Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T01:32:05.798Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Dairy farm characteristics and managed flows of phosphorus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 October 2009

B.H. Anderson  and
F.R. Magdoff
B.H. Anderson
Affiliation:
Graduate Student, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0082
F.R. Magdoff*
Affiliation:
Professor of Soils, Department of Plant and Soil Science, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0082.
*
Corresponding author is F.R. Magdoff ([email protected]).
Get access

Abstract

Nonpoint sources of P pollution have been implicated in the declining water quality of many lakes in the northeastern U.S. Most of the agricultural nonpoint P contribution to surface waters comes from field runoff. Water quality may be improved by better understanding the movement, or flow, of P through a farm so that reasons for buildup of high soil P levels can be identified and remedies explored. In this study, the managed flows of P (P in imported and exported products) were estimated based on 1hour farmer interviews on 45 Vermont farms and 1 New York farm. Farm P inflow/outflow budgets were developed using information from the interviews. It was estimated that an average of 57% of the P brought onto the farms was not exported. Phosphorus imported in feed and minerals averaged 65% of the total P imports, while purchased fertilizer contributed to an average of 35% of the total farm P imports. Phosphorus was often fed in excess of the cow's nutritional requirements recommended by the National Research Council. Soil test P levels on two pairs of farms with similar animal densities and soil types reflected the large differences in the estimated net P accumulation. For all 46 farms, there was a significant relationship between net P accumulation and animal density (r2 = 0.59). Farms grouped by management operation type (confinement, pasture - based [non-organic], and pasture-based [organic]) were different in average farm size, animal density, P imports, net P accumulation, milk production, and predominant crop. Feeding of excess P results from the high P levels recommended by feed salesmen and nutritionists, who typically take into account the available home-grown forages and provide the suggested needs for purchases of concentrates and minerals. In a survey of seven Vermont dairy feed consultants and salespersons, rations were designed to feed cows as much as 50% more P than research has indicated is necessary.

Keywords

animal nutritiondairy cowsnutrient flowsP soil testVermontwater Quality
Type
Articles
Information
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , March 2000 , pp. 19 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Allshouse, R.D., Thomas, E.D., Sniffen, C.J., Grimes, K., and Majewski, C.. 1996. Characterization of on-farm phosphorus budgets and management in the Lake Champlain basin. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY. Available at Web site http://www.whminer/com/whminerweb/download.htm (verified Dec. 1999).Google Scholar
2.Baldock, J.O., Posner, J.L., and Fisher, D.R.. 1998. CROP (Crop Rotation Options Program) User Manual. Version 1.0 Jan. Unpublished draft.Google Scholar
3.Chase, L.E. 1998. Phosphorus nutrition of dairy cattle. Mid-South Ruminant Nutrition Conference, May 7–8, Dallas, Texas. Texas Animal Council; Texas Agricultural Extension Service, College Station.Google Scholar
4.Daniel, T.C., Wendt, R.C., McGuire, P.E., and Stoffel, D.. 1982. Nonpoint source loading rates from selected land uses. Water Resour. Bull. 18:117–125.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.Duda, A.M., and Finan, D.S.. 1983. Influences of livestock on nonpoint source loading rates from selected land uses. Trans. Amer. Soc. Agric. Engr. 26:1710–1716.Google Scholar
6.EPA. 1995. National Water Quality Inventory: 1994 Report to Congress. EPA841-R-95-005. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
7.Frink, C.R. 1969. Water pollution potential estimated from farm nutrient budgets. Agron. J. 61:550–553.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Harris, B. Jr., Morse, D., Head, H.H., and Van Horn, H.H.. 1990. Phosphorus nutrition and excretion by dairy animals. Fla. Coop. Ext. Serv. Circ. 849. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Gainesville.Google Scholar
9.Hendrix, P.F., Coleman, D.C., and Crossley, D.A. Jr., 1992. Using knowledge of soil nutrient cycling processes to design sustainable agriculture. J. Sustainable Agric. 2(3):63–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10.House, G.J., and Brust, G.E.. 1989. Ecology of low-input, no-tillage agroecosystems. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 27:331–345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11.Hutjens, M.F. 1997. Questions from our readers: Water is high in iron. Hoard's Dairyman (Sept. 10):643.Google Scholar
12.Jokela, B., Magdoff, F., Bartlett, R., Bosworth, S., and Ross, D.. 1998. Nutrient recommendations for field crops in Vermont. BR 1390. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington.Google Scholar
13.Keuning, J.L., Gunderson, S.L., and Shaver, R.D.. 1999. Survey and management practices on six high-producing Wisconsin dairy herds. J. Dairy Sci. 82:844.Google Scholar
14.Klausner, S.D. 1993. Mass nutrient balances on dairy farms. Proc. Cornell Nutr. Conf. Feed Manuf. 55th Meeting, October 19–21, Rochester, New York. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; American Feed Manufacturers Association, Arlington, VA. p. 126–129.Google Scholar
15.Knowlton, K.F., and Kohn, R.. 1999. We've got to stop overfeeding phosphorus. Hoard's Dairyman (June 10):437.Google Scholar
16.Lanyon, L.E. 1992. Implications of dairy herd size for farm material transport, plant nutrient management, and water quality. J. Dairy Sci. 75:334–344.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Magdoff, F.R., Lanyon, L.E., and Liebhardt, B.. 1997. Nutrient cycling, transformations, and flows: Implications for a more sustainable agriculture. Adv. Agron. 60:1–73.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Magdoff, F.R., Hryshko, C., Jokela, W.E., Durieux, R.P., and Bu, Y.. 1999. Comparison of phosphorus soil test extractants for plant availability and environmental assessment. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 63:999–1006.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19.McIntosh, J.L. 1969. Bray and Morgan soil extractants modified for testing acid soils from different parent materials. Agron. J. 61:259–265.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20.Morse, D., Nordstedt, R.A., Head, H.H., and Van Horn, H.H.. 1994. Production and characteristics of manure from lactating dairy cows in Florida. Trans. Amer. Soc. Agric. Engrs. 37:275–279.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21.NRC (National Research Council). 1988. Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle. 6th rev. ed. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
22.Parry, R. 1998. Agricultural phosphorus and water quality: A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency perspective. J. Environ. Qual. 27:258–261.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23.Pote, D.H., Daniel, T.C., Sharpley, A.N., Moore, P.A. Jr., Edwards, D.R., and Nichols, D.J.. 1996. Relating extractable soil phosphorus to phosphorus losses in runoff. Soil Sci. Soc. Amer. J. 60:855–859.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24.Satter, L.D., and Wu, Z.. 1999. Reducing manure phosphorus by dairy diet manipulation. Proc. Wisconsin Fertilizer, Aglime and Pest Management Conf., January 19–21, Madison, Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Extension, Madison. p. 183–192.Google Scholar
25.Sharpley, A.N. 1996. Myths about phosphorus. Proceedings of Animal Agriculture and the Environment: Nutrients, Pathogens and Community Relations Conference, December 11–13, Rochester, New York. NRAES-96. Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service, Ithaca, NY. p. 60–77.Google Scholar
26.Stinner, B.R., and House, G.J.. 1988. The role of ecology in lower-input, sustainable agriculture: An introduction. Amer. J. Alternative Agric. 2:146–147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27.Tamminga, S. 1992. Nutrition management of dairy cows as a contribution to pollution control. J. Dairy Sci. 75:345–357.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
28.Van Horn, H.H., Newton, G.L., and Kunkle, W.E.. 1996. Ruminant nutrition from an environmental perspective: Factors affecting whole-farm nutrient balance. J. Animal Sci. 74:3082–3102.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed