Project Overview
SW99-024B
Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 1999: $19,184.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/1999
Region: Western
State: Utah
Principal Investigator:
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Animals: bovine
- Animal Products: dairy
Practices
- Animal Production: animal protection and health, manure management
- Crop Production: nutrient management
Abstract:
Software had been previously developed to quantify nitrogen and phosphorus balances on
livestock farms in Maryland, and was beta tested in the western region. This software
was distributed via the internet to users in 25 states and 27 countries. Our lab assisted
with development of two papers on use of the software to characterize nutrient balances
in the western region of the US. Our lab also tested the use of MUN on dairy farms in
Maryland. We updated comprehensive web pages that disseminate information on
reducing nutrient losses from agriculture, especially dairy fms.
Project objectives:
- The objectives of the overall project are as follows:
1) to verify the usefulness of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) analysis for accurately
predicting aspects of N metabolism,
2) to detennine the potential use of herd MUN averages and recently developed
computer worksheets for predicting N losses and whole-farm efficiencies on
commercial dairies in UT and ID, and
3) to disseminate all results to dairy producers, extension personnel and scientists via
extension publications, the World Wide Web, and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Our contribution to the overall project is based on the following specific objectives:
1) to improve computer worksheets for calculating whole fmba lances by adapting
them to the western region and by implementing changes identified by using the
worksheets in this region,
2) to assist with evaluation and improvement in MUN analysis based on research
conducted at Utah State University, and
3) to disseminate information from this project to fmers via extension publications and
the World Wide Web.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.