IMPROVING AIR QUALITY AND DAIRY PROFITABILITY THROUGH REDUCED PROTEIN FEEDING
Animal Science
Eugene Schurman
Clymer
Abstract
IMPROVING AIR QUALITY AND DAIRY PROFITABILITY THROUGH REDUCED PROTEIN FEEDING\r\nSchurman,* E.W.1., Ishler,* V.2.\r\n1. Extension Educator, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Indiana County, Indiana, PA 15701\r\n2. Penn State Dairy Nutrient Management Specialist, Penn State Dairy and Animal Science Department, 324 Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802.\r\n Research on the amount of ammonia produced daily by dairy cattle has been very limited; however, numerous studies are now being conducted to help answer this question. The level of dietary protein can have an effect on potential ammonia production. It is highly likely that many dairy producers are feeding excess protein in the diet of their lactating cows. Twelve dairy producers from Southwest Pennsylvania agreed to participate in a two year NESARE Air Quality Study to demonstrate that by reducing the feeding of excess protein to lactating dairy cows, farm profitability and sustainability can be improved. TMR (total mixed ration) and milk (bulk tank) samples were taken and analyzed every two months to monitor the crude protein in the diet and MUN (milk urea nitrogen). MUN provides an accurate measure of how much nitrogen is absorbed by the cow but not used for growth or milk protein synthesis. As a result of participating in this project, 75% of the participants either maintained or lowered the crude protein content of their lactating cow rations to 17% or less and 67% of the participants lowered their MUN from14.7 to 12.0.
Authors: Schurman, E.
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Schurman, E. Extension Educator, Dairy, Penn State University, Pennsylvania, 15701