Nitrogen utilisation efficiency in small-scale dairy systems in the highlands of Central Mexico

Arriaga-Jordán

et al. 2021

Animals

Self Cite

In cattle, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient balance are influenced by factors such as diet composition, intake, and digestibility. This study evaluated CH4 emissions and surpluses of crude protein, using five simulated scenarios of supplementation in small-scale dairy systems (SSDS). In addition, two pasture managements (cut-and-carry versus grazing) and two varieties of legumes (red clover vs. white clover) were considered. The diets were tested considering similar milk yield and chemical composition; CH4 emission was estimated using Tier-2 methodology from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the data were analyzed in a completely randomized 5 × 2 × 2 factorial design. Differences (p < 0.05) were found in predicted CH4 emissions per kg of milk produced (g kg−1 FCM 3.5%). The lowest predicted CH4 emissions were found for S3 and S4 as well as for pastures containing white clover. Lower dietary surpluses of CP (p < 0.05) were observed for the control diet (1320 g CP/d), followed by S5 (1793 g CP/d), compared with S2 (2175 g CP/d), as well as in cut-and-carry management with red clover. A significant correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between dry matter intake and CH4 emissions (g−1 and per kg of milk produced). It is concluded that the environmental impact of formulating diets from local inputs (S3 and S4) can be reduced by making them more efficient in terms of methane kg−1 of milk in SSDS.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feeding Forage Mixtures of Ryegrass (Lolium spp.) with Clover (Trifolium spp.) Supplemented with Local Feed Diets to Reduce Enteric Methane Emission Efficiency in Small-Scale Dairy Systems: A Simulated Study

Celis-Alvarez

Arriaga-Jordán

et al. 2021

Animals

Self Cite

“…All 12 farms complemented their feeding with commercial concentrates at 18% or 20% CP, as well as maize silage in the dry season and purchased inputs. Both strategies used purchased maize straw and ground maize grain (Pozo-Leyva et al, 2019) representing between 25 and 35% of the total diet. Cut-and-carry farms also purchased alfalfa hay and yellow maize bran (a byproduct of high-fructose syrup production) Table 2.…”

Section: Description Of Small-scale Dairy Farmsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen Utilisation and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Small-Scale Dairy Systems in the Highlands of Central Mexico

Pozo-Leyva

Trop Subtrop Agroecosyst

Olea-Pérez

et al. 2022

Self Cite

Background: Nitrogen (N) plays an important role within milk production systems (MPS), as an indicator of environmental and economic efficiency. Objective. The objective was to determine utilisation of N offered in the ration and estimate GHG from the enteric fermentation and manure management in 12 small-scale dairy farms under two feeding strategies. Methodology. Six farms had their herds in confinement under a cut-and-carry feeding system, and six farms implemented day grazing of mixed pastures, both systems used commercial concentrates as a supplement. Cows in milk production and their replacements were considered in the study. Pasture intake was calculated by difference in dry matter intake, using 3.2 % of live weight as intake factor. The N utilisation was determined by difference between N intake and excretion at each farm during a whole year operation. The GHG emissions were estimated following Tier 2 guidelines rom IPCC. Differences in feeding strategies were analysed with a completely random block design using farms as a blocking factor. Results. Mean farm size was 5.0 ha for cut-and-carry and 16.0 ha for grazing, and dry matter feed self-sufficiency was 62 and 83% respectively, considering 12% and 22% refusals for each strategy. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) for any of the N utilisation components (N in diet, N in milk, N in manure, NH3 and N2O or GHG emissions. Implications. This is a novel report on assessing N fluxes and GHG emissions from small-scale dairy systems in Mexico and Latin America. Conclusions. In general, 87.6% of the N consumed is excreted in manure and urine. The feeding strategies did not diverge enough to have an impact on GHG emissions.

“…The laboratory analyses were carried out by pooling the samples by plot and production system following the procedures described in the Official Mexican Standard NOM-21-SEMARNAT-2000 2002. Total nitrogen content (TN) was determined using the Kjeldahl method (Pozo-Leyva et al 2019). The organic matter (OM) was obtained by determining the organic carbon content using the Walkley and Black method.…”

Section: Soil Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The EFU reduces production costs through the purchase of products external to the production system and benefits the environment through less nutrient excretion (Powell et al 2010;Pozo-Leyva et al 2019). Therefore, the inefficient use of feed and N surplus has adverse effects on the environment, production, and economy of livestock systems.…”

Section: The N Balance and Efficiency Of Feed Utilizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a previous study of N utilization in small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) in the Mexican central plateau (Pozo-Leyva et al 2019), researchers observed a N excess of 113.4 kg/N/ ha and a N utilization efficiency of 19%. Overall, the farms that depend on external resources had a lower N efficiency (16%) than the farms that use the resources produced within the farm (30%).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Nitrogen use efficiency and soil chemical composition in small-scale dairy systems

Pozo-Leyva

Casanova‐Lugo

et al. 2021

Trop Anim Health Prod

Self Cite

In dairy production systems, the efficient use of resources is required to guarantee its sustainability. Worldwide, the efficiency of feed utilization and its effects have been widely studied. However, few studies have quantified animal nitrogen use and its corresponding soil contribution in small-scale production systems. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the efficiency of feed utilization and quantify the soil chemical composition in small-scale production systems using two different feeding strategies. Twelve dairy farms were evaluated from May 2016 to April 2017. Data analysis was performed using an ANOVA following a completely randomized model and using feeding strategies as treatment. Regarding the feeding systems' characteristics, significant differences (P < 0.05) were only observed in land surface and land used to produce mixed-grass and corn. Nitrogen (N) input and output in dairy cattle were significantly different (P < 0.05) for crude protein intake. The highest results were observed in grazing feeding systems. The cut and carry strategies excreted 71% of the consumed N in the manure; grazing strategies excreted 72%. The efficiency of feed utilization (EFU) is low; only 19% of the consumed N is recovered during milk production. As for the soil chemical composition, significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the percentage of total N and the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio. The remaining components behaved similarly in both feeding systems. Systems that include crops and livestock can positively change the biophysical and socioeconomic dynamics of agricultural systems.