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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #74268
Title: NITROGEN CYCLING IN PASTURES GRAZED BY LACTATING DAIRY COWS

Author
item Russelle, Michael
item Satter, Larry
item DHIMAN, TILAK - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
item KANNEGANTI, V - UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
item JOHNSON, DENNIS - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item GARCIA, ALVARO - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item NORD, WILLIAM - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Submitted to: Grassland International Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/15/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Increasing use of intensive rotational grazing for livestock production in the USA raises questions about the potential for nitrate leaching losses. We conducted grazing experiments with lactating dairy cows at two sites in the Upper Midwest and monitored milk production, milk N yield, soil nitrate N concentration, and nitrate leaching. Treatments included different amounts of dietary supplement fed in addition to the pasture. Supplementation increased milk yield, but there was no measurable impact on nitrate leaching losses. Leaching volumes and nitrate losses were small on these silt loam soils, even directly under urine patches. The results suggest that N can be conserved efficiently in pastures on fine textured soils dominated by the deeply rooted perennial species typical of the Upper Midwest.