Salomon, Eva and Aronsson, Helena and Torstensson, Gunnar and Ulén, Barbro
(2015).
Winter Runoff of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from a Rotational Pen Design with Suckler Cows.
Agricultural sciences. 6
, 1248-1261
[Research article]
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Abstract
Keeping beef cattle outdoors during winter reduces costs and improves animal welfare, but increases
the risk of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) runoff losses. This study evaluated a rotational
pen design on grassland with two groups of suckler cows given access to an expanding
staying area and a new feeding area each week (72 cattle ha−1), with one month’s stay per pen. The
spatial distribution of excreta and effects on N and P surface runoff was evaluated during six
months. The total excreta loads corresponded to 500 kg·N·ha−1 and 50 kg·P·ha−1. New feeding areas
did not distribute excretions evenly, which resulted in the highest proportion of excretions
(31%) occurring in the first week’s sub-area. The topsoil had significantly higher amounts of mineral-N,
mainly as NH4-N (29 - 81 kg·ha−1), than an unaffected area (13 kg·ha−1). Mean total runoff
losses were similar for both groups (1.4 kg·P·ha−1 and 9.0 kg·N·ha−1). Around 78% of N and 70% of
P runoff losses occurred during the month with cattle present. During the first two weeks with
heavy rain, N and P runoff losses were 50% higher from an area with suckler cows than a corresponding
vegetated sub-area without cows. The study design did not provide a sufficient distribution
of excretions and a high animal density in combination with trampling resulted in unacceptable
N and P run-off losses. An environmentally friendly design would need to include frequent
moving of all equipment and access to larger areas.
Authors/Creators: | Salomon, Eva and Aronsson, Helena and Torstensson, Gunnar and Ulén, Barbro |
---|---|
Title: | Winter Runoff of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from a Rotational Pen Design with Suckler Cows |
Series Name/Journal: | Agricultural sciences |
Year of publishing : | 2015 |
Volume: | 6 |
Page range: | 1248-1261 |
Number of Pages: | 14 |
Publisher: | Scientific Research Publishing |
ISSN: | 2156-8553 |
Language: | English |
Publication Type: | Research article |
Refereed: | Yes |
Article category: | Scientific peer reviewed |
Version: | Published version |
Copyright: | Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0 |
Full Text Status: | Public |
Agris subject categories.: | L Animal production > L01 Animal husbandry |
Subjects: | (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 401 Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries > Agricultural Science (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 401 Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries > Soil Science (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 402 Animal and Dairy Science > Animal and Dairy Science. |
Agrovoc terms: | Cattle, Animal housing, Runoff |
Keywords: | Organic Carbon, Outdoor Pen, Cows, Cattle, Trampling, Surface Runoff |
URN:NBN: | urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-3392 |
Permanent URL: | http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-3392 |
Alternative URL: | http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=60685 |
ID Code: | 13294 |
Faculty: | NJ - Fakulteten för naturresurser och jordbruksvetenskap |
Department: | (NL, NJ) > Dept. of Soil and Environment (S) > Dept. of Soil and Environment |
Deposited By: | SLUpub Connector |
Deposited On: | 20 Apr 2016 09:06 |
Metadata Last Modified: | 09 Sep 2020 14:17 |
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