assessments of labor demands and equipment time for each system and provide ample

forage for feeding trials. Multi-acre plots also allow for larger scale ecological processes to operate

as they would in a working organic system. The same cropping systems will also be planted on

smaller plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the University of

Maine. Feeding trials at New Hampshire and Maine will monitor the milk production of each system

for three years. Herds at both locations will be divided into four treatment groups and fed rations

based on each of the systems. During the course of the feeding trials, forages from each system

will undergo the intensive and thorough analysis for nutrient composition and nutrient digestibility

measurements as required for inclusion in the database of the newly created Ruminant Feed

Analysis Consortium. Measurements will include a variety of chemical, in vitro, and in situ

measurements. Northern New England is a leader in the certification of organic dairy farms, with

20% of the dairy farms in Maine currently certified as organic. Feed is the single largest expense

for these farmers. This dependence on imported feed also complicates nutrient management,

making it a challenge to balance fertility needs with available manure. The USDA Organic

Research and Education Initiative (OREI) provided $827,000 for a project entitled ?Reducing

Off-Farm Grain Inputs on Northeast Organic Dairy Farms? (FY2005-2009), for research and

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

2 of 8 5/4/17, 10:08 AM
outreach conducted cooperatively by the University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Maine

Organic Milk Producers, and USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory. The goal

of this project, which was extended to FY2010, is to maximize on-farm production of energy and

protein. In FY2010-11, research was conducted to modify an ARS developed model of conventional

dairy farms to accommodate organic dairies. Detailed weather files for six National Climatic Data

Center (NCDC) weather stations in Maine were constructed for use in the Integrated Farm Systems

Model (IFSM). Information was gathered from organic dairy farmers to formulate economic

comparisons among different production systems. Research information from this project is being

transferred directly to organic dairy farmers in New England, and will help them develop

economically viable production systems.

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2010/10 TO 2011/09

No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2009/10/01 TO 2010/09/30

Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The long term goal of this project is to reduce the

reliance of New England organic dairy farms on imported grains. The objectives of the project are

to: 1) evaluate the milk yield and forage quality of four contrasting cropping systems and to identify

the level of grain importation needed for each system; 2) identify systems that reduce the

importation of grain and prevent the accumulation of nutrient excesses to enhance the

sustainability of organic dairies; 3) quantify the efficacy of direct weed control tactics in the cropping

systems, and determine the effect of weeds on total yield, quality and net return; 4) quantify the net

return and exposure to risk and identify the economies of scale for each system; and 5) host

conferences, field days and on-farm trials that will be followed up with personal interviews with

organic farmers to assess impact. Approach (from AD-416) This project will contrast four cropping

systems for supplying conserved forages and grains to an organic dairy herd. These systems were

chosen by a team of organic dairy farmers, processors, and non-profit farm organizations to

represent the cropping systems and rotation sequences typical in New England. An interdisciplinary

team of farmers and researchers will analyze the systems for their impact on profitability, risk

management, herd nutrition, nutrient cycling, and weed management. The cropping systems will be

established at the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire. Both universities will

host farm-scale, unreplicated plots of each cropping system. These multi-acre plots will allow for

realistic assessments of labor demands and equipment time for each system and provide ample

forage for feeding trials. Multi-acre plots also allow for larger scale ecological processes to operate

as they would in a working organic system. The same cropping systems will also be planted on

smaller plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the University of

Maine. Feeding trials at New Hampshire and Maine will monitor the milk production of each system

for three years. Herds at both locations will be divided into four treatment groups and fed rations

based on each of the systems. During the course of the feeding trials, forages from each system

will undergo the intensive and thorough analysis for nutrient composition and nutrient digestibility

measurements as required for inclusion in the database of the newly created Ruminant Feed

Analysis Consortium. Measurements will include a variety of chemical, in vitro, and in situ

measurements. Northern New England is a leader in the certification of organic dairy farms, with

20% of the dairy farms in Maine currently certified as organic. Feed is the single largest expense

for these farmers. This dependence on imported feed also complicates nutrient management,

making it a challenge to balance fertility needs with available manure. The USDA Organic

Research and Education Initiative (OREI) provided $827,000 for a project entitled ¿Reducing

Off-Farm Grain Inputs on Northeast Organic Dairy Farms¿ (FY2005-2009), for research and

outreach conducted cooperatively by the University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Maine

Organic Milk Producers, and USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory. The goal

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

3 of 8 5/4/17, 10:08 AM
of this project, which was extended to FY2010, is to maximize on-farm production of energy and

protein. In FY2010, research was conducted to modify an ARS developed model of conventional

dairy farms to accommodate organic dairies. Detailed weather files for six National Climatic Data

Center (NCDC) weather stations in Maine were constructed for use in the Integrated Farm Systems

Model (IFSM). Information was gathered from organic dairy farmers to formulate economic

comparisons among different production systems. Monitoring activities for this project include an

annual meeting of all project collaborators, quarterly meetings of collaborators at USDA-ARS and

University of Maine, and frequent conference calls and other electronic communication. Research

information from this project will be transferred directly to organic dairy farmers in New England,

and will help them develop economically viable production systems.

PUBLICATIONS: 2009/10/01 TO 2010/09/30

No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2008/10/01 TO 2009/09/30

Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The long term goal of this project is to reduce the

reliance of New England organic dairy farms on imported grains. The objectives of the project are

to: 1) evaluate the milk yield and forage quality of four contrasting cropping systems and to identify

the level of grain importation needed for each system; 2) identify systems that reduce the

importation of grain and prevent the accumulation of nutrient excesses to enhance the

sustainability of organic dairies; 3) quantify the efficacy of direct weed control tactics in the cropping

systems, and determine the effect of weeds on total yield, quality and net return; 4) quantify the net

return and exposure to risk and identify the economies of scale for each system; and 5) host

conferences, field days and on-farm trials that will be followed up with personal interviews with

organic farmers to assess impact. Approach (from AD-416) This project will contrast four cropping

systems for supplying conserved forages and grains to an organic dairy herd. These systems were

chosen by a team of organic dairy farmers, processors, and non-profit farm organizations to

represent the cropping systems and rotation sequences typical in New England. An interdisciplinary

team of farmers and researchers will analyze the systems for their impact on profitability, risk

management, herd nutrition, nutrient cycling, and weed management. The cropping systems will be

established at the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire. Both universities will

host farm-scale, unreplicated plots of each cropping system. These multi-acre plots will allow for

realistic assessments of labor demands and equipment time for each system and provide ample

forage for feeding trials. Multi-acre plots also allow for larger scale ecological processes to operate

as they would in a working organic system. The same cropping systems will also be planted on

smaller plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the University of

Maine. Feeding trials at New Hampshire and Maine will monitor the milk production of each system

for three years. Herds at both locations will be divided into four treatment groups and fed rations

based on each of the systems. During the course of the feeding trials, forages from each system

will undergo the intensive and thorough analysis for nutrient composition and nutrient digestibility

measurements as required for inclusion in the database of the newly created Ruminant Feed

Analysis Consortium. Measurements will include a variety of chemical, in vitro, and in situ

measurements. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Northern New

England is a leader in the certification of organic dairy farms, with 20% of the dairy farms in Maine

currently certified as organic. Feed is the single largest expense for these farmers. This

dependence on imported feed also complicates nutrient management, making it a challenge to

balance fertility needs with available manure. The USDA Organic Research and Education Initiative

(OREI) provided $827,000 for a project entitled ?Reducing Off-Farm Grain Inputs on Northeast

Organic Dairy Farms? (FY2005-2009), for research and outreach conducted cooperatively by the

University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Maine Organic Milk Producers, and USDA-ARS

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

4 of 8 5/4/17, 10:08 AM
New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory. The goal of this project, which has recently been

extended to FY2010, is to maximize on-farm production of energy and protein. In FY2009, cropping

systems experiments were continued in Orono (Maine) to evaluate production systems that include

grain and silage production options appropriate for Northeast organic dairy farms. Research was

conducted to modify an ARS developed model of dairy farms to accommodate organic dairies.

Additionally, feeding trials were conducted at the Universities of Maine and New Hampshire to

provide production response data for grain and silage production options. USDA-ARS is

coordinating nutrient cycling evaluations in these experiments, and collecting additional information

to formulate economic comparisons between different production systems. Cooperating organic

dairy farms in Maine are also evaluating grain production, processing and feeding options as part of

this project. USDA-ARS is also conducting an intensive evaluation of nutrient distribution at the field

and landscape scales on the organic dairy farm being developed at the University of New

Hampshire. Monitoring activities for this project include an annual meeting of all project

collaborators, quarterly meetings of collaborators at USDA-ARS and University of Maine, and

frequent conference calls and other electronic communication. Research information from this

project will be transferred directly to organic dairy farmers in New England, and will help them

develop economically viable production systems.

PUBLICATIONS: 2008/10/01 TO 2009/09/30

No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2007/10/01 TO 2008/09/30

Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The long term goal of this project is to reduce the

reliance of New England organic dairy farms on imported grains. The objectives of the project are

to: 1) evaluate the milk yield and forage quality of four contrasting cropping systems and to identify

the level of grain importation needed for each system; 2) identify systems that reduce the

importation of grain and prevent the accumulation of nutrient excesses to enhance the

sustainability of organic dairies; 3) quantify the efficacy of direct weed control tactics in the cropping

systems, and determine the effect of weeds on total yield, quality and net return; 4) quantify the net

return and exposure to risk and identify the economies of scale for each system; and 5) host

conferences, field days and on-farm trials that will be followed up with personal interviews with

organic farmers to assess impact. Approach (from AD-416) This project will contrast four cropping

systems for supplying conserved forages and grains to an organic dairy herd. These systems were

chosen by a team of organic dairy farmers, processors, and non-profit farm organizations to

represent the cropping systems and rotation sequences typical in New England. An interdisciplinary

team of farmers and researchers will analyze the systems for their impact on profitability, risk

management, herd nutrition, nutrient cycling, and weed management. The cropping systems will be

established at the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire. Both universities will

host farm-scale, unreplicated plots of each cropping system. These multi-acre plots will allow for

realistic assessments of labor demands and equipment time for each system and provide ample

forage for feeding trials. Multi-acre plots also allow for larger scale ecological processes to operate

as they would in a working organic system. The same cropping systems will also be planted on

smaller plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the University of

Maine. Feeding trials at New Hampshire and Maine will monitor the milk production of each system

for three years. Herds at both locations will be divided into four treatment groups and fed rations

based on each of the systems. During the course of the feeding trials, forages from each system

will undergo the intensive and thorough analysis for nutrient composition and nutrient digestibility

measurements as required for inclusion in the database of the newly created Ruminant Feed

Analysis Consortium. Measurements will include a variety of chemical, in vitro, and in situ

measurements. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Northern New

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

5 of 8 5/4/17, 10:08 AM
England is a leader in the certification of organic dairy farms; 20% of the dairy farms in Maine are

currently certified as organic. Feed is the single largest expense for these farmers. This

dependence on imported feed also complicates nutrient management, making it a challenge to

balance fertility needs with available manure. The USDA Organic Research and Education Initiative

(OREI) provided $827,000 for a project entitled ?Reducing Off-Farm Grain Inputs on Northeast

Organic Dairy Farms? (FY2005-2009), for research and outreach conducted cooperatively by the

University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Maine Organic Milk Producers, and USDA-ARS

New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory. The goal of this project is to maximize on-farm

production of energy and protein. In FY2008, cropping systems experiments were continued in

Orono (Maine) to evaluate production systems that include grain and silage production options

appropriate for Northeast organic dairy farms. Additionally, feeding trials were conducted at the

Universities of Maine and New Hampshire to provide production response data for grain and silage

production options. USDA- ARS is coordinating nutrient cycling evaluations in these experiments,

and collecting additional information to formulate economic comparisons between different

production systems. Cooperating organic dairy farms in Maine are also evaluating grain production,

processing and feeding options as part of this project. USDA-ARS is also conducting an intensive

evaluation of nutrient distribution at the field and landscape scales on the organic dairy farm being

developed at the University of New Hampshire. Monitoring activities for this project include an

annual meeting of all project collaborators, quarterly meetings of collaborators at USDA-ARS and

University of Maine, and frequent conference calls and other electronic communication. Research

information from this project will be transferred directly to organic dairy farmers in New England,

and will help them develop economically viable production systems. This research contributes to

the NP206 Action Plan, Nutrient Management Component, Problem Area 1, Animal Feeding and

Management; and Problem Area 4, Farming Systems and Practices for Efficient and Balanced

Manure Nutrient Management.

PUBLICATIONS: 2007/10/01 TO 2008/09/30

No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2006/10/01 TO 2007/09/30

Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The long term goal of this project is to reduce the

reliance of New England organic dairy farms on imported grains. The objectives of the project are

to: 1) evaluate the milk yield and forage quality of four contrasting cropping systems and to identify

the level of grain importation needed for each system; 2) identify systems that reduce the

importation of grain and prevent the accumulation of nutrient excesses to enhance the

sustainability of organic dairies; 3) quantify the efficacy of direct weed control tactics in the cropping

systems, and determine the effect of weeds on total yield, quality and net return; 4) quantify the net

return and exposure to risk and identify the economies of scale for each system; and 5) host

conferences, field days and on-farm trials that will be followed up with personal interviews with

organic farmers to assess impact. Approach (from AD-416) This project will contrast four cropping

systems for supplying conserved forages and grains to an organic dairy herd. These systems were

chosen by a team of organic dairy farmers, processors, and non-profit farm organizations to

represent the cropping systems and rotation sequences typical in New England. An interdisciplinary

team of farmers and researchers will analyze the systems for their impact on profitability, risk

management, herd nutrition, nutrient cycling, and weed management. The cropping systems will be

established at the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire. Both universities will

host farm-scale, unreplicated plots of each cropping system. These multi-acre plots will allow for

realistic assessments of labor demands and equipment time for each system and provide ample

forage for feeding trials. Multi-acre plots also allow for larger scale ecological processes to operate

as they would in a working organic system. The same cropping systems will also be planted on

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

6 of 8 5/4/17, 10:08 AM
smaller plots in a randomized complete block design with four replications at the University of

Maine. Feeding trials at New Hampshire and Maine will monitor the milk production of each system

for three years. Herds at both locations will be divided into four treatment groups and fed rations

based on each of the systems. During the course of the feeding trials, forages from each system

will undergo the intensive and thorough analysis for nutrient composition and nutrient digestibility

measurements as required for inclusion in the database of the newly created Ruminant Feed

Analysis Consortium. Measurements will include a variety of chemical, in vitro, and in situ

measurements. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to

document research conducted under a reimbursable agreement between USDA-ARS and the

University of Maine associated with Project 1915-12630-001-00D, Nutrient Cycling and Utilization

on Organic Dairy Farms. Northern New England is a leader in the certification of organic dairy

farms, with 20% of Maine¿s dairy farms currently certified as organic. Feed is the single largest

expense for these farmers. This dependence on imported feed also complicates nutrient

management, making it a challenge to balance fertility needs with available manure. The USDA

Organic Research and Education Initiative (OREI) provided $827,000 for a project entitled

¿Reducing Off-Farm Grain Inputs on Northeast Organic Dairy Farms¿ (FY2005-2009), for research

and outreach conducted cooperatively by the University of Maine, University of New Hampshire,

Maine Organic Milk Producers, and USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory.

The goal of this project is to maximize on-farm production of energy and protein. In 2007, cropping

systems experiments were continued in Orono (Maine) to evaluate production systems that include

grain and silage production options appropriate for Northeast organic dairy farms. Additionally,

feeding trials were conducted at the Universities of Maine and New Hampshire to provide

production response data for grain and silage production options. USDA-ARS is coordinating

nutrient cycling evaluations in these experiments and collecting additional information to formulate

economic comparisons across different production systems. Cooperating organic dairy farms in

Maine are also evaluating grain production, processing and feeding options as part of this project.

USDA-ARS is also conducting an intensive evaluation of nutrient distribution at the field and

landscape scales on the organic dairy farm being developed at the University of New Hampshire.

Monitoring activities for this project include an annual meeting of all project collaborators, quarterly

meetings of collaborators at USDA-ARS and University of Maine, and frequent conference calls

and other electronic communication. Research information from this project will be transferred

directly to organic dairy farmers in New England, and will help them develop economically viable

production systems. This research contributes to the Nutrient Management Component, Problem

Areas 1 and 4, of the NP206 Action Plan.

PUBLICATIONS: 2006/10/01 TO 2007/09/30

No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2005/10/01 TO 2006/09/30

Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a

reimbursable agreement between USDA-ARS and the University of Maine. Additional details of

research can be found in the report for parent Project 1915- 12630-001-00D (Nutrient Cycling and

Utilization on Organic Dairy Farms). Northern New England is a leader in the certification of organic

dairy farms, with 20% of the dairy farms in Maine currently certified as organic. Feed is the single

largest expense for these farmers. This dependence on imported feed also complicates nutrient

management, making it a challenge to balance fertility needs with available manure. The USDA

Organic Research and Education Initiative (OREI) provided $827,000 for a project entitled

Reducing Off-Farm Grain Inputs on Northeast Organic Dairy Farms" (FY2005-2009), for research

and outreach conducted cooperatively by the University of Maine, University of New Hampshire,

Maine Organic Milk Producers, and USDA-ARS New England Plant, Soil and Water Laboratory.

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

7 of 8 5/4/17, 10:08 AM
The goal of this project is to maximize on-farm production of energy and protein. In 2006, a

cropping systems experiment was initiated in Orono (Maine) to evaluate production systems that

include grain and silage production options appropriate for Northeast organic dairy farms.

USDA-ARS is coordinating nutrient cycling evaluations in these experiments and collecting

additional information to formulate economic comparisons between different production systems.

Cooperating organic dairy farms in Maine are evaluating grain production, processing and feeding

options. USDA-ARS is also conducting an intensive evaluation of nutrient distribution at field and

landscape scales on the organic dairy farm being developed at the University of New Hampshire.

Research information from this project will be transferred directly to organic dairy farmers in New

England to help them develop economically viable production systems.

PUBLICATIONS: 2005/10/01 TO 2006/09/30

No publications reported this period.

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA: Institution Type: USDA Region: 1 Process Date:

2007/04/16 Progress Update: 2012/09/24

Display Selections http://cris.nifa.usda.gov/cgi-bin/starfinder/5530/crisassist.txt

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