Beef Vegetative Treatment System Models

Beef Feedlot Runoff Control Alternative Technology

Three models are available for use in designing runoff control systems for beef feedlots; these are the Iowa State University-Effluent Limitation Guidelines Model (ISU-ELG Model), the Iowa State University-Vegetative Treatment Area Model (ISU-VTA Model), and the Iowa State University -Vegetative Infiltration Basin/Vegetative Treatment Area Model (ISU-VIB/VTA Model). These models can be used to aid in the design and the analysis of both traditional and alternative treatment systems for controlling feedlot runoff.

These models were originally written in a proprietary software program called Model Maker. In order to run the models in this version you will have to download and install the Model Maker software. The 30-day trial version of this program can only be loaded on any particular machine one time. After loading the software, you can run the model by saving it to a location on your desktop and opening the saved file within model maker. Currently all three models are available in Model Maker format.

Iowa State University is currently in the process of porting these models into an executable JavaScript format. Once this port into JavaScript is completed, these models will be made available. At this time, the ISU-ELG Model is available. This program will produce identical results to the ISU-ELG Model availabel in Model Maker format. Several minor changes were made in porting this model into JavaScript, these changes primarily dealt with developing a User Input Screen and providing yearly summary tables in addition to daily values.

In addition to transporting the ISU-VTA and ISU-VIB/VTA Models to JavaScript, a revised version is also being developed. Monitoring being conducted on six vegetative treatment systems around Iowa has shown that the current version of both the ISU-VTA and the ISU VIB/VTA Models tend to over predict system performance.

ISU Models available in Model Maker Format

Model documentation containing information on operation of each of the models (ISU-ELG, ISU-VTA, and ISU-VIB/VTA) in Model Maker format is provided at Model Documentation Version 1.003. This manual contains information on the required user inputs, model operation, and model outputs (graphs and tables).

A trial version of the Model Maker software is available at Model Maker Trial Version . Downloading the trail subscription is required to run the models. This trial subscription is good for 30 days.

the ISU-ELG, ISU-VTA, and ISU-VTA/VIB Models in Model Maker format are available by clicking on the link Zip File.

Several case studies illustrating the use of the ISU-ELG, ISU-VTA, and the ISU-VIB/VTA models in Model Maker are provided at the links below.

Case Study #1: Sac City, IA. Contains results of ELG and VTA Model Runs
Case Study #1 Output Sheet

Case Study #2: Sioux Falls, SD. Contains results of ELG and VIB-VTA Model Runs
Case Study #2 Output Sheet

Weather files compatible with the ISU Models for locations around the Midwest can be accessed at Weather Files.

ISU-ELG Model:

Currently the ISU-ELG Model is available in JavaScript. Instructions for accessing this model with either Internet Explorer or Firefox is provided below.

Internet Explorer Instructions:
Click on Executible ISU-ELG Model link.
Click Save file
Change file extension from .zip to .jar
Save and open the renamed file

Firefox Instructions:
Right click on Executible ISU-ELG Model link
Click Save Link As and save to chosen location
Locate file and open from saved location.

ISU-VTA Model: (coming soon)

Internet Explorer Instructions:
Click on Executable ISU-VTA Model link
Click Save File
Change file extension from .zip to .jar
Save and open the renamed file

Firefox Instructions:
Right click on Executable ISU-VTA Model link
Click Save Link As and save to chosen location
Locate file and open from saved location

ISU-VIB/VTA Model: (coming soon)

Internet Explorer Instructions:
Click on Executable ISU-VIB/VTA Model link
Click Save File
Change file extension from .zip to .jar
Save and open the renamed file

Firefox Instructions:
Right click on Executable ISU-VIB/VTA Model link
Click Save Link As and save to chosen location
Locate file and open from saved location

Weather files compatible with the ISU Models for locations around the Midwest can be accessed at Weather Files.

If you encounter and errors or problems with the model operations, please contact Dan Andersen at dsaiastate.edu.