Publication Date
1997
Description
Increasing use of intensive rotational grazing for livestock production in the USA raises questions about the potential for nitrate-N (NO3- N) leaching losses. In grazing experiments with lactating dairy cows at two sites in the Upper Midwest, we monitored milk production, soil NO3-N concentration, and NO3-N leaching. Dietary supplementation increased milk yield, but there was no measurable impact on NO3-N leaching losses. Leaching volumes and NO3-N losses were small on these silt loam soils, even directly under urine patches. The results suggest that NO3-N leaching is not likely to be a problem on fine-textured soils in the Upper Midwest under pastures dominated by deeply-rooted perennial species, as long as N inputs are moderate and animal management does not degrade the pasture.
Citation
Russelle, M P.; Satter, L D.; Dhiman, T; and Kanneganti, V R., "Nitrogen Cycling in Pasture Grazed by Lactating Dairy Cows" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 6.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session20/6
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Nitrogen Cycling in Pasture Grazed by Lactating Dairy Cows
Increasing use of intensive rotational grazing for livestock production in the USA raises questions about the potential for nitrate-N (NO3- N) leaching losses. In grazing experiments with lactating dairy cows at two sites in the Upper Midwest, we monitored milk production, soil NO3-N concentration, and NO3-N leaching. Dietary supplementation increased milk yield, but there was no measurable impact on NO3-N leaching losses. Leaching volumes and NO3-N losses were small on these silt loam soils, even directly under urine patches. The results suggest that NO3-N leaching is not likely to be a problem on fine-textured soils in the Upper Midwest under pastures dominated by deeply-rooted perennial species, as long as N inputs are moderate and animal management does not degrade the pasture.
