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Application of a dynamic nitrogen model to reduce nutrient pollution by dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

E. Kebreab
Affiliation:
Biomathematics Group, Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
J.A.N. Mills
Affiliation:
Biomathematics Group, Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
L.A. Crompton
Affiliation:
Biomathematics Group, Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
J. France
Affiliation:
Biomathematics Group, Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, U.K.
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Extract

Agriculture is one of the major sources of nitrogen (N) pollution. Dairy production causes losses of N in faeces and urine that contribute to environmental pollution with an estimated annual output of 320 kt N and 80 kt ammonia in the U.K. alone. Therefore, improving N utilization in dairy cows and especially reducing N output in excreta is desirable to reduce environmental N pollution, particularly as ammonia. Mathematical models have been used to predict potential N excretion from dairy cows. However, these models generally are empirical in nature, hence not process based and therefore there is a need to develop a model that can describe biological processes in the animal. The objective of the present study was to develop a dynamic N model to predict the amount and form of N excreted by dairy herds and seek to make appropriate recommendations that will reduce N excretion from dairy cows.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2002

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References

Kebreab, E., France, J., Mills, J.A.N., Allison, R. and Dijkstra, J. (2001) A dynamic model of N metabolism in the dairy cow and an assessment of impact of N excretion on the environment. Journal of Animal Science, in press.Google Scholar