Nitrogen Cycling, Loading, and Use Efficiency in Forage-Based Livestock Production Systems

Non-Technical Summary: Although many agricultural practices contribute to nutrient loading of water systems, land use involving pastures and pasture-based animal production minimize such inputs. This initiative utilizes six interrelated research projects to detail inputs/outputs and efficiencies of pasture farming systems appropriate for the upper Midwest. <P> Approach: The initiative has two organizational components, a core program where overarching research and outreach projects are undertaken and a directed research program addressing concerns specific to graziers in the region. The core program will coordinate all the efforts and produce three overview research outreach publications addressing the environmental impacts of grazing and production issues of high interest to graziers. Five directed research components will be undertaken that will provide highly focused research directed to important issues in pasture and grazing animal management in the northern Midwest. These research projects will include: Effects of management on grass-based ecosystem structure and function; Grass-legume mixtures for improved yield distribution and sward density; A new and unique pasture grass for Wisconsin graziers; Evaluation of tall fescue and Holstein steers in stocker systems; and Nitrogen balance of grazing dairy ewes and dairy does. The research will be participatory in nature with strong efforts being taken to involve close cooperation between university researchers and practicing pasture-based farmer networks. Bovine and small ruminant dairy and beef operations will be the priority for study.