Progress 07/01/00 to 06/30/06
Outputs
Energy flows on a whole-farm integrated crop/livestock farming system were analyzed. Input data included tractor power, energy invested in equipment, fuel, energy sequestered in chemicals (fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides), seed and labor. Data were used to evaluate the energetics and economics of the sustainable system by comparing the input energy, input costs, energy productivity, and net profit of the sustainable practices with the conventional system. A model was developed to include alternative production practices. Energy costs, specifically fuel for diesel tractors, represent a significant part of farm budgets. Models have been developed and used to predict fuel consumption. Some models are based on engine power while others are for individual engines, though they require extensive testing for verification. Fuel use data from ASABE Standards were reviewed and compared to Nebraska Tractor Test Lab (NTTL) data taken over a 20-year period. While
generalized models are useful for budget and management scenarios, they may not be able to compare fuel use for other potential configurations such as turbocharging and air densification models. A method using NTTL data for a specific tractor model was developed to predict fuel use for full and partial loads and for reduced throttle conditions. These equations demonstrate fuel savings for different operating and loading conditions. Comparison of the methods with actual NTTL fuel use data showed that 88 percent of the fuel comparisons had an improved prediction. Sustainable practices were evaluated in separate studies involving runoff from land on which chicken litter had been applied; burley tobacco was grown; and pollutants from cattle in streams. A rainfall simulator was used on a hay field to examine nutrient transport from phytase-fed poultry litter, non-phytase-fed poultry litter, and commercial fertilizer. Phytase, an enzyme added to poultry feed, is utilized to reduce the
phosphorus (P) excreted by reducing the need to add inorganic P to the feed. Rainfall simulations were completed to evaluate nutrient and sediment concentrations in runoff, leachate, and soil. Sediment, nutrient and pesticide edge-of-field and deep percolation losses from 3 tillage treatments (conventional tillage, strip tillage, and no-till) on a burley tobacco production system were monitored to investigate water quality benefits of reduced tillage in tobacco production. Runoff events were generated using a rainfall simulator. A study was conducted to determine residence time of cattle in streams as an input parameter to computer models for total maximum daily load (TMDL) plans. TMDL strategies are used for developing sustainable best management practices (BMPs) for reducing pollution to impaired waters and reducing energy and economic inputs for these sustainable BMPs. Camera surveillance systems were installed on 2 beef farms and 3 dairy heifer operations, and cattle activity in
streams was recorded during daylight. Climatic data, pasture and feed characteristics, and management practices were recorded, and their relationships with the amount of time cattle spend in streams were investigated.
Impacts
Energy, including inputs for producing and maintaining equipment and especially for fuel, is a significant cost in crop production. Strategies to reduce energy inputs decrease reliance on crude oil and improve profitability. One of the greatest inputs in agricultural production is fuel to power tractors with diesel engines. Recent increases in fuel prices impact farm income and reduce profits for the agricultural industry. Analysis of input data from the sustainable crop/livestock whole-farm system showed reduced energy inputs for crop chemicals resulting in energy and costs savings with no significant differences in cattle performance and profitability. Sustainable practices often result in reduced energy use and lower cost, especially when cleanup of pollutants is required. Accurate identification and characterization of pollutants enables policymakers and water quality managers to reduce pollutant loads to streams and groundwater. Excessive nutrients from
concentrated poultry farms are blamed for accelerated eutrophication and Pfiesteria in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters and reducing the sustainability of our land and water resources. Phytase has been shown to help the birds utilize more phosphorous in the feed, reducing the need to add inorganic P to the feed as well as reducing the P excreted by the birds.
Publications
- Grisso, Robert D., David H. Vaughan and Gary T. Roberson. 2006. Method for Fuel Prediction for Specific Tractor Models. Paper No. 06-1089 presented at the Annual Meeting ASABE, Portland, Oregon, July 9-12, 10 pages.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
Fuel costs for tractors are a significant part of farm budgets. Several methods for fuel consumption prediction and some methodologies developed for forecasting fuel use are generalized based on power; other methods are based on performance for individual engines, which requires extensive engine testing. Fuel use data from ASABE Standards were compared to 20 years of Nebraska Tractor Test Lab (NTTL) data. A model, developed to predict fuel use during full and partial loads and under conditions when engine speeds were reduced from full throttle, was useful for management decisions but not for comparing fuel use during situations such as turbocharging and air densification models. A method was developed that uses the NTTL data for a specific tractor model to predict fuel use for full and partial loads and at reduced throttle; the method gives the fuel saving for different operating and loading conditions. Over half of the tractors evaluated had improved predictions.
Examples will be applied to farmer operated tractors.
Impacts
Energy, including inputs such as energy for producing and maintaining equipment and especially for fuel, is a significant cost in crop production. One of the greatest inputs in agricultural production is fuel to power tractors with diesel engines. Recent increases in fuel prices impact farm income and reduce profits for the agricultural industry. Strategies to reduce energy inputs in farming practices decrease reliance on crude oil and improve profitability.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Energy costs, specifically fuel for powering tractors, represent a significant part of farm budgets. Using 20 years of fuel use and power data from Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory reports, new equations for fuel consumption were developed that predict fuel use for diesel engines during full and partial loads and under conditions when engine speeds are reduced from full throttle. Also, geographic location data gathered with a yield monitor during harvest and a data logger during planting were used to provide time-motion studies of equipment and operator productivity. The spatial and temporal data were used to evaluate field traffic patterns and to quantify field performance of a combine and a planter. Also, sustainable practices were evaluated in separate studies involving runoff from land on which chicken litter had been applied. A rainfall simulator was used on a hay field to examine nutrient transport from phytase fed poultry litter, non-phytase fed poultry litter,
and commercial fertilizer. Phytase, an enzyme added to poultry feed, is utilized to reduce the phosphorus (P) excreted by reducing the need to add inorganic P to the feed. Four rainfall simulations were completed to evaluate nitrogen (NO3-N, NH4-N, TN), phosphorous (OP, TP), and/or sediment concentrations in runoff, leachate, and soil from the treatments. The amount of OP in runoff was generally greater from the litter from the phytase fed diets. Overall, the TP and nitrogen removed in runoff from litter-treated plots were similar. For both the leachate and soil, the nutrient levels were found to not be different between the treatments. In studying sustainable practices to reduce stream bank erosion, large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) is possibly an alternative to conventional flow gauging techniques in low-order streams. The accuracy of this technique to determine discharge measurements was evaluated using laboratory and field-scale measurements. LSPIV methodologies were
evaluated to provide information about factors affecting LSPIV accuracy such as camera angle, seeding density, and Froude number. A laboratory flume was used for initial testing, while a small stream was used for field testing.
Impacts
Field efficiency is an important criterion for determining field machine capacity during field operations and for making machinery management decisions to reduce input costs. Energy, including inputs such as energy for producing and maintaining equipment and especially for fuel, is a significant cost in crop production. Strategies to reduce energy inputs reduce reliance on crude oil and improve profitability. Excessive nutrients from concentrated poultry farms are blamed for accelerated eutrophication and Pfiesteria in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters and reducing the sustainability of our land and water resources. Phytase has been shown to help the birds utilize more phosphorous in the feed, reducing the need to add inorganic P to the feed as well as reducing the P excreted by the birds. Stream flow data is an essential element of water quality monitoring programs for sustaining resources. Accurate identification of stream flow characteristics of a watershed allows
precise predictions to be made with regards to water quality standards. Most water quality models require flow data as a major component of a pollution study. Eliminating physical labor and danger in the stream flow data collection process by using digital data sources or remotely acquired data could reduce costs and inherent collection problems and provide faster, cost-effective collection methods and a more robust water quality monitoring system.
Publications
- Grisso, R. D., M. F. Kocher, D. H. Vaughan. 2004. Predicting Tractor Fuel Consumption. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 20(5):553-561.
- Grisso, R. D., M. F. Kocher, V. I. Adamchuk, P. J. Jasa, M. A. Schroeder. 2004. Field Efficiency Determination Using Traffic pattern Indices. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 20(5):563-572.
- Nelson, C.A., D. Vaughan, S. Mostaghimi, B. Benham, K. Knowlton, L. Clark, T. Hughes. 2004. Nutrient Transport from Pasture-Applied Poultry Litter from a Phytase-Supplemented Diet during Simulated Rainfall Events. Paper No. 042206 presented at the Annual International Meeting ASAE, Ottawa, Canada, August 1-4.
- Soupir, M. L., S. Mostaghimi, A. Masters, K. A. Flahive, D. H. Vaughan, A. Mendez, P. W. McClellan. 2004. Effectiveness of Polyacrylamide (PAM) in Improving Runoff Water Quality from Construction Sites. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 2:53-66.
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Progress 10/01/02 to 09/30/03
Outputs
Sediment, nutrient and pesticide edge-of-field and deep percolation losses from 3 tillage treatments (conventional tillage, strip tillage, and no-till), on a burley tobacco production system, were monitored to investigate water quality benefits of reduced tillage in tobacco production systems. Runoff events were generated using a rainfall simulator. Water quality samples were analyzed for NH3, NO3, TKN, PO4, TP, TSS, Dursban and Prime Plus. Results show that no-till had greater reductions of suspended sediment and all nutrients, except for NH3, in runoff than strip tillage. No-till resulted in lower concentrations in leachate for every constituent compared with conventional tillage. Strip tillage also resulted in lower NO3-, NH3, TKN, and TP soil water concentrations than conventional tillage. Rainfall events were not significant in the edge-of-field loss of Dursban and Prime Plus. Results show that no-till was superior in reducing nutrients, sediment and pesticides
in agricultural runoff and percolated water. A field study was also preformed to determine the runoff characteristics of litter from phytase-fed poultry. Phytase, an enzyme added to poultry feed, is utilized to reduce the phosphorus excreted by reducing the need to add inorganic P. A rainfall simulator was used on an existing hay field to examine the nutrient transport from phytase-fed poultry litter, nonphytase-fed poultry litter, and commercial fertilizer. Fertilizer treatments were applied on a phosphorous basis to three 3.05- by 18.29-m plots. Four rainfall simulations were accomplished during June and July 2003 to evaluate nitrogen (NO3, NH4, TN), phosphorous (OP, TP), and sediment concentrations in runoff, leachate, and in soil from the treatments. The June simulation series occurred directly after the fertilizer treatments were applied to the field, simulating a first flush effect, while the July simulations investigated long-term effects of treatments. Analyses on the results
are being completed.
Impacts
Sustainable practices often result in reduced energy use and lower cost, especially when losses of pollutants is required. Accurate identification and characterization of pollutants will enable policymakers and and water quality managers to reduce pollutant loads to streams and groundwater. Tobacco is historically an intensively tilled crop. Intensive tillage methods leave the soil exposed and can accelerate erosion, as well as the loss of nutrients and pesticides to water bodies during runoff events and in percolation to groundwater. Current episodes of accelerated eutrophication and Pfiesteria in eastern coastal waters has been blamed on excessive nutrients associated with poultry farms. Integrators are looking for alternatives to reduce the nutrient loads associated with these farms. One such solution is to add an enzyme, phytase, to the animal feed. Phytase has been shown to help the animals utilize more of the phosphorous in the feed reducing the need to add
inorganic P to the feed as well as reducing excreted P in the manure.
Publications
- Laird, M. K., D. H. Vaughan, B. L. Benham, S. Anderson, B. Barham, R. Jacobs, C. OConnor, C. A. Nelson, and B. B. Ross. 2003. Water Quality Impacts of Tillage Practices Used in Burley Tobacco Production. Paper No. 032197 presented at the Annual International Meeting ASAE, Las Vegas, Nevada, July 27-July 30, 14 pages.
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Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/02
Outputs
A study was conducted to determine residence time (RT) of cattle in streams as an input parameter to computer models for total maximum daily load (TMDL) plans. TMDL strategies are used for developing sustainable best management practices (BMPs) for reducing pollution to impaired waters and reducing energy and economic inputs for these sustainable BMPs. RT, which has a significant impact on direct fecal coliform loadings to streams, is estimated using professionals' best judgment because experimental data are not available, and estimations are generally inconsistent. Five farms were studied in southwest Virginia from August 2001 through February 2002. Camera surveillance systems were installed on two beef farms and three dairy heifer operations, and cattle activity in streams was recorded during daylight hours. Climatic data, pasture characteristics, feed characteristics, and farm management practices were collected from each site, and their relationships with the
amount of time cattle spend in streams were investigated. No significant difference was found between the amount of time beef cattle and dairy heifers spent in streams. Overall, cows spent an average of 10.12 min day-1cow-1 standing in streams during the observation period. Throughout the study period from August to February, cows spent the highest amount of time in streams during the month of November (14.3 min day-1cow-1). Feed, climatic, and pasture parameters were found to influence the amount of time cattle spent in streams. These significant parameters were used to develop an empirical equation for predicting cattle presence in streams. This model may not accurately predict the amount of time spent in streams by cows during warmer summer months, since data was collected during fall and winter months. Sustainable best management practices for field storage of chicken litter stockpiles, covered and uncovered, were evaluated to determine the nutrient impacts on surface and ground
water. Rainfall simulation studies have been conducted under two different climatic, topographic, and soil conditions at research stations in Blacksburg and Blackstone. Runoff and infiltration effluent were collected and analyzed to determine mass loadings and concentrations for forms of nitrogen (NO3, NH4, TKN), phosphorous, fecal coliform bacteria, and sediment. Results show that covering stockpiles is effective in reducing pollutants. Treatments were significantly different for concentrations, but not for mass loadings, indicating that about 90 percent coverage resulted in no improvement, thereby reducing costs and energy inputs for the coverings.
Impacts
Sustainable practices often result in reduced energy use and lower cost, especially in when cleanup of pollutants is required. Accurately identifying and establishing cattle stream access and residence time as well as characterizing pollutants from stockpiled animal waste will enable planners and users to reduce pollutant loads to streams and groundwater.
Publications
- Masters, A. L., D.H. Vaughan, S. Mostaghimi, P.W. McClellan and K.F. Knowlton. 2002. Factors Influencing the Amount of Time Spent By Cattle In Streams: Implications for TMDL Development. ASAE Paper Number 022266 presented at the ASAE Annual International Meeting/CIGR XVth World Congress, Chicago, Illinois, July 28-July 31, 17 pages.
- Nelson, C. A., M. K. Laird, A. F. Faulkner, R. L. Schultz, M. R. Johnson, A. Lewis, M. J. Habersack, D. H. Vaughan, B. B. Ross, and L. S. Marsh. 2002. Nutrient and Pathogen Losses Through Surface and Subsurface Water Flow from Covered and Uncovered Poultry Litter Stockpiles. ASAE Paper Number 022270 presented at the ASAE Annual International Meeting/CIGR XVth World Congress, Chicago, Illinois, July 28-July 31, 19 pages.
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Progress 10/01/00 to 09/30/01
Outputs
For developing sustainable best management practices for reducing pollution to impaired waters, cattle access to streams is being modeled for input data to TMDL strategies. Progress has been made on the cattle behavior study to determine what parameters influence the amount of time cattle spend in streams so that an empirical predictive model can be developed. Video surveillance systems have been set up on four different farms in the Montgomery County area videotaping cattle stream access. Each system records activity around the stream segment in that area. Research is being conducted to model cattle presence in streams as a function of climatic, feed, and pasture variables. The study will run through next summer with preliminary model results available in May. Sustainable practices for field storage of chicken litter stockpiles, covered and uncovered, are also being evaluated to determine the nutrient impacts on surface and ground water. Rainfall simulation studies
have been conducted under two different climatic, topographic, and soil conditions at research stations in Blacksburg and Blackstone. Runoff and infiltration effluent were collected and analyzed for forms of nitrogen, phosphorous, fecal coliform bacteria, and sediment. Preliminary results show that covering stockpiles is effective in reducing pollutants.
Impacts
The Virginia DEQ 1998 303(d) List identified 234 impaired waters. Development of TMDL strategies and BMPs are directed toward this concerted Clean Water Act effort to access the pollution of Virginia watersheds. About 140 waters accounting for over 7 million acres of land in Virginia have been identified as having potential problems due to agricultural animal waste. Approximately 50 impaired water bodies have been identified as having bacteria exceeding safe levels. Accurately identifying and establishing cattle stream access and residence as well as characterizing pollutants from stockpiled animal waste will enable planners and users to reduce pollutant loads to streams and groundwater. Sustainable practices often result in reduced energy use and lower cost, especially in when cleanup is required.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 07/01/00 to 09/30/00
Outputs
Although this new project began in July 2000, data collection has been ongoing on a whole-farm integrated crop/livestock farming system at the Whitethorne-Kentland Farm, McCoy, Virginia for several years. Input data collected included the tractor power used, energy invested in the equipment used, fuel use, energy sequestered in the crop chemicals (fertilizer, herbicides, insecticides, etc.), seed, and labor. Costs for these inputs were also documented. This energy and cost data is being used to evaluate the energetics and economics of this sustainable system by comparing the input energy, input costs, energy productivity, and net profit for the sustainable practices vs. the conventional system. A model is being refined to include alternative production practices. Plans are being developed to evaluate the energetics of some precision farming practices being developed and implemented in Virginia. A proposal was prepared to conduct studies of agro-ecosystems from
sustainable management. Plans have been initiated to investigate the sustainable aspects, specifically water quality impacts, of sustainable forage systems. Sustainable practices for field storage of poultry litter stockpiles are being evaluated to determine the nutrient impacts on surface and ground water.
Impacts
Analysis of input data from the sustainable crop/livestock whole-farm system shows reduced energy inputs for crop chemicals resulting in energy and costs savings with no significant differences in cattle performance and profitability.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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