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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #303236
Title: Soil micro nutrients in backgrounding beef feedlot site

Author
item NETTHISINGHE, ANNESLY - Western Kentucky University
item GILFILLEN, REBECCA - Western Kentucky University
item Cook, Kimberly - Kim
item Sistani, Karamat

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2014
Publication Date: 2/3/2014
Citation: Netthisinghe, A., Gilfillen, R., Cook, K.L., Sistani, K.R. 2014. Soil micro nutrients in backgrounding beef feedlot site. American Society of Agronomy Branch Meeting. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The beef cattle backgrounding represent an intermediate tire of the U.S. commercial beef production system and grow out weaned calves from cow-calf enterprises to weights and conditions ready for feedlot finishing (Bradford et al.,1978). Steer calves in backgrounding feedlots are fed mainly with grains and raised under intensive management on smaller land areas. In such operations, trace elements such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, and B are added to animal feeds to avoid deficiencies and promote animal health (National Research Council, 2001). Trace elements fed so are retained in animal tissues in smaller amounts and larger portion pass to the manure and soil (Sheppard et al., 2012). Beef cattle backgrounding feedlot sites can accumulate high amounts of manure and soil nutrients (Jongbloed and Lenis, 1998). High ;levels of manure nutrients may impact soil and water quality. Better understanding of magnitude of micronutrient nutrient accumulation and their distribution pattern in backgrounding feedlot land scape helps managing soil nutrients for sustainable beef production. Manure derived soil organic matter and most of the soil micro nutrients in the backgrounding feedlot settings are confined to the highly animal impacted feeder area. Grass area surrounding highly manure concentrated feeder areas immediately can prevent soil micro nutrient movement along the landscape.Subsequent site remediation should focus on feeder area where most constituents are concentrated.