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A sustainable dairy industry depends on the development of best nutrient management practices that maintain profitability of a farm operation while minimize environmental degradation. From the perspective of nutrient flow, a dairy farm is a complex system in which nutrient management decisions have impact on different subsystems such as animal, soil and crops. Mathematical model-based decision support tools can play an important role in describing the relationship between different subsystems and in developing nutrient management strategies. While various existing dairy production related decision support models are available, the Comprehensive Animal Nutrient Management System (CANMS) offers a detailed dynamic and optimizing approach serving as the basis of the decision support system.

This presentation includes three major components: The first component is an overview of existing models, focusing on features, capabilities and limitations. The second component is an introduction to a new decision support system, CANMS. Funded by USDA, the development of CANMS being developed by our team, which emphasizes dynamics and optimization features and combines relevant elements of existing models. The third component of the presentation gives an example for demonstrating the dynamic features of the tools using NH3 volatilization from dairy house and treatment systems..