The Manure Model: manure, minerals (N, P and K), ammonia emission, heavy metals and the use of fertiliser in Dutch agriculture

The Manure Model for Dutch Agriculture (MESTAMM) has been developed by the Agricultural Economics Research Institute to provide insight into present and future levels of manure and mineral surpluses, and ammonia emissions, in the Netherlands. The Manure Model combines data from the Agricultural Census with data from agricultural and environmental research. Included are manure and mineral excretion per animal, emission coefficients, and costs of — and legislation for — the application of manure. Results of model calculations made at the individual farm level are aggregated to local and national scales. Results include: manure and mineral production; manure and mineral surpluses; ammonia emission from stables, manure storage, grazing cattle and the application of manure and fertilisers; application rates of soil with minerals from manure and fertilisers, and costs of legislative measures. Various Dutch institutions like the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, and the Institute of Public Health and the Environment, as well as agricultural organisations and provinces, have made use of the Manure Model in their approach to several research issues.