A simulated dairy farm run by Pennsylvania State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences is being used to identify best practices for sustainable farming.
Using a computer model to simulate milk production and herd management, the research project is based on a 12-acre crop bed that represents a 240-acre farm with 65 lactating cows, according to GantDaily.com. Scientists from Penn State are leading the project with help from students and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service.
“We are looking at ways to conserve soil, nutrients, biodiversity and energy to design a farm that is productive as well as economically and environmentally sustainable,” Heather Karsten, associate professor of crop production and ecology and lead director of the project, told the news blog. “By using diverse crop rotations and innovative conservation practices, we think we can promote ecological processes to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use, protect soil and water quality, and sustain farm productivity.”
The project is test driving a slew of innovative farming practices. Canola, for example, is being used to power a vegetable oil-powered tractor. The leftover canola meal is fed to the cows.
The canola used in the project is grown on the farm. Researchers contributing to the project have found that canola yields increase when the crop is planted on land previously occupied by alfalfa plants.
“We hope to use the principles and results to inform researchers, educators and growers about strategies and some options, but of course they would have to be fine-tuned to different regions, soils and climates,” Karsten said.
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