Intensification, nitrogen use and recovery in grazing-based dairy systems

Stott, Kerry J.; Gourley, C. J. P.

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2016.01.003

Cited by 54 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Average pasture DMI was only just over a half of total DMI for all farms, despite the grazing-based nature of these systems, and considerably less than the average of 80% of ME intake that occurred on farms 15 years ago [31]. As such, these data support reports that supplementary feeds are increasingly being used by the Australian dairy industry [5,32,33]. However, the range in pasture DMI as a percent of total DMI was larger than that for systems investigated by Powell et al [21], as the four farms assessed in their study were located in one region, and data were collected only in autumn and spring.…”

Section: Dry Matter Intakesupporting

confidence: 75%

Nutrient Intake, Excretion and Use Efficiency of Grazing Lactating Herds on Commercial Dairy Farms

Aarons

Gourley

Powell

2020

Animals

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Estimating excreted nutrients is important for farm nutrient management, but seldom occurs on commercial grazing system farms due to difficulties in quantifying pasture intake. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) intake, excretion and use efficiency of 43 commercial dairy herds grazing pasture were calculated to understand the range in nutrient intake and excretion in these systems. Milk production, feed (grazed and supplement), as well as farm and herd management data were collected quarterly on representative farms located in temperate, arid, subtropical and tropical regions of Australia. Lactating herd sizes on these farms averaged 267 (30 to 1350) cows, with an average daily milk yield of 22 (9 to 36) kg/cow per day and the herds walked from <0.01 to 4 km/day on a variety of terrains. The mean total metabolizable energy (ME) required by cows in the herds was estimated to be 195 (116 to 289) MJ/cow per day. Although these farms are considered grazing systems, feeding strategies ranged from total dependence on pasture to total mixed rations (TMRTMR) and consisted of a wide variety of nutrient and energy contents. Mean pasture dry matter intake (DMI) (9 kg/cow per day, from 0.1 to 22 kg/cow per day) was just over half of total DMI. Dietary concentration of crude protein, P, K, S, Ca and Mg concentrations were, on average, 19%, 0.45%, 2.1%, 0.29%, 0.65%, and 0.3%, respectively, for all herds and, except for N, supplement nutrient concentrations were always more variable than pasture. Approximately 72% and 88% of diets provided greater than recommended P and N intakes, respectively. Calculated mean N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg excretions were 433, 61, 341, 44, 92 and 52 g/cow per day, respectively. Of the farm characteristics examined, residual maximum likelihood (REML) analysis indicated that daily excreted N, P and S were significantly related to per ha milk production, and excreted P, K and Mg were related to percentage of herd DMI provided as supplement. Mean use efficiencies by cows of N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg were 21%, 25%, 9%, 16%, 23% and 4%, respectively. These estimates of nutrient excretion and feed nutrient use efficiencies can be used to improve nutrient management on grazing system commercial dairy farms.

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Section: Dry Matter Intakesupporting

confidence: 75%

Nutrient Intake, Excretion and Use Efficiency of Grazing Lactating Herds on Commercial Dairy Farms

Aarons

Gourley

Powell

2020

Animals

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“…During this period, however, scientific research focused on the selection and improvement of exotic and native grass cultivars to increase productivity and expand agriculture to areas which had not been exploited before (Parbery, 1967). In recent decades, the Australian industry has faced significant structural adjustment which has transformed the industry, driving productivity, and growth (Stott and Gourley, 2016). Milk production has intensified, with fewer farms and increased stocking rates, and there have been substantial increases in the use of bought-in feed and nitrogen (N) fertilizer to support increased milk production per cow and per hectare (CIE, 2011).…”

Section: Sequence Of Agricultural Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dairy farming relies on high quality permanent pastures for year-round grazing (Stott and Gourley, 2016). Pastures are typically dominated by perennial ryegrass ( Lolium spp.)…”

Section: Sequence Of Agricultural Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Perennial Ryegrass Endophytes and Their Potential Use in the Management of African Black Beetle in Perennial Grazing Systems in Australia

et al. 2017

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The major insect pest of Australian cool temperate pastures is the root-feeding insect Heteronychus arator (African black beetle, ABB). Significant pasture damage can occur even at low ABB densities (11 individuals per square meter), and often re-sowing of the whole paddock is required. Mitigation of the effects of pasture pests, and in particular subterranean species such as the larval form of ABB, can be challenging. Early detection is limited by the ability to visualize above-ground symptoms, and chemical control of insects in soil is often ineffective. This review takes a look at the historical events that molded the pastoral landscape in Australia. The importation route, changes in land management and pasture composition by European settlers may have aided the establishment of ABB in Australia. Perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne is discussed as it is one of the most important perennial agricultural grasses and is widely-sown in moderate-to-high-rainfall temperate zones of the world. Endophytic fungi from the genus Epichloë form symbiotic relationships with cool season grasses such as Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass). They have been studied extensively and are well documented for enhancing persistence in pasture via a suite of bioactive secondary metabolites produced by the fungal symbionts. Several well-characterized secondary metabolites are discussed. Some can have negative effects on cattle (e.g., ergovaline and lolitrems) while others have been shown to benefit the host plant through deterrence of insect pests from feeding and by insecticidal activity (e.g., peramine, lolines, ergopeptines). Various control methods for ABB are also discussed, with a focus on the potential role of asexual Epichloë endophytes.

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“…Furthermore, more than half of Australia’s land is used for farming production, 90% of which is used for grazing in the arid and semi-arid zones17. The widespread use of agricultural land in Australia has led to issues such as mining soil N in dryland rain-fed wheat systems and excessive N use in feedlot animal production systems1819. Although numerous studies have linked agricultural Nr to environmental problems202122, the N footprint has not been quantified for Australia.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Beef and coal are key drivers of Australia’s high nitrogen footprint

Xia

Leach

Galloway

et al. 2016

Sci Rep

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Anthropogenic release of reactive nitrogen (Nr; all species of N except N2) to the global nitrogen (N) cycle is substantial and it negatively affects human and ecosystem health. A novel metric, the N footprint, provides a consumer-based perspective for Nr use efficiency and connects lifestyle choices with Nr losses. Here we report the first full-scale assessment of the anthropogenic Nr loss by Australians. Despite its ‘clean and green’ image, Australia has the largest N footprint (47 kg N cap−1 yr−1) both in food and energy sectors among all countries that have used the N-Calculator model. About 69% of the Australia’s N footprint is attributed to food consumption and the associated food production, with the rest from energy consumption. Beef consumption and production is the major contributor of the high food N footprint, while the heavy dependence on coal for electricity explains the large energy N footprint. Our study demonstrates opportunities for managing Nr loss and lifestyle choices to reduce the N footprint.

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Intensification, nitrogen use and recovery in grazing-based dairy systems

Cited by 54 publications

References 49 publications

Nutrient Intake, Excretion and Use Efficiency of Grazing Lactating Herds on Commercial Dairy Farms

Nutrient Intake, Excretion and Use Efficiency of Grazing Lactating Herds on Commercial Dairy Farms

A Review of Perennial Ryegrass Endophytes and Their Potential Use in the Management of African Black Beetle in Perennial Grazing Systems in Australia

Beef and coal are key drivers of Australia’s high nitrogen footprint

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