Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

NE-1024 Annual Meeting - Dairy and Beef Forage Systems Meeting Minutes Minneapolis, MN November 17-19, 2009 Members Present Rich Muck - Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison; John Westra - Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge; Mike Murphy - University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana; Rhonda Miller - Utah State University, Logan; Stephen Herbert - University of Massachusetts, Amherst; Mark Powell - Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Jude Capper - Washington State University; Mike Gamroth - Oregon State University; Jim Ferguson - University Pennsylvania, Kennett Square; Zhengxia Dou - University of Pennsylvania; Mike Westendorf - Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Dave Combs - University of Wisconsin. Madison Al Rotz unable to attend, but Joe Harrison made his presentation. We called Al on November 19th am to get clarification on aspects of his presentation. Administrative Advisor Report: Stephen Herbert is now the administrative advisor for this regional project. His university (U. Mass.) is undergoing many changes and additions, and Steve was appointed Associate Dean for Ag Research. In the Northeast region, the Associate Deans work with the regional projects. Stephen traded this project with Jon Wraith to more closely align interests. For our new proposal a subgroup of the directors will review the proposal and make a recommendation to the full group of directors. Station Reports Mike Gamroth: He is working with producers who use copper in their foot baths to prevent hoof rot. There are increased soil copper levels with producers who use copper in their operations. He is also working with producers who have anaerobic digesters. There is more work to be done in this area especially with carbon foot printing. Also working on a cooperative study with New York and Wisconsin on organic farms to evaluate animal health and well-being. In this study they are monitoring animal care and health at 200 conventional and 100 organic farms. Also doing some research with on pathogens in bulk tanks. Troy (Oregon State University Extension Educator and cooperator with this committee) is rerunning some liming studies on soils that flood. Rich Muck: Rich is conducting polyphenol oxidase (PPO) work; the PPO system in legumes binds to proteases in the plant and protects protein during the ensiling process. Red clover has PPO  preliminary results show that animals are more efficient in N utilization when fed red clover. Have some GM alfalfa with PPO. Have demonstrated on a small scale that this works. This group wants to conduct research with sheep. There are no grasses that have the appropriate substrates as well as the PPO system. The substrates are needed to utilize the PPO. They are also examining the effect of grass mixtures and conditioning. They are also examining the effects of MTD/1, which is an inoculum used for ensiling. They are observing animal effects even when the silage quality remains the same. Microbial biomass is much greater with MTD. Not seeing any differences in volatile fatty acids or gas production. John Westra: John is working on a program funded by EQIP to help producers clean up storage lagoons. They have examined the cost of pumping relative to the value of nutrients taken out. With lower fertilizer prices it cost half of the producers more to pump the lagoon than the nutrients were worth. With current fertilizer prices the value of the nutrients is offsetting the cost of pumping it out. Also working on a study examining a three-stage waste treatment system and the cost for each additional treatment stage relative to the value of the additional nutrients removed. Al Rotz: Al is studying the emission of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from silage. He is using a process-based emission model. They took silage samples and placed in wind tunnel. Conversion to ethanol is a big concern. VOC emission from silage is transient. Point estimates are not sufficient. Loose silage has more emissions. Positive responses to air velocity and temperature. Also ran some simulations comparing grazing systems versus confinement systems and looked at sediment loss, phosphorus loss, nitrate leaching and ammonia emissions, GHG emissions, and the carbon footprint and carbon sequestration. Mark Powell: Mark is studying GHG and ammonia emissions from tie-stall barns. Tie-stalls have been converted into emission chambers to measure ammonia emissions. The emissions rates are similar orders of magnitude per day for both the tie-stall and commercial systems. Also studying the influence of tannins on emissions. Similar measurement in the barn vs. lab chamber. Upcoming studies: Effect of dietary forage to concentrate ratio and varying dietary forage levels with and without tannin supplementation (tannins from quebracho and chestnut extracts). Mark is doing the manure work; Michael Wattiaux and Glen Broderick are doing the animal work. Conducting a study comparing manure from cows corralled for 2 or 4 days or from manure barn stored 2 or 4 days. All N inputs and outputs are measured. Manure spread on cropland. Nitrogen retention, crop yield and N uptake are measured in two different crop rotations. More barn losses if manure is stored for four days rather than two. More field losses if stored for two. Corralling captures ammonia N, less loss, increases crop yield and N uptake. More captured form corralling than barn keeping. Also studying N losses form slurry manure, when incorporated using different methods: no incorporation, partial (airway tool) and complete injection. Three application intervals. Used ammonia chambers and measured nitrate leaching using drainage lysimeters. Ammonia emissions were higher in two years and lower in two others. Some years there was leaching. The partial airway tool always resulted in higher levels of leaching. Highest losses were with no incorporation. Greatest leaching on the partial airway tool. Injection least for leaching and ammonia loss. Four year balance. Manure injection reduced ammonia emissions but not leaching. No effects of injection on crop yield. Although injection conserved nitrogen, no overall effects on crop yield. Stephen Herbert - Studying nitrate leaching in a long term corn study, and the influence of cover crops, with or without a cover crop. Timeliness in putting cover crops on is important. If you put it on too late you won't conserve any nitrogen. Teach farmers to put cover crops on at the correct time. If you don't put it on at the right time, nitrate will be lost. A tool has been developed to help simulate the action of nitrate to determine leaching response. Simulate what is happening on the crop field. Also comparing ammonia volatility from fall surface applied manure. Do cooler fall temperatures have an effect on reducing volatility? Liquid dairy manure collected for four months September, October, November, and December - total N and ammonia determined. Built an ammonia collection device to capture ammonia. This device may effectively mimic the environment. Ammonia not volatilized at low temperatures but at high temperatures. Not clear what is happening in a late application. Good correlation with temperature. Also have an Angus grazing project, 9 steers grazing 28 grass blends. Michael Westendorf - Mike is developing a nutrient management tool for small farms. This tool will allow for small farmers to complete nutrient management plans. These plans will be shorter than longer plans required for CNMP's. They include sections for determining manure production, manure storage and water quality, and determining spreading rates on different crops. Mike hopes s to make the program more accessible for public use. Mike is also conducting research with a byproduct called Okara from soybeans processed to make soy milk. This product is high in protein and fat and has been used as a protein supplement in dairy cattle diets. Studies are planned to determine digestibility and feeding value in ruminant diets. Joe Harrison - Farm Nutrient Management Planning Economics (FNMPE): this is a program to evaluate the P levels in feeds coming on the farm. This tool could be helpful in managing P in the diet. FNMP tool - feed use management economics. Joe also presented two videos. Airway spreading. Broadcast vs. semi-incorporated Community anaerobic digestion project initiated by Indian tribes. Formerly the anaerobic digester was a prison. The state deeded it over to the Indian tribe. They built a community digester. Conducting a study, is anaerobically digested manure any different from raw manure? There is more inorganic phosphorus in digested manure. Manure applied to cropland at equal rates of nitrogen. Five treatments: control, urea, broadcast pre-anaerobic digestion, broadcast post-anaerobic digestion, Airway incorporated pre-anaerobic digestion, and Airway incorporated post-anaerobic digestion. Higher ammonia losses in the post anaerobic digestion manure. DM yield very similar on all four of the plots (non-control plots). Collected from 5 cuts in 2009. Anaerobic digestion and composted manure results in less Nitrous Oxide than non-composted. Also studying if anaerobic digestion can reduce bacteria load applied to the land. The anaerobic digester uses liquid whey, blood meal, breading from fish sticks, and out of date juices and wines from stores, in addition to dairy manure. A struvite system is planned to remove P. Counts of bacteria post anaerobic digestion were a 2 .5 log reduction from pre-digestion. Further composting result in yet greater reduction. Fecal bacteria reduced on soil. Anaerobic digestion and composted manure also results in less Nitrous Oxide than non-composted. Zhengxia Dou - Working with 15 farmers in the Susquehana watershed. These farm case studies are focused on helping farmers economically by making changes in diet and feeding that also help the farm environmentally. Feed costs and Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) is a focus. Several case studies were shared. Five farms all showed that diet changes resulted in reduced MUN levels, lower nitrogen excretion, lower feed costs and a better economic bottom line. Another farm highlighted in improvement on a farm with calving difficulties in heifers. Another farm that was top dressing a TMR had higher P levels in the diet than calculated for the TMR (<.40%). The top-dress increased the level so that fecal P became a problem. Another farm free-choice dicalcium phosphate and found the same increased P. Jim Ferguson - Precision Feeding Herd Analytics. Following 66 farms in the Chesapeake bay watershed. These farms average Crude Protein of 16.48% and soluble Protein of 6.6%. These are demonstration farms for feeding practices. Phosphorus levels on these farms: 42 farms <.40% P and 24 farms >.40% P. Herds with higher protein levels also had higher MUNs. Lower protein herds were feeding better quality corn silage. All dairy farms have been challenged to reduce N. The amount that would need to be reduced to meet the environmental goal would be an 89g/cow/d reduction. This would be very hard to attain. This 89g/cow/d reduction is an estimate to meet non-point source pollution goals. It is possible to reduce P to meet goals by diet alone. Much more difficult with N. This could only happen if we also saw reductions in milk production. Also working on cattle grouping strategies and reproductive efficiency. Jude Capper - Conducting environmental and ruminant nutrition work. Just joined NE-1024. Her work is modeling and will evaluate all dietary prediction equations from NRC (2000, 2001 - Beef and Dairy) in order to determine the environmental impact of livestock systems. Two recent papers (Capper 2008/Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Capper 2009/Journal of Animal Science) describe some of this work. She determined the annual environmental implications of rBST use for producing 1 billion lbs of cheese or 10 billion lbs of milk (10:1 milk: cheese ratio). The use of rBST result in fewer cows and heifers (96,600 animal unit impact), less feed use (721,000 fewer tons of feed), fewer acres devoted to crop production (156,000 fewer acres or 244 square miles), reduced use of fuel and electricity, reduced manure production, and a reduced carbon footprint. This reduced carbon footprint is the equivalent of removing 112,000 cars from the road or planting 83.5 million trees. Also compared dairy production in 1944 with today. Impact of milk production is considerably reduced since 1944. Also compared corn fed beef vs. grass fed beef. Corn fed averaged 1.61 kg/d of gain vs. grass fed that average .87 kg/d of gain. Corn fed beef finished in 237 d and grass fed beef was finished in 438 days. The determined that corn finished beef production reduced resource use and waste output per kg of gain. Current and future projects " Evaluate the environmental impact of changing dairy management practices " Evaluate the environmental impact of dairy production for Jersey cows " Evaluate the environmental impact of rumensin on dairy production " Compare the environmental impact of historic and modern beef production systems - 1975 vs. 2007. " Evaluate the environmental impact of growth-promoting technologies on the environment and the production of an affordable beef supply for a growing global population Mike Murphy - Studying milk pH from the standpoint of milk quality. During the first few days of milk, the pH was much lower. After that it raised and was fairly consistent after that. Bacterial infection could lower pH in milk. Could also be related to animals being acidotic. Discussed an animal systems model that could help determine the effect of rumen pH on the diet. This model will also be used in teaching. Introduced in animal energetics related to the survivability of an animal. Dave Combs - Dave feels he can contribute very well for Objective 3. Studying the potential for grass silages in dairy cattle diets; the different types of forage and forage fiber components on nutrient utilization, fat test and Fat Corrected Milk. Grass silage is being incorporated in grass silage with corn silage diets. Also trying to predict NDF digestibility in forages with the use of IVNDFD - in vitro NDF digestibility. Studying IVNDFD and its correlation with milk production and yield. Comparing the repeatability of the IVNDFD technique between different labs. Using Ankom bags and a modified Van Soest IVNDFD method. Rumen fluid is standardized with respect to lag time and microbial growth prior to in inoculating. A standard digested with inoculums and then an NDF assay is run using the Ankom system. Calibrating IVNDFD with NIRS (Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy) and their appears to be a good prediction potential. Project Title: Whole farm dairy and beef systems with a focus on gaseous emissions, phosphorus management, organic production, and pasture based systems. On the morning of November 18th we began to discuss the proposed project rewrite. Following completion of individual reports the group broke into a Committee of the whole and discussed the existing draft starting with Statement of Issues and Justification and Objectives. Discussed some philosophical issues related to the proposed regional project rewrite. In the afternoon the group broke up individually to prepare contributions to methodology. The group reconvened at the end of the afternoon to evaluate the method section. Added the following language at the beginning of the methods section: Determined how we could better show how this project is integrated among participants and to show how data from field and university studies (project collaborators conduct lactation and growth trials, on-farm research, field plot work, laboratory experiments in major dairy regions of the US) will provide the basis for site-specific (state) recommendations. Results of the research from individual states become critical components of dairy system models. The models are valuable to understand and apply information and technology that that will enhance the productivity, economic viability, and environmental performance of the US dairy and beef industries. Discussed Logic Model. Needed to focus on outputs and outcomes (research, publications, guidelines, etc.) other than just models. On the morning of November 19th, we met to finalize the proposal and make plans for next years meeting. First, we called Al Rotz to get some clarification about his presentation on November 17th. Discussed appropriate reviewers: Larry Chase at Cornell, John Bernard at Tifton, Georgia, Doug Beegle at Pennsylvania State University, Dennis Buckmaster at Purdue, Timothy Griffin at Tufts University, Alex Hristov at Pennsylvania State University, Charlie Staples at Florida, Dave Beede at Michigan State University, Andy Cole at USDA-ARS at Bushland, Texas, and Jessica Davis at Colorado State University were all mentioned. Mark Powell reminded us that there will be an International Greenhouse Conference in Canada on Greenhouse Gasses and Animal Agriculture. Next years meeting: Either 7th and 8th of October or the week of 11th or 18th . Planning to meet in Massachussetts where Stephen Herbert will help to coordinate the meeting. Details, location, etc. will come later. We will circulate a poll for people to indicate their times and availability. 2009-2010 Officers: Mike Westendorf, Chair Mike Murphy, Secretary Conference costs - will be invoiced by Washington State University. Contact Janet York to tell her what should be on the invoice. Minutes need to be circulated and submitted within 60 days. Participant e-mails: Dou Zhengxia - douzheng@vet.upenn.edu; James Ferguson - Ferguson@vet.upenn.edu; Mike Gamroth - mike.gamroth@oregonstate.edu; Jude Capper - capper@wsu.edu; Mike Westendorf - Westendorf@AESOP.Rutgers.edu; Mark Powell - jmpowel2@facstaff.wisc.edu; Stephen Herbert - sherbert@cns.umass.edu; Rhonda Miller - Rhonda.miller@usu.edu; Mike Murphy - mrmurphy@uiuc.edu; John Westar - JWestra@agcenter.lsu.edu; Rich Muck - Richard.Muck@ARS.USDA.GOV; Dave Combs - dkcombs@wisc.edu; Joe Harrison - jhharrison@wsu.edu;

NE-1024 Regional Research Project: 2009 Annual Report I. Progress of Work and Principal Accomplishments A. Objective 1, Section 1a. Effects of forage conservation strategies on losses and nutrient availability. Muck an Powell - Wisconsin - ARS- Orchard grass silages made with different levels of conditioning and with and without addition of chlorogenic acid were analyzed. The addition of chlorogenic acid did not reduce the amount of proteolysis during ensiling except in the treatments with the highest level of conditioning. Trials comparing alfalfa and corn silages made untreated, inoculated with Lactobacillus plantarum MTD/1 and formic acid were completed. The treatments affected silage fermentation as expected: a shift in fermentation products by the inoculant to greater lactic acid production and an overall reduction in fermentation products by formic acid. In vitro ruminal fermentation of the silages indicated few effects on gas and volatile fatty acid production due to treatment. However, both the inoculant and formic acid treatments increased microbial biomass production compared to untreated, and this was confirmed by N15 measurements showing increases in bacterial non-ammonia nitrogen. i. Nutrient uptake and nutritional value of crops. Washington - Harrison - A study was initiated in the spring of 2009 to look at the relationship between dairy manure application to a grass field, reseeding management, and nitrates in ground-water. Management evaluations were conventional and minimum-tillage. Data indicated an initial increase in soil nitrate associated with conventional tillage. The 1-ft soil nitrate levels increased to 60 ppm in the conventionally tilled soil. Managing the organic nitrogen in soil appears to play a major role in the concentrations of nitrate in shallow ground water. A study was conducted to evaluate the agronomic value of nutrients from anaerobically digested (AD) and non-AD manure for grass growth. The data from year one indicates that AD and non-AD manure support grass growth equally when applied at equal amounts of total nitrogen. B. Obective 1, Section 1b. Herd Nutrient Utilization Strategies. Survey of Feeding Practices on 66 Pennsylvania Dairy Farms in the Chesapeake Bay Water Shed - James D. Ferguson, Robert Munson, Linda Baker, Z. Dou University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348 Sixty six Pennsylania dairy farms were monitored for a one to three year period to assess protein and P feeding practices in lactating cows. The goal of the project was to work with nutritionists to encourage reduction in protein and P feeding. Total mixed rations and grab fecal samples from 8 high producing lactating cows were collected quarterly from the farms. Monthly DHIA records were collected, when farms were on DHIA. Farms were classified as to CP and P feeding practices based on initial TMR sampling. Production was not different for the farms by CP and P status on initial samples. CP concentration was significantly different based on the classification status. No other TMR values differed by CP status. Phosphorus classification was different for herds based on classification (Table 4), but no other TMR content of nutrients differed. Other analysis of milk production, reproduction based on the classification scheme is being analyzed. It was the goal of the project to see if herds with high CP concentrations and P concentrations would reduce these over time. In most cases, herds only slightly reduced CP and P from excess values. Herds already feeding low concentrations of CP and P continued to do so. Preliminary analysis shows that production and reproduction were not different with CP and P concentrations. Felton - West Virginia - Models integrating farming systems utilizing ruminant livestock must consider that the rumen is as dynamic of a biological system as the animal is within the entire farm system. Source and level of nitrogen found in ruminant animal waste is affected by dietary source and level and can pose environmental liabilities. Understanding that the rumen is not a static entity is crucial to minimizing nutrient load in animal manure. Rumen microorganisms are responsible for the majority of rumen activity and require nutrients in a synchronized fashion for maximal production and minimal nutrient loss. Previous reports demonstrate that diurnal changes in rumen activity exist and are influenced by things such as but not limited to basal diet and supplements as well as animal grazing activity. Grazing beef and dairy cattle consume their pasture based diets in non-equally spaced meals and at differing rates throughout the day. Carbohydrates and protein within these diets are composed of many different fractions that have varying rates of digestibility and availability. Given the above information, it is conceivable that there are times within a day that a loss of synchrony between supplies of carbohydrates and nitrogen can occur and ultimately effect nutrient excretion. The effects of time of supplementing: a fat enriched protein supplement on diurnal rumen activity and nutrient digestion were investigated in-vivo and supplemental fat, protein or fat and protein were investigated in-vitro. In the in-vivo experiment, 3 ruminally fistulated lambs were assigned to treatments in a 3x3 Latin Square designed experiment. Lambs were fed poor quality, low protein orchard grass hay at 0600h for all treatments and supplemented at 0600h (AM), 1800h (PM), or one half of daily allotment at both times (AP). There were treatment x time interactions (P < 0.001) on rumen VFA and NH3 concentrations and pH. Liquid passage rates did not differ (P = 0.56) between treatments while PM lambs had a slower solids passage rate (P = 0.04) than the AM and AP lambs. Treatments did not significantly affect hay intake, nitrogen retention or overall nutrient digestibility although PM lambs followed a slower passage rate with numerically less hay intake and numerically greater diet digestibility. In the in-vitro experiment, single-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in a generalized completely randomized block designed experiment in which 3 experimental supplements were tested across 3 experimental runs at 3 supplementation times to fermenters receiving fall-harvested coolseason pasture regrowth (17% CP). Fermenters were fed 50g/d dietary DM. Supplements were soybean oil (SO; 3% daily dietary DM), soybean meal (SBM; 7% daily dietary DM) and soybean oil with soybean meal (SBOM; 3 and 7% daily dietary DM, respectively) and were delivered to the fermenters at either AM, PM, or AP or not at all (C). There were treatment x time interactions (P < 0.05) for diurnal pH and NH3 as both the SO and SBOM supplemented in the AM resulted in a more neutral pH and lower NH3 concentrations at 6 and 3 h proceeding the morning feeding at 0600 compared to other treatments. No interactions (P > 0.05) of treatment x time were observed for VFA production, however effect of supplement did influence overall nutrient digestibility and VFA concentrations. Based on these results the time of supplementation can affect diurnal fermentation in-vivo and in-vitro but not to a similar degree. These results indicate that timing of supplement delivery may affect animal nutrient excretion and should be considered in any models utilizing supplements. Dou  Pennsylvania - With the support of Chesapeake Bay Foundation as well as National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants, we have been working with a number of dairy producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The overall purpose is to help producers improve farm productivity while reducing environmental footprint. The real-farm experience has taught us valuable lesions. (i) It is logical and achievable to improve farm productivity while reducing potential nutrient losses at the same time. As demonstrated on farms 1 and 2 (table below), fine-tuned rations helped producers lower feed cost ($1,000 every three days on farm 1, $3,000 per month on farm 2), increase milk yield, while reducing urine-N. Urine-N is most susceptible to environmental loss. (ii) Increases in rumen available CHO, in particular starch availability, can also reduce the herd bulk tank MUN and thus decrease potential N loss, as shown on farms 3 and 4. (iii) Veterinarians can play a pivotal role in helping producers maintain good animal health and reproductive programs, which contribute to the bottom line of financial viability and success, as indicated in the case of farm 5. (iv) Dietary (TMR) analysis alone may not reveal the whole picture of nutrient feeding levels; fecal P testing can be a useful tool for monitoring if P is overfed, as indicated in the case of farm 6. (v) Concerted efforts are needed among all farm service providing personnel, e.g. feed company reps, agronomists, veterinarians, and producers themselves to help achieve the ultimate goal of enhanced production efficiency and environmental stewardship. Farm cow # Issues Intervention Post-intervention Feed cost Milk MUN Urine-N 1 750 Low cash flow Re-formulated ration -$.45/c/d +7 lb/c/d -3.5 mg/dl -33 kg/c/d 2 95 High feed cost Re-formulated ration -$1.09/c/d +2 -3.0 -3.6 kg/c/d 3 350 Feed digestibility Finer grinding +2.5 -4.0 -17.6kg/c/d 4 130 Corn silage change +3 -4.0 -6.5 kg/c/c 5 Death of 8 calves born to 1st calving heifers Suggested to give more time and let progress naturally No more loss of new born calves. 6 Dietary P<0.4%, but fecal total P~11, fecal extract P ~7 g/kg, indicating overfeeding P. Further investigation revealed the farm was top-dressing. Need to work with farm nutrition provider. 7 MUN around 14 mg/dl Limited opportunity through ration formulation, because had to feed alfalfa produced. Need to work with farmer and agronomist to adjust cropping strategies. Combs - Wisconsin - The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of limit feeding strategies on 1) manure excretion, rumen volume, feed efficiency, 2) examine the effects of replacing 5% DM by supplementing an ionophore while limit feeding, 3) evaluate potential carryover effects of limit feeding on lactation DMI, rumen volume, and milk yield. Ninety-six Holstein heifers (400 ± 6 kg, 15.2 ± .1 mo), including 9 heifers fit with ruminal cannula, were fed one of three dietary treatments for 180 ± 8 d in a randomized replicated pen design. Treatment diets included: control (C100) fed to a fixed bunk score, (L85) fed at 85% of C100 intake, and L85 containing an ionophore (I), 325 mg/hd/d of lasalocid, fed at 80% of C100 intake (L80 + I). The C100 and L85 diets were formulated and fed to achieve isonitrogenous and isocaloric intakes and L80+ I was fed as an alternative limit feeding strategy to investigate whether an ionophore could replace dietary DM. Treatment diets were fed as a TMR (1x/d) and heifers were evaluated for growth, rumen function, blood and manure excretion parameters. Heifers fed L85 and L80+ I consumed less DM and NDF when compared to heifers fed C100. Heifers fed C100 had lower ADG (0.81 vs 0.96, 0.89 kg/d), and higher feed: gain ratios (13.0 vs 9.1, 9.3 kg/kg) as compared to heifers fed L85 or L80 + I. No differences in rumen pH, NH3-N, and VFA were observed between C100, L85 or L80 + I fed heifers. Digesta volume, weight and density were unaffected by limit feeding and limit feeding did not result in carryover rumen volume effects when heifers were fed a common high fiber diet post trial. Ionophore supplementation (L80 + I) appeared effective as a limit feeding strategy in replacing 5% of the dietary DM, as no appreciable differences in heifer growth, rumen function or nutrient excretion were observed between heifers fed L85 and L80 + I. During the lactation phase of the trial no differences were observed among treatments for dystocia index, calf BW or 7 d postpartum cow BW. Lactation BW, DMI and feed efficiency did not differ between treatments at 45 and 90 DIM. Milk production and milk components were also not different between cows fed C100, L85 or L80 + I as heifers. Rumen digesta volume and density measurements were 76.2, 99.1 and 66.1 L for C100, L85 and L80 + I, respectively, at 45 DIM. However, by 90 DIM all cows had similar rumen digesta volume, suggesting effects of limit feeding on rumen capacity were mitigated by 90 DIM. Limit feeding or limit feeding in combination with supplementing an ionophore, improved heifer growth, increased feed efficiency during the growth phase and did not have detrimental effects on rumen function. Limit feeding heifers did not result in any deleterious carryover affects during lactation. Corn zein and starch can to be difficult to extract from feed samples during the rinsing phase of NDF assays. Zein is soluble in 70% ethanol, and corn starch can be degraded to soluble disaccarides with amylase. Our objective was to determine if pre-treating feed samples with ethanol or amylase affects estimates of NDF or in vitro NDF digestibility (NDFD). We also tested whether pre-rinsing Ankom F-57 forage bags with acetone affects estimates of NDF and NDFD. An alfalfa silage sample and a mixture of 70% alfalfa silage (the same alfalfa) and 30% corn grain were dried (60 C) and ground (1mm). Feed samples (0.5 g) were weighed into Ankom F57 forage fiber bags. Half the bags had been pre-rinsed in acetone and dried at 100 C prior to adding sample. Both sets of bags were then sealed and pretreated as follows: untreated (control), bags containing feed sample were rinsed with 70% ethanol prior to NDF analysis and in vitro NDF digestion (ETOH), bags and feed were treated with an amylase hot water rinse prior to NDF analysis and in vitro NDF digestion (AMYLASE), or bags with feed were pre-rinsed with 70% ethanol and then pretreated with amylase prior to in vitro digestion (ETOH-AMYLASE). All samples were analyzed in duplicate. In vitro NDF digestibility was calculated as: ivNDFD (% of NDF) =100 X [(NDF0h -NDF residue 24 h)/(NDF0h)]. NDF concentration of the alfalfa (43.1% of DM) or the mix of alfalfa and corn grain (35.7% of DM) were not affected by acetone pre-treatment of the empty Ankom bags, or the ETOH, AMYLASE, or ETOH-AMYLASE pretreatments.. Estimates of in vitro NDF digestibility (% of NDF) were higher from samples incubated in bags that had been pretreated with acetone (alfalfa; 28.6 v 30.9, P<0.1, alfalfa-corn mix; 21.1 v 26.8, P<0.05)) than in bags that had not been pretreated. The 24 h ivNDFD for control alfalfa bags (29.7% of NDF) significantly increased (P<.01) when bags with feed were pretreated with ETOH (36.8% of NDF) AMYLASE (36.3% of NDF) or ETOH-AMYLASE (38.9% of NDF). The ivNDFD values from control bags containing the alfalfa-corn mixture (23.9% of NDF) were also lower than from sample within bags that had been pretreated with ETOH (35.6 % of NDF), AMYLASE (38.5% of NDF) or ETOH-AMYLASE (37.6% of NDF). Acetone preatment of Ankom F57 forage had little effect on estimates of NDF in either sample, but did influence the estimate of 24h in vitro NDFD. Pre-treatment of the alfalfa or the alfalfa-corn mixture with ethanol, amylase or a sequential treatment of ethanol and amylase did not affect estimates of NDF. Estimates of in vitro NDF digestibility were elevated when samples were pretreated with amylase, ethanol or the sequential combination of ethanol and amylase. Knowlton  Virginia - The objectives of the research are to enhance cropping, grazing, and feeding management systems to improve animal nutrient utilization and reduce nutrient excretion and to evaluate and develop efficient animal, manure, and cropping systems for reduced nutrient flow, cycling, transformation and loss to the environment. Outputs in this time period include new applied knowledge, collaborations fostered, and grant funding obtained. To meet the first objective related to herd nutrient utilization strategies, we are conducting animal work to refine the P requirements of lactating cows, growing heifers, and pre-weaned calves. . We published the results of research evaluating the effect of dietary calcium on bone mineral metabolism and related research evaluating the effect of pre-partum oral supplementation of the active form of vitamin D. We continue work implementing intensive feed management practices on collaborator farms in Virginia, to improve whole farm nutrient balance. We are focused on practices such as improved forage quality, more frequent feed analysis, implementation of feed mixing and delivery tracking software, and reduced overfeeding. As part of this project, we are implementing an incentive payment program to reduce overfeeding of dietary P. Also relevant to the first objective we completed research and published the results of research comparing manure and nitrogen excretion from Jersey and Holstein cows. Also, we completed and published the results of animal work evaluating alternative methods of nitrogen preservation during urine collection. To meet the second objective related to reducing environmental impacts, we are expanding our research focused on implementing advanced wastewater treatment techniques on dairy farms to generate designer manures targeted to better meet crop nutrient needs. Approaches used include enhanced biological P removal (EBPR), struvite crystallization, and deammonification (nitritation coupled with denitrification), in combination with physical and chemical nutrient removal systems. This work will lead to reduced risk of nutrient losses from dairy farms and reduced potential contamination of surface water. Relevant to both objectives we are conducting research to evaluate approaches to reducing ammonia emissions from the barn floor and manure storage. We published the results of research evaluating the effect of dietary protein on ammonia emissions from the barn floor. We completed research evaluating the effect of dietary protein and dilution (mimicking scrape vs flush removal of manure) on ammonia emissions from anaerobic manure storage. C. Objective 2, Section 2 b. Information. Reduce environmental impacts of animal, manure, and cropping systems on nutrient flow, cycling, and transformation. Muck and Powell - Wisconsin - ARS - We determined the diurnal and forage tannin impacts on fecal N and urinary N concentrations and excretion rates of lactating dairy cows; and forage tannin impacts on fecal fiber fractions and their N concentrations. Significantly (P<0.05) higher concentrations of N were excreted in urine by cows fed low-tannin birdsfoot trefoil (LTBT) and red clover (RCL) than by cows fed alfalfa (ALF), or high-tannin birdsfoot trefoil (HTBT) silages. Cows fed RCL also had higher rates of urinary N excretion and lower rates of fecal N excretion than cows fed any of the other silage types. Fecal N excretion rates were greatest for cows fed LTBT and HTBT, followed by ALF and RCL. The mass ratio of fecal N to urinary N was higher in excreta collected in morning than evening. Concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in feces, of N in NDF (NDIN) and acid detergent fiber (ADIN), and relative amounts of excreted NDIN and ADIN were significantly higher from cows fed HTBT than the other silage types. Slurry (feces plus urine) from dairy cattle fed rations containing silages of ALF, RCL, LTBT, or HTBT (collection described in previous paragraph) were then applied (375 kg N ha-1) to field plots during spring only or spring plus fall. After spring application, slurry type did not significantly impact soil pH, and only periodically impacted concentrations of soil NH4-N and NO3-N. First year corn N uptake after spring application of ALF slurry was greater than corn N uptake after LBFT slurry application or in control plots. Second year residual ALF plots had 35% greater corn yield and 50% greater corn N uptake than control plots, followed by RCL, LTBT and HTBT plots, which had from 17% to 22% greater corn yield and 29% to 36% greater corn N uptake than control plots. Corn yield and N uptake were not significantly impacted by slurry types applied the previous fall. Average residual N recovery by corn in spring slurry-amended plots ranged from 20% (ALF) to 13% (RCL and LTBT). Total N recovery was likewise highest in ALF plots followed by RCL and LBFT. Low impacts of slurry types on soil chemical properties and corn was likely due to several interactive factors, including low rainfall, high indigenous soil N availability, and high response variability associated with indirect estimates of slurry N recovery. We compared two dairy heifer management practices on manure N capture and recycling through crops: the conventional practice of barn manure collection and land application, and corralling heifers directly on cropland. Heifers were kept in a barn for two (B2) or four (B4) days and manure was hauled to fields, or heifers were corralled directly on cropland for two (C2) or four (C4) days. Four successive manure application seasons, spring-summer (SS), fall-winter (FW), summer (S) and winter (W) were evaluated over two years. Each season was followed by three-year crop rotations: SS and S by wheat (Triticum spp. L.), sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), winter rye (Secale cereale L.), corn (Zea mays L.), winter rye, and corn; and FW and W by corn, winter rye, corn, winter rye, and corn. Corralling resulted in 50 to 65% greater N applications than barn manure. In-barn N losses (% of excreted manure N, ExN) were greater from B4 (30%) than B2 (20%). Apparent N recovery of applied manure N (ANR) by wheat ranged from 13% to 25% at the lower (B2 and C2) application rates and 8% to 14% at the higher (B4 and C4) rates. First-year corn following FW had ANR of 13 to 32% at the lower (B2 and C2) application rates and 9 to 20% of applied N at the higher (B4 and C4) rates. As a percent of ExN, ANR over the 3 yr rotation from C2 was 50%, B2 35%, C4 30% and B4 22%. Harrison - Washington - An NRCS CIG grant was awarded to a team of land grant universities and lead by WSU to develop the infrastructure to implement the Feed Management 592 practice standard for NRCS. Tools in the form of assessment tools, checklists, and a feed management template were developed for the species of beef, dairy, swine, and poultry. Training workshops have been held for both nutritionists and technical service providers (nutrient management planners). A tool named Feed Nutrient Management Planner Economics (FNMP$) was refined to include beef management practices associated with composting of manure from feedlots. Moreira - Louisiana - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of modifying the anaerobic lagoon inlet to load wastewater below surface level on abatement efficiency of nutrient and coliforms in Dairy Wastewater Treatment Evaluation System (DWTES). The DWTES is a replicated three-stage system composed of anaerobic/facultative lagoons (ANL), aerobic/facultative lagoons (AEL), and three constructed wetlands (WLD) per replication. We hypothesized that discharging wastewater below surface would reduce ANL wastewater surface disturbance, which could allow for crust formation and improve wastewater treatment efficiency. Wastewater was delivered through an inlet set to load fresh wastewater between one foot and two feet below surface level in one of the anaerobic lagoons while the other anaerobic lagoon inlet discharged at one foot above wastewater level. Wastewater at the terminal end of each treatment stage were sampled bi-weekly during three periods of three months each, in a switch-back study designed to establish the pattern of changes in effluent water quality. Samples were used to determine pH, chlorophyll A, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia-N, nitrate-N, nitrite-N, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total phosphorus (TP), anions, and DO concentrations. Statistical comparisons were made on samples from WLDs effluents. Two-thirds or more of TS and COD concentrations in the influent wastewater were decreased throughout the three-stage treatment system. At least 50% to 60% of E. coli, TKN, sulfate, and TP contents were removed through the system. Influent Escherichia coli counts (mpn) were reduced at a rate of 1 log/treatment stage for ANL and WLDs and 2 logs E. coli mpn/treatment stage in AELs. Below surface inlet accumulated 3.5 inches of solids more at the bottom of ANLs. There was no statistically significant effect of wastewater discharging method, but trends were observed for TSS (P d 0.13) and TP (P d 0.10). In agreement with solids accumulation in ANLs (depth measurements), TSS was higher in WLD effluent when wastewater was discharged above surface in ANL. Conversely, TP was greater in WLD effluent that were discharged below surface, suggesting greater degradation of organic matter releasing TP attached to smaller particulates in ANL. Preliminary results indicated discharging influent wastewater above or below lagoon surface could have some influence on wastewater treatment efficiency in a multi-stage wastewater treatment system. Miller - Utah - This study examines nitrogen and phosphorus cycling in both a traditional management intensive grazing system, and in a deferred grazing system. To replicate a system producers would use for maximum forage production, tall fescue was planted in the fall of 2005. The paddocks were in the establishment phase during 2006. In 2006, after the grass was growing well, soil cores measuring 38.1 cm in diameter and 111.8 cm in length were extracted using PVC pipe and a hollow-core drill. The soil cores were utilized to make zero-tension lysimeters which were then placed back in the ground. The top 40 cm of the PVC pipe was removed to allow for as much unrestricted plant growth as possible. Leachate is collected bi-weekly and analyzed for nitrate nitrogen. Data collection began in June 2007. Beginning in 2008, ammonia emission measurements were collected after each grazing event using dynamic chambers. Herbert - MA - High farm costs for feed and fertilizer significantly impact profitability of dairy farms. A system approach in production of corn silage with efficient cycling of nutrients can reduce input costs and reduce nutrient loss to the environment. With a focus on early planting with early maturing hybrids can achieve an earlier harvest time of corn enabling the timely planting of cover crops for increased end-of-season nitrogen accumulation. More than 100 lbs N/ac can be accumulated if the winter rye cover crop was planted in early September. Achieving an early planting date for cover crops is difficult for farmers who commonly are harvesting corn and spreading manure into mid to late September. Our research continues to indicate that early corn hybrids have similar yield on average to late season hybrids and may help to improve the possibility of earlier cover crop planting. Similarly, an early planting date of corn helps ensure an earlier harvest date. However, a new research approach was to harvest corn and plant cover crops by mid September, and then spread manure later when temperatures are cooler. Colder fall temperatures significantly reduced the rate of ammonia volatility from surface applied manure. Wattiaux - Wisconsin - Livestock and manure from animal feeding operations (in particular dairy operations) are important sources of undesirable gaseous emissions including ammonia (NH3), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). So far, these airborne gas species have been quantified individually, but there is a need to study them simultaneously. Experiment 1 is to study ´15N (i.e., the change in natural abundance of 14N and 15N) as a quantitative tool to predict volatilization of NH3 from stored manure. In experiment 2, the aim is to measure the impact of diet formulation on the emission of  and trade-offs between  NH3, CH4 and N2O measured simultaneously, first in a tie-stall barn (expt. 2 part 1) and then during long-term manure storage (expt 2, part 2). In experiment 3 the same diets as in expt. 2 will be used, but NH3 emission will be measured in a free-stall barn. This research fits into Multistate NE-1024 and leverage substantial in-kind resources from two colleagues at the US Dairy Forage Research Center who have agreed to contribute facilities and equipment free-of-charge to this project. Results highlighting the importance of diet formulation as a tool to optimize animal performance, NH3 emission and global warming potential (emission of CH4 and N2O on the basis of heat trapping effect) in dairy cattle will be summarized in 3 publications. Rotz - ARS Pennsylvania - Silage VOC Emissions: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from agricultural sources are believed to be an important contributor to tropospheric ozone in some areas. Limited data on VOC emissions from silage suggest that silage is a major source. Ethanol is the most abundant VOC emitted from corn silage, and thus was used as a representative compound to characterize the pattern of emission over time and to quantify the effect of air velocity and temperature on emission rates. Ethanol emission was measured from corn silage samples, removed intact from a bunker silo, over a range in air velocity (0.05, 0.5, and 5 m s-1) and temperature (5, 20, and 35°C) using a wind tunnel system. Ethanol flux ranged from 2.3 g m-2 h-1 to 220 g m-2 h-1 and 12 h cumulative emission ranged from 7.4 g m-2 to 270 g m-2. Ethanol flux was highly dependent on exposure time declining rapidly over the first hour and then more slowly for the duration of the 12 h trials. Cumulative emission increased by a factor of 3 with a 30°C increase in temperature and by a factor of 9 with a 100-fold increase in air velocity. Modeling Silage VOC Emissions: Process-based models were developed to represent VOC transfer within and from silage during storage and feeding. These models were based upon well-established theory for mass transport processes in porous media with parameters determined from silage properties using relationships developed for soils. Preliminary results indicate that VOC emission by advective flow of silage gas is generally insignificant compared to emission by surface convection and diffusion from within silage. VOC emissions are dependent upon silage properties, temperature, wind speed, and exposure duration, which have implications for measuring, predicting, and controlling VOC emissions from silage. Emissions appear to be co-limited by convection and diffusion; therefore, the EPA-style emission isolation flux chamber previously used to measure VOC emissions from silage does not represent field conditions. Objective 3, Refine, evaluate, and apply integrated quantitative models of dairy and beef farms to predict profitability and nutrient losses to the environment. Grazing and the Environment: Incorporating managed rotational grazing into a dairy farm can result in an array of environmental consequences. A comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts of four management scenarios was conducted by simulating a 250-acre dairy farm typical of Pennsylvania with: 1) a confinement fed herd producing 22,000 lb of milk per cow per year; 2) a confinement fed herd producing 18,500 lb; 3) a confinement fed herd with summer grazing producing 18,500 lb; and, 4) a seasonal herd maintained outdoors producing 13,000 lb. Converting 75 acres of cropland to perennial grassland reduced erosion 24% and sediment-bound and soluble P runoff by 23 and 11%, respectively. Conversion to all perennial grassland reduced erosion 87% with sediment-bound and soluble P losses reduced 80 and 23%. Ammonia volatilization was reduced about 30% through grazing, but nitrate leaching loss increased up to 65%. Grazing systems reduced the net greenhouse gas emission by 8 to 14% and the C footprint by 9 to 20%. Including C sequestration further reduced the C footprint of an all grassland farm up to 80% during the transition from cropland. The environmental benefits of grass-based dairy production should be used to encourage greater adoption of managed rotational grazing in regions where this technology is well adapted. Carbon Footprint of Dairy Production Systems: Dairy production, along with all other types of animal agriculture, is a recognized source of GHG emissions, but little information exists on the net emissions from our farms. Component models for predicting all important sources and sinks of CH4, N2O, and CO2 from primary and secondary sources in dairy production were integrated in a software tool called the Dairy Greenhouse Gas Model or DairyGHG. This tool calculates the carbon footprint of a dairy production system as the net exchange of all GHGs in CO2 equivalent (CO2e) units per unit of energy corrected milk (ECM) produced. Primary emission sources include enteric fermentation, manure, cropland used in feed production, and the combustion of fuel in machinery used to produce feed and handle manure. Secondary emissions are those occurring during the production of resources used on the farm, which can include fuel, electricity, machinery, fertilizer, pesticides, plastic, and purchased replacement animals. An evaluation of dairy farms of various sizes and production strategies gave cradle-to-farm gate carbon footprints of 0.37 to 0.69 kg CO2e per kg ECM, depending upon milk production level and the feeding and manure handling strategies used.

Broderick, G.A. and Muck, R.E. 2009. Effect of alfalfa silage storage structure and rumen-protected methionine on production in lactating dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92: 1281-1289. Broderick, G.A., Muck, R.E., and Krizsan, S.J. 2009. Effect of silo type on utilization of alfalfa silage by lactating dairy cows. In: Broderick, G.A., Adesogan, A.T., Bocher, L.W., Bolsen, K.K., Contreras-Govea, F.E., Harrison, J.H. and Muck, R.E., editors. XVth International Silage Conference Proceedings, July 27-29, 2009, Madison, WI. pp. 361-362. Chaoui, H., F. Montes, A. Rotz, and T. Richard. 2009. Dissociation and ammonia mass transfer from ammonium solutions and dairy cattle manure. Trans. ASABE 52(5):1695-1706. Chianese, D.S., C.A. Rotz and T.L. Richard. 2009. Simulation of carbon dioxide emissions from dairy farms to assess greenhouse gas reduction strategies. Trans. ASABE 52(4):1301-1312. Chianese, D.S., C.A. Rotz and T.L. Richard. 2009. Simulation of methane emissions from dairy farms to assess greenhouse gas reduction strategies. Trans. ASABE 52(4):1313-1323. Chianese, D.S., C.A. Rotz and T.L. Richard. 2009. Simulation of nitrous oxide emissions from dairy farms to assess greenhouse gas reduction strategies. Trans. ASABE 52(4):1325-1335. Chianese, D.S., C.A. Rotz, and T.L. Richard. 2009. Whole-farm greenhouse gas emissions: a review with application to a Pennsylvania dairy farm. Appl. Eng. Agric. 25(3):431-442. Dou, Z., C. Ramberg, J.D. Toth, J. Ferguson, R. Kohn, K. Knowlton, L. Chase, Z. Wu. A fecal test for assessing P overfeeding: Evaluation using extensive farm dataset. J. Dairy Sci. (in press). Dou, Z., C.R. Chen, C. F. Ramberg, J.D. Toth, Y. Wang, A.N. Sharpley, S.E. Boyd, D. Williams, and Z.H. Hu. Phosphorus speciation and sorption-desorption characterisitcs in heavily manured soils. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 73:93-101, 2009. Ghebremichael, L.T., T.L. Veith, P.E. Cerosaletti, D.R. Dewing, and C.A. Rotz. 2009. 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F. Knowlton, M. L. McGilliard, W. S. Swecker, J. D. Ferguson, Z. Wu and M. D. Hanigan. 2009. Dietary calcium has little effect on mineral balance and bone mineral metabolism through 20 weeks of lactation in Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 92: 223-237. Toth, J.D., Z. Dou, J.D. Ferguson, C.F. Ramberg, Y. Feng, and Q. Wang. Effect of veterinary antimicrobials on metabolism of manure and soil microorganisms. Chemosphere. (in review). Weinberg, Z.G., Miron, J., Chen, Y., Muck, R.E., Contreras-Govea, F.E., Weimer, P.J., Filya, I. and Kung, Jr., L. 2009. The effect of LAB silage inoculants on the rumen environment--current research status. In: Broderick, G.A., Adesogan, A.T., Bocher, L.W., Bolsen, K.K., Contreras-Govea, F.E., Harrison, J.H. and Muck, R.E., editors. XVth International Silage Conference Proceedings, July 27-29, 2009, Madison, WI. pp. 55-56. Zhang, T., Bowers, K., Harrison, J.H., & Chen, S. (2009). 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