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Reports and Articles

Phosphorus in dairy cattle diets
There has been a tendency for dairy nutritionists to formulate rations with P levels higher than what the National Research Council (NRC) has recommended. However, environmental concerns with P have forced a re-evaluation of the necessary levels needed in the dairy cow's diet.
Reducing Dietary Phosphorus in the Dairy Herd
Phosphorous (P) is the second most abundant mineral element found in the dairy cow’s body. Until recently, almost all dairy nutritionists have been formulating dairy rations with P levels higher than what the National Research Council (NRC) has recommended. It is not uncommon for P levels to exceed requirements by 130 to 160%. Environmental concerns with P have forced a re-evaluation of the necessary levels needed in the dairy cow’s diet.
Contracting certified manure haulers
Contract manure hauling offers several opportunities to producers.
Free Choice Feeding of Phosphorus Containing Minerals
Environmental concerns with phosphorus (P) have forced the animal industry to re-evaluate the levels formulated in diets. The purpose of this fact sheet is to illustrate the problems producers can face with feeding minerals free choice.
How phosphorus in lactating cow rations affects the phosphorus in manure and soils
What can be done to limit manure phosphorus application to cropland? The fundamental way is to reduce the P applied in manure. This can be achieved by reducing the amount of manure applied and/or by reducing the P concentration in the manure.
Phosphorus Levels in the Soil
Although phosphorus moves little within most soils, these soils can be the source of phosphorus in runoff, especially where plant available soil phosphorus exceeds the agronomic optimum.
The Basics of Manure Testing
Advantages of manure testing include saving on fertilizer costs, refining application rates to meet crop requirements, demonstrating a commitment to protecting surface and groundwater quality, and serving as a data source for long-term farm plans.
Is phosphorus still a concern for reproductive performance?
An increasing amount of evidence suggests that supplementation of phosphorus does not make a difference in reproductive performance of modern dairy cows fed moderate to high quality diets.
Air and water quality issues will influence how rations are formulated for protein.
Nitrogen is as important as phosphorus in environmental regulations, and maybe even more so, because water and air quality issues are strongly influenced by this element. Odor problems are moving to the forefront of public concerns.
What is an Act 6 plan?
Properly developed and implemented nutrient management plans can provide protection to the producer from civil penalties and actions. It also sends a positive message to the public about how serious the dairy industry is in following sound environmental practices.
Nutrient management: Friend or Foe
There is the possibility to improve the whole farm nutrient balance and the public's perception of farming.
Achieving Environmental Excellence
If Pennsylvania's dairy industry is to grow as an industry and allow persons to maintain a profitable business, then let's set the example for environmental stewardship by exceeding the standards.
Introduction to the pros and cons of composting
If manure management is a specific problem for a dairy operation, composting can create a product that is lower in moisture and biological activity than fresh manure.