Nitrate leaching losses from lysimeters simulating winter grazing of fodder beet by dairy cows

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
BJ Malcolm ◽  
KC Cameron ◽  
GR Edwards ◽  
HJ Di ◽  
JM de Ruiter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Fodder Beet ◽  
Winter Grazing

scholarly journals Nitrogen leaching losses from fodder beet and kale crops grazed by dairy cows in southern SouthlandNitrogen leaching losses from fodder beet and kale crops grazed by dairy cows in southern Southland

2020 ◽  
Vol 82 ◽  
pp. 61-71
Author(s):  
L. Chris Smith ◽  
Ross M. Monaghan
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Nitrogen Leaching ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
First Year ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Fodder Beet ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Dairy Animals ◽  
Urinary Nitrogen

Fodder beet has become increasingly common as both a winter forage and as a supplement at the shoulders of the dairy season in southern New Zealand. One advantage over the more traditional kale crop option is that fodder beet results in less urinary nitrogen (N) excretion in dairy animals, potentially reducing N leaching. Two trials were undertaken to measure nitrogen leaching losses under both autumn-grazed or autumn-lifted fodder beet crops. Leaching losses were also measured from winter-grazed fodder beet and winter-grazed kale treatments. Results from Trial 1 show that leaching losses from autumn-lifted or autumn-grazed fodder beet  treatments were large (108–131 kg N ha-1) relative to losses measured in the winter-grazed fodder beet treatment (82 kg N ha-1). This indicates that autumn-grazed fodder beet crops have a greater potential for N leaching than winter-grazed fodder beet. The practice of lifting and removing fodder beet during autumn appeared to reduce N leaching somewhat, but losses were still relatively large, perhaps due to carryover of N from the previous season as a result of the dry summer conditions that preceded the drainage season in in the first year of Trial 1. The amount of N leached from the winter-grazed fodder beet treatment from Trial 1 at 82 kg N ha-1 was 50% less than the 176 kg N ha-1 observed for the kale crop. Results from Trial 2 using larger plots showed a similar trend, with winter-grazed fodder beet leaching 42% less N than winter-grazed kale (41 vs 70 kg N ha-1; P<0.001), despite not all the urine N being collected by the end of the drainage season. These losses are relatively large compared to the annual N leaching losses measured from pasture paddocks on the same farm, which ranged from 13–23 kg N ha-1. Considerations of grazing and/or harvest timing (autumn vs winter) as well as crop type appear to be important factors that determine N leaching losses from Southland dairy systems.

Organic matter amendments to soil can reduce nitrate leaching losses from livestock urine under simulated fodder beet grazing

2019 ◽  
Vol 272 ◽  
pp. 10-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.J. Malcolm ◽  
K.C. Cameron ◽  
D. Curtin ◽  
H.J. Di ◽  
M.H. Beare ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Fodder Beet

An evaluation of a strategic de-stocking regime for dairying to improve nitrogen efficiency and reduce nitrate leaching from dairy farms in nitrate-sensitive areas

2000 ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
Cecile De Klein ◽  
Jim Paton ◽  
Stewart Ledgard
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Sensitive Areas

Strategic de-stocking in winter is a common management practice on dairy farms in Southland, New Zealand, to protect the soil against pugging damage. This paper examines whether this practice can also be used to reduce nitrate leaching losses. Model analyses and field measurements were used to estimate nitrate leaching losses and pasture production under two strategic de-stocking regimes: 3 months off-farm or 5 months on a feed pad with effluent collected and applied back to the land. The model analyses, based on the results of a long-term farmlet study under conventional grazing and on information for an average New Zealand farm, suggested that the 3- or 5-month de-stocking could reduce nitrate leaching losses by about 20% or 35-50%, respectively compared to a conventional grazing system. Field measurements on the Taieri Plain in Otago support these findings, although the results to date are confounded by drought conditions during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. The average nitrate concentration of the drainage water of a 5-month strategic de-stocking treatment was about 60% lower than under conventional grazing. Pasture production of the 5-month strategic de-stocking regime with effluent return was estimated based on data for apparent N efficiency of excreta patches versus uniformlyspread farm dairy effluent N. The results suggested that a strategic de-stocking regime could increase pasture production by about 2 to 8%. A cost/ benefit analysis of the 5-month de-stocking system using a feed pad, comparing additional capital and operational costs with additional income from a 5% increase in DM production, show a positive return on capital for an average New Zealand dairy farm. This suggests that a strategic destocking system has good potential as a management tool to reduce nitrate leaching losses in nitrate sensitive areas whilst being economically viable, particularly on farms where an effluent application system or a feed pad are already in place. Keywords: dairying, feed pads, nitrate leaching, nitrogen efficiency, productivity, strategic de-stocking

Soil mineral nitrogen and nitrate leaching losses in soil tillage systems combined with a catch crop

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Stenberg ◽  
Helena Aronsson ◽  
Börje Lindén ◽  
Tomas Rydberg ◽  
Arne Gustafson
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Catch Crop ◽  
Soil Mineral ◽  
Soil Mineral Nitrogen ◽  
Tillage Systems ◽  
Leaching Losses

Measurement of nitrate leaching losses from lysimeters on a dairy farm following conversion from forestry

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Nigel D. Beale ◽  
William D. Talbot ◽  
Keith C. Cameron ◽  
Hong J. Di ◽  
Rhys Narbey
Keyword(s):  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Leaching Losses

Effects of the timing of ploughing-in temporary leguminous pastures and two winter cover crops on nitrogen mineralization, nitrate leaching and spring wheat growth

1995 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Francis ◽  
R. J. Haynes ◽  
P. H. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
First Year ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
Winter Cover ◽  
Winter Cover Crops ◽  
Second Year

SUMMARYTwo field experiments at Canterbury, New Zealand during 1991–93 investigated the effect of the timing of ploughing a 4-year-old ryegrass/white clover pasture and the effect of two winter cover crops on subsequent N mineralization, nitrate leaching and growth and N uptake of the following wheat crops.Net N mineralization of organic N (of plant and soil origin) increased with increased fallow period between ploughing and leaching. The total amount of N accumulated in the profile by the start of winter ranged from 107 to 131 and from 42 to 45 kg N/ha for fallow treatments started in March and May respectively. Winter wheat (planted in May) had no effect on mineral N contents by the start of winter, whereas greenfeed (GF) oats (planted in March) significantly reduced the mineral N content in one year.Cumulative leaching losses over the first winter after ploughing-in pasture varied markedly between years in relation to rainfall amount and distribution. Leaching losses were greater from the March fallow (72–106 kg N/ha) than the May fallow treatments (8–52 kg N/ha). Winter wheat did not reduce leaching losses in either year. GF oats did not reduce losses in 1991/92, but losses in 1992/93, when major drainage events occurred late in the winter, were only c. 40% of those under fallow.Incorporation of a large amount (> 7 t/ha dry matter) of pasture or GF oat residue in spring depressed yield and total N uptake of the following spring wheat, largely due to net N immobilization which could be overcome by the application of fertilizer N.First-year treatments had very little residual effect in the second year. Leaching losses over the second winter (mean 142 kg N/ha) were largely unaffected by the extent of first year leaching losses. Second year leaching losses were greater than first year losses, probably due to the greater amount of mineral N at depth in the soil before the start of the second winter.

Rumen digesta and products of fermentation in cows fed varying proportions of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris) with fresh pasture or silage or straw

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 524 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Pacheco ◽  
S. Muetzel ◽  
S. Lewis ◽  
D. Dalley ◽  
M. Bryant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Barley Straw ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
Fodder Beet ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Feeding Regimes ◽  
High Yields

Context Fodder beet (FB) is a popular feed for dairy cows in temperate climates due to its high yields, high digestibility, low nitrogen (N) content in the dry matter (DM) and convenience of feeding (grazing in situ). However, the risk of ruminal acidosis requires research to design feeding regimes that capture these benefits without compromising animal health. Aims To understand aspects of rumen function when FB is offered in conditions representative of practical feeding in temperate pastoral systems. Methods Two indoor experiments were undertaken; one with cows in late lactation fed fresh perennial ryegrass with three proportions of FB (0, 0.23 and 0.45) and another with non-lactating cows fed pasture silage with 0.65 FB or barley straw with 0.86 FB. Measurements included rumen pH, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and ammonia concentrations determined at 2-h intervals, as well as daily individual cow intakes, estimates of microbial growth and rumen dynamics. Key results The inclusion of 0, 0.23 and 0.45 FB with fresh pasture in the did not affect daily DM intakes (~14.6 kg), milk yield (~10.7 kg), microbial synthesis (129 g of N/d) or fractional outflow rates of digesta (0.16/h; 11.2 L/h) of lactating cows. The non-lactating cow ration comprising 0.86 FB with straw was inappropriate and resulted in low intakes and insufficient dietary N. Microbial growth was approximately one-third of that in cows fed pasture silage with 0.65 FB. The ruminal pH reached lower values in all treatments where FB was offered. Rumen ammonia concentrations averaged 4.4 mmol/L in cows fed pasture but was sometimes undetectable in lactating cows fed 0.45 FB and in non-lactating cows. The amount of FB in the diet affected the extent of the circadian changes in molar proportions of SCFA. Conclusions Based on the results presented here, feeding fresh FB to dairy cows should not exceed ~0.4 of their DMI with pasture (late lactation), or ~0.6 of their intake with silage (non-lactating). Implications These findings could support evidence-based recommendations for FB use, considering its effects on aspects of rumen function, such as microbial protein synthesis and pH.

scholarly journals Nitrate leaching and N2-fixation in grasslands of different composition, age and management

2004 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. ERIKSEN ◽  
F. P. VINTHER ◽  
K. SØEGAARD
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
N Removal ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Over Time

Grass-legume associations may offer a way of improving the N efficiency of dairy farming, but may also have an adverse impact on the environment by increasing leaching losses. Nitrate leaching from four cropping sequences with different grassland frequency and management (long-term grazed, long-term cut, cereals followed by 1 and 2-year grazed leys) were investigated on a loamy sand in central Jutland for both unfertilized grass-clover (perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)/white clover (Trifolium repens L.)) and fertilized perennial ryegrass (300 kg N/ha) swards during 1997–2002. Furthermore, 1 year (2001) of N2 fixation in 1-, 2- and 8-year-old grass-clover pastures was determined. Nitrate leaching from grazed unfertilized grass-clover was always considerably lower than from grazed fertilized ryegrass. The effect of grassland age on nitrate leaching was insignificant in grass-clover but clear in grazed ryegrass, where levels increased dramatically with sward age. In production years 6–8, leaching from grass-clover was only 9–13% of the comparable losses from ryegrass. Under the cutting regime grass-clover showed a significant reduction in both yield and N-removal with increasing sward age, whereas for ryegrass these figures did not show any decreasing trend. N2 fixation was lower in 8-year-old swards compared with fully established 2-year-old swards as a consequence of lower dry matter production, lower clover content and a lower proportion of clover-N derived from the atmosphere. The results from the present study indicate that the higher leaching losses observed in fertilized grass compared with unfertilized grass-clover systems were caused by (1) a reduction in N2-fixation in grass-clover over time and (2) a reduction in dry matter production in grass-clover over time, lowering the grazing intensity and the recycling of grassland N via animal excreta.

A 6-year comparison of nitrate leaching from grass/clover and N-fertilized grass pastures grazed by sheep

1998 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. CUTTLE ◽  
R. V. SCURLOCK ◽  
B. M. S. DAVIES
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Nitrate Leaching ◽  
White Clover ◽  
N Fertilizer ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Leaching Losses ◽  
High Spatial Variability

Nitrate leaching was measured over a 3-year period from rotationally grazed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pasture receiving 200 kg fertilizer-N/ha and from similarly grazed ryegrass/white clover (Trifolium repens L.) pasture that received no N fertilizer. The results are discussed together with those from the same plots in the preceding 3 years when they were stocked continuously. Under both managements, the numbers of grazing sheep were adjusted on the basis of the quantity of herbage available on the plots. During the whole 6 years, mean nitrate concentrations in soil water collected by porous cup samplers remained below the European Union limit of 11·3 mg N/l except for the fertilized grass plots in year 5 of the study. Quantities of nitrate leached ranged from 6 to 34 kg/ha per year from the grass/clover plots and 2·46 kg/ha from the fertilized plots. Leaching losses from both types of pasture were positively correlated with the numbers of lamb grazing days in the later part of the grazing season. This relationship and the high spatial variability associated with the measurements indicated that N derived from excreta was the main source of leached nitrate. It was concluded that, where pastures of equal productivity are compared, similar quantities of N are likely to be leached from grass/clover swards as from grass swards receiving N fertilizer.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document