Optimizing nitrogen utilization by integrating crop and animal production

Summary

The farm model was built according to the data from 9 Finnish organic farms. 20% of area produced cash crop and 80% was used as fodder in milk production on the farm. The model indicates that there is high potential (up to 30% compared to Finnish average) to reduce nitrogen losses in agriculture. The key factors are integration between crop and animal production, limited nutrient intensity according to the system itself and BNF.
The crop rotation used in model can support milk production with relative high intensity. In this model no external fodder is used, however, it may be necessary to have a small amount of high quality processed protein concentrate, if the annual milk yield exceeds 8000 kg/cow. Crop yield by means of nitrogen yield was about 10% lower compared to Finnish average.