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Increasing pasture diversity and spatially separated sowing arrangements can potentially increase the dry matter intake of high-quality forages leading to improved animal production. This study investigated the effects of simple (two-species) and diverse (six-species) pastures planted either in mixed or spatially separated adjacent pasture strips on performance, N partitioning, and methane emission of dairy cows. Thirty-six mid-lactation Jersey cows grazed either (1) simple mixed, (2) simple spatially separated, (3) diverse mixed, or (4) diverse spatially separated pastures planted in a complete randomized block design with three replicates. Compared to simple pasture, diverse pasture had lower CP content but higher condensed tannins and total phenolic compounds with an overall positive effect on yield of milk solids, nitrogen utilization, including a reduction of N output from urine, and methane yields per dry matter eaten. The spatial separation increased legume and CP content in simple pasture but decreased NDF in both diverse and simple pastures. In conclusion, increasing diversity using pasture species with higher nutritive value and secondary compounds can help improving the production while decreasing the environmental effect of dairy farming, while spatial separation had a minor effect on feed intake and yield, possibly due to overall high-quality pastures in early spring.
Lorena Carmona-Flores; Massimo Bionaz; Troy Downing; Muhammet Sahin; Long Cheng; Serkan Ates. Milk Production, N Partitioning, and Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows Grazing Mixed or Spatially Separated Simple and Diverse Pastures. Animals 2020, 10, 1301 .
AMA StyleLorena Carmona-Flores, Massimo Bionaz, Troy Downing, Muhammet Sahin, Long Cheng, Serkan Ates. Milk Production, N Partitioning, and Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows Grazing Mixed or Spatially Separated Simple and Diverse Pastures. Animals. 2020; 10 (8):1301.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLorena Carmona-Flores; Massimo Bionaz; Troy Downing; Muhammet Sahin; Long Cheng; Serkan Ates. 2020. "Milk Production, N Partitioning, and Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows Grazing Mixed or Spatially Separated Simple and Diverse Pastures." Animals 10, no. 8: 1301.
Dairy farmers use footbaths to control diseases of the hoof. When the footbaths are changed, the solutions are dumped into the dairy manure handling system and applied to fields in the liquid manure system. The objective for this project was to survey 30 dairy farms in Oregon to evaluate CuSO4 and ZnSO4 use in footbaths. Soil samples were collected from 2 major fields at 15 cm deep and all samples were analyzed for Cu and Zn. Forages grown on the farm were sampled and analyzed for Cu and Zn, and manure was collected directly from milk cows and from the liquid manure storage system. All forages, soils, and manure were analyzed for Cu and Zn. Soil Cu concentrations ranged from 0.7 to 34.7 ppm, with an average of 5.7 ± 6.6 ppm. Soil Zn concentrations ranged from 0.6 to 41.8 ppm, with an average of 10.1 ± 9.3 ppm. Forage Cu concentrations ranged from 1 to 10 ppm, with an average of 3.4 ± 2.1 ppm, and forage Zn ranged from 3 to 51 ppm, with an average of 13.8 ± 10.3 ppm. Copper concentrations in fresh manure directly from milking cows were very consistent, at 10 ppm, and Cu in the manure storage ranged from 2 to 58 ppm, with an average of 10.3 ± 12 ppm. The use of CuSO4 and ZnSO4 in footbaths on dairies in Oregon continues to be a common practice. More than 75% of dairy soils tested were considered high (>2 ppm) in Cu concentration and 38% were extremely high (>5 ppm). Using CuSO4 and ZnSO4 in footbaths is creating potential long-term environmental and cropping challenges on many Oregon dairies.
T.W. Downing; K. Stiglbauer; M.J. Gamroth; J. Hart. CASE STUDY: Use of Copper Sulfate and Zinc Sulfate in Footbaths on Oregon Dairies. The Professional Animal Scientist 2010, 26, 332 -334.
AMA StyleT.W. Downing, K. Stiglbauer, M.J. Gamroth, J. Hart. CASE STUDY: Use of Copper Sulfate and Zinc Sulfate in Footbaths on Oregon Dairies. The Professional Animal Scientist. 2010; 26 (3):332-334.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.W. Downing; K. Stiglbauer; M.J. Gamroth; J. Hart. 2010. "CASE STUDY: Use of Copper Sulfate and Zinc Sulfate in Footbaths on Oregon Dairies." The Professional Animal Scientist 26, no. 3: 332-334.
Most animal waste management plans for pasture-based dairy farms use estimates for the amount of manure produced and the yields of forage removed to design the waste plan. A trial was conducted to demonstrate how dairy producers could document agronomic nutrient application and removal on pasture-based dairy farms. This challenge was fairly complex because grazing animals are constantly harvesting forage and depositing manure. This work was conducted on a 160-head Holstein grazing dairy over 2 yr. The operator received a customized animal waste management plan, calibration of manure-handling equipment, and a detailed farm map. Standing forage was estimated daily, before and after grazing, by using a rising-plate meter, and measurements were recorded. Soil samples were taken at a depth of 30 cm at the end of each growing season (October 1) and tested for nitrates to determine N application residues. Estimated annual standing grass yields ranged from 8,736 to 21,056 kg DM/ha, with a mean of 16,912 kg. This DM was the equivalent of 225 to 659 kg N/ha removed. The dairy producer found this increased level of management rewarding because he had actual data to make decisions. Additionally, this increased management was more profitable. The second-year estimated grass yields increased 19.6% (3,182 kg/ha) in total DM produced over 1 yr. This project successfully demonstrated a new model of tracking N applications and removal in pasture-based dairy farms.
T.W. Downing; S. Angima. Case Study: Nitrogen Cycling on Pasture-Based Dairy Farms. The Professional Animal Scientist 2009, 25, 99 -103.
AMA StyleT.W. Downing, S. Angima. Case Study: Nitrogen Cycling on Pasture-Based Dairy Farms. The Professional Animal Scientist. 2009; 25 (1):99-103.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.W. Downing; S. Angima. 2009. "Case Study: Nitrogen Cycling on Pasture-Based Dairy Farms." The Professional Animal Scientist 25, no. 1: 99-103.
Manure application increases pasture crop production and minimizes manure storage costs. Excess N not absorbed by pasture vegetation can leach past the root zone and into ground water. A yearlong study was conducted on grazing pastures at 2 dairy farms to monitor potential nitrate (NO3) movement from the surface through the soil profile toward ground water. Precipitation, irrigation, manure application, and grazing were compared with NO3 movement. Both pastures were part of rotational grazing systems and receive periodic applications of manure by cattle and by typical manure application equipment. Sampling devices were located in the center of operational fields. A total of 9 sampling wells (lysimeters) were installed at depths of 1, 1.3, and 1.6 m below the surface of each pasture. Each depth was replicated 3 times at each site. Water samples were taken every 2 wk at each site and tested for NO3-N. Farm A applied a total of 600 kg N/ha throughout the year and farm B applied approximately 300 kg/ha. On Farm A, NO3-N concentrations averaged 15.2 ± 12.2, 6.5 ± 6.9, and 2.9 ± 3.6 ppm at 1, 1.3, and 1.6 m, respectively. On Farm B, NO3-N concentrations averaged 13.8 ± 8.5, 8.5 ± 5.7, and 1.3 ± 2.9 ppm at 1, 1.3, and 1.6 m, respectively. No relationship between farming activity and NO3 movement was noted. In addition, irrigation appeared to have no influence on NO3 movement. Substantial rainfall (>15 cm per 2-wk period) appears to be the major factor in NO3 movement.
T.W. Downing. Impact of Manure Application Timing in Dairy Pastures on the Migration of Nitrates to Ground Water. The Professional Animal Scientist 2008, 24, 100 -102.
AMA StyleT.W. Downing. Impact of Manure Application Timing in Dairy Pastures on the Migration of Nitrates to Ground Water. The Professional Animal Scientist. 2008; 24 (1):100-102.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.W. Downing. 2008. "Impact of Manure Application Timing in Dairy Pastures on the Migration of Nitrates to Ground Water." The Professional Animal Scientist 24, no. 1: 100-102.
Well-preserved silage is characterized by reduced pH, greater lactic acid concentration, and reduced ammonia (NH3) concentration compared with silage that did not ferment well. Water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) are the primary fermentation substrate. In temperate grass forages, glucose, fructose, sucrose, and fructans are the primary WSC. New varieties of ryegrass have been developed in the United Kingdom to express high levels of WSC.The objective of this trial was to determine differences in fermentation characteristics of grasses with different WSC levels cut and processed as silage. Four perennial ryegrasses, 3 cultivars with a relatively greater WSC concentration (AberAvon, AberDart, and Elgon) and 1 cultivar commonly grown in Oregon, the control WSC (Linn), were planted. Three replicates of each grass were ensiled after morning and afternoon harvests. Each sample was packed, vacuum sealed, and ensiled for 60 d at 10°C. Fresh grass samples were taken from each cutting and analyzed before ensiling. Fresh grass WSC was greater in the 3 high WSC grass cultivars vs. Linn. Final pH was less, total acids were greater, and lactic acid tended to be greater for the high WSC grass silages. Final pH, lactic acid, acetic acid, total acids, and NH3 were less for the afternoon vs. morning cutting. Ensiling was most efficient for high WSC grass varieties harvested at the afternoon cutting.
T.W. Downing; A. Buyserie; M. Gamroth; P. French. Effect of Water Soluble Carbohydrates on Fermentation Characteristics of Ensiled Perennial Ryegrass. The Professional Animal Scientist 2008, 24, 35 -39.
AMA StyleT.W. Downing, A. Buyserie, M. Gamroth, P. French. Effect of Water Soluble Carbohydrates on Fermentation Characteristics of Ensiled Perennial Ryegrass. The Professional Animal Scientist. 2008; 24 (1):35-39.
Chicago/Turabian StyleT.W. Downing; A. Buyserie; M. Gamroth; P. French. 2008. "Effect of Water Soluble Carbohydrates on Fermentation Characteristics of Ensiled Perennial Ryegrass." The Professional Animal Scientist 24, no. 1: 35-39.