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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #139051
Title: LEACHING LOSSES OF NITROGEN FROM STOCKPILED DAIRY MANURE

Author
item MAJS, F - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item HANSEN, N - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item Russelle, Michael

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Winter-feeding is a challenge for grazing based livestock systems. Low input dairy systems may use outdoor winter-feeding in lots that provide protection from weather and a straw bedded pack is used to keep cows dry. The water quality risk associated with outdoor winter-feeding of dairy cows is not well known. The objective of this research is to evaluate potential risks of leaching of nitrogen from stockpiled manure obtained during outdoor wintering of dairy cows. Soil nitrate and ammonium concentrations in the wintering lot were determined with grid soil core sampling and used as evidence of leaching from the manure. Manure from the straw bedded pack was stockpiled in spring in the lot and left to compost. Leachate from the piled manure was sampled weekly using passive samplers at the soil surface and analyzed for nitrate and ammonium concentration. The data were extrapolated to determine potential for nitrogen discharge to the local watershed.