An Environmental Assessment of Cattle Manure and Urea Fertilizer Treatments for Corn Production in the Northern Great Plains

HighlightsThe Integrated Farm System Model appropriately represented average emission rates measured in corn production.Compared to the use of feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses.Compared to inorganic fertilizer use, cattle manure increased soluble P loss while reducing GHG emission.Production and environmental differences among production systems were similar under recent and future climates.Abstract. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and carbon (C) emissions from livestock systems have become important regional, national, and international concerns. Our objective was to use process-level simulation to explore differences among manure and inorganic fertilizer treatments in a corn production system used to feed finishing cattle in the Northern Great Plains region of the U.S. Our analysis included model assessment, simulation to compare treatments under recent climate, and comparisons using projected midcentury climate. The Integrated Farm System Model was evaluated in representing the performance and nutrient losses of corn production using cattle manure without bedding, manure with bedding, urea, and no fertilization treatments. Two-year field experiments conducted near Clay Center, Nebraska; Brookings, South Dakota; and Fargo, North Dakota provided observed emission data following these treatments. Means of simulated emission rates of methane, ammonia, and nitrous oxide were generally similar to those observed from field-applied manure or urea fertilizer. Simulation of corn production systems over 25 years of recent climate showed greater soluble P runoff with use of feedlot and bedded manure compared to use of inorganic fertilizers, but life-cycle fossil energy use and greenhouse gas emission were decreased. Compared to feedlot manure, application of bedded pack manure generally increased N and P losses in corn production by retaining more N in manure removed from a bedded housing facility and through increased runoff because a large portion of the stover was removed from the cornfield for use as bedding material. Simulation of these treatments using projected midcentury climate indicated a trend toward a small increase in simulated grain production in the Dakotas and a small decrease for irrigated corn in Nebraska. Climate differences affected the three production systems similarly, so production and environmental impact differences among the fertilization systems under future climate were similar to those obtained under recent climate. Keywords: Climate change, Greenhouse gas, Integrated Farm System Model, Nutrient losses.

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Early weaning in Northern Great Plains beef cattle production systems: III. Steer weaning, finishing and carcass characteristics

Livestock Science ◽

10.1016/j.livsci.2012.06.024 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 148 (3) ◽

pp. 282-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R.C. Waterman ◽

T.W. Geary ◽

J.A. Paterson ◽

R.J. Lipsey ◽

W.R. Shafer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Great Plains ◽

Production Systems ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Cattle Production ◽

Early Weaning ◽

Beef Cattle Production

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Optimal seeding rate for organic production of lentil in the northern Great Plains

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps08226 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 89 (6) ◽

pp. 1089-1097 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

J M Baird ◽

S J Shirtliffe ◽

F L Walley

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Plant Density ◽

Production Systems ◽

Organic Production ◽

Weed Suppression ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Seeding Rate ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Economic Return ◽

Conventional Production

Organic lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) producers must rely upon the recommended rate for conventional production of 130 plants m-2, but this seeding rate may not be suitable, as organic and conventional production systems differ in management and inputs. The objective of this study was to determine an optimal seeding rate for organic production of lentil considering a number of factors, including yield, weed suppression, soil nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, plant uptake of phosphorus, and economic return. A field experiment was conducted for 4 site-years at locations near Saskatoon, SK. Treatments included seeding rates of 15, 38, 94, 235 and 375 seeds m-2. Seed yield increased with increasing seeding rate up to 1290 kg ha-1. Weed biomass was reduced by 59% at the highest seeding rate as compared with the lowest seeding rate. Post-harvest soil phosphorus and nitrogen levels were similar between seeding rate treatments. Economic return was maximized at $952 ha-1 at the highest density of 229 plants m-2, achieved with a seeding rate of 375 seeds m-2. Organic farmers should increase the seeding rate of lentil to achieve a plant density of 229 plants m-2 to increase profitability and provide better weed suppression.Key words: Lentil, organic, seeding rate, weed suppression, economic return

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Early weaning in Northern Great Plains beef cattle production systems: II. Development of replacement heifers weaned at 80 or 215d of age

Livestock Science ◽

10.1016/j.livsci.2012.04.020 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 148 (1-2) ◽

pp. 36-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

R.C. Waterman ◽

T.W. Geary ◽

J.A. Paterson ◽

R.J. Lipsey

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Great Plains ◽

Production Systems ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Cattle Production ◽

Early Weaning ◽

Beef Cattle Production

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Soil and water management: opportunities to mitigate nutrient losses to surface waters in the Northern Great Plains

Environmental Reviews ◽

10.1139/er-2018-0101 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 447-477 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Helen M. Baulch ◽

Jane A. Elliott ◽

Marcos R.C. Cordeiro ◽

Don N. Flaten ◽

David A. Lobb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Management ◽

Great Plains ◽

Surface Waters ◽

Management Practices ◽

Nutrient Retention ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Nutrient Losses ◽

Nutrient Inputs ◽

Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽

Soil And Water

The Northern Great Plains is a key region to global food production. It is also a region of water stress that includes poor water quality associated with high concentrations of nutrients. Agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus loads to surface waters need to be reduced, yet the unique characteristics of this environment create challenges. The biophysical reality of the Northern Great Plains is one where snowmelt is the major period of nutrient transport, and where nutrients are exported predominantly in dissolved form. This limits the efficacy of many beneficial management practices (BMPs) commonly used in other regions and necessitates place-based solutions. We discuss soil and water management BMPs through a regional lens—first understanding key aspects of hydrology and hydrochemistry affecting BMP efficacy, then discussing the merits of different BMPs for nutrient control. We recommend continued efforts to “keep water on the land” via wetlands and reservoirs. Adoption and expansion of reduced tillage and perennial forage may have contributed to current nutrient problems, but both practices have other environmental and agronomic benefits. The expansion of tile and surface drainage in the Northern Great Plains raises urgent questions about effects on nutrient export and options to mitigate drainage effects. Riparian vegetation is unlikely to significantly aid in nutrient retention, but when viewed against an alternative of extending cultivation and fertilization to the waters’ edge, the continued support of buffer strip management and refinement of best practices (e.g., harvesting vegetation) is merited. While the hydrology of the Northern Great Plains creates many challenges for mitigating nutrient losses, it also creates unique opportunities. For example, relocating winter bale-grazing to areas with low hydrologic connectivity should reduce loadings. Managing nutrient applications must be at the center of efforts to mitigate eutrophication. In this region, ensuring nutrients are not applied during hydrologically sensitive periods such as late autumn, on snow, or when soils are frozen will yield benefits. Working to ensure nutrient inputs are balanced with crop demands is crucial in all landscapes. Ultimately, a targeted approach to BMP implementation is required, and this must consider the agronomic and economic context but also the biophysical reality.

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Profitable, Effective Herbicides for Planting-Time Weed Control in No-till Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500057921 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 39 (1) ◽

pp. 83-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

William W. Donald ◽

Tony Prato

Keyword(s):

Nonionic Surfactant ◽

Weed Control ◽

Great Plains ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Production Systems ◽

Early Summer ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Net Returns ◽

Wild Mustard ◽

No Till

High herbicide costs and uncertainty about annual weed control at planting have limited adoption of no-till spring wheat production systems in the northern Great Plains. Chlorsulfuron, metsulfuron, and CGA-131036 at 10 to 20 g ai ha–1plus nonionic surfactant generally controlled both emerged kochia and wild mustard equally well (>80%) whether or not combined with glyphosate at 250 g ha–1plus nonionic surfactant. In two of three trials persistent phytotoxic residues of these sulfonylurea herbicides in soil controlled both weeds better in midseason and early summer 1 yr after treatment than did glyphosate, which has only foliar activity. While the absolute net returns of different treatments varied among herbicides, relative net returns were insensitive to changes in either herbicide or wheat price. Herbicide use tended to boost net returns for no-till spring wheat in years with good weather but depressed net returns in a drought year. Chlorsulfuron at 10 and 20 g ha–1increased net returns in all three trials. Metsulfuron and combinations of either metsulfuron or chlorsulfuron with glyphosate had variable effects on net returns.

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Environmentally Smart Nitrogen Performance in Northern Great Plains’ Spring Wheat Production Systems

International Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1155/2016/8969513 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Olga S. Walsh ◽

Kefyalew Girma

Keyword(s):

Economic Analysis ◽

Great Plains ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Production Systems ◽

N Uptake ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

N Source ◽

Net Benefits ◽

N Rates ◽

Plot Design

Experiments were conducted in Montana to evaluate Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) as a nitrogen (N) source in wheat. Plots were arranged in a split-plot design with ESN, urea, and a 50%-50% urea-ESN blend at low, medium, and high at-seeding N rates in the subplot, with four replications. Measurements included grain yield (GY), protein (GP), and N uptake (GNU). A partial budget economic analysis was performed to assess the net benefits of the three sources. Average GY varied from 1816 to 5583 kg ha−1and grain protein (GP) content ranged from 9.1 to 17.3% among site-years. Urea, ESN, and the blend resulted in higher GYs at 3, 2, and 2 site-years out of 8 evaluated site-years, respectively. Topdressing N improved GY for all sources. No trend in GP associated with N source was observed. With GP-adjusted revenue, farmer would not recover investment costs from ESN or blend compared with urea. With ESN costing consistently more than urea per unit of N, we recommend urea as N source for spring wheat in Northern Great Plains.

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