ARS | Publication request: WHOLE-FARM NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON DAIRY FARMS: THE DIET CONNECTION

Submitted to: CD ROM
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: March 31, 2003
Publication Date: March 31, 2003
Citation: ADAMS, L., POWELL, J.M., BRODERICK, G.A., SATTER, L. WHOLE-FARM NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON DAIRY FARMS: THE DIET CONNECTION. cd-rom. Madison, WI.: University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2003.

Technical Abstract: An educational CD was developed for consultants, educators, and other professionals who provide assistance to dairy farmers on issues related to dietary practices. This seventy-five slide series is an add-on to the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension nutrient management curriculum. Its focus is on interactions between feeding practices (mostly the crude protein, phosphorus and potassium content of cow diets), milk production, animal health and reproduction, and environmental outcomes. Economic incentives for avoiding excessive nutrients in dairy rations are also discussed. It stresses the need for more integrated approaches to feed, fertilizer and manure management on dairy farms. A major point of the curriculum is that knowledge about the nutrient requirements of the dairy herd is vital to changing the way diets are managed to have positive impacts on the environment, business, community relations, and be in compliance with regulations. One should know the nutrient composition of diets, reduce/eliminate unnecessary feed supplements, feed to match species, class and milk production requirements (precision feeding), soil test to determine field nutrient levels, analyze manure nutrient content, and distribute manure where it is needed. This curriculum and other materials related to enhanced nutrient management on dairy farms can be downloaded from the University of Wisconsin, Nutrient and Pest Management Program web pages at: http://ipcm.wisc.edu/pubs/nutrient/DietaryP_2002.htm. A free CD (while supplies last) can be obtained by contacting Ms. Leah Nell Adams, NPM Program, Ag Bulletin Bldg., 1575 Linden Drive, Madison Wisconsin 53706