Development of Standard Methods to Estimate Manure Production and Nutrient Characteristics From Dairy Cattle

Total collection data from many universities were pooled for statistical analyses to evaluate existing data from dairy animals and determine if one or more modifications were needed for Standard Table D384.1. Many of these studies were carried out to evaluate nutritional characteristics associated with different diets. The data collected were sufficient to evaluate total manure, total and volatile solids, and N excretion values. Some experiments had sufficient number of samples analyzed to evaluate P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cl, S, and micro-elements. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine if a single column value was appropriate and define the regression equations necessary to estimate excretions if the assumptions of the column inputs were not met. The results indicate that separate classifications are needed for replacement heifers and mature animals. Final classifications for replacement heifers included: milk fed calves, weaned calves weighing less than 274 kg, heifers weighing between 273 and 613 kg, and veal calves. Additionally, classifications for lactating and dry animals are needed. Previously, the estimates for manure production and nutrient excretion were based on body weight. These findings indicate that a better predictor for lactating cattle is daily milk production instead of body weight. Milk production drives feed intake in the lactating animal. It is most appropriate that estimated manure and nutrient excretion values reflect the relationship between feed intake, milk production (nutrient utilization) and nutrient excretion

Asparagus production guide

Production guide for commercially growing asparagus in Minnesota. This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information available from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://www.extension.umn.edu.Asparagus is a high value specialty crop and the earliest producing spring vegetable. It currently is priced as a gourmet item and will remain in this category until growing, harvesting, and processing costs can be reduced. Although production in the United States is concentrated in California, Washington, and Michigan, many other areas have great production potential climatically and geographically. The cost to establish an asparagus field is substantial, so the decision to grow asparagus is one that should be thoroughly investigated. This publication describes the cultural practices that must be considered to produce asparagus successfully

GLOWORM-PARA: a flexible framework to simulate the population dynamics of the parasitic phase of gastrointestinal nematodes infecting grazing livestock

Gastrointestinal (GI) nematodes are a significant threat to the economic and environmental sustainability of keeping livestock, as adequate control becomes increasingly difficult due to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR) in some systems and climate-driven changes to infection dynamics. To mitigate any negative impacts of climate on GI nematode epidemiology and slow AR development, there is a need to develop effective, targeted control strategies that minimise the unnecessary use of anthelmintic drugs and incorporate alternative strategies such as vaccination and evasive grazing. However, the impacts climate and GI nematode epidemiology may have on the optimal control strategy are generally not considered, due to lack of available evidence to drive recommendations. Parasite transmission models can support control strategy evaluation to target field trials, thus reducing the resources and lead-time required to develop evidence-based control recommendations incorporating climate stochasticity. GI nematode population dynamics arising from natural infections have been difficult to replicate and model applications have often focussed on the free-living stages. A flexible framework is presented for the parasitic phase of GI nematodes, GLOWORM-PARA, which complements an existing model of the free-living stages, GLOWORM-FL. Longitudinal parasitological data for two species that are of major economic importance in cattle, Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora, were obtained from seven cattle farms in Belgium for model validation. The framework replicated the observed seasonal dynamics of infection in cattle on these farms and overall, there was no evidence of systematic under- or over-prediction of faecal egg counts (FECs). However, the model under-predicted the FECs observed on one farm with very young calves, highlighting potential areas of uncertainty that may need further investigation if the model is to be applied to young livestock. The model could be used to drive further research into alternative parasite control strategies such as vaccine development and novel treatment approaches, and to understand GI nematode epidemiology under changing climate and host management

Characterization of manure excretion and environmental impacts of nutrient management in dairy production systems

Thesis (Ph.D.), Animal Sciences, Washington State Universit

Organic Production in High Tunnels

High Tunnels have several production characteristics that make them ideal for organic growing of vegetables and fruits. Plants grown in high tunnels are protected from rain, and constant wet foliage caused by dew, which often is the major cause of serious disease problems. Daily water needs are supplied by drip irrigation, which can prevent erratic soil moisture conditions, which are often the cause of fruit cracking. Plants are protected from high winds, which can cause micro bruises of the plant tissue and allow disease organisms to invade the plants. Since high tunnels supply plants with ideal growing conditions as compared to outside production, much of the overall stress is eliminated. Because of the increase in both growing days and heat units, producers have an excellent opportunity to use cover crops and methods to help comply with different organic recommendations and requirements.Nennich, Terrance T.. (2009). Organic Production in High Tunnels. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, https://hdl.handle.net/11299/47075

Minnesota high tunnel production manual for commercial growers, 2nd Edition

This archival publication may not reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information available from the University of Minnesota Extension: https://www.extension.umn.edu.Risk management, structures, the high tunnel environment, cultural practices, crop production, crops, and finances for growing in high tunnels in MinnesotaFunding for this revision was provided through partnership agreements with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA) and the United States Department of Agriculture – Risk Management Agency (RMA)