Ecological economic outcomes of N-containing input shift in dairy farming

Bruno Fernagut, Ludwig Lauwers, Hilde Wustenberghs

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

Given the still unsatisfactory water quality and the non point source character of nitrogen emission form agriculture, several command-and-control policy measures are conceivable. This paper compares three types of policies: (1) limiting animal manure using flat rate N excretion coefficients, (2) idem dito using variable throughput and (3) limiting farm gate surplus while leaving manuring free. The case of Flemish dairy farms is analysed by running a model that enables N input substitution. A policy limiting manuring leaves most opportunities for farms with high current manuring and low farm gate surplus. Generic assumptions can strongly diverge from reality though, which can bias cost efficiency. If policy is adjusted to variable throughput, an even stronger advantage is created for the mentioned farms, which have the highest eco-efficiency. When limiting farm gate surplus, the effect depends on the current manuring level: when low, costs increase while eco-efficiency decreases; when high, eco-efficiency and cost effectiveness increase.
Translated title of the contributionMilieueconomische resultaten van een verschuiving in N-houdende inputs in de melkveehouderij
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages3
Publication statusPublished - Dec-2007
Event15th Nitrogen workshop - Lleida, Spain
Duration: 28-May-200730-May-2007

Workshop

Workshop15th Nitrogen workshop
Country/TerritorySpain
CityLleida
Period28/05/0730/05/07

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