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NE1044: Whole farm dairy and beef systems: gaseous emissions, P management, organic production, and pasture based production

Annual/Termination Reports (SAES-422): [02/09/2012] [01/02/2013]

Date of Annual Report: 02/09/2012

Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 10/24/11 to 10/25/11
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2010 to 09/2011

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    This will be the first report for NE-1044.

    Administrative Update: The NE-1044 project has been approved. The federal budget for Experiment Stations (Hatch budget) is still pending with big differences in the proposed House and Senate budgets. To gain more support for agricultural funding, one approach that may be pursued is to have one budget line for agriculture. Everything would be in one line, rather than multiple lines. The split between competitive funds and capacity-building funds is yet to be determined. There is also an increased emphasis on sustainability and whether we can continue to support our growing world population.

    USDA Update: Steve Smith, our USDA representative, was unable to make it to the meeting.

    Dave Combs will be chair next year. Will meet in Wisconsin next year. Marshfield is 3 hours north of Madison. Rhonda Miller will be secretary.

    State Reports

    University of Massachusetts

    Tim Randhir: Current research work examines nutrient dynamics at a watershed scale. The effects of climate, water uncertainty, etc. are being examined.

    Stephen Herbert: Research examines nutrient removal by cover crops. The cover crops utilize 40-50% more N if the cover crop is planted by Sept 1 vs Sept 15. This has been converted to GDD needed. Also examining the land area required to replace the energy used by electricity and potential solutions by mixing solar energy collection and pasture production. Solar panels have been mounted several feet above the ground with access for grazing below the panels. Study examines the spacing needed to maintain productive plant growth. Masoud Hashemi is taking over the work examining ammonia volatilization from manure application. Found that ammonia loss is reduced if manure application is delayed until later in the year when the temperatures are lower. Incorporation after application greatly reduced ammonia losses.

    Louisiana State University

    John Westra: Research modeling current land use to determine the effects of increasing pasture or perennial cover in beef and dairy systems. The impacts on capacity, sediment, nutrient loading, and farm income are being examined.

    Vinicius Moeira: Research evaluates plant growth on artificial floating islands to improve multi-stage wastewater treatment systems. Goal is to treat water as much as possible to minimize transportation costs. Grew oats, rye, ryegrass, sunflower, sweet sorghum, corn, forage sorghum, and pearl millet in anaerobic lagoons, aerobic lagoons, and constructed wetland systems. Measured total dry matter, and nutrients including Ca, Mg, N, and P harvested per day. Aerobic lagoons had the best results for the cool season grasses. Corn did better than everything else in the anaerobic lagoons. Currently in the second year of the study. Future plans include examining plants that have deeper root systems.

    Dairy Research Center, University of Wisconsin

    Rich Muck: Research examines the effects of a silage inoculant on rumen microflora and milk production. Lactobacillus plantarum (Ecosyl MTD/1) alters the rumen microbial community, milk production, and efficiency of nitrogen utilization compared to untreated silage. This inoculant has had a large amount of research conducted on it. Ecosyl MTD/1 results in increased milk production even when no observed effect in the silage was present. When fed directly to the cows no effect was observed. Think the effect is occurring in the silo, resulting in an improvement in microbial biomass production. Monitoring the in vivo effects by sampling fluid at the omasum and by using PCR techniques to observe changes in the rumen microbial populations. Significant changes have been observed in ARISA populations, MUN, protein %, lactose. No effect on milk fat.

    Other work going on at Marshfield includes paired watersheds and manure application practices, the effect of tannins on ammonia and GHG emissions, and some work with red clover looking at the effect of polyphenol oxidase and the impact on nitrogen utilization.

    University of Wisconsin

    Dave Combs: Work evaluates the comparative attributes of grazing, organic, and conventional management systems focusing on profitability and stewardship. Meadow fescue or tall fescue silage was fed in combination with alfalfa and corn silage to evaluate the effects on milk production and the potential to reduce sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in lactating dairy cows. This data indicates that high quality meadow and tall fescue silages can be fed to high producing dairy cows without a decrease in fat corrected milk production. Another study examined the impact of grazing experiences early in life on grazing behavior and performance of lactating dairy heifers in a 3-year study. GPS units were utilized to monitor cow movement. Those with no previous grazing experience tended to move around very little when grazing. Milk production was lowest initially for cows with no previous grazing experience. Results indicate that previous grazing experience can impact behavior and milk production during the first 3 days on pasture. After this time, experienced and inexperienced cattle presented a similar grazing behaviors and performance. Also working on a fiber digestion predictor to predict in vivo digestibility from the in vitro values. Are two parts to the spreadsheet:
    1) Model that uses in vitro NDFD values to predict ruminal rates of NDF degradation. Ruminal and total tract fiber digestion coefficients are then determined.
    2) Consultants tool to predict ration energy supply (NEI) and DDM value of tested forages.

    Utah State University

    Rhonda Miller: Working on a study with Dr. Scott Jones that is developing low-cost air quality sensors. Air quality emissions from manure storage facilities and from land application under various manure management practices will be examined in both dairy and beef systems.

    Michigan State University

    Santiago Utsumi: Kellogg Biological Station Dairy Project conducts long-term research examining ecosystem processes and impacts. Research includes simple versus complex mixtures, high-input versus low-input, forage intake, and animal movement in pastures, and the use of automatic milking systems on economic, social, and environmental factors.

    USDA-ARS Pennsylvania

    Al Rotz: Dairy Gas Emission Model (DairyGEM) calculates ammonia and hydrogen sulfide volatilization, GHG emissions, and carbon footprint. Working on adding VOCs. Are 100-150 types of VOCs from silage. Also adding an anaerobic digestor component, biogas use and electricity production. Most ammonia emissions occur during field application. Carbon footprint component shows that beef cow-calf operations are responsible for 70-75% of the total carbon footprint. Nitrate leaching was greater from pasture-based dairy. Ammonia and GHG emissions were greater from the confinement dairy. Carbon footprint of milk produced was similar for the pasture-based dairy and the confinement dairy. Carbon sequestration of the pasture-based system was slightly lower than that of the confinement dairy.

    University of Pennsylvania

    Zhengxia Dou: Two separate projects. One study looks at farm interventions and the resulting economic impact in 10 study herds (all confined) over 3 years. Dietary protein was generally 16-18% - more were decreasing protein % than increasing. Dietary P % - most holding steady or slightly decreasing, but one was increasing a lot. Fecal protein % - generally increasing, but highly variable. Fecal P % was decreasing slightly. Pregnancy rate % was generally improving. Estimated N excretion (g/kg milk) was highly variable. Estimated P excretion (g/kg milk) was generally decreasing. Second project examined the impact of manure pH and temperature treatment and the effect on pathogens (Salmonella Newport and E. Coli 157). Both pathogens can survive after manure excretion, and in soil for over 450 days. Under low pH (3.6 and 4.2) pathogens lived only about one week. Lived longer with a pH of 4.5 and higher. Unamended manure has a pH of 7.3. Newport died when the pH was increased to 11. At 42 degrees C both pathogens lived ~350 days, at 22 degrees C lived ~55 days.

    Rutgers University, New Jersey

    Mike Westendorf: Developing a series of videos for small livestock farms. Nutrient Mgt videos can be found at http://njaes.rugters.edu/animal-waste-management/videos.asp
    Also developing an on-line composting school for small farms, and a program to aid small farmers in preparing nutrient management plans. Conducting Best Management Practice (BMP) demonstrations on small farms and the use of okara as a feed for ruminants. Okara is a by-product of the soybean and tofu industry.

    Washington State University

    Joe Harrison: Examining gaseous emissions from anaerobic digested lagoon vs raw manure and whether injected or surface applied.

    Accomplishments:

    Impact Statements:
    Last Modified: 09-Feb-2012

    Date of Annual Report: 01/02/2013

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 10/08/12 to 10/10/12
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2011 to 09/2012

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Administrative Update One of the criticisms of this project was that it looked too much like a collection of individual projects. In the future, it would be helpful if we elaborated more on how we each benefit from this meeting and each other.

    USDA Update Sonny Ramaswamy is the new NIFA Director. RFAs should be released soon. Will have normal language saying contingent on funding. Delay in writing the RFA for some of the AFRI programs. Will likely combine the 2012 and 2013 RFA into one call (primarily foundational programs). Rhonda Miller will be chair next year. Joe Harrison will be secretary next year. Yolo will host the meeting next year in Kentucky.

    Accomplishments:
    PROGRESS OF WORK AND PRINCIPAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    Objective 1: Characterize and develop management practices to reduce GHG emissions and transport of nutrients, pathogens, pharmaceuticals, and VOCs from livestock production systems.

    KY  (Kusunose) A plan was developed at the Annual Meeting (Oct. 8-10, 2012 in Madison, WI) to document current efforts to convert manure and manure derivatives into marketable resources in Washington (Harrison), Wisconsin (Combs, Muck), and elsewhere. Kusunose will lead this initiative over the next year. Transportation and product information (e.g. nutrient value, handling, original feedstock) were identified as two major barriers to marketing.

    LA  (Moreira) The objective of this project was to evaluate and improve primary (anaerobic/facultative lagoon), secondary (aerobic lagoon) and tertiary (constructed wetland) dairy wastewater treatment practices that are appropriate for manure typically collected in grazing dairy farms. This project was initiated in September, 2010 with the intent to 1  promote uptake by plants grown on islands; and 2  stimulate nitrogen volatilization through denitrification at the intersection of floating islands with the wastewater lagoon surface. During 2010-2011, floating islands were used in two densities covering anaerobic lagoons, 2,000 vs. 1,000 sq ft or 8% vs. 14% coverage, respectively. Corn and ryegrass, and anaerobic lagoons were chosen for this study based on a two-year study carried out during the 2009 and 2010 cool and warm seasons. Ryegrass was planted in the fall and was harvested in the spring in both years (2010-2011, and 2011-2012). Corn was planted immediately after June ryegrass harvest. A poor corn crop was harvested in September, 2011. Over 250 samples were collected from November 2010 until August 2012 (12 samples/collection). Each sample was analyzed for 23 water quality characteristics including nutrients (N, P, Cl, F, SO2), pathogens, and chemical oxygen demand. Forage samples were processed to evaluate yields and nutrient outputs. Dairy cows Escherichia coli isolated from wetland samples were identified as survivor strains or non-survivor strains by DNA fingerprinting. Survivor strains seem to exhibit GASP phenotype, which allows specific populations of E. coli to persist and contaminate waters downstream. A poster was presented during the 2012 USDA-CSREES National Water Conference in Portland, OR. The poster summarized results from the study selecting forages and stages best suited for plant growth on the three-stage treatment system. Preliminary results were shared with dairy producers during the 2011 fall and 2012 spring Southeast Research Station field day.

    PA - (Rotz) Modeling VOC Emissions: Silage and manure are important sources of VOC emissions in dairy and beef production. A model for predicting silage emissions was revised and a new component model was developed to predict emissions from manure sources. Together these components estimate the major VOC emissions from farms. Emissions from manure are determined using a two-film, steady-state emission model for five groups of compounds (two groups of acids, alcohols, and two groups of aromatics). Limited measurements of VOCs in manure show that VOCs may be produced or destroyed during manure storage; however, there is not enough information known about these processes to develop a model that predicts their development. Instead bulk concentrations of compounds are set at an initial value, and cumulative emissions are calculated over fixed times, allowing for a decrease in VOC concentrations within manure. Emissions are estimated from manure during three stages: on the barn floor, during storage, and after field application. Emissions are adjusted according to their reactivity to determine the ozone formation potential of the emitted compounds. These new components were incorporated and tested in our Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) where they will be used to evaluate strategies for mitigating VOC production. Environmental Footprints of Beef Production Systems: The environmental footprints of the beef produced at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska were determined through a simulation study. Relevant information for their operation was gathered and used to establish parameters to represent their beef production system with IFSM. Model simulated predictions agreed well with actual records for feed production and use, energy use and production costs in 2011. A preliminary analysis of the current production system of the Meat Animal Research Center shows that the carbon footprint of the beef produced is 11 lb of carbon dioxide equivalent units per lb of live weight sold. This carbon footprint is a little lower than most previously published values. The energy required to produce that beef (energy footprint) is 11,150 Btu/lb of live weight sold. The total water required (water footprint) is 2,550 gallon/lb of live weight, and the water footprint excluding that obtained through precipitation is 340 gallon/lb of live weight sold. The simulated total cost of producing their beef was about $1.00/lb of live weight sold, which agrees with their production records. Simulations are being developed for 2005 and 1970 to determine if the environmental footprints have improved over time.

    UT  (Miller) Four treatments: 1) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), no fertilizer (TFNF; 2) tall fescue, fertilizer (TFWF); 3) tall fescue, birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) (TFBFT); and tall fescue, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) (TFALF) were planted at the Intermountain West Pasture Facility located near Lewiston, Utah in the fall of 2010. Data collection began in 2012. Ammonium sulfate fertilizer (35 kg ha-1) is applied approximately every 30 days during the growing season. Paddocks are irrigated biweekly. Plots are grazed for seven days and then allowed to regrow before grazing again. Herbage dry matter is collected before and after each grazing event to determine total N in plant removal. Soil water (leachate) nitrogen is monitored by means of zero-tension lysimeters that were previously installed at this location. Leachate is collected every two weeks during the growing season, and as close as possible to every two weeks during the winter months. Leachate samples are analyzed for nitrate-nitrite using QuikChem Method 10-107-04-1-C on the Lachat auto-analyzer. Soil samples are collected at the beginning and end of each growing season and analyzed for available nitrogen (ammonia and nitrate) using potassium chloride on the Lachat auto-analyzer, QuikChem Method 10-107-04-1-C, and for total N by combustion analysis using a LECO TruSpec CN elemental analyzer. A mass balance approach comparing total nitrogen outputs against total nitrogen inputs for each treatment will be utilized to estimate losses due to volatilization.

    WA  (Harrison) Nutrient transformation and fate of pathogens in manure will be further evaluated with anaerobic digestion and method of application of dairy manure. Grass uptake of nitrogen will be characterized in replicated field plots as affected by source of dairy manure (anaerobically digested (AD) or non-AD manure) and type of application (broadcast or subsurface deposition). In addition, emission of nitrous oxide will be determined as affected by manure source (AD or non-AD manure). Pathogen fate and transport will be characterized as affected by manure type (AD or non-AD manure) in replicated plots where runoff from natural rain events will be monitored and sampled. It has been known that E. coli O157:H7 and multidrug resistant Salmonella Newport have established reservoirs in dairy cattle. We will study the survival and transport behavior of these pathogens under various conditions and to understand how environmental parameters may affect, and subsequently be manipulated to alter their fate in the post-shed environment. Specifically, we will investigate the survival kinetics of the organisms in manure and manured soils under different treatment conditions. A three year agronomic plot study was completed that evaluated the nitrogen use efficiency of undigested and anaerobically digested dairy manure. AD and non-AD manure support equal grass production when applied at equal amounts of total N. Anaerobically digested dairy slurry was shown to provide adequate soil fertility and N availability for crop uptake and forage production over the three field seasons. There was no indication of differences between sources of manure for pounds of uptake of P by the grass crop. However, more P was applied with non-AD manure vs AD manure which complicates the interpretation. When the P uptake data was expressed as a ratio (P uptake/P applied) the AD manured forage showed a higher ratio. Further investigation of P availability from AD manure is warranted. Subsurface deposition of manure did not increase forage yield or N uptake compared with surface broadcast application, possibly because the slurries were low enough in solids to infiltrate readily into the soil, and because the subsurface injectors may have disrupted plant growth. An additional goal was to evaluate if AD manure had any negative impacts in the soil microbial communities. Source of manure had little effect on soil enzymes or microbial communities. Greatest treatment differences were seen between the manure and urea treatments. Flooding of the plot area had a dramatic yet fleeting impact on the enzymes and communities. Application of anaerobically digested slurry did increase nitrifier and denitrifier gene copies that correlated with N2O production. AD and non-AD manure, as well as the solids content was evaluated for their effect in NH3 emission on day of application to grass plots. AD manure was shown to have the least amount of NH3 emission, non-AD with large particle solids removed to be intermediate, and non-AD manure to have the greatest NH3 emission on day of application. The data collected on nutrient partitioning after liquid-solids separation indicates a range: in solids separation of 13 to 25 %, in N separation of 4.3 to 12.9 %, and in P separation of 9.2 to 21.5 %. The EYS screw system resulted in greater removal of solids, N and P, but was observed to require greater maintenance and had a lower liquid throughput rate. The overall observation of significance is that the majority (>75%) of solids and nutrients reside with the liquid fraction.

    WI  (Powell) Feeding tannin extract and less crude protein (CP) to dairy cows may have synergistic impacts on reducing urinary N excretion and NH3 emissions from dairy barns and land applied manure. Holstein dairy cows were fed four levels (g kg-1) of dietary tannin extract (mixture from red quebracho and chestnut trees): 0 (0T), 4.5 (LT), 9.0 (MT) and 18.0 (HT); each fed at two levels (g kg-1) of dietary CP: 155 (LCP) and 168 (HCP). The addition of tannin extracts to the diets did not significantly impact animal performance but increased feed N use efficiency and decreased N excretion in urine. Reductions in NH3 emission from simulated barn floors due to tannin feeding were greatest when tannin was fed at LCP: the LCP-LT and LCP-HT treatments emitted 30.6% less NH3 than LCP-0T; and the HCP-LT and HCP-HT treatments emitted 16.3% less NH3 than HCP-0T. Feeding tannin extract decreased urease activity in feces resulting in 11.5% reduction in NH3 loss. The application of tannin directly to simulated barn floor also reduced NH3 emissions by 19.0%. Tannin did not significantly impact NH3 emissions from soils. But emissions from the HCP slurry were 1.53 to 2.57 times greater than from the LCP slurry. At trials end concentrations of soil inorganic N were greater in HCP slurry-amended soils than in LCP slurry-amended soils. Emissions from the sandy loam soil were 1.07 to 1.15 times greater than from silt loam soil, a result which decreased soil inorganic N in the sandy loam compared to the silt loam soil.

    WI - Wattiaux Experiments were conducted to evaluate possible mitigation strategies to reduce gaseous emissions from dairy farms. In trial 1 (Aguerre et al. 2010c; Aguerre et al. 2011a), increasing the proportion of forage in the diet from 47 to 68% while maintaining dietary CP, increased CH4 emission per unit of milk by 25% but did not alter NH3 emission or milk production. In a follow-up study (Trial 2; Aguerre et al. 2012a), the pattern of change in volatile C loss (CO2 and CH4,) and volatile N loss (NH3 and N2O) during a 77-day storage period was determined using the manure collected from cows in the companion study (Trial 1). Dietary treatments had no effect on emission rates. However when a crust formed after 28 days of storage, NH3 emission became negligible. In addition to its physical effects, the crust may have provided a growth environment for bacterial species that use NH3 and CH4 as substrate, reducing emission of these compounds, but promoting the production and emission of N2O and CO2, respectively. In trial 3 (Arndt et al. 2010ab), alfalfa silage (AS) and corn silage (CS) were fed at 20:80, 40:60, 60:40 and 80:20 ratio, in a 55:45 forage to concentrate ratio diet. Varying the AS:CS ratio had no effect on NH3 emission. Although greatest CH4 emission was observed at ratio of 40:60, primary forage did not affect CH4 emission per unit of milk. Feeding tannins at a level that does not compromise animal performance might be used to reduce urinary N and therefore NH3 emissions. Data from a lactation study (Trial 4; Aguerre et al., 2010ab) suggested that incorporating tannin in the diet at 1.8% DM at two dietary CP levels (15.5 vs. 16.8 %DM), did not alter manure N but increased fecal N and reduced urine N, with limited impact on animal performance. Manure from cows fed 1.8% tannin and 15.5 or 16.8% dietary CP, emitted 30.5 and 16.3% less NH3 than no tannin diet, respectively (Powell et al. 2011). On a follow up study (Trial 5; Aguerre et al., 2011b), our objective was to determine the effects of a tannin extract on lactating cow performance and emission of CH4 and NH3, and whether any responses were affected by dietary forage to concentrate ratio. Adding tannin to the diet at a 0.45% inclusion rate (DM basis) had negative effects on performance and increased CH4 emission per unit of ECM by 8% but had no effect on manure NH3 emission, regardless of the dietary content of forage. The objective of Trial 6 (Arndt et al., 2011) was to determine whether CH4 emission is lower for high feed efficient (kilograms of milk/kilograms of dry matter intake; HE) compared with low feed efficient (LE) lactating dairy cows. High compared to low feed efficiency was associated with lower CH4 emission (grams) per kilogram of milk (16.0 vs. 23.7 g/kg). Future research should assess the additive effect of combining different mitigation strategies and the potential trade-offs between NH3, N2O and CH4 emission reduction in large scale and long-term field trials. A Markov chain model was used to simulate a herd dynamics based on productive and reproductive input parameters and estimate the impact of reproductive performance on CH4 emission, and N and P excretion of dairy cows (Aguerre et al., 2012b). Under the simulation conditions of this study, changes in herd structure associated with improved reproductive performance reduced predicted environmental impact while improving profitability. Objective 2: Enhance productivity and optimize nutrient use efficiency by dairy and beef cattle.

    WI  (Combs) We evaluated partially replacing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage and corn (Zea mays L.) silage with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) silage, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds) silage, or wheat straw (Triticum aestivum ) to test the hypothesis that the energy from non-fibrous carbohydrates can be partially replaced by the energy from digestible fiber without reducing DMI or milk production in total mixed rations (TMR) for dairy cows. Forty eight lactating dairy were fed one of four treatment diets in a 98 d study. The four treatment rations consisted of an alfalfa silage and corn silage-based TMR formulated for a low neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content 25%, and three TMRs formulated for 28% NDF where tall fescue silage, meadow fescue silage, or wheat straw partially replaced alfalfa and corn silages. The in vitro and in situ NDF digestibility of tall and meadow fescue silages were equal to or greater than the alfalfa silage and greater than the corn silage and wheat straw. The total tract NDF digestibility was highest for cows consuming the grass diets. Organic matter digestibility was higher when cows ate tall fescue than wheat straw or did not receive supplemental fiber. No differences in DMI (26.0 kg/d) or 3.5% fat-corrected milk production (41.9 kg/d) were found between treatment diets, although higher milk yield and lower milk fat (% and yield) were observed for cows that did not have supplemental fiber in their diets. These results indicate that highly digestible fiber from grass silages can partially replace non-fibrous carbohydrates without reducing DMI and FCM production. This study evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum with or without Lactobacillus buchneri on the fermentation and aerobic stability of mixed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds) silage ensiled at different dry matters. The first cut was harvested at boot stage and second-cut grasses were harvested when 30 to 35 cm tall. Four DM content treatments of the first-cut were 17.9%, 24.9%, 34.6%, and 48.7%; and of second-cut were 29.1%, 36.3%, 44.1%, and 49.2%. Chopped grasses at each DM content were treated with 1) deionized water (control); 2) L. plantarum-MTD1 (LP); or 3) a combination of L. plantarum MTD-1 with L. buchneri 40788 (LP+LB). The application rate of each inoculant to the fresh forage was 1×106 cfu/g. Grasses were ensiled in vacuum sealed polyethylene bags containing 150 g of DM for 60 d with four replicates for each treatment. Silages inoculated with LP+LB had greater pH compared with untreated or LP treated silages (P < 0.05). Lactate was greater in LP silage than control or LP+LB silages (P < 0.05). As silage DM increased, lactate in untreated and LP treated silages decreased, but increased in LP+LB treated silage (P <0.001). Acetate concentration decreased with increased DM in all silages. LP+LB treated silage had the longest and control silage the shortest aerobic stability for both harvests. The greatest values in aerobic stability were observed in silages with highest DM content (P < 0.05). In this study, aerobic stability of grass mixes ensiled between 18% and 44% DM increased as DM% increased. LP and LP+LB inoculants improved aerobic stability of silages harvested between 18% and 44% DM.

    WI  (Powell) Whereas much is known about relationships between dairy cow rations, milk production, manure excretion and environmental risks of confinement dairy production, much less is known about these relationships on grazing- based farms. Seasonal snap-shots of feed-milk-manure relationships on grazing-based dairy farms were taken to determine relationships (1) between feed N intake (NI), milk production, milk urea N (MUN), feed N use efficiency (FNUE), and excreted manure N (ExN), and (2) between feed P intake (PI), fecal P (FP) concentrations, and excreted manure P (ExP). An additional objective was to assess correspondence between feed, milk and manure relationships established on confinement dairy farms to those on grazing-based dairy farms. Four dairy farms located south eastern Australia were visited during autumn and spring. Information was gathered on feed practices for six cows selected randomly from each of high, medium and low producing cow groups on each farm. Samples of each ration component, and milk and feces from each cow were taken. Total ration dry matter intake (DMI) was calculated as the sum of feed supplements (silage, hay, by-products, grain, concentrates) offered manually plus the amount of pasture estimated indirectly using a bio-energetic approach. Each farm offered a similar basal ration with varying levels of barley grain (0.5 to 8.8 kg cow-1 d-1) or concentrate (0.8 to 9.4 kg cow-1 d-1). Although milk production was greater during spring than autumn, milk response (2.23 L kg-1 DMI) was similar during both seasons. Milk responses to NI were greater during spring (63 mL g-1) than during autumn (55 mL g-1), and milk response to supplemental grain or concentrate were variable. Ration CP concentrations during spring ranged from 183 to 248 g kg-1, or 11% to 50% greater than recommendations for high producing cows on confinement farms. As ration CP increased FNUE declined. In contrast to findings on confinement farms, no significant relationships were found between ration CP and MUN, or between MUN, parity, or milking frequency. NI and DMI provided the best predictors of ExN, and PI provided the most accurate prediction of ExP. Unlike findings on confinement farms, no relationships were found between ration P and fecal P. A significant positive relationship between total P in feces and HCl-extractable P in feces indicates that ration P (range of 4.4 to 6.4 g kg-1) on the study farms exceeded cow requirements.

    Objective 3. Evaluate the comparative attributes of grazing, organic and conventional management systems, focusing on profitability and stewardship.

    MA  (Herbert, Weis ,Hashemi, Randhir) In the spring of 2010, a field at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Crops and Animal Research and Education Center (CAREC)in South Deerfield, MA, approximately 100 ft x 200 ft was selected for the experiment. The field did not have a history of manure application. Stubble had been left from corn grown the previous season. The field was subdivided into three 200 ft long strips, each approximately 30 ft wide. One strip was conventionally disked, one strip was cultivated with an Aerway® vertically to a depth of about 8 inches, and the third strip was left bare. At approximately 8:00 AM on May 27, 2010, liquid manure was spread uniformly at a rate of about 6,000 gallons per acre. Immediately upon the manure trucks departure, the third strip of the plot was disked. At the same time, 12 ammonia collection units, four for each treatment, were set up on the field to measure ammonia volatilization. Each unit remained at one location for one hour, at which time the jar collecting the ammonia was removed for N analysis. For the first 8 hours, the apparatus was moved hourly to another location within the plot. After 8 hours, units were placed on the plots for one hour periods four times over the following three days. The experiment was repeated in 2011 with a few changes as follow: The plot used in 2011 was more uniform than the one used in 2010. It was on slightly higher ground located approximately 1000 ft northwest of the plot used in 2010. The disk’manure treatment of 2010 was replaced by a No-till’manure treatment for assessment of ammonia volatilization in 2011, though the disk’manure treatment was included for soil nitrate measurement and corn yield assessment. Corn was planted on the entire plot on June 1, 2010 or June 13, 2011. In order to more fully assess effect of treatments, no additional fertilizer was used on the plots, even if need was anticipated. Ten foot sections of each plot were harvested on September 3, 2010 or September 13, 2011 for yield analysis. Ears and stover were separated in order to assess silage quality as well as total yield. In addition, stalk samples were taken to determine nitrate status of the plants. The immediate disking in of the manure reduced loss of nitrogen through volatilization of ammonia. For all treatments, excepting Aerway’manure in 2011, the greatest single hour loss of ammonia was during the first hour following manure application. Ammonia loss continued beyond 3 days, but the rate was always per day by the third day following manure application. Measured ammonia nitrogen loss was up to about 5 lbs N per acre in the three days following manure application when no post-manure cultivation was used. This was reduced to less than 1 lb per acre if the field was disked immediately. Pre-application cultivating with the Aerway was better than conventional disking or no-till, but was not nearly as effective in preventing N loss as was immediate post-application disking. Overall, silage yield and quality were best on the Manure’Disk’Plant treatment.

    Objective 4. Develop science-based tools and educational materials to promote environmental stewardship on US dairy and beef industries.

    MA  (Herbert, Weis ,Hashemi, Randhir) The Cover Crop Planting tool is currently operational on the web as Cover Crop Planting DSS (Decision Support System) at http://aqua1.eco.umass.edu/cropDSS/cdss.html/ for Massachusetts (Figure on right). The GDD values are compiled for the New England region and used in calculating optimal cover crop planting date. The site data from weather stations and elevation points are process in GIS. Thirty years of climate information is used in calculating optimal planting dates for cover crop (Fall Rye). The spatial data points are spline interpolated for spatial coverage in the region. GIS data on climatic variables is being processed for regional and other larger scales. A map of optimal planting dates for Fall Rye for the northeast US is presented on the left. The datasets are converted to shape files for use in the DSS. The Web-based DSS is extended to mobile platforms so that farmers have easy access to the spatial information. The mobile platform is being developed for IPad and Android operating systems. An implementation of the DSS in Android operating system in Google Nexus is presented at the right. This IOs operating system version is being tested for use in IPad. Testing the tools at farmer fields is being conducted for validating performance of the tools at various spatial locations. Nutrient loss reduction and economic gains from optimal planting regimes is presented along with optimal planting dates.

    PA  (Rotz) IFSM and DairyGEM: The Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) and the Dairy Gas Emissions Model (DairyGEM) provide software tools that illustrate the complexity and many interactions among the physical and biological components of farms. Refinement and expansion of both tools continued throughout the year. New versions of each were made available in December and September. The new versions provide hydrogen sulfide emissions and water and energy footprints for simulated production systems along with the former emission predictions for ammonia, greenhouse gases and carbon footprint. The latest version of IFSM also includes the prediction of the reactive nitrogen footprint of crop, beef and dairy production systems. This software is available through Internet download for use in individual, workshop and classroom education.

    WA - (Harrison) The Feed Nutrient Management Planning Economics Tool (FNMP$) will be refined to include the following: a) addition of dairy manure handling systems that include liquid-solids separation, sand bedding and sand separation; b) more accurate estimates of nutrient and solids flows and transformations in beef feedlot systems; c) feed management factors into tool function that can affect nutrient losses; d) adding additional crops, nutrients, and revised nutrient estimates; e) adding micronutrients such as magnesium, sulfur, and others that create added value for off farm transport; f) effect of rainfall and on-farm water management on manure volume; g) multiple cropping systems on a given field within a year ; h) varied Field by field management with respect to P or N nutrient management planning; i) an irrigation option; j) updated equipment prices; k) providing a version of the tool on-line for remote use, l) adding file sharing and storage options, and m) modifying options for off farm transport, haul only cost versus haul and spread. Refinements have been made to the beef version of the FNMP$ tool and have focused on more accurate estimates of nutrient and solids flows and transformations in beef feedlot systems. Anaerobic Digester Optimization Tool (ADOPT) - The ADOPT model was designed to simulate the daily management of an AD. ADOPT is a linear programming model that maximizes the annual net revenue of the AD using a daily time step subject to the AD design capacity and operating constraints. The ADOPT models objective function is represented in the following equation. The equation is simply the AD profit function that the model maximizes the difference between daily revenues produced minus the daily operating variable costs and the annual fixed costs. Where t represents a day summed over the year T=365. The variable i represents each revenue source, i = 1 to n, multiplied by the price received for each revenue source, Pit. The daily variable cost is VCjt for each variable cost factor j and FC is the annual fixed cost FC. Figure 1 shows the inflows into the AD and the n revenue sources for the ADOPT model. The following sections describe the project site, revenue sources and costs modeled in ADOPT.

    WI  (Powell) We evaluated relationships between feed nitrogen (N) intake, milk urea N (MUN), urinary urea N (UUN) and ammonia (NH3) emissions from dairy farms. Regression relationships between MUN (within the range of 10 to 25 mg/dL), UUN, and relative NH3 emissions from barns were developed from studies conducted in Wisconsin, California, and The Netherlands. Relative reductions in NH3 emission were calculated as percent decreases in NH3 emissions associated with a baseline MUN level of 14 mg/dL (prevailing industry average). The two studies with cows in stanchion chambers provided relative linear reductions in NH3 emission of 14.1 to 25.6% when MUN levels decreased from 14 to 10 mg/dL. Similarly, analyses of 4 free-stall studies provided relative linear reductions in NH3 emissions of 10.3 to 33.7% when MUN levels declined from 14 to 10 mg/dL. Wide-spread, effective use of MUN as a management tool to assess the impact of farm practices on NH3 emissions under a variety of commercial dairy farm conditions requires reliable and repeatable methods of both MUN and NH3 measurements.

    WORK PLANNED FOR 2013

    LA  (Moreira) The last corn crop will be harvested and forage analyses will be completed to evaluate plant uptake.

    KY  (Kusunose) Coordinate with Harrison, Combs, and other members of the NE-1044 Regional Research Project to gather case studies of manure utilization/marketing in Washington, Wisconsin, and possibly other states. Identify successful strategies for closing the nutrient cycle by marketing manure- or manure-derived non-fertilizer products.

    PA  (Rotz) 1. Work will continue on the development and evaluation of a process-based simulation of silage and manure VOC emissions from farms. Farm scale emission data are being measured on California dairies for use in model evaluation. 2. An evaluation of the environmental footprints of beef production at the Meat Animal Research Center will be completed and changes in these footprints over the past 40 years will be determined.

    UT  (Miller) The effects of tannin on nitrogen content in the urine and feces under five (5) treatments will be examined: " Treatment A  Tall Fescue/Alfalfa and plain drinking water " Treatment B  Tall Fescue/Alfalfa and drinking water with tannin added " Treatment C  Tall Fescue/Birdsfoot Trefoil and plain drinking water " Treatment D  Tall Fescue and plain drinking water " Treatment E  Tall Fescue and drinking water with tannin added

    Fifteen (15) cows with similar weights, age, and body condition will randomly be assigned one of five treatments. Cows will be outfitted with a harness system to support the urine and fecal collection system. On day 1 of the study, cows will be randomly assigned to one of the five treatments and placed in the appropriate paddock. Water intake will be monitored. On day 3, tannin will be added to the drinking water in the appropriate treatments. Water intake will continue to be monitored. On day 4, the cows will be catheterized and outfitted with the urine and feces collection system. Fecal samples and urine samples will be collected as needed for 72 hours. Water consumption for each cow will be monitored throughout the study. After 72 hours, the harness and urine and fecal collection system will be removed. Feces and urine samples will be composited into 12-hour segments. The feces will be weighed and the volume of urine will be determined. Samples will be analyzed for nitrogen and tannin content.

    WA  (Harrison) Complete summary and publish three year study to evaluate the effect of two types of manure (anaerobically digested (AD) and non-AD) and the effect of solids removal on NH3 emission on day of application. Continue year three of three year study to evaluate the effect of two types of manure (anaerobically digested (AD) and non-AD) and two methods of manure application (surface broadcast and injected) for corn growth. Data will include nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and gaseous losses. Continue refinement of FNMP$ tool and ADOPT.

    WI  (Powell) " Complete analyses and submit for publication Feed-milk-manure nitrogen relationships in global dairy systems based on use of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. " Complete data entry and analyses to evaluate the effects of dairy manure N application rate and frequency and of the relative contribution of manure N and fertilizer N on corn yields, N uptake, and distribution of total and mineral N in soil. " Label dairy ration components (corn silage and grain, alfalfa silage, soybean meal) in 15N, feed them to lactating dairy cows, and collect samples of milk, feces, and urine " Continue research on impact of tannins on feed N use efficiency and manure N transformations in air and soil.

    WI  (Wattiaux) Results from our previous research indicated that diet formulation and efficiency of feed conversion can have a profound impact on enteric CH4 and N utilization and thus, the overarching objective of our future research is to further investigate dietary manipulation and cattle genetic selection as management strategies to reduce enteric CH4 emission and potential losses of manure N to the environment. Two studies will measure the impact of forages digestibility and dairy cow feed efficiency on enteric CH4 emission and N utilization. A third study is to validate a novel method to predict enteric CH4 emission rapidly and economically against the current gold standard procedure (emission chambers), which is labor intensive, slow and expensive.

    Impact Statements:
    1. LA (Moreira) - Preliminary findings resulting from the increase in anaerobic lagoon area coverage with floating islands from 6.9 to 13.8% indicate that second year water quality characteristics are not reaching abatements similar to those obtained during the first year for most characteristics. On the positive side, nitrate concentration remains high with added island coverage (13.8% coverage), indicating potential for denitrification at the last treatment stage.
    2. KY (Kusunose) - Manure does not necessarily have to be recycled in the form of fertilizer/soil amendments; for example, there are on-going efforts to turn manure into energy sources. Such alternative manure products may face lower transaction costs and negate the need for product information. A collection of case studies will document current research and efforts to recycle manure, either as a fertilizer/soil amendment or in other forms. Such an effort will aid in identifying commonalities of successful initiatives.
    3. MA (Herbert) - Nitrogen management of farm fields is of increasing importance as the price of nitrogen fertilizer rises and the negative effects of ammonia become better recognized. The time of manure application and the method of manure incorporation into the soil influences both ammonia volatilization and the amount of nitrogen available to crops. The Cover Crop Planting tool allows provision of site-specific information to farmers for planting decisions. The nutrient flow assessment will be useful in assessing loading and attenuation levels at a broader watershed scale.
    4. UT (Miller) - Tannins are present in some forages such as birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Tannins can also be added to the drinking water. Tannins have the potential to improve N utilization in the animal, and shift excreted nitrogen from the urine to the feces, thereby reducing some of the environmental impacts of grazing systems.
    5. WA (Harrison) - Anaerobically digested manure was shown to have equal fertilizer value to non-AD manure when applied at equal rates of total N.
    6. WI (Powell) - Although results of the tannin extract research are encouraging, larger scale and longer term field trials are needed to ascertain the effectiveness of feeding tannin extracts to dairy cows in abating NH3 loss from barns and land-applied slurry, and the impact of tannin-containing slurry on soil N cycles. Results of this study may help create new awareness, and perhaps industry-based incentives, for management practices that enhance feed N use efficiency and reduce MUN, UUN and NH3 emissions from dairy farms.
    7. WI (Wattiaux) - Each of the reported experiments contributed to our ability to control the biological processes involved in the formation (i.e., synthesis) and emission of the gases of interest. Our work has suggested that diet formulation, forage quality and cattle selection have great potential to impact CH4 emission and efficiency in N utilization.
    Last Modified: 27-Jan-2013
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