Weak point analyze of nutrient cycles in organic dairy farms

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to clarify if weak points analyze of nutrient cycles in organic dairy farms enables farm managers to identify the points in the farm nutrient cycle at which nitrogen leaching is most critical. Different nutrient cylce system levels of the Educational and Research Farm at the Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gladbacherhof have been observed. The weak point at this farm was localised at the cropland level with an nitrogen efficiency of only 49 %. In the present study it can be resumed that weak points analyse is able to identify critical points in the nitrogen cycle of a farm system. The analyse has to go on „deeper“ levels of the nutrient cycle.

Keywords: dairy producition, nitrogen leaching, nutrient cycle