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Short I-FARM description  

I-FARM is a database-driven farming systems simulation model that predicts economic returns and ecosystem impacts of farm operations, integrating both crop and livestock components. I-FARM was developed by Iowa State University to provide free access to farmers and decision makers, and handles up to 50 users simultaneously. Free web access of I-FARM (URL http://i-farmtools.org) provides powerful and comprehensive farmer decision-tool potential.

About six years into development, I-FARM focuses on agro-ecosystems in the United States. Weather and soils data of all states are currently accessible from a database. The model offers the selection of a range of crops and crop rotations, with the associated practices as tillage, fertilization, planting, weed control, harvesting, and residue removal. Livestock production is modeled based on feed intake, growth rate, grazing or confinement options, and manure management systems.

A series of input sets are available in the retrieve-menu that can be loaded in order to avoid time consuming input procedures.

The model results include detailed simulation output tables:

• Livestock imports and exports and carcasses to process from the farm
• Crops, forages, and biomass imports and exports from the farm
• Manure and fertilizer imports and exports from the farm
• Nutrient balances (N, P, and K) at the field and farm scale
• P-index for Iowa
• Soil water erosion and soil conditioning index; both RUSLE and SCI have been incorporated at the field scale
• Fuel requirements for field operations at the farm scale
• Labor requirements at the farm scale
• Government payments
• Economic impacts at the farm/enterprise scale

These results can be used as input for other models related to water or air quality, while providing economic, labor, and energy outcomes crucial to farmer decisions and policy analists.

Grants obtained support further development of this model to address issues specific to bio-complexity in the bio-economy. Priority topics include developing a range of biomass harvest scenarios and continuous improving the interface for maximum ease of use by farmers.

Which States are represented in I-FARM? see coverage map .....   
Which weather stations have been included? see weather station map....
Which crops are included and which are planned for inclusion in the near future? read more.....
Which livestock types are included and which are planned for inclusion in the near future? read more.....
What is the GIS module in I-FARM? learn more....