Annual/Termination Reports:

[08/15/2005] [07/31/2006] [12/17/2007] [11/08/2008] [11/11/1111]

Report Information

Participants

Kephart, Kevin (Kevin.kephart@sdstate.edu) South Dakota State University;
Coblentz, Wayne (coblentz@uark.edu) University of Arkansas;
Vanzant, Eric (evanzant@uky.edu) University of Kentucky;
Klopfenstein, Terry (tklpfenstein1@unl.edu) University of Nebraska;
Schacht, Walter (wschacht@unl.edu) University of Nebraska;
Miller, Rhonda (rlmiller@cc.usu.edu) Utah State University;
Jackson, Randy (rdjackson@wisc.edu) University of Wisconsin-Madison;

Brief Summary of Minutes

At 8:00 am, the joint meeting between the NC-1020 and NC-1021 committees was called to order by Terry Klopfenstein. Dan Duncan, Director of the University of Nebraska Agricultural Research and Development Center, welcomed the groups and provided an overview of the ARDC. Following this, Darrell Nelson, Administrative Advisor to the NC-1020 committee, provided an overview of Nebraska agriculture and began a discussion of the current federal funding scenario, which was continued by Kevin Kephart, Admistrative Advisor to the NC-1021 committee, with substantive input from Dr. Martin Massengale, Director for the Center for Grassland Studies and chair of the advisory committee to the Secretary of Agriculture. Key in this discussion was the potentially tremendous impact to agricultural research arising from the current mindset of the Office of Management and Budget as reflected in the Executive Budget which contained major cuts in Hatch, McIntire-Stenis, and Animal Health/Disease funding.
Subsequent discussion centered around the previous recommendation of the NCRA committee that the NC1020 and NC1021 committees consider integration based on considerable perceived overlap between the objectives of the two existing committees. Both committees are currently approved for 3-year terms which will expire September 30, 2007. Thus, both will be up for mid-term review next year (2006), which will entail, among other factors, consideration of meeting attendance by participants, review of all paperwork, and reviews by the administrative advisors.
Gary Cromwell, CSREES representative, provided the group with an overview of the CSREES background, additional details on the proposed FY2006 budget, the appointment of Mike Johanns as Secretary of Agriculture, as well as other pertinent information regarding current staffing and contact information for staff at CSREES.
Following introductions of all participants, Terry Klopfenstein headed up discussion of issues that would need to be considered prior to the following days discussion on combining the two committees. It was agreed that the discussion of committee combination would be resumed in the Friday session, and a break was taken at 9:30 during which participants registered with Pam Murray.
At 9:50 am, participants of the NC-1020 committee began presentations of individual station reports. These continued until 12:00 pm at which time we broke for lunch. Following lunch, NC-1021 station reports were presented from 1:00 pm until 3:30 pm at which time we departed for a tour of ongoing research at the ARDC. The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:00 pm, when participants returned to Lincoln.
NC-1021 reconvened at 8:15 am Friday, June 17, 2005. The primary discussion revolved around consolidation of the NC-1020 and NC-1021 committees. Following considerable discussion, the consensus of the group was that we would like to maintain separate identities for the two committees, provided that sufficient interest existed amongst traditional participants of the NC-1021 committee who were unable to make it to the present meeting. It was agreed that we would delay the ultimate decision until we had a better idea of the current level of interest. To preserve the possibility for integration during the next meeting, we agreed to meet at the same location as the NC-1020 group at next years meeting, yet maintain the possibility of separate meetings should we have sufficient interest in participation in the NC-1021 objectives, per se. Toward this end, we also agreed to contact current participants to establish firmly what their levels of commitment were, and to identify and pursue involvement from new participants. Officer elections were held. Eric Vanzant was elected as incoming Chairman and Walter Schacht as secretary. Several potential invitees were also identified, and contact persons for each were agreed upon.
Following a short break, the NC-1021 and NC-1020 groups met together at 9:45 am. Plans were finalized for both groups to meet June 7 & 8, 2006 at the Embassy Suites, Kansas City Airport, with the final decision on combining the groups to be reserved until that meeting (at which time interest levels of potential participants will be known). Pam Murray agreed to handle the arrangements for the meeting. Following closing comments from the administrative advisors, the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Accomplishments

Accomplishments <br /> <br /> Objective 1: Quantify N efficiency of forage-based ecosystems and determine the fate of excreta N.<br /> <br /> Researchers at Nebraska have been evaluating the efficiency of N use in varous forage and grazing systems. Their work, looking primarily at effects of different forage species, will allow for the selection of forage systems that will optimize efficiency of N use. At Utah, evaluation of different forage species (grasses and legumes) is focusing on effects on leaching losses. Substantial variation was found between different forage types, and differences appear to be at least partly related to root length density. <br /> <br /> Objective 2: Quantify the effect of dietary and animal factors on utilization and excretion of forage N by beef and dairy cattle.<br /> <br /> Arkansas researchers presented detailed examinations of ruminal DM, fiber, and N degradation characteristics of a variety of forages. Their studies have evaluated effects of plant maturity on degradation characteristics of crabgrass, highlighting its potential to replace warm season perennial grasses in some systems. Additional data has been generated with bermudagrass, orchardgrass, alfalfa, fescue, and a variety of cereal grains, along with evaluation of the impact of various management and environmental factors on forage utilization criteria. Besides the immediate implications of each of these studies for forage producers, this work will be useful for enhancing our ability to predict the fate of forage N and fiber components within the ruminant GI tract.<br /> Workers at Nebraska are evaluating the influence of various supplementation and grazing management strategies on nitrogen dynamics in cattle. Additionally, they are measuring both the content and digestibility of forage UIP as influenced by season and forage maturity and are comparing ruminal protein degradation kinetics for harvested and grazed forages. <br /> Research at Kentucky is geared toward understanding factors that affect the N-use efficiency complex within ruminant animals. Intensive studies are underway to evaluate effects of level of intake, and site and amount of digested carbohydrate, on high-quality forage N use by animal tissues. Studies, using a variety of invasive techniques, are focusing on efficiency of N-recycling to the GI tract, and effects of GI tract nutrient utilization on availability of amino acids to the peripheral tissues. Results from these studies will be used to enhance current predictive models of N utilization by ruminants. <br /> <br /> Objective 3: Determine the influence of plant/soil manipulations on efficiency of N utilization by forages.<br /> <br /> Currently, work specifically addressing objective 3 is being conducted at Wisconsin. This research is evaluating effects of livestock management practices on N fluxes from pastures to the atmosphere and ground/surface water. Current data suggest that, under the systems evaluated, N losses to the atmosphere are minimal. Additional work has evaluated the influence of arthropods on nitrogen fluxes in pasture ecosystems. Although soil respiration was affected by the presence of arthropods, nitrous oxide flux to the atmosphere was not. Additionally, preparations have been made to initiate participatory research with a number of Wisconsin farmers. These studies will involve comparison of N and C fluxes, microbial communities, and arthropod diversity as affected by pasture management. <br /> <br /> Work Planned for Next Year<br /> <br /> Most of the studies described above are long-term studies that will continue into the coming year. The primary focus of the group during the coming year will be to prepare materials for the upcoming project revision. Toward this end, the following tasks will be undertaken: 1) contact 8 individuals, identified at our meeting, to invite for participation on the committee; 2) gauge the level of interest of current members, to help ensure adequate levels of representation at next years meeting; 3) begin electronic communications among the participants, in anticipation of writing a new project at our next meeting. <br /> <br /> <br />

Publications

Refereed Publications<br /> Ogden, R. K., W. K. Coblentz, K. P. Coffey, J. E. Turner, D. A. Scarbrough, J. A. Jennings, and M. D. Richardson. 2005. In situ disappearance kinetics of nitrogen an dneutral detergent insoluble nitrogen for common crabgrass sampled on seven dates in northern Arkansas. J. Anim. Sci. (submitted).<br /> <br /> Ogden, R. K., W. K. Coblentz, K. P. Coffey, J. E. Turner, D. A. Scarbrough, J. A. Jennings, and M. D. Richardson. 2005. Ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of dry matter and fiber in growing steers for common crabgrass sampled on seven dates in northern Arkansas. J. Anim. Sci. 83:1142-1152.<br /> <br /> Scarbrough, D. A., W. K. Coblentz, J. B. Humphry, K. P. Coffey, T. C. Daniel, T. J. Sauer, J. A. Jennings, J. E. Turner, and D. W. Kellogg. 2005. Evaluation of dry matter loss, nutritive value an din situ dry matter disappearance for wilting orchardgrass and bermudagrass forages damaged by simulated rainfall. Agron. J. 97:604-614.<br /> <br /> Non-Refereed Publications<br /> Proceedings (3)<br /> <br /> Larsen, J. O., R. L. Miller, L. A. Petersen, and V. J. Thacker. 2004. Characteristic of root growth in a management intensive grazing system. In: Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science  Pacific Division Annual Meetings. Ashland, Oregon.<br /> <br /> Miller, R. L., V. Thacker, and L. Petersen. 2005. Nutrient leaching under management intensive grazing. Proceedings of the Western Nutrient Management Conference. 6:20-24.<br /> <br /> <br /> Ogden, R. K., M. J. Alman, K. P. Coffey, W. K. Coblentz, J. K. Reynolds, and C. V. Maxwell. 2005. In situ solubility of macrominerals from tall fescue fertilized with different swine manure treatments and harvested on four dates. Proceedings of American Forage and Grassland Council. June 11-15, 2005, Bloomington, IL.<br /> <br /> Abstracts (8)<br /> <br /> Bauer, B. D., W. H. Schacht, and J. D. Volesky. 2004. Yield and forage quality of cool and warm-season plant communities on wet meadows. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting. January 24-30, Salt Lake City, UT.<br /> <br /> Elam, N.A., K. R. McLeod, D. L. Harmon, and E. S. Vanzant. 2005. Quantitative assessment of visceral energy metabolism in beef steers consuming graded levels of forage. 2005 Joint ADSA-ASAS-CSAS Meeting Abstracts.<br /> <br /> Larsen, J. O., R. L. Miller, L. A. Petersen, and V. J. Thacker. 2004. Root growth characteristics and nutrient leaching in a management intensive grazing system. In 2004 Agronomy Abstracts. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy. <br /> <br /> MacDonald, J. C., J. Benton, and T. J. Klopfenstein. 2005. Variation in digestibility of undegradable intake protein among feedstuffs. ASAS Annual Meeting, July 24-28, Cincinnati, OH.<br /> <br /> MacDonald, J. C and T. J. Klopfenstein. 2005. Supplementation of grazed forage with distillers dried grains, corn oil, or corn gluten meal. ASAS Annual Meeting, July 24-28, Cincinnati, OH.<br /> <br /> Petersen, L. A., V. J. Thacker, R. L., Miller, and J. O. Larsen. 2004. Nitrogen leaching in a management intensive grazing system. In: 2004 WSSA Abstracts. Western Soil Science Society of America. <br /> <br /> Prohmann, P. E. F., E. S. Vanzant, K. R. McLeod, D. L. Harmon, N.A. Elam, and W. G. Doig. 2005. Influence of increasing ME intake on nutrient utilization by beef steers consuming alfalfa hay. 2005 ASAS ADSA Midwestern Section Meeting Abstracts. March 21-23, 2005. p. 64.<br /> <br /> Schlueter, K. R., W. H. Schacht, L. E. Moser, and T. J. Klopfenstein. 2005. Seasonal dry matter and crude protein removal by grazing from a grass/legume mixture. Society for Range Management Annual Meeting, February 7-11, Fort Worth, TX.<br /> <br /> Experiment Station/Field Day Reports (6)<br /> <br /> Coblentz, W. K., J. L. Gunsaulis, R. K. Ogden, R. K. Bacon, K. P. Coffey, D. S. Hubbell, III, J. V. Skinner, Jr., R. W. Cox, and K. S. Lusby. 2005. Fall-growth potential of cereal-grain forages for livestock. Proceedings of Batesville Livestock and Forestry Branch Station Field Day. April 19, 2005. Batesville, AR.<br /> <br /> Haugen, H. J., S. K. Ivan, and T. J. Klopfenstein. 2005. Determination of undegradable intake protein digestibility in forages. Nebraska Beef Cattle Report MP 83-A:25-27.<br /> <br /> Miller, R., J. MacAdam, and R. Koenig. 2004. Management intensive grazing systems and the environment. Nitrogen and phosphorus leaching. USU Extension AG/Pasture/2004-01. Logan, UT: Utah State University.<br /> <br /> Ogden, R. K., W. K. Coblentz, K. P. Coffey, J. E. Turner, D. A. Scarbrough, J. A. Jennings, and M. D. Richardson. 2004. Degradation of NDF for crabgrass harvested on seven dates in northern Arkansas. Research Series 522. Ark. Anim. Sci. 7:14-17. <br /> <br /> Ogden, R. K., W. K. Coblentz, K. P. Coffey, J. E. Turner, D. A. Scarbrough, J. A. Jennings, and M. D. Richardson. 2004. Protein degradation kinetics for crabgrass harvested on seven dates in northern Arkansas. Research Series 522. Ark. Anim. Sci. 7:18-22.<br /> <br /> Scarbrough, D. A., W. K. Coblentz, J. B. Humphry, K. P. Coffey, T. C. Daniel, T. J. Sauer, J. A. Jennings, J. E. Turner, and D. W. Kellogg. 2004. Evaluation of dry matter loss, nutritive value an din situ dry matter disappearance for wilting orchardgrass forages damaged by simulated rainfall. Research Series 522. Ark. Anim. Sci. 7:35-38.<br /> <br /> Scarbrough, D. A., W. K. Coblentz, R. K. Ogden, J. E. Turner, J. B. Humphry, K. P. Coffey, T. C. Daniel, T. J. Sauer, J. A. Jennings, and D. W. Kellogg. 2005. Nitrogen partitioning and estimates of degradable intake protein in wilting orchardgrass and bermudagrass hays damaged by simulated rainfall. Agron. J. (submitted). <br />

Impact Statements

1. This work will improve the efficiency of nitrogen and protein utilization by ruminant livestock. These improvements will result in greater profit potential for livestock producers and reduced potential for environmental pollution.

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Report Information

Participants

Coffey, Ken (kcoffey@uark.edu) University of Arkansas
Jackson, Randy (rdjackson@wisc.edu) University of Wisconsin-Madison
Klopfenstein, Terry (tklpfenstein@unl.edu) University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Moore, Ken (kjmoore@iastate.edu) Iowa State University
Schacht, Walter (wschacht@unl.edu) University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Vanzant, Eric (evanzant@uky.edu) University of Kentucky

Brief Summary of Minutes

At 1:00 pm on 7 June, the joint meeting of the NC-1020 and NC-1021 committees was called to order by Bruce Anderson and Eric Vanzant, chairs of the respective committees. Following introduction of all participants, Gary Cromwell, CSREES representative, provided the group with an overview of CSREES programs, personnel, and contact information. John Baker, NC-1020 Administrative Advisor, and Dan Schaefer, NC-1021 Administrative Advisor, made several remarks concerning the process of determining the future of each project. They indicated that the two committees appeared to be making a good effort in exploring the question before them - should they combine? They stated that the two committees are not being forced to combine and that the committees could propose to maintain separate identities if strong justification was presented to NC administrators. The committees were informed that should they choose to remain separate, they may have the option to apply for a two-year extension; otherwise, they need to submit a new project proposal by 1 December 2006. Discussion followed and concluded with general agreement that a final decision would not be made until the second day of the meeting after the state report presentations. Beginning at 2:00 pm, station reports were presented for both projects by state. This report session continued until 6:25 pm when participants from all states had presented their reports. The meeting was adjourned at this time with the understanding that a joint business meeting would begin at 8:00 am on June 8.

The business meeting was called to order by the committee chairs on June 8, and following a brief review of the purpose of the meeting, the committees convened separately to conduct their business meetings. The NC-1021 meeting initially focused on the pros and cons of combining the two committees. All members of NC-1021 agreed that the projects should maintain separate identities. Arguments for keeping two separate projects included: (1) the objectives of the two projects are different with a minimal amount of overlap and (2) a combined project would significantly lessen the involvement of many members of NC-1021 committee because they are not interested in the focus of the NC-1020 project on livestock and forage production. Members agreed that a two-year extension of the current project should be requested to provide the time and support needed to achieve project objectives. The importance of leveraging funds from other sources (e.g., NRI and SARE) to support the research described in the NC-1021 project was discussed in detail. Members of the committee will write a grant proposal based on the project objectives to be submitted to the Managed Ecosystems Program NRI, to SARE, and/or to EPA. A draft of the proposal will be completed by NC-1021's annual meeting in 2007 (September) and a portion of the annual meeting will be committed to reviewing and revising the proposal. The goal is to submit it to a granting agency by late fall 2007. Randy Jackson will take the lead in writing the proposal and all members are encouraged to participate. The grant proposal is a top priority for the committee, and Dan Schaefer fully supports the effort because it is exactly what administration wants. The relatively low number of state representatives attending the annual meeting was a concern. To accommodate the joint meetings with NC-1020, the traditional meeting time of September has been moved to June for the last two years; this appears to create conflicts for many members. Attempts must be made to contact members not attending and to encourage them to remain active. We also identified several people, including soil scientists, who should be asked to join the committee because of their expertise. Schaefer said that the number of states involved in a multi-state project is important, but of equal importance is the proportion of participants that come to the annual meetings and the productivity of the committee. Walter Schacht was elected as incoming Chair and Joel Caton as secretary. The 2007 annual meeting will be on September 12 and 13 at the Airport Embassy Suites in Kansas City, MO.

Following a short break, the NC-1020 and NC-1021 committees reconvened as a single group beginning at 10:25 am. The NC-1020 committee also had concluded that the two committees should maintain separate identities and continue to work towards achieving their individual project objectives. The committees agreed that a key to their success was conversion/extension of their three-year projects to five-year projects, primarily because the project proposals had been written as five-year plans and that five years were required to achieve their objectives. The two committees decided to write a single, joint letter justifying separate committees and conversion to five-year projects. Bruce Anderson and Randy Jackson will write the draft, seeking input from committee members and administrative advisors, before forwarding the letter in its final form to our administrative advisors for submission to CSREES. The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 am.

Accomplishments

Objective 1: Quantify N efficiency of forage-based ecosystems and determine the fate of excreta N.<br /> <br /> At Kentucky, data collection has been completed for three years of a multi-year study to determine relationships between stocking rates and animal gains, N-use efficiency, and forage production on intensive-early grazed, endophyte-infected fescue. Average daily gain generally decreased .231 kg/d per 1000 kg live weight/ha increase in stocking rate. Gain per ha and N removal in live animal product (expressed as a percentage of fertilizer inputs) generally increased with increasing stocking rate. A three-year study at Nebraska is nearing completion in which N-use efficiency and economic returns are being compared among five different smooth bromegrass-birdsfoot trefoil mixtures. Although dry matter and N yields are greater on fertilized monocultures of smooth bromegrass, N-use efficiency and economic returns appear to be greater for the grass-legume mixtures. <br /> <br /> Objective 2: Quantify the effect of dietary and animal factors on utilization and excretion of forage N by beef and dairy cattle.<br /> <br /> Arkansas researchers are concerned about high blood urea N levels in cattle grazing lush cool-season forages causing reproductive problems in cows and heifers. They have focused on determining the impact of providing rumen degradable carbohydrates at different intervals prior to breeding on blood urea N concentrations, conception rates, and growth rates. After one year of the study, strategic timing of supplementation can alter serum urea N and possibly affect conception rates. Complementary research is being conducted on wheat pasture to determine the impact of different energy supplements on rumen ammonia patterns. The excessive rumen degradable protein in wheat can lead to high rumen ammonia and elevated urea N content. First year results indicate that supplementation type and timing can be used to reduce rumen ammonia concentrations in calves grazing wheat pasture in the spring. At Kentucky, scientists have begun research on determining quantitative relationships between luminal carbohydrate energy supply and whole body urea-N entry rate and fractional rates of urea-N use for anabolic and catabolic processes. The urea kinetic data coming from this experiment have not yet been analyzed. Animal performance and N-use efficiency of yearling beef cattle on fertilized and non-fertilized smooth bromegrass pasture are being determined at Nebraska. In the first year of this long-term study, ADG of yearlings was greatest on non-fertilized pasture supplemented with dry distillers grains (DDG) and comparable for yearlings on fertilized or non-fertilized pasture without DDG supplement. Cost of gain was greatest for cattle on the fertilized pasture and N offtake was greatest for the DDG-supplemented cattle on non-fertilized pasture. <br /> <br /> Objective 3: Determine the influence of plant/soil manipulations on efficiency of N use by forages. <br /> <br /> Wisconsin research focused on comparing fluxes of N from grass-legume mixtures grazed by cattle to the atmosphere and to the ground/surface water under four management regimes: management-intensive rotational grazing (MIRG), continuous grazing (CONT), clipping for hay (HARV), and no defoliation (NONE). On-farm results from 2005 indicated N2O emissions to the atmosphere were greatest for CONT and HARV. Wisconsin researchers have also developed a N balance calculator to estimate the N efficiency of the grassland systems studied. Research at Iowa has been initiated to evaluate the relationship between N partitioning in cool- and warm-season grasses and developmental morphology. Four grass species fertilized at three different N rates have been established at the ISU Agronomy Research Farm. Sample tillers will be collected biweekly throughout the growing season, staged, and analyzed for protein fractions. Effect of sward characteristics of smooth bromegrass monocultures on N content of diets of grazing cattle is being studied at Nebraska. In the first year of the study, 2005, dietary N content of grazing cattle was closely related to N content, leaf:stem ratio, and stage of development of smooth bromegrass standing crop. Data analyses are nearly complete.<br />

Publications

Refereed Publications<br /> <br /> Haugen, H.L., M.J. Lamothe, T.J. Klopfenstein, D.C. Adams, and MD. Ullerich. 2006. Estimation of undegradable intake protein in forage using neutral detergen insoluble nitrogen at a single in situ incubation time point. J. Anim. Sci. 84:651-659.<br /> <br /> Haugen, H.L., S.K. Ivan, J.C. MacDonald, and T.J. Klopfenstein. 2006. Determination of undegradable intake protein digestibility in forages using the mobile nylon bag technique. J. Anim. Sci 84:886-893.<br /> <br /> Ogden, R.K., W.K. Coblentz, K.P. Coffey, J.E. Turner, D.A. Scarbrough, J.A. Jennings, and M.D. Richardson. 2006. Ruminal in situ disappearance kinetics of nitrogen and neutral detergen insoluble nitrogen from common crabgrass forages sampled on seven dates in northern Arkansas. J. Anim. Sci. 669-677.<br /> <br /> Scarbrough, D.A., W.K. Coblentz, R.K. Ogden, J.E. Turner, J.B. Humphry, K.P. Coffey, T.C. Daniel, T.J. Sauer, J.A. Jennings, and D.W. Kellogg. 2006. Nitrogen partitioning and estimates of degradable intake protein in wilting orchardgrass and bermudagrass hays damaged by simulated rainfall. Agron. J. 98:85-93.<br /> <br /> Smart, A.J., W.H. Schacht, J.D. Volesky, and L.E. Moser. 2006. Seasonal changes in dry matter partitioning, yield, and crude protein of intermediate wheatgrass and smooth bromegrass. Agron. J. In press.<br /> <br /> Experiment Station/Field Day Reports<br /> <br /> Benton, J.R., J.C. MacDonald, G.E. Erickson, T.J. Klopfenstein and D.C. Adams. 2006. Digestibility of undegradable intake protein of feedstuffs. Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. MP 84:23-26.<br /> <br /> Coblentz, W.K., J.E. Turner, R.K. Ogden, K.P. Coffey., F.W. Pohlman, A.H. Brown, Jr., M.B. Daniels, J.L. Gunsaulis, M.L. Thomas, C.A. Wells, and R.E. Morrow. 2005. Estimating degradable intake protein warm- and cool-season pastures on producer farms in northern Arkansas. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 535:88-91.<br /> <br /> Coffey, K.P., R.K. Ogden, M.J. Alman, W.K. Coblentz, J.K. Reynolds, and C.V. Maxwell. 2005. Mineral concentrations of tall fescue fertilized with different swine manure treatments and harvested on four dates. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 535:69-71.<br /> <br /> Gunsaulis, J.L., W.K. Coblentz, R.K. Ogden, R.K. Bacon, K.P. Coffey, D.S. Hubbell, III, J.V. Skinner, Jr., R.W. Cox, and K.S. Lusby. 2005. Fall-growth potential of cereal-grain forages. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 535:83-87.<br /> <br /> Ogden, R.K., M.J. Alman, K.P. Coffey, W.K. Coblentz, J.K. Reynolds, and C.V. Maxwell. 2005. Solubility of macrominerals from tall fescue fertilized with different swine manure treatments and harvested on four dates. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 535:72-76.<br /> <br /> Scarbrough, D.A., W.K. Coblentz, J.B. Humphry, K.P. Coffey, T.C. Daniels, T.J. Sauer, J.A. Jennings, J.E. Turner, and D.W. Kellogg. 2005. Evaluation of dry matter loss, nutritive value, and in situ dry matter disappearance for wilting bermudagrass forages damaged by rainfall. Arkansas Animal Science Department Report. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 535:92-95. <br /> <br /> Abstracts<br /> <br /> Davis, T.E., E.B. Kegley, K.P. Coffey, W.K. Coblentz, R.K. Ogden, M.D. Ratcliff, and J.A. Hornsby. 2006. Effects of grain by-products in supplements for stocker cattle grazing bermudagrass. Southern Section Meeting of ASAS. February 4-8, 2006. Orlando, FL.<br /> <br /> Greenquist, M.A., K.J. Vander Pol, T.J. Klopfenstein, G.E. Erickson, L. Baleseng, and W.H. Schacht. 2006. Dried distillers grains substitute for forage and nitrogen on pasture. ASAS Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. July 9-13, 2006.<br /> <br /> Kreider, D., K. Coffey, T. Montgomery, K. Ferrell, W. Coblentz, W. Whitworth, J. Caldwell, R. McNew, and R. Ogden. 2006. Effect of supplement timing on blood measurements and reproductive performance of beef heifers grazing annual ryegrass in the spring. Southern Section Meeting of ASAS. February 4-8, 2006. Orlando, FL.

Impact Statements

1. This work will improve the efficiency of N utilization by ruminant livestock. Project research is identifying mechanisms (animal, plant, and management related) that affect N utilization in ruminants consuming forages, quantifying N fluxes in pasture systems, and analyzing economic returns of alternate strategies and systems. Research results will offer practical methods to manipulate N utilization efficiency in order to minimize N loss in the environment and optimize incorporation into animal products. Data from this research also will be used in the development of N-use prediction models and N-balance calculators to estimate N efficiency of pasture ecoystems.

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Report Information

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Eric Vanzant, Ken Coffey, Gerald Horn, Wayne Coblentz, Rhonda Miller, Bob Harmon, Rebecca McCulley, Joel Caton, Dirk Philipp, Dan Schaefer (Admin. Advisor), Mike Schmitt (incoming Admin. Advisor), Randy Jackson (minutes).

Brief Summary of Minutes

8am Committee takes vans to research farm for tour of facilities

12pm Meeting commenced by Chair Caton

Welcome from Chair Bob Harmon of UK Animal Sciences

Review committee status, deadline for rewrite 1 Dec 08.

Comments by Dan Schaefer-compliments to committee on submitting NRI proposal. Mention of inactive members was made a mid-term review meeting by NC advisors. Suggests we should not bloat our Appendix E with members who will not contribute/attend. State vs. individual representation was discussed. Project must go into NIMSS system by 1 Dec 08. Giving up admin advisor role effective 1 Dec 08. Mike Schmitt (new advisor) attending to make for a seamless transition.

1.30pm Begin state reports  Dirk Philipp (Arkansas), Ken Coffey (Arkansas), Randy Jackson (Wisconsin), Eric Vanzant (Kentucky), Rebecca McCulley (Kentucky), Joel Caton (North Dakota), Gerald Horn (Oklahoma), Rhonda Miller (Utah).

5pm Adjourn

12 Sep 2008

8am Business meeting

Ken Coffey nominated and elected as Secretary for 2009.

Location date for 2009: Logan, UT suggested. September still seems like best time. Will be the last meeting of the existing project. Will leave date flexible until schedules shake out. Suggest Wisconsin as 2010 meeting site (Marshfield/Madison).

Committee discussed and revised 4 objectives for NC-1021 rewrite.

Re: Future meetings: Schaefer asked committee to consider asking some members to provide an overview presentation. A conceptual model of how the various components of the ecosystems (i.e. plant, animal, whole ecosystem) are nested. Suggested that this could provide focus for future discussion of extramural grant proposals and also generate a review paper.Vanzant suggested using software (e.g. Compendium) for development of the concept as a group.Jackson suggested dispensing with state reports to allow more time for exercises like the one Schaefer suggested. Caton envisioned mini-review papers that would represent subcomponents of our agroecosystem conceptual model but be linked together somehow.

12pm Adjourn

Accomplishments

Obj 1. Quantify N efficiency of forage-based ecosystems and determine the fate of excreta N.<br /> <br /> Wisconsin and Nebraska have completed a second round of greenhouse gas sampling at the Mead research farm. Preliminary analyses indicate significant nitrous oxide losses to the atmosphere only in wet periods and mainly in fertilized plots. <br /> <br /> At Utah, researchers examined nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in both a traditional management intensive grazing system, and in a deferred grazing system. Data collection began in June 2007. Composite soil samples, to a depth of 150 cm, have been collected at the beginning and end of each grazing season to monitor any nutrient (N, P, and K) movement and buildup for each treatment. Leachate has been collected bi-weekly and analyzed for nitrate-nitrogen and inorganic dissolved phosphorus. Beginning in 2008, ammonia emission measurements were also collected after each grazing event using dynamic chambers.<br /> <br /> Obj 2. Quantify the effect of dietary and animal factors on utilization and excretion of forage N by beef and dairy cattle.<br /> <br /> Data were collected in Nebraska for 2007 to measure treatment effects on yearling steer performance, N use efficiency, subsequent feedlot performance, and impact on forage production and forage quality throughout the duration of the experiment. Daily gain was similar among treatments indicating that no compensatory response from the grazing phase was carried over into the finishing phase. Therefore, the weight advantage of SUPP from the grazing phase was maintained through the feedlot.<br /> <br /> In North Dakota, four ruminally and duodenally cannulated beef steers (388 ± 12 kg) were used to evaluate effects of advancing season on forage quality, intake, site of digestion, and microbial efficiency while grazing mixed grass prairie in western North Dakota. Results imply that mixed-grass range forage consumed by cattle after late-September is deficient in N, particularly DIP, and that forage intake may decrease and may be too low to support adequate cow performance. Producers grazing cattle after September in western North Dakota should be concerned with both forage intake as well as forage quality issues. Degradable intake protein supplementation may be necessary during late fall depending on desired performance level and nutrient requirements. <br /> <br /> Oklahoma researchers are determining the effect of corn distillers dried grains and solubles (DDGS) on growth performance of wheat pasture stocker cattle as compared with soybean hulls and whole corn. Supplement conversions for corn dried distillers grains with solubles and soybean hulls (pounds of as-fed supplement per lb. of increased weight gain) were very poor in this study on wheat pasture.<br /> <br /> Obj 3. Determine the influence of plant/soil manipulations on efficiency of N utilization by forages.<br /> <br /> Arkansas researchers compared the performance of spring (S) and fall-calving (F) cows grazing tall fescue infected with either the toxic wild-type endophyte (E+) or with a non-toxic novel endophyte (NE+) at different percentages of the total pasture areas to determine to what extent having limited access to NE+ will enhance cow/calf performance. Results indicate a fall calving season may be desirable for overall cow/calf performance while grazing E+ pasture, and limited use of NE+ may improve overall cow BW and spring-calving rates.<br /> <br /> In previous Arkansas research, glycerol was fermented very rapidly in the rumen, but sometimes caused a reduction in overall dry matter intake by cattle. Results from this work show that glycerol did not reduce intake. Another project examined high blood urea N levels in cattle grazing lush cool-season forages, which can lead to reproductive problems. Timing of supplementation in this study did not affect conception to artificial insemination or overall pregnancy rates.<br /> <br /> Other work at Arkansas is seeking legume species that will persist under grazing and mechanical harvest. In pastures oversown with perennial legumes, red clover had higher occupancy (75%) in August in comparison with alfalfa (48%), but no differences among species were encountered during previous months. Kura clover and subterranean clover did not establish well.<br />

Publications

Akins, M. S., E. B. Kegley, J. L. Gunsaulis, W. K. Coblentz, K. S. Lusby, R. K. Ogden, J. D. Caldwell, R. K. Bacon, and K. P. Coffey. 2007. Nutritive value of fall-grown cereal-grain forages over time. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:73-77.<br /> <br /> Bailey, C. R., M. L. Looper, K. P. Coffey, and C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Evaluation of endophyte-infected and novel endophyte-infected tall fescue on growth and grazing behavior of beef heifers. J. Anim. Sci. 86(Suppl. 2): (Proc. Southern Section ASAS)<br /> <br /> Caldwell, J. D., K. P. Coffey, W. K. Coblentz, R. K. Ogden, J. A. Jennings, D. S. Hubbell, III, D. L. Kreider, and C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2007. Growth performance and immune function of fall-born beef calves weaned from endophyte infected tall fescue pastures on different dates in the spring. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:70-72.<br /> <br /> Caldwell, J., K. Coffey, D. Philipp, J. Jennings, D. Hubbell, III, T. Hess, D. Kreider, M. Looper, M. Popp, M. Savin, and C. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Performance by spring and fall-calving cows grazing with full access, limited access, or no access to endophyte -infected tall fescue J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 2):536.<br /> <br /> Caldwell, J.D., K.P. Coffey, W. K. Coblentz, J.A. Jennings, D.S. Hubbell, III, D.L. Kreider, and C.F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Post-weaning performance of fall-born beef steers weaned from endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures on different dates in the spring J. Anim. Sci. 86(Suppl. 2): (Proc. Midwestern Section ASAS)<br /> <br /> Cline, H. B., B. W. Neville, G. P. Lardy, and J. S. Caton. 2008. Influence of advancing season on dietary composition, intake, site of digestion, and microbial efficiency in beef steers grazing a native range in western North Dakota. J. Anim. Sci. 86:(Accepted).<br /> <br /> Coffey, K. P., W. K. Coblentz, D. H. Hellwig, M. P. Popp, T. F. Smith, D. S. Hubbell, III, D. A. Scarbrough, J. B. Humphry, J. E. Turner, Z. B. Johnson, and C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Weaning and post-weaning performance by fall-born calves weaned on different dates from endophyte-infected tall fescue pastures managed with two different rotation frequencies. Livestock Sci. (In press).<br /> <br /> Coffey, K. P., W. K. Coblentz, J. D. Caldwell, C. P. West, R. K. Ogden, T. Hess, D. S. Hubbell, III, M. S. Akins, and C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2007. Cow and calf performance while grazing tall fescue pastures with either the wild-type toxic endophyte or a non-toxic novel endophyte. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:67-69.<br /> <br /> Coffey, K., W. Coblentz, J. Caldwell, D. Hubbell, III, T. Hess, C. West, M. Looper, C. Krehbiel, and C. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Post-weaning performance of spring-born calves weaned from tall fescue pastures with a wild-type toxic endophyte or a non-toxic novel endophyte. J. Anim. Sci. 86(Suppl. 2) (Proc. Southern Section ASAS).<br /> <br /> Flores, R., W. K. Coblentz, R. K. Ogden, K. P. Coffey, M. L. Looper, C. P. West, and C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2008. Effects of fescue type and sampling date on the N disappearance kinetics of autumn-stockpiled tall fescue. J. Dairy Sci. (In press)<br /> <br /> Flores, R., W. K. Coblentz, R. K. Ogden, K. P. Coffey, M. L. Looper, C. P. West, and C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2007. Effects of fescue type and sampling date on the ruminal disappearance kinetics of autumn-stockpiled tall fescue. J. Dairy Sci. 90:2883-2896.<br /> <br /> Gunsaulis, J. L., W. K. Coblentz, R. K. Ogden, R. K. Bacon, K. P. Coffey, D. S. Hubbell, III, J. V. Skinner, Jr., M. S. Akins, J. D. Caldwell, K. S. Lusby, and S. A. Gunter. 2008. Fall growth potential of cereal grain forages in northern Arkansas. Agron. J. (Agron. J. 100:1112-1123).<br /> <br /> Hampy, K. R., D. W. Kellogg, K. P. Coffey, and K. Anschutz. 2007. In vitro DM digestibility of crabgrass, bermudagrass, and wheat forages supplemented with four levels of glycerol. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:65-66.<br /> <br /> Hampy, K. R., D. W. Kellogg, K. P. Coffey, E. B. Kegley, J. D. Caldwell, M. S. Lee, M. S. Akins, J. L. Reynolds, J. C. Moore, and K. D. Southern. 2007. Glycerol as a supplemental energy source for meat goats. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:63-64.<br /> <br /> Haubensak K, Jackson RD, Gratton C, Lubetikin SC, Donaldson J. 2008. Effects of large-mammal grazing and arthropod abundance on ecosystem processes. Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Milwaukee, WI 7 Aug 2008.<br /> <br /> Horn, Gerald W, Jeff Edwards, Jim Kountz, Jeff Jaronek and Sam Donica. August 29, 2008. Effect of Type of Energy Supplement on Growth and Intramuscular Fat Development by Wheat Pasture Stocker Cattle. Proc. Wheatland Stocker Conference. Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.<br /> <br /> Jensen, J. 2008. Effects of traditional grazing and deferred grazing on nutrient cycling. MS Thesis. Logan, UT: Utah State University.<br /> <br /> Kreider, D. L., K. P. Coffey, J. D. Caldwell, W. A. Whitworth, T. G. Montgomery, R. Rorie, R. W. McNew, W. Coblentz, and R. K. Ogden. 2007. Reproductive performance, blood urea nitrogen, and blood glucose concentrations in beef heifers grazing annual ryegrass in the spring and supplemented at different intervals prior to timed AI. Arkansas Agri. Exper. Sta. Research Series 553:41-44.<br /> <br /> L. Hardin, A. Killion, J. Caldwell, K. Coffey, D. Philipp, and W. Coblentz. 2008. Effect of a lactic acid-lactobacillus product and bale moisture on forage quality, and voluntary intake and digestibility of crabgrass hay by lambs. J. Anim. Sci. 86(E-Suppl. 2): 28.<br /> <br /> Lyon AH, Bell MM, Gratton C, Jackson RD. 2008. Maculate Conceptions: Power, Process, and Creativity in Participatory Research." Rural Sociological Society annual meeting, Manchester, NH, July 30, 2008.<br /> <br /> Lyon AH, Bell MM, JACKSON RD, Gratton C. 2008. Directions for Grazing research: Agronomic Recipes or Ecological Principles? Organics conference. LaCrosse, WI.<br /> <br /> McGinley, B. C., K. P. Coffey, W. K. Coblentz, N. W. Galdámez-Cabrera, and J. E. Turner. 2007. Case Study: In situ ruminal nitrogen and neutral-detergent insoluble nitrogen disappearance from bermudagrass fertilized with different nitrogen rates and harvested on two dates. Professional Anim. Sci. 23:556-564.<br /> <br /> Miller, R. L, and D. N. Mortensen. 2007. Nutrient leaching and soil compaction in irrigated pastures under management intensive grazing. In 2007 Agronomy Abstracts. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy.<br /> <br /> Miller, R. L. 2008. A Surprising Cause of Air Pollution. Utah Debate Conference. January 26, 2008. <br /> <br /> Norman, R. C., W. K. Coblentz, D. S. Hubbell, III, R. K. Ogden, K. P. Coffey, J. D. Caldwell, R. T. Rhein, C. P. West, and C. F. Rosenkrans, Jr. 2007. Effects of storage conditions on the forage quality characteristics and ergovaline content endophyte infected tall fescue hays. Crop Sci. 47:1635-1646.<br /> <br /> Oates LG, Bouressa EL, Duncan DS, Hamingson EE, Kummel H, Woodis JE, Chamberlain SK, Jakubowski AR, Jackson RD. 2008. Ecosystem services as a framework for agroecological research. Ecological Society of America annual meeting, Milwaukee, WI 7 Aug 2008.<br /> <br /> Popp, M. P., K. P. Coffey, W. K. Coblentz, Z. B. Johnson, D. A. Scarbrough, J. B. Humphry, T. F. Smith, D. S. Hubbell, III, and J. E. Turner. 2007. An empirical analysis of weaning and pasture rotation frequency with implications for retained ownership. Agron. J. 99:747-754.<br /> <br /> Sweeney, M. B., P. Tomlinson, M. C. Savin, and K. Coffey. 2008. Response of soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities to an experimental cow-calf management system incorporating rotation onto novel endophyte-infected tall fescue. ASA CSSA SSSA International Annual Meeting.<br />

Impact Statements

1. This work will improve the efficiency of N utilization by ruminant livestock. Project research is identifying mechanisms (animal, plant, and management related) that affect N utilization in ruminants consuming forages, quantifying N fluxes in pasture systems, and analyzing economic returns of alternate strategies and systems. Research results will offer practical methods to manipulate N utilization efficiency in order to minimize N loss in the environment and optimize incorporation into animal products. Data from this research also will be used in the development of N-use prediction models and N-balance calculators to estimate N efficiency of pasture ecoystems.

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Publications

Impact Statements

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