J. Mark Powell

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Agroecologist US Dairy Forage Research Center USDA-Agricultural Research Service and Soil Sciences Department, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison Ph.D., 1989, Agronomy, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX. M.P.S., 1982, International Agriculture/Soil Fertility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. B.S., 1979, Plant Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC. Phone: (608) 890-0070 Fax: (608) 890-0076 E-Mail: jmpowel2@wisc.edu

Dr. Powell coordinates the activities of the Dairy Manure Management Group comprised of faculty of the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences with interests in discovering, integrating and applying nutrient management environmental impacts of dairy.

Research Interests

Dr. Powell's research aims to develop improved forage-based cropping systems and management strategies that optimize the use of agricultural nutrients on dairy farms thereby enhancing
profits and environmental impacts. He utilizes soil, crop and dairy science in an agroecological approach to understand key factors that affect nutrient flow in dairy systems. His research shows how improved nutrient management in one system component (e.g. feed) affects nutrient cycling in other
production components (e.g., soils and crops) and the relative impact of each component's management on overall system productivity and the environment. Such evaluations are of particular importance in view of new federal and state regulations on agricultural nutrient use. Specific
research objectives are to (1) develop new efficient practices that recycle nutrients and reduce potential environmental contamination, (2) develop tools for individual farmers and farm advisors to assess where the greatest nutrient losses occur based on current and alternative farm management practices, (3) identify cropping systems that efficiently provide feed and
recycle manure nutrients.