Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-g7gxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T19:45:25.916Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Feeding strategies for reducing nitrogen excretion in New Zealand milk production

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2017

J.M. Wilkinson  and
L.A. Waldron Open the ORCID record for L.A. Waldron [Opens in a new window]
J.M. Wilkinson*
Affiliation:
School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
L.A. Waldron
Affiliation:
LWT Animal Nutrition, PO Box 119, Feilding 4740, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding Author:j.mike.wilkinson@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The concentration of crude protein in grazed New Zealand pasture is typically in excess of 200 g/kg DM, which exceeds the requirement of the dairy cow and is reflected in elevated levels of daily urinary nitrogen (N) excretion, estimated to average 262 g N/head or 751 kg N/ha. This has adverse environmental consequences, including leaching of nitrate from soil into water courses and atmospheric emissions of nitrous oxide. Problems associated with pasture as the sole feed for dairy cows include weight loss in early lactation, poor fertility and reduced lactation length. Low-protein supplements can reduce N excretion rates and increase N use efficiency. A simple feeding strategy is proposed in which pasture is supplemented with maize or whole-crop wheat silage at 5 kg DM/cow per day from the start of the pre-calving dry period on winter run-off pasture to 100 days post-calving, and from 250 days post-calving to the end of lactation. The expected response, at an assumed substitution rate of 0.7 kg decrease in pasture intake per kg silage DM, is an increase in metabolisable energy of 10 to 15 MJ/cow/day, equivalent to 33 to 48 g milk solids (MS)/kg DM of supplement. This strategy is expected to result in significantly lower urinary N excretion by the cow. Actual responses in daily milk output, from published experiments where grazing stocking rates were increased to take account of reduced herbage intake, ranged from 50 to 100 g MS/kg DM of supplement. Other benefits include early lactation bodyweight maintenance, higher percentage of cows calved which are pregnant at 150 days in milk and increased lactation period. Constraints for farmers to implement such changes include cost of silage, value of milk sold, failure to integrate forage maize or wheat in rotational cropping with pasture, and the relatively poor aerobic stability of maize and whole-crop wheat silages.

Keywords

Dairy cowsnutritionnitrogenurinepasturesilage
Type
Review
Information
Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition , Volume 5 , 2017 , e10
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press and Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition Ltd. 2017 

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

Bargo, F, Muller, L.D., Kolver, E.S. and Delahoy, J.E. (2003) Invited review: Production and digestion of supplemented dairy cows on pasture. Journal of Dairy Science 86: 1–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Beever, D.E., Offer, N. and Gill, M. (2000) The feeding value of grass and grass products. In: Grass: Its Production and Utilisation Ed. Hopkins, A. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Science. pp. 140–195.Google Scholar
Berg, B. P., Majak, W., McAllister, T. A., Hall, J. W., McCartney, D., Coulman, B. E., Goplen, B.B., Acharya, S.N., Tait, R.M. and Cheng, K. J. (2000) Bloat in cattle grazing alfalfa cultivars selected for a low initial rate of digestion: A review. Canadian Journal of Plant Science 80 (3): 493–502.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castells, L., Bach, A., Araujo, G., Montoro, C., and Terré, M. (2012) Effect of different forage sources on performance and feeding behavior of Holstein calves. Journal of Dairy Science 95 (1), 286–293.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castillo, A.R., Krebreab, E., Beever, D.E. and France, J. (2000) A review of the efficiency of nitrogen utilisation in lactating dairy cows and its relationship with environmental pollution Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences 9: 1–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chamberlain, A.T. and Wilkinson, J.M. (1996) Feeding the Dairy Cow. Lincoln, UK: Chalcombe Publications.Google Scholar
Cheeke, P. R. (1995). Endogenous toxins and mycotoxins in forage grasses and their effects on livestock. Journal of Animal Science 73 (3): 909–918.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clement, A.R., Dalley, D.E., Chapman, D.F., Edwards, G.R. and Bryant, R.H. (2016) Effect of grazing system on nitrogen partitioning in lactating dairy cows grazing irrigated pastures in Canterbury, New Zealand. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 76: 94–99.Google Scholar
Colman, D. R., Beever, D. E., Jolly, R. W. and Drackley, J. K. (2011) Gaining from technology for improved dairy cow nutrition: Economic, environmental, and animal health benefits. The Professional Animal Scientist 27: 505–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crawford, R. J., Massie, M. D., Sleper, D. A. and Mayland, H. F. (1998) Use of an experimental high-magnesium tall fescue to reduce grass tetany in cattle. Journal of Production Agriculture, 11 (4), 491–496.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dairy, NZ (2016) Statistics Accessed December 2016 from https://www.dairynz.co.nz/publications/dairy-industry/facts-and-figures Google Scholar
Delagarde, R., Peyraud, J.L. and Delaby, L. (1997) The effect of nitrogen fertilization level and protein supplementation on herbage intake, feeding behaviour and digestion in grazing dairy cows. Animal Feed Science and Technology 66: 165–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Klein, C.A.M., Monaghan, R.M., Ledgard, S.F. and Shepherd, M. (2010) A system's perspective on the effectiveness of measures to mitigate the environmental impacts of nitrogen losses from pastoral dairy farming. In: Meeting the Challenges for Pasture-based Dairying: Proceedings, 4th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium (Eds Edwards, G.R. and Bryant, R.H.), Lincoln, Christchurch, New Zealand, 31 August-2 September 2010, pp. 14–28.Google Scholar
De Ruiter, J.M., Dalley, D.E., Hughes, T.P., Fraser, T.J., and Dewhurst, R.J. (2007) Types of supplements: Their nutritive value and use. In: Pastures and Supplements for Grazing Animals (Eds Rattray, P.V., Brookes, I.M. and Nicol, A. M.). Occasional Publication 14, New Zealand Society of Animal Production, pp. 97–115.Google Scholar
Dewhurst, R. (2006) Manipulating cow diets to reduce nutrient waste to the environment. Proceedings of the 2006 South Island Dairy Event. http://www.side.org.nz Google Scholar
Drackley, J.K. (2007) A scientific approach to feeding dry cows. Proceedings 41 st University of Nottingham Feed Conference, September 2007 (in press).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feedipedia (2017) Palm kernel meal. Accessed 17 March 2017 from: http://www.feedipedia.org/node/43 Google Scholar
Fulkerson, W.J., Slack, K., Bryant, R. and Wilson, F. (2003) Selection for more persistent perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivars for subtropical/warm dairy regions of Australia. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 43: 1083–1091.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garnsworthy, P.C. (2004) The environmental impact of fertility in dairy cows: A modelling approach to predict methane and ammonia emissions. Animal Feed Science and Technology 112: 211–223.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Glassey, C., Jensen, R., Macdonald, K and Clark, D. (2007) Dairying intensification: Resource efficient dairying (RED) trial update. Operating profit and return on assets. Unpublished internal report, Dairy NZ.Google Scholar
Gonda, H. L. and Lindberg, J. E. (1994) Evaluation of dietary nitrogen utilisation in dairy cows based on urea concentrations in blood, urine and milk, and on urinary concentration of purine derivatives. Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica A-Animal Sciences 44 (4): 236–245.Google Scholar
Haynes, R. J. and Williams, P. H. (1993) Nutrient cycling and soil fertility in the grazed pasture ecosystem. Advances in agronomy, 49: 119–199.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hof, G., Vervoorn, M.D., Lenaers, P.J. and Tamminga, S. (1997) Milk urea nitrogen as a tool to monitor the protein nutrition of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 80: 3333–3340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Holmes, C.W., Brookes, I.M., Garrick, D.J., Mackenzie, D.D.S., Parkinson, T.J. and Wilson, G.F. (2002) Milk Production from Pasture: Principles and Practices. Massey University.Google Scholar
Holmes, C.W. and Roche, J.R. (2007) Pastures and supplements in dairy production. In: Pastures and Supplements for Grazing Animals Eds Rattray, P.V., Brookes, I.M., and Nichol, A.M.. New Zealand Society of Animal Production Occasional Publication 14: 221.Google Scholar
Jacobs, J.L., McKenzie, F.R. and Ward, G.N. (1999) Changes in the botanical composition and nutritive characteristics of pasture, and nutrient selection by dairy cows grazing rainfed pastrues in western Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 39: 419–428.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jarvis, S. C. (1993). Nitrogen cycling and losses from dairy farms. Soil Use and Management 9 (3): 99–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kebreab, E., France, J., Mills, J.A., Allison, R. and Dijkstra, J. (2002) A dynamic model of N metabolism in the lactating dairy cow and an assessment of impact of N excretion on the environment. Journal of Animal Science 80 (1): 248–259.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kononoff, P. and Heinrichs, J. (2017) Using manure evaluation to enhance dairy cattle nutrition. Penn State Extension. Accessed 14 February 2017 from: http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/nutrition/nutrition-and-feeding/troubleshooting-guides/using-manure-evaluation-to-enhance-dairy-cattle-nutrition.Google Scholar
Ledgard, S., Schils, R., Eriksen, J and Luo, J. (2009) Environmental impacts of grazed clover/grass pastures. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research 48: 209–226.Google Scholar
Lincoln University (2016). Online dairy statistics. Accessed 18 January 2016 from http://www.siddc.org.nz/lu-dairy-farm/ Google Scholar
Livestock Improvement Corporation (2015) Trend in the national herd test averages for the last 20 seasons. New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2014/15 p.28. Accessed 14 December 2015 from: http://www.lic.co.nz/user/file/DAIRY%20STATISTICS%202014-15-WEB-6%20NOV%2015.pdf.Google Scholar
McCormick, M. E., French, D. D., Brown, T. F., Cuomo, G. J., Chapa, A. M., Fernandez, J. M., Beatty, J.F. and Blouin, D. C. (1999) Crude protein and rumen undegradable protein effects on reproduction and lactation performance of Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science 82 (12), 2697–2708.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Macrae, A.I., Whitaker, D.A., Burrough, E, Dowell, A and Kelly, J.M. (2006) Use of metabolic profiles for the assessment of dietary adequacy in UK dairy herds. The Veterinary Record 159: 655–661.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
MAFF, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. (1992) Feed Composition, Second Edition, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Canterbury, UK: Chalcombe Publications, 99pp.Google Scholar
Miller, L.A., Moorby, J.M., Davies, D.R., Humphreys, M.O., Scollan, N.D., Macrae, J.C. and Theodorou, M.K. (2001) Increased concentration of water-soluble carbohydrate in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.): Milk production from late-lactation dairy cows. Grass and Forage Science 56: 383–394.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mills, J.A.N., Crompton, , and Reynolds, C.K. (2008) Ruminant nutrition regimes to reduce methane and nitrogen emissions – a meta-analysis of current databases. Project Report to the Milk Development Council MDC07/04/A, February 2008 88pp.Google Scholar
Ministry for the Environment (2015) Environment Aotearoa 2015. Accessed 17 March 2017 from: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/Environmental%20reporting/environment-aotearoa.pdf Google Scholar
Morgan, P. L., Grace, N. D. and Lilley, D. P. (2014) Using sodium molybdate to treat chronic copper toxicity in dairy cows: a practical approach. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 62 (3): 167–170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
NZARN, New Zealand Association of Ruminant Nutritionists (2015) Via website www.NZARN.org.nz Google Scholar
O'Hara, P. J. and Fraser, A. J. (1975) Nitrate poisoning in cattle grazing crops. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 23 (4): 45–53.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O'Grady, L., Doherty, M. L. and Mulligan, F. J. (2008) Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in grazing Irish dairy cows. The Veterinary Journal 176 (1): 44–49.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ørskov, E.R., Reid, G.W. and Tait, C.A.G. (1987) Effect of fish meal on the mobilisation of body energy in dairy cows. Animal Production 45: 345–348.Google Scholar
Pacheco, D., and Waghorn, G. C. (2008) Dietary nitrogen–definitions, digestion, excretion and consequences of excess for grazing ruminants. In Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association Vol. 70, pp. 107–116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roche, J. and Horan, B. (2015) Resilient farmng systems: Surviving volatility. Proceedings, Smaller Herds Conference, Whangerai, Northland, New Zealand, 15 June 2015. Accessed 27 November 2015 from http://www.smallerherds.co.nz/file/resilient-farming-systems-surviving-volatility-john-roche-conference-2015/open.Google Scholar
Roche, J.R., Kay, J.K., Rius, A.G., Grala, T.M., Sheahan, A.J., White, H.M. and Phyn, C.V.C. (2013) Immediate and deferred milk production responses to concentrate supplements in cows grazing fresh pasture. Journal of Dairy Science 96: 1–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rhodes, F.M., McDougall, S., Burke, C.R., Verkerk, G. A. and Macmillan, K.L. (2003) Treatment of cows with an extended postpartum anaestrous interval. Journal of Dairy Science 86: 1876–1894.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schils, R.L.M., Boxem, T.J., Jagtenberg, C.J. and Verboon, M.C. (2000) The performance of a white clover based dairy system in comparison with a grass/fertiliser-N system. II. Animal production, economics and environment. Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science 48: 305–318.Google Scholar
Stockdale, C.R. and Dellow, D.W. (1995) The productivity of lactating dairy cows grazing white clover and supplemented with maize silage. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 46: 1205–1217.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thomas, C. (Ed) (2004). Feed Into Milk: A New Applied Feeding System for Dairy Cows. Nottingham University Press, Nottingham, UK.Google Scholar
Waldron, L.A. (2016) Grass protein and urinary nitrogen output: five years data analysis from New Zealand. Presented at the Winter Meeting of the New Zealand Association of Ruminant Nutritionists, August 2016, Palmerston North, New Zealand.Google Scholar
Wang, Z., Eastridge, M. L., & Qiu, X. (2001) Effects of forage neutral detergent fiber and yeast culture on performance of cows during early lactation1. Journal of Dairy Science, 84(1), 204–212.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilkinson, J.M. (2005) Silage. Lincoln, UK: Chalcombe Publications.Google Scholar