Evaluation of milk urea nitrogen as a management tool

The purpose of this study was to compile and evaluate relationships between feed nitrogen (N) intake, milk urea N (MUN), urinary urea N (UUN) and ammonia (NH3) emissions from dairy farms to aid policy development. Regression relationships between MUN, UUN and NH3 emissions were compiled from studies conducted in Wisconsin, California and the Netherlands. Relative reductions in NH3 emissions were calculated as percentage decreases in NH₃ emissions associated with a baseline MUN level of 14mg/dL (prevailing industry average). For 3 studies with cows in stanchion barns, relative NH3 emission reductions of 10.3 to 28.2 percent were obtained when MUN declined from 14 to 10mg/dL. Similarly, analyses of 2 freestall studies provided relative NH₃ emission reductions of 10.5 to 33.7 percent when MUN levels declined from 14 to 10mg/dL. The relative reductions in NH₃ emissions from both stanchion and freestall barns can be associated directly with reductions in UUN excretion, which can be determined using MUN. The results of this study may help create new awareness, and perhaps eventual industry-based incentives, for management practices that enhance feed N use efficiency and reduce MUN, UUN, and NH3 emissions from dairy farms.

Source: J.M. Powell, M.A. Wattiaux, G.A. Broderick/Journal of Dairy Science

1. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
2. Corn planting pace turns from record slow to record fast
3. Ag markets seemed to follow gold higher Monday afternoon
4. Online systems keeps exporters abreast of market regulations
5. April milk production up 0.3 percent
6. New crop cottonseed market rallies in face of tight supplies

1. D.C. Watch: Farm bill progressing
2. April milk production up 0.3 percent
3. Class III futures close out quietly last week
4. What are the drivers of profit in your dairy herd?
5. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
6. Lowfat dairy may cut diabetes risk

1. Analysis: Dairy Security Act better for farmers, taxpayers
2. Commentary: Slanting the statistics
3. World food supply depends on character, virtuous leadership
4. Buffet concerned about soil and starvation
5. Cold spring stunts upper Midwest hay crop
6. N.M. rancher charged with 43 counts of animal cruelty