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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Dairy Forage Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #318272

Title: Determining effects of multiple tannin manure applications on dairy forages and soil

Author
item CAMPBELL, CLAIRE - University Of Wisconsin
item RUARK, MATTHEW - University Of Wisconsin
item Powell, Joseph

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2015
Publication Date: 11/15/2015
Citation: Campbell, C., Ruark, M.D., Powell, J.M. 2015. Determining effects of multiple tannin manure applications on dairy forages and soil [abstract]. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. [CD ROM]. Version 1.1. Madison, WI: ACS Societies.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Dietary choices for dairy cows have direct implications to nutrient availability from land-applied manure because of alterations to manure chemistry. Tannin additions to a dairy cow’s diet protect feed protein through rumen fermentation and digestion, resulting in reduced concentrations of urea nitrogen (N) in urine and higher N concentrations in feces. The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of repeated tannin manure application on forage production, quality, and available N in soil. Tannin manures were obtained from Holstein cows during an experimental 90-day feeding trial. Cows were fed diets containing 0, 0.4, or 1.8% tannin of total dry matter intake. Manure was applied to St. Charles silt loam soil contained in greenhouse pots. Manure from all tannin diets were studied, each at two N application rates (240 kg ha-1 and 360 kg ha-1). Manure treatments were applied at three frequencies, which corresponded to three crop cycles over a six month period: first cycle to winter wheat, followed by a second cycle of sorghum, followed by a third cycle of sorghum ratoon. Following the first manure application, there were no significant differences in treatment effects on wheat yields. Nitrogen concentrations in wheat shoots was higher (P= 0.04) in 0.4% tannin, low manure N treatment than the control (no manure) treatment. After the second manure application, sorghum above ground yields were higher in the manure treatments than the non-manure (control) treatments. After the third manure application, above ground sorghum ratoon yield was higher (P= 0.002) in pots that received the high manure N rate than in pots that received the low manure N rate. Sorghum ratoon yield and N concentrations in the 0.4% tannin treatments were higher (P= 0.08 and P=0.06, respectively) than the 0% tannin treatment.