Source: UNIV OF WISCONSIN submitted to
CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION IN DAIRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
EXTENDED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0232153
Grant No.
2013-68002-20525
Project No.
WIS01693
Proposal No.
2012-01085
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
A3101
Project Start Date
Feb 15, 2013
Project End Date
Feb 14, 2019
Grant Year
2017
Project Director
Ruark, M. D.
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF WISCONSIN
21 N PARK ST STE 6401
MADISON,WI 53715-1218
Performing Department
Soil Science
Non Technical Summary
Dairy production systems play a key role in both reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and leading to more resilient agricultural systems that can adapt to climate change. There is a need for further evaluation of agricultural management practices to both reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions or promote resilience of the animal or soil system. To address this need, we will measure GHG fluxes across the dairy production system; at the cow-level, manure-level, and soil-level. This data will be used to improve scientific, predictive models and to improve life cycle assessments of dairy farms. This information will be used to develop a decision support tool that growers can use to learn about where inefficiencies are in their system as well as how management changes will improve GHG reductions or soil resiliency. There is also a need for enhanced education for growers and producers, students, and the general public about climate change impacts and the role of animal agriculture. Short-term outcomes: (i) collaboration among researchers studying dairy cropping systems in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New York; (ii) inter-comparisons of leading models of soil health, crop evapotranspiration, and GHG fluxes from agricultural soils; (iii) collaborations between cropping system and dairy cow process researchers and modelers and the life cycle assessment analysts who rely on these sources of unit process data; (iv) expanded unit process database, for use in life cycle assessment of a range of dairy production systems; and (v) curricular materials on the sustainability of the food-system, including up-to-date information about dairy producers. Medium-term outcomes: (i) broader understanding of the nature and applications of the life cycle assessment methodologies across the dairy industry, (ii) improved knowledge among producers and Extension educators of innovative dairy production systems with reduced environmental impacts, and (iii) increased awareness of and access to, sustainability science among students and the general public. Long-term outcomes: (i) sustainable, environmentally-sound milk production systems across Northcentral and Northeastern US, (ii) enhanced resilience and capacity for climate change adaptation in US dairy production systems, and (iii) increased literacy among the general public surrounding the environmental sustainability of dairy products.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
65%
Developmental
35%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1020199100010%
1410430207030%
3023410101015%
4035370202010%
9036099302010%
9033410302025%
Goals / Objectives
The goals of this proposal are to: (i) reduce the life cycle environmental impact of milk produced in the Great Lakes region; (ii) identify opportunities to increase the resiliency of dairy production systems; (iii) further develop decision-support tools for producers to identify opportunities and implement management practices that mitigate and adapt at the farm level; and (iv) educate farmers, agricultural industry, policy makers, teachers, students, and the general public on sustainable management practices for dairy. Specific objectives of the study include: (1) Develop a network of monitoring sites that measure carbon (C), nitrogen (N), water, and energy fluxes across each phase of the dairy production system: (a) enteric and barn fluxes, (b) manure handling and processing fluxes, and (c) soil level fluxes and which (d) create a publically available data library for all collected data; (2) Analyze and Integrate Process Models Across Scales: (a) to evaluate the effectiveness of animal, manure, and field-scale models to support decisions in a farm-level model, (b) to identify climate change scenarios and impacts for analysis with these models, and (c) to evaluate and improve regional benchmarks integrated into life cycle impact assessment; (3) Conduct life cycle analysis (LCA) of dairy production systems by: (a) defining boundaries and co-products of the system, (b) developing a life cycle inventory and database, (c) conducting life cycle impact assessment modeling, and (d) integrating newly refined process models and LCA models to establish better/best management practices; (4) Conduct Extension and outreach activities that: (a) integrate with existing Extension programs, develop new Extension materials, establish a community of practice with eXtension, develop an on-farm network, and host regional conferences, and (b) lead to the development and use of a decision-support tool, (c) evaluate change in grower knowledge and adoption; and (5) Conduct education activities that: (a) develop agricultural curriculum at the high school level, (b) create linkages between undergraduates at across land grant institutions, and (c) develop graduate and undergraduate curriculum in sustainable agriculture.
Project Methods
Enteric and barn fluxes. Cow-size air-flow controlled chambers connected to a photo-acoustic multi-gas monitor calibrated for NH3, N2O, CO2, and CH4 emission data collection and constructed within a tie-stall barn (e.g. Powell et al., 2008; Arndt et al., 2011). Manure handling and processing fluxes. Identify areas where substantial reduction in GHG can be realized and protocols will be developed to collect data that can improve current models. The second phase will be to assess mechanisms related to key components in emissions (GHG, odor, ammonia) from manure processing and storage. Soil level fluxes. Emissions of GHG and ammonia, soil C sequestration, and soil and forage quality will be measured from ongoing dairy forage production field experiments in WI, PA, and NY to build a database that provides both baseline emission data and data for evaluation of sustainable practices. Build data repository. All measured data will be catalogued for use in modeling in Years 1 through 4. Database development for this project will extend the existing geospatial data bases developed for watershed and plot-scale data. Analyze and integrate process models across scales. The modeling approach will be to improve and integrate existing process-based models (animal, watershed, and farm-scale and manure management models) at different scales and apply them to assess global climate change mitigation and adaptation at regional levels with a special focus on C, N, and water fluxes. Life cycle assessment and model integration through system boundary definition, development of a life cycle inventory database, and assessment of life cycle impacts. A geospatial database of impact characterization factors, including global warming, eutrophication, ecosystem and human health impacts will be generated and made available for incorporation in to the decision support models that will be created as part of this project. Extension programming will be through existing programs, conferences, and field days; development of new extension materials, development of a community of practice on eXtension, development of an on-farm network, and hosting of a regional conference. An additional effort will be to develop a user decision tool. Evaluation of change in grower knowledge and adoption will occur through surveys. Education activities: develop agricultural curriculum at the high school level, mentor students in undergraduate research and internships relating to climate change and food systems, and development of graduate and undergraduate curriculum in sustainable agriculture. Project evaluation will be conducted in years 1, 3 and 5 by AgInfomatics using a logic model approach.

Progress 02/15/17 to 02/14/18

Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted audiences of the Dairy CAP in Year 5 of the project included dairy producers, ag consultants, the dairy and food industry and product manufacturers, scientists, college, high school students and college and high teachers and professors. Dairy producers and agricultural consultants were reached through presentations at field days at Wisconsin, Cornell and Penn State's research farms, Extension conferences, and state and regional conferences. Other scientists were reached through presentations at national and international subject-specific conferences described elsewhere in this report. Multiple publications were released in the scientific literature this year, with many more manuscripts in the revision stages to be published next year. Multiple graduate students are involved in the grant and gain valuable research experience. Students at the collegiate level were reached through the curriculum materials using recent research findings at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University and North Carolina A&T State University; guest lectures in existing classes, and with our annual project meeting. High school students and educators were impacted through our efforts to support the agricultural science curriculum at Vincent High School in Milwaukee. The majority of the students are classified as underrepresented minorities and are considered economically and educationally disadvantaged. Changes/Problems:There are no significant changes to report. All of the field research is complete, many papers have been published and more are in process. There have been some delays in the Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment portions of the project because of the need for specific products before the next task can begin. A time-line has been created to achieve the major objectives before the end of the sixth year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?New Positions after Grant- Dr. Amir Sadeghpour, formally a post-doc at Cornell University, has been hired as an assistant professor in Soil Management and Integrated Cropping Systems at the Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He will start in that position in January of 2018. He worked on Objective 1c, Soil Level Fluxes. Andrew Lefever who was a summer intern in Dr. Quirine Ketterings Lab at Cornell University joined the agricultural industry in Pennsylvania after he graduated last year with a B.S. He worked on Objective 1c, Soil Level Fluxes. Sarah Hetrick, a senior at Cornell University and former summer intern with Dr. Kettering, is currently working on her honors thesis based on the work she did during the internship. She is applying to graduate schools for continued education after her graduation in May 2018. She worked on Objective 1c, Soil Level Fluxes. Graduated- Maria Alejandra Ponce de Leon graduated with a M.S. in Plant Sciences from the Karsten Lab from Penn State University. She worked on Objective 1c, Soil Level Fluxes. Kavya Krishnan graduated with a M.S. in Soil Science from University of Wisconsin-Madison from the Ruark Lab. She is now a Ph.D. student at Cornell University. Evan Murdock graduated with a Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Environment and Resources under the guidance of Dr. Ken Genskow. He is now a water resources engineer with Montgomery Associates in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. He worked on Objective 4c, Social Science. New Hire- Yichao Rui has joined the Ruark Lab as an associate scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working on Objective 1c, Soil Level Fluxes. Continued Training- Dr. Daesoo Kim continues his work as a Post-Doc with Dr. Greg Thoma at the University of Arkansas on Objective 3, Life Cycle Assessment. Dr. Fangle Change continues her Post-doc with Dr. Tom Richard at Penn State University on Objective 1b, Manure Management. Katerina Stylianou at University of Michigan continues work on her Ph.D. with Dr. Olivier Jolliet on Objectives 2 and 3, Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment. Kristen Rolph at Penn State University continues work on her Ph.D. with Dr. Chris Forest on Objective 2b, Climate Modeling. Fei Sun at University of Wisconsin-Madison is continuing his Ph.D. research with Dr. Michel Wattiaux on Objective 1a, Cows. Candice Cardoza continues to work in the Jahn Research Group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on Objective 5a, Education at Vincent High School. Internships- Dr. Millie Worku at North Carolina Ag and Tech State University supervised two interns in 2017. They learned about dairy farming and milk production and manure handling systems at the University Dairy. In the lab, they learned molecular techniques such as PCR to detect methanogens and instrumentation and techniques to detect methane and other gases in addition to exposure to a research lab and the scientific method. They presented their research to peers and the campus community (Showcase of Excellence, Undergraduate Research Symposium at NC A & T). One Intern,James Quick, presented his research at 1890 Association of Research Directors (ARD) symposium. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?• Grant participants attended 15 professional society meetings and made oral and poster presentations to professional colleagues. • The North American Manure Expo was held at the Arlington Research Station in September 2017. Field demonstrations were made to hundreds of producers, advisors and Extension agents who attended the conference. • Fifteen articles were published in academic journals which are read by professional colleagues. One article was reviewed and is being revised. • Eight fact sheets were published, seven by the University of Wisconsin-Extension and one by Cornell University. These have been promoted to Extension agents; professional colleagues; farmers; and dairy farm advisors. Ten additional fact sheets are being reviewed or are in development. • Two M.S. theses were completed and are available to the academic community. These will be published in peer-reviewed journals. • The Virtual Farm website (virtualfarm.psu.edu) has been completed and launched. Two news releases were used to deliver the product to professional colleagues; dairy farm advisors; students and teachers at all levels; Extension Agents; 1890 students and teachers; general audiences; and the farming community. • A new high school agricultural curriculum is being implemented at Vincent High School. Other schools interested in developing a similar curriculum can use this as an example. • Student presentations were given at the Showcase of Excellence Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANNRS) to enrich opportunities for students at 1890 Universities. • The Dairy CAP Annual Meeting was held in conjunction with the Waste to Worth Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina in March 2017. This adds to the enrichment of collaborative research efforts with professional colleagues and our advisors. • The Dairy CAP grant sponsored two conferences in Year 5: 1) Waste to Worth 2017: International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality April 18-21. 2) Operating Manure-Based Anaerobic Digestion Systems to Maximize Environmental and Economic Benefits. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. December 11-13, 2017. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Measurement- Objective 1a: Enteric Methane Experiments are complete and the following manuscripts are in development and will be submitted for publication in Year 6. Aguerre, M. J, J. M. Powell, A. Pelletier, M. A. Wattiaux. 201x. Effect of in vitro NDF digestibility on animal performance, methane emission and efficiency of N utilization. (UW-Madison). Aguerre, M. J., F. Sun, J. M. Powell, K. Weigel, A. Pelletier, P. Crump, and M. A. Wattiaux. 201x. Effect of contrasting predicted residual feed intake on performance, CH4 emission and nutrient utilization of dairy cows fed 2 levels of forage neutral detergent fiber. (UW-Madison). Sun, F., M. J. Aguerre, J. M. Powell and M. A. Wattiaux. 2018. Effects of nonfiber carbohydrate sources and rumen degradable protein levels in iso-nitrogenous diets on lactation performance, ruminal parameter, apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, enteric methane emission, and N balance in dairy cows. Objective 1b: Manure Management The following manuscripts are in development and will be submitted for publication in Year 6. Chang, F., T. Richard, M. Hile, E. Fabian. Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from dairy manure. (Penn State) Objective 1c: Crops and Soil The following manuscripts are in development and will be submitted for publication in Year 6. Jokela, W. and J. Sherman. Low-Disturbance Manure Incorporation of Dairy Manure Impacts on Corn Yield, Cover Crop Establishment, and Soil Properties. (USDA ARS DFRC) Jokela, W. and J. Sherman. Low-Disturbance Manure Incorporation of Dairy Manure Impacts on Ammonia and Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (USDA ARS DFRC) Jokela, W. and J. Sherman. Manure Application Method Influence on Alfalfa Yield, Nitrogen, and Runoff Losses. (USDA ARS DFRC) McNamee, E. and W.A. Bland. Soil water characterization curve measurement and field capacity estimation influences Daycent predicted N2O emissions. (UW-Madison) Prasad, Rishi and Heather Karsten. Projected climate and agronomic implications for corn production in the Northeastern United States. (Penn State) Ponce de Leon, Alejandra Maria and Heather Karsten. Measured and Daycent- Simulated Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Soil Planted To Corn In Dairy Cropping Systems. (Penn State) Objective 1d: Data Management The following data sets are evaluated for completeness and accuracy and will be published in 2018. Aguerre, M., M. Wattiaux, F. Sun. "Effect of forage NDF digestibility on animal performance, methane emission and efficiency of N utilization." Aguerre, M., M. Wattiaux, F. Sun. "Evaluation of the impact of contrasting feed efficiency from dairy cows on CH4 emission and N efficiency." Aguerre, M., M. Wattiaux, F. Sun. "Effects of nonfiber carbohydrate sources and rumen degradable protein levels in iso-nitrogenous diets on lactation performance, ruminal parameters, apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, enteric methane emission, and N balance in dairy cows. " Karsten, H. et al. Measured and Daycent- Simulated Nitrous Oxide Emissions From Soil Planted to Corn In Dairy Cropping Systems. (Penn State) McNamee, E. and W.A. Bland. Soil water characterization curve measurement and field capacity estimation influences Daycent predicted N2O emissions. (UW-Madison) Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings (Cornell Datasets) Vadas, P. Modeled barnyard leachate and runoff data (USDA ARS DFRC) Objective 2: Analyze and Integrate Process Models across Scales- Objective 2a: Process model comparison The following manuscript has been reviewed and will be resubmitted for publication: Veltman, Karin, Alan Rotz, Larry Chase, Joyce Cooper, Richard Gaillard, Pete Ingraham, R. César Izaurralde, Curtis D. Jones, Rebecca Larson, Matt Ruark, William Salas, Greg Thoma, and Olivier Jolliet. A quantitative assessment of Beneficial Management Practices to reduce carbon, reactive nitrogen and phosphorus footprints of dairy farms in the Great Lakes region. Objective 2b: Identify climate change scenarios and impacts These papers will analyze the impact of agricultural management practices to reduce greenhouse gases at a global scale: Rolph, Kristina and C.E. Forest. Climate and carbon cycle feedbacks during the response to pulse perturbations of methane and carbon dioxide Rolph, Kristina and C.E. Forest. The role of non-CO2 mitigation options within the dairy industry for pursuing climate change targets Additional manuscripts will be prepared at Penn State University on future climate projections downscaled for the Great Lakes region. Objective 3: Life Cycle Assessment and Model Integration The Life Cycle Assessment team together with the modelers will complete the last project: to evaluate the impact of beneficial management practices under future climate projections for the Great Lakes region. These results will be written up as a manuscript and submitted for publication. Thoma, G. et al. Future Climate Scenarios and Beneficial Management Practice for Adaptation Planning in Dairy Production Systems. (University of Arkansas) The following manuscripts are in development and will be submitted for publication in Year 6 as products of the Life Cycle Assessment work. Cooper, J.S. et al. Estimating Productivity Indicators using a Heat Balance Model for Dairy Systems. (University of Washington) Cooper, J.S. et al. Use of Manure DNDC Model for Baseline and Alternative Climates in Dairy Systems. (University of Washington) Stoddart, N. and G. Thoma. Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Global Warming Potential in U.S. Dairy Production. (University of Arkansas) Objective 4: Outreach and Extension- Objective 4a: Extension Programming We will finish the fact sheet series Dairy published by University of Wisconsin-Extension by published these products: GHG emissions from dairy farms in the Great Lakes region GHG emissions from best management practices and their mitigation potential Other extension educational materials such as power points and images designed for educators and other dairy stakeholders will be developed as time allows. The Virtual Farm will be used to share the results of the Life Cycle Assessment with a wider audience, once those products are finalized (Objective 3). Objective 4b: Development of user decision tools The Innovation Center will use data produced by the modelers and Life Cycle Assessment teams to populate the databased used for the environmental stewardship component of the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) tool. FARM is a national continuous improvement tool providing guidelines for quality of the nation's dairy farms through its membership co-ops. Objective 4c: Evaluate farmer's knowledge and attitudes for adoption of recommended practices Two manuscripts are in development related to this objective: Comparison of New York and Wisconsin Dairy Farmers Focus Groups on Attitudes and Knowledge about Extreme Weather Events (Cornell and University of Wisconsin-Madison) Evaluation of Great Lakes Region Dairy Farmers Attitudes and Knowledge about Climate Change and Adoption of Beneficial Management Practices to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Objective 5: Conduct Education Activities The agricultural curriculum will continue to be refined and implemented at Vincent High School in Milwaukee. We will be seeking a secure funding source to allow the coordinator to continue working at the school once the grant is over. Interns at North Carolina Ag and Tech State University will complete their work at the end of this academic year. Research findings from the Dairy CAP grant will be incorporated into college-level curricula, particularly at Penn State, Arkansas, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Cornell University.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? All of the experiments have been completed on enteric methane production, manure management systems, crops and soils. Data sets generated by the experimentalists are being published by the USDA's National Agricultural Library. Data collected in the Wisconsin greenhouse gas flux experiments were used to calibrate and validate three process-based models, highlighting the growing need for the modeling and measurement communities to collaborate in the collection and analysis of the data necessary to improve models and coordinate future development. Process models were used to estimate potential reductions in the carbon, reactive nitrogen and total phosphorus loss on average 150- and 1500-milking cow farms in the Great Lakes region by using beneficial management practices that were identified for dietary manipulation, manure management, and field interventions. Results showed that the combination of these practices can substantially reduce the C footprint, reactive N footprint and total P loss of both farms with predicted reductions of approximately 41%, 41% and 46% respectively, while increasing milk production and the net return per cow by approximately 11% and 27%. The models next will use the downscaled climate projection data that were generated for the Great Lakes region to see how climate change can be mitigated and how farmers can adapt to anticipated changes in the future. The Lifecycle Assessment Cycle team is assessing where within the boundaries of the farm greenhouse gases can be reduced. This evaluation is based on updating the energy, feed, manure and enteric life cycle inventory databases. Six focus groups were conducted in New York and Pennsylvania and a social science survey was administered to dairy farmers, mostly in the Midwest and Northeast to assess their attitudes towards extreme weather events and their willingness to implement beneficial management practices to adapt to these changes. Most farmers are much more concerned about issues related to labor, milk grain prices and regulations than they are about extreme weather events. Results from the project, which are outlined in more detail below, were conveyed to the general public, students, producers and their advisors, and other professionals at 15 professional conferences (nationally and internationally), non-technical events and field days in the Midwest. The Dairy CAP Annual Meeting was held in conjunction with the Waste to Worth International Conference, and the grant sponsored a second conference related to anaerobic digestion systems. The University of Wisconsin-Extension published a series of 11 fact sheets based research on the cow and manure systems. The project's "Virtual Farm" website (virtualfarm.psu.edu) was released to the public and was created to be used by broad span of interest groups and knowledge levels. Students at Vincent High School in Milwaukee have been engaged in the first full year of implementation of its agricultural curriculum including calf care. Internships for college graduate and undergraduates continued at our 1890 partner institution providing underrepresented students the opportunity to conduct greenhouse gas research using genomic techniques. Objective 1: Measurement Objective 1a: Enteric Methane Three experiments were done at the cow level involving feed efficiencies, feed additives, feeding behaviors, and cow genomics to improve milk production while simultaneously mitigating enteric methane emissions. Results from the feeding strategies and genomic selection study improved the efficiency of conversion of feed to milk but reduction in enteric methane emissions was relatively modest. Genomic predisposition for residual feed intake fed at two levels of dietary NDF showed that the feed efficiency of the cow maintained with diet change, and feeding behavior is unlikely to contribute to cow residual feed intake differences. Cows fed starch had less daily enteric methane emission than cows fed dextrose, and there was no difference in milk production. Objective 1b: Manure Result from one experiment showed that the overall emissions generated from solid manure systems appear to be significantly less than from liquid systems, with the exception of covered lagoons or anaerobic digesters. Other studies show that low disturbance manure application methods may be preferable for nitrogen conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions with only minimal yield differences in both corn and alfalfa. Objective 1c: Crops and Soil Soil and cropping experiments show that practices used to reduce nitrous oxide emissions added benefit to crops and soil and allow for farm profitability and water quality protection. Work on precision nitrogen management for corn in rotations with alfalfa/grass hay showed a linear relationship between emissions of N2O and yield when nitrogen is in short supply, emphasizing the importance of the "4Rs" for nitrogen management: Right source, Right rate, Right time, Right place. Objective 1d: Data Management Seven data sets have been published at the USDA National Agricultural Library, with others in preparation. Objective 2: Modeling Modeling exercises that used experimental results to calibrate and validate process models indicate a bias in the model estimation of N2O flux from agroecosystems that limits the extension of models beyond calibration and as instruments of policy development. A second modeling effort included the use of beneficial management practices (manure management interventions, dietary manipulations, and field management) showed that when used together, they can substantially reduce the C footprint, reactive N footprint and total P loss of both farms with predicted reductions of approximately 41%, 41% and 46% respectively, while increasing milk production and the net return per cow by approximately 11% and 27%. Objective 3: Life Cycle Assessment New lifecycle inventory data were developed for the energy, feed, and manure footprints on the farm and made available through the NAL Digital Commons. The ability to create reasonably representative data is essential because they do not need on-farm measurements or detailed survey instruments which are time-consuming and often have only moderate data quality. The development of these techniques represents positive knowledge and skills development for the students and faculty involved, and this knowledge will ultimately be transferred to the broader LCA community through research publications and conference presentations. Objective 4: Outreach and Extension Extension materials created in Year 5 through the fact sheet series and virtual farm website are available to inform broader audiences and raise awareness of the sources, consequences, and ways to mitigate GHG emissions from dairy operations. Two conferences sponsored by the grant (Waste to Worth and Anaerobic Digestion Systems) allowed information to be disseminated to a variety of communities of interest. Objective 5: Education Efforts to develop and implement an agricultural curriculum at Vincent High School in Milwaukee came to fruition in Year 5. Students have acquired new skills that allow them to consider occupations and further education in the agricultural fields in their futures. Students showed sheep at the state fair that they had raised and cared for during the summer months, and in the fall, have been caring for two calves housed on campus in a pole shed. They have also sold products that they produced on-site, including plants, eggs and baked goods. Internships for undergraduates and graduate students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University have allowed minority students to study all aspects of methane production from cows which maybe unique for any of the 1890 Universities in the country.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Agronomy Society of America-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America � Annual Meeting--Tampa, Florida; October 2017 3) Poster Presentations � The Effect of Agricultural Management Practices on Labile Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Wisconsin Greg Richardson, Matt Ruark, Megan Chawner, Erin Silva, Erica Olson, Amber Radatz, Chelsea Zegler � A Survey Approach to Identify the Effect of Agricultural Management Practices on Labile Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Wisconsin. Greg Richardson, Matthew D. Ruark, Erin Silva, Megan Chawner, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; Erica Olson, Amber Radatz University of Wisconsin Discovery Farms, Pigeon Falls, WI and Chelsea https://scisoc.confex.com/crops/2017am/webprogram/Paper105038.html � Increasing Labile Carbon and Nitrogen Pools in Agricultural Soils Requires a Change in System Rather Than Practice. Kalyn Diederich, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Kavya Krishnan, Cornell University, Erin Silva, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Matthew D. Ruark, University of Wisconsin-Madison https://scisoc.confex.com/crops/2017am/webprogram/Paper105168.html � Vertical Tillage to Reduce Ammonia Volatilization and Conserve Residue after Dairy Manure Application. Jess Sherman, William Jokela USDA-ARS, Marshfield, WI, and Jason Cavadini, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stratford, WI https://scisoc.confex.com/crops/2017am/webprogram/Paper107773.html
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Wattiaux, M. A., M. J. Aguerre, and S. D. Ranathunga. 2017. Sustainable nutrition management of dairy cattle in intensive systems. Pages 223-250 in: Achieving sustainable production of milk. Volume 3. J. Webster, ed. University of Bristol, UK.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting. Pittsburgh, PA. June 2017 Oral Presentations: F. Sun, M.J. Aguerre, J. M. Powell, K Weigel, A. Pelletier, P Crump, and M.A. Wattiaux. Feeding behavior of lactating dairy cows with genomic predisposition for residual feed intake fed at two levels of dietary neutral detergent fiber. "F. Sun, M.J. Aguerre, and M.A. Wattiaux. Is phenotypic residual feed intake associated with feed efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, urinary nitrogen and methane losses in lactating dairy cows? "M.J. Aguerre, F. Sun, J. M. Powell, K Weigel, A. Pelletier, P Crump, and M.A. Wattiaux. June, 2017. Effect of contrasting predicted residual feed intake on performance and CH4 emission of dairy cows fed 2 levels of forage neutral detergent fiber. J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 100, Suppl. 2:109 (Abstract M284).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting  New Orleans, LA, December 2017 Poster Presentation: Rolph, K. and C.E. Forest. The role of non-CO2 mitigation within the dairy sector in pursuing climate goals.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Ecology of Soil Health Summit Colorado State University: June 6-9, 2017 Oral Presentation: Matt Ruark - Why isnt soil ecology considered when developing nitrogen fertilizer recommendations? Poster Presentation: "Kalyn Diederich, Kavya Krishnan, Erin Silva, Matt Ruark Increasing labile carbon and nitrogen pools in agricultural soils requires a change in system, rather than practice.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers International Meeting Spokane, WA; July 16-July 19, 2017 Oral Presentation: Aguirre-Villegas H.A. and Larson R.A. Greenhouse gas emissions from dairy manure management. Poster Presentations: "Larson, R. M. Holly, and H.A. Aguirre-Villegas. Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from dairy manure systems "Fabian, E, D. Hofstetter, M.D. Ruark, R.A. Larson, H.A. Aguirre-Villegas, and C. Betz. Development of a multi-layered interactive virtual farm website for dairy sustainability information.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Agronomy Society of America-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America  Annual Meeting--Tampa, Florida; October 2017 1) Symposium on Beef and Dairy Systems: Economics and Environmental Footprint Co-sponsored by the Grazing CAP and Dairy CAP " Complex Systems Science to Build Resilience in Beef Cattle and Dairy Production Systems: The Role of the Caps M.D Ruark, J.L. Steiner, and C.W. Rice https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/30566?recordingid=30566 "Life Cycle Assessment of Beef and Dairy Systems. Greg Thoma, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, Ali Saleh, Texas Institute for Applied Environmental Research, Stephenville, TX and Narayanan Kannan, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/30565?recordingid=30565 "Breakthroughs in Beef and Dairy Systems: Implementation of Science. Charles W. Rice, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, Matthew D. Ruark, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, Jean L. Steiner, USDA-ARS Grazinglands Research Laboratory, El Reno, OK https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/30568?recordingid=30568 2) Oral Presentations: "Short-Term Benefits of Cover Crops on Labile Carbon and Nitrogen Pools in Soil Kavya Krishnan1, Jaimie R West2 and Matthew D. Ruark2 https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/29695?recordingid=29695 "Manure Application Method Effect on Alfalfa Yield, and Nitrous Oxide and Ammonia Emissions. Jess Sherman, USDA-ARS, Stevens Point, WI, William Jokela, USDA-ARS, Marshfield, WI and Jason Cavadini, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Stratford, WI https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/30303?recordingid=30303 "Temporal and Cropping System Effects on Labile Carbon and Nitrogen Pools in Agroecosystems Kalyn Diederich, Kavya Krishnan, Erin Silva, Matthew D. Ruark, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/31114?recordingid=31114 " The Effect of Cool Season Grass Cover Crops on Nitrogen Cycling in Soil. Jaimie R West and Matthew D. Ruark, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/29709?recordingid=29709 " A Model to Simulate Microbial Denitrification with EPIC: Description, Evaluation, and Applications. Izaurralde, R.C., McGill, W.B., Williams, J.R., Jones, C.D., Link, R.P., Manowitz, D.H., Schwab, D.E., Zhang, X., Robertson, G.P., Millar, N., Archer, D.W. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2017am/videogateway.cgi/id/29983?recordingid=29983
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: 1890 Association of Research Directors (ARD) Symposium 1890 Research: Meeting 21st Century Challenges Through Innovation Atlanta, GA  April 1-4, 2017 Poster Presentation: " Methane Emissions and Methanogens from Dairy Cattle, James K. Quick, Sarah Adjei-Fremah, Mulumebet Worku " Modulating the Bovine Galectinome Using Plant Polyphenol Extracts. S. Adjei-Fremah B. Osei, E. Asiamah,; K. Ekwemalor, L. Jackai, K. Schimmel, and M. Worku, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Empire Chapter Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Meeting. Auburn, NY 2017 Oral Presentation: "Ketterings, Q.M., A. Sadeghpour, G. Godwin and K.J. Czymmek. Research update: N2O emissions from corn and alfalfa/grass.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Internacional de Ambi�ncia de Precis�o [International Workshop on Precision Environment]. Campinas Brazil, November 2017 Oral Presentation: "Fabian-Wheeler, E. 2017. Climate Change Issues Associated with Dairy Production.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: 3rd National Adaptation Forum  St. Paul, MN May 9-11, 2017 Poster Presentation: Betz, C. R. and M.D. Ruark. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Dairy Production Systems of the Great Lakes Region.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: National Conference on Cover Crops Indianapolis, Indiana  Dec. 7, 2017 Oral Presentation: Cover Crops and Nutrient Management Presenters: Matt Ruark, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference Des Moines, Iowa- November 15-16, 2017 Oral Presentation: The Effect of Agricultural Management Practices on Labile Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Wisconsin. Greg Richardson, Matt Ruark, Erin Silva, Megan Chawner, Erica Olson, Amber Radatz, Chelsea Zegler, University of Wisconsin-Madison https://conference.ipni.net/conference/ncsfc/library/library-ncsfc.nsf/p/8A5FF5372069EB42852581F70061EAD6/$FILE/ncsfc-2017-richardson.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: SETAC (Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry) Europe 2017, Brussels, Belgium Oral Presentation: Stylianou, K. C. Tessum, J. Marshal, J. Hill, O. Jolliet. Spatial variation of secondary PM2.5: From exposure magnitude to exposure distance.
  • Type: Websites Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Objective 4a, Outreach and Extension. http://virtualfarm.psu.edu Fabian, E., D. Hofstetter, R. Larson, H. Aguirre-Villegas and C. Betz. The user will gain a better understanding of how farm operations work by starting with basic dairy farm components while being able to find more and deeper knowledge on one site. " Sustainabledairy.org continues to be the website of the Dairy CAP grant. It is continually being updated and contains lists of all publications related to the project. We also use a twitter account of @dairycap.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Soil and Water Conservation Society -- 72nd International Annual Conference, Conservation Connections: Creating Pathways to Sustainability July 30-August 2, 2017  Madison, Wisconsin Oral Presentation: Active and Labile Measures of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Wisconsin Grain and Dairy-Based Cropping Systems Matt Ruark, Kavya Krishnan, Kalyn Diederich, Greg Richardson and Franscisco Arriaga. University of Wisconsin-Madison https://www.slideshare.net/SWCSevents/active-and-labile-measures-of-soil-carbon Poster Presentations: Comparing Measurements of Labile Nitrogen and Carbon Soil Fractions to Assess Soil Health on Wisconsin Farms Greg Richardson, Matt Ruark, Erin Silva, and Amber Radatz, University of Wisconsin. Increasing Labile Carbon and Nitrogen Pools in Wisconsin Agricultural Soils Requires a Change in System, Rather than Practice Greg Richardson, Matt Ruark, Megan Chawner, Erin Silva, Erica Olson, Amber Radatz, Chelsea Zegler, University of Wisconsin.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Soil Health Conference - Building Soil Health for Healthy Environment and Farm Profitability Iowa State University, February 16-17, 2017 Poster Presentation: "Comparison of labile nitrogen and carbon measurements to assess soil health in Wisconsin Greg Richardson, Matt Ruark, Megan Chawner, Erica Olson and Amber Radatz "Wisconsin Dairy vs. Grain Rotations: How Big Are the Differences In Soil Health? Kalyn Diederich, Kavya Krishnan, Erin Silva and Matthew D. Ruark https://register.extension.iastate.edu/images/events/2017Soilhealth/Diedrich---Wisconsin-Daity-vs-Grain-Rotation.pdf "Examining The Effect of Cover Crop Treatments on Potentially Mineralizable Nitrogen Kavya Krishnan, Matthew D. Ruark and Jaimie R. West https://register.extension.iastate.edu/images/events/2017Soilhealth/Krishnan_-_Examining_the_Effect_of_Cover_Crop_Treatments_of_Potentially_Mineralizable_Nitrogen.pdf "Fall Cover Crops in Dairy Production: Who wins, who loses? Jaimie West, and Matthew Ruark https://register.extension.iastate.edu/images/events/2017Soilhealth/West_-_Fall_Cover_Crops_in_Dairy_Production-_Who_Wins_Who_Loses.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Waste to Worth 2017: International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, Cary NC; April 18  April 21, 2017; Sponsored by the Dairy CAP Oral Presentations: " Aguirre-Villegas, H.A. and R.A. Larson. Estimating GHG emissions from manure management practices in dairy systems. http://articles.extension.org/pages/74236/estimating-ghg-emissions-from-manure-management-practices-in-dairy-systems " Chase, L. Methane Mitigation Strategies for Dairy Herds http://articles.extension.org/pages/74247/methane-mitigation-strategies-for-dairy-herds " Chang, F., T. Richard, M. Hile, E. Fabian. Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from dairy manure http://articles.extension.org/pages/74248/evaluation-of-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-dairy-manure " F. Sun, M.J. Aguerre, and M. Wattiaux. Intake and digestibility of nutrients, manure production, and nitrogen excretion as affected by nonfiber carbohydrate sources and rumen degradable protein levels in the diet of dairy cows. " Gaillard, R.K, C.D. Jones, P. Ingraham, S. Collier, R.C. Izaurralde, W. Jokela, William Osterholz, W. P. Vadas, M.D. Ruark. A Model Comparison of Daily N2O Flux with DayCent, DNDC, and EPIC http://articles.extension.org/pages/74245/a-model-comparison-of-daily-n2o-flux-with-daycent-dndc-and-epic " Hofstetter, D.W., E. Fabian-Wheeler, R.A. Larson, H.A. Aguirre-Villegas, C.R. Betz, and M.D. Ruark. Transferring knowledge of dairy sustainability issues through a multi-layered interactive virtual farm website. http://articles.extension.org/pages/74256/transferring-knowledge-of-dairy-sustainability-issues-through-a-multi-layered-interactive-virtual-fa " Larson, R.A., M. Holly, M. Powell, and H.A. Aguirre-Villegas. Reducing GHG and ammonia emissions from manure systems. https://articles.extension.org/pages/74265/reducing-greenhouse-and-ammonia-emissions-from-manure-systems " Ruark, M.D. An overview of a USDA coordinated agricultural project on dairy production climate change mitigation https://articles.extension.org/pages/74276/an-overview-of-a-usda-coordinated-agricultural-project-on-dairy-production-climate-change-mitigation " Veltman, K., A. Rotz, J. Cooper, L. Chase, R. Gaillard, P. Ingraham, R.C. Izaurralde, C. Jones, W. Salas, G. Thoma, O. Jolliet. A Quantitative Assessment of Beneficial Management Practices to Reduce Carbon and Reactive Nitrogen Footprints of Dairy Farms in the Great Lakes Region. https://articles.extension.org/pages/74280/a-quantitative-assessment-of-beneficial-management-practices-to-reduce-carbon-and-reactive-nitrogen- Posters: " Betz, C. R., M.D. Ruark and M. Jahn. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Dairy Production Systems of the Great Lakes https://articles.extension.org/pages/74246/climate-change-mitigation-and-adaptation-in-dairy-production-systems-of-the-great-lakes " Rolph, K., C. Forest and R. Nicholas. Performance of Mitigation Measures in the Dairy Sector under Future Climate Change http://articles.extension.org/pages/74255/performance-of-mitigation-measures-in-the-dairy-sector-under-future-climate-change " Stoddart, N. and G. Thoma. Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Global Warming Potential in US Dairy Production " Sun, F. and M. Wattiaux. Intake and Digestibility of Nutrients, Manure Production, and Nitrogen Excretion as Affected by Nonfiber Carbohydrate Sources and Rumen Degradable Protein Levels in the Diet of Dairy Cows. http://articles.extension.org/pages/74268/intake-and-digestibility-of-nutrients-manure-production-and-nitrogen-excretion-as-affected-by-nonfib
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Kavya Krishnan. May 2017. Short-term benefits of cover crops on labile carbon and nitrogen pools in soil. (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Aguerre, M. J., F. Sun, J. M. Powell, K. Weigel, A. Pelletier, P. Crump, and M. A. Wattiaux. 201x. Effect of contrasting predicted residual feed intake on performance, CH4 emission and nutrient utilization of dairy cows fed 2 levels of forage neutral detergent fiber. (UW-Madison).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Aguirre-Villegas, H.A., T.H. Passos-Fonseca, D.J. Reinemann, and R.A. Larson. 2017. Got pasture? How grazing intensity affects the environmental impacts of dairy systems, Journal of Dairy Science, 100:6804-6821, https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12325.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Aguirre-Villegas Horacio A. and Rebecca A. Larson. 2017. Evaluating greenhouse gas emissions from dairy manure management practices using survey data and lifecycle tools. Journal of Cleaner Production 143 (2017) 169 -179. Supplementary data: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.133
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Cates, A. M. and M.D. Ruark. 2017. Soil aggregate and particulate C and N under corn rotations: Responses to management and correlations with yield. Plant Soil DOI 10.1007/s11104-016-3121-9
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Collier, S.M., M.D. Ruark, M.R. Naber, T.W. Andraski and M.D. Casler. 2017. Apparent Stability and Subtle Change in Surface and Subsurface Soil Carbon and Nitrogen under a Long-Term Fertilizer Gradient. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. doi:10.2136/sssaj2016.09.0299
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Doro, L., Jones, C., Wang, X., Williams, J., Norfleet, L., Izaurralde, C., Jeong, J. 2018. The variable saturation hydraulic conductivity method for improving soil water content simulation in EPIC and APEX models. Vadose Zone Journal. doi:10.2136/vzj2017.06.0125
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Gaillard, R. K., C.D. Jones, P. Ingraham, S. Collier, R.C. Izaurralde, W. Jokela, W. Osterholz, W.Salas, P. Vadas, and M.D. Ruark. Underestimation of N2O emissions in a comparison of the models DayCent, DNDC, and EPIC models. Ecological Applications. Accepted Dec. 28,2017. doi:10.1002/eap.1674
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Holly, Michael A., and Rebecca A. Larson. 2017. Effects of Manure Storage Additives on Manure Composition and Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions. Transactions of the ASABE 60(2): 449-456. DOI 10.13031/trans.12066
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Izaurralde, R. C�sar, William B. McGill, Jimmy R. Williams, Curtis D. Jones, Robert P. Link, David H. Manowitz, D. Elisabeth Schwab, Xuesong Zhang, G. Philip Robertson, Neville Millar. 2017 Simulating microbial denitrification with EPIC: Model description and evaluation. Ecological Modeling. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2017.06.007
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, F. Vermeylen, G.S. Godwin, and K.J. Czymmek. 2017. Agro-environmental consequences of shifting from nitrogen- to phosphorus-based manure management of corn. Soil Science Society of America Journal. http://doi: 10.2136/sssaj2016
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G. Godwin, and K.J. Czymmek. 2017. Shifting from N-based to P-based manure management maintains soil test phosphorus dynamics in a long-term corn and alfalfa rotation. Agronomy for Sustainable Development. http://doi: 10.1007/s13593-017-0416-z.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Powell, J. Mark, Tiago Barros, Marina Danes, Matias Aguerre, Michel Wattiaux, Kristan Reed. 2017. Nitrogen use efficiencies to grow, feed, and recycle manure from the major diet components fed to dairy cows in the USA. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 239 (2017) 274282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2017.01.023
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, and K.J. Czymmek. 2017. Under- or over-application of nitrogen impact corn yield, quality, soil, and environment. Agronomy Journal 109:1-11. doi: 10.2134/agronj2016.06.0355
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Veltman, K., C.D. Jones, R. Gaillard, S. Cela, L. Chase, B. Duval., R.C. Izaurralde, Q.M. Ketterings, C. Li, M. Matlock, A. Reddy, A. Rotz, W. Salas, P. Vadas, and O. Jolliet. 2017. Comparison of process-based models to quantify nutrient flows and greenhouse gas emissions associated with milk production. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 237: 31-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2016.12.018.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fact Sheet Series - All are published by UW-Extension, all are peer-reviewed. "Aguirre-Villegas, H.A., R.A. Larson, and M.D. Ruark. 2017. Solid-liquid separation of manure and effects on greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Publication Numbers: UWEX A4131-04, GWQ 076 https://learningstore.uwex.edu/ "Aguirre-Villegas, H.A., R.A. Larson, and M.D. Ruark. 2017. Greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from dairy manure management systems, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Publication Numbers: UWEX A4131-05, GWQ 077 https://learningstore.uwex.edu/ "Larson R.A., Aguirre Villegas, H.A., Skjolaas, C., Shutske, J., Nelson J., Schauer, J., and Erb, K. 2017. Reducing risks from manure storage agitation gases, UWEX A4131-06, GWQ 078 https://learningstore.uwex.edu/ "Aguirre-Villegas, H.A., R.A. Larson, and M.D. Ruark, Liang D, Wattiaux M, Chase L, and Cabrera V. 2017. Enteric methane emissions from dairy cows: Accounting techniques, UWEX A4131-07, GWQ 079 "Aguirre-Villegas, HA, Larson RA, Ruark MD, Liang D, Wattiaux M, Chase L, and Cabrera V. 2017. Mitigation of enteric methane emissions from dairy cows, UWEX A4131-08, GWQ 080 https://learningstore.uwex.edu/ "Aguirre-Villegas H.A., R.A. Larson, L. Chase, M.A. Wattiaux, S.D. Ranathunga, and M.D. Ruark, 2017. Dairy cow nitrogen efficiency. UWEX A4131-09, GWQ081. https://learningstore.uwex.edu/ "Aguirre-Villegas, H.A., R.A. Larson, and M.D. Ruark. Managing nitrogen losses from manure management. UWEX A4131-10, GWQ082. https://learningstore.uwex.edu/ "Aguirre-Villegas, H.A., R.A. Larson, and M.D. Ruark. Nitrogen efficiency in soils within a dairy operation https://learningstore.uwex.edu/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fact Sheet: Cornell University "Cornell University Agronomy Fact Sheet # 95: Improving Aggregate Stability. 2017. http://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/factsheets/factsheet95.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Fact Sheets - UW Extension Under review "Aguirre-Villegas H.A., R.A. Larson, and M.D. Ruark. 2018. Nitrogen cycling in soils within a dairy production system. UWEX A4131-11, GWQ 083. "Aguirre-Villegas H.A., R.A. Larson, L. Chase, M.A. Wattiaux, S.D. Ranathunga, and M.D. Ruark, 2018. Dairy cow nitrogen efficiency. UWEX A4131-09, GWQ 081.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2017 Citation: Karin Veltman, Alan Rotz, Larry Chase, Joyce Cooper, Richard Gaillard, Pete Ingraham, R. C�sar Izaurralde, Curtis D. Jones, Rebecca Larson, Matt Ruark, William Salas, Greg Thoma, Olivier Jolliet. A quantitative assessment of Beneficial Management Practices to reduce carbon, reactive nitrogen and phosphorus footprints of dairy farms in the Great Lakes region (submitted September 2017).
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Maria Alejandra Ponce de Leon. May 2017. Measured and Daycent- Simulated Nitrous Oxide Emissions From Soil Planted To Corn In Dairy Cropping Systems. (Penn State University) https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/13771map533
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: http://virtualfarm.psu.edu Objective 4a, Outreach and Extension. Fabian, E., D. Hofstetter, R. Larson, H. Aguirre-Villegas and C. Betz. The user will gain a better understanding of how farm operations work by starting with basic dairy farm components while being able to find more and deeper knowledge on one site.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Betz, C.R. 2017. A Big City Ag High School Blossoms. Grow Magazine. UW-Madison. Spring Issue. https://grow.cals.wisc.edu/agriculture/a-big-city-ag-high-school-blossoms
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2018 Citation: Aguerre, M. J, J. M. Powell, A. Pelletier, M. A. Wattiaux. 201x. Effect of in vitro NDF digestibility on animal performance, methane emission and efficiency of N utilization. (UW-Madison).


Progress 02/15/16 to 02/14/17

Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted audiences of the Dairy CAP in Year 4 of the project included dairy producers, ag consultants, the dairy and food industry and product manufacturers, scientists, college, high school students and college and high teachers and professors. Dairy producers and agricultural consultants were reached through presentations at field days at Wisconsin, Cornell and Penn State's research farms, Extension conferences, and state, and regional conferences. Other scientists were reached through presentations at national and international subject-specific conferences described elsewhere in this report. Multiple publications were released in the scientific literature this year, with many more manuscripts in the revision stages to be published next year. Multiple graduate students are involved in the grant and gain valuable research experience. Students at the collegiate level were reached through the curriculum materials using recent research findings at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University and North Carolina A&T State University; guest lectures in existing classes, and with our annual project meeting. High school students and educators were impacted through our efforts to support the agricultural science curriculum at Vincent High School in Milwaukee. The majority of the students are classified as underrepresented minorities and are considered economically and educationally disadvantaged. Five undergraduate internships were filled at Penn State, Vincent High School, Cornell University and North Carolina Ag and Tech. The students have made significant contributions to the project. Changes/Problems:The refinement of the Farm Smart user support tools (4b) was one area in which significant progress was not made due to the untimely death of one of the senior staff people at the Innovation Center for US Dairy. We anticipate that this project will be back on track beginning in early 2017 through cooperating efforts between two of the sub-awards. The social science survey (4c) was is also behind schedule but three focus groups are scheduled for January 2017. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Fangle Chang is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at Penn State University. She works full-time on Objective 1b, GHG emissions from manure systems. Daesoo Kim works full-time at the University of Arkansas as Post-Doctoral Researcher. He works on Objective 3, the Life Cycle Assessment. Mike Holly graduated in 2016 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering. He worked on Objective 1b, GHG emissions from manure systems. Elizabeth McNamee graduated in 2016 with a M.S. in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She worked on Objective 1c, soil/water characteristic curves. Kavya Krishnan works as a full-time Master's degree student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is working on Objective 1c, related to nitrogen mineralization. Fei Sun works as a full time Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is in the Department of Dairy Science and works on GHG emissions from the cow (Objective 1a). Candice Cardoza is a full-time student and works as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Jahn Research Group. She is working on Objective 5a, evaluating the implementation of ag curriculum at Vincent High School. Sarah Hetrick is a full-time student at Cornell University and worked as an undergraduate summer intern with Quirine Ketterings on GHG emissions from cropping systems, Objective 1c. Mike Hile graduated in 2016 with a Ph.D. from Penn State University. His work was on manure management systems within Objective 1b. Kristina Rolph is a full-time graduate student at Penn State University in the Forest Lab. She is working on climate change modeling, Objective 2b. Alejandra Ponce de Leon is a full-time student at Penn State University where she will earn her M.S. on research conducted on Objective 1c, GHG emissions from cropping systems. Alfred Radloff worked as undergraduate Summer Intern (Obj. 5b) in 2016 at Penn State University on Objective 1c, GHG emissions from cropping systems. He was in the Karsten Lab. Katerina Sylinanou is a full-time graduate student at the University of Michigan where she is working on Objective 3c, related to NH3 and PM2.5 emissions effect on human health. Melissa Mascari was an undergraduate summer Intern (Obj. 5b) at Vincent High School 2016 where she worked on Objective 5a, implementation of ag curriculum at VHS. Mikaehla Connor was an undergraduate summer Intern (Obj. 5b) at Vincent High School 2016 where she worked on Objective 5a, implementation of ag curriculum at VHS. Noel Facey is a full-time student at North Carolina Ag & Tech where he had an undergraduate Summer Internship (Obj. 5b) and worked on Objective 1a, DNA analysis of cow fecal samples. Sarilda Kilamanjaro is a student at North Carolina Ag and Tech and was an undergraduate student hourly in the summer of 2016 (Obj. 1a). James Quick is also a student at North Carolina Ag and Tech and was an undergraduate student hourly in the summer of 2016. Ashley Braun works part time as a Biological Science Technician at the Dairy Forage Research Center at Marshfield. She works on Objective 1c, GHG emissions from cropping systems. In addition to the list of those who are currently receiving training under the Dairy CAP grant, trainees from previous years have successfully moved into new positions. Eight former post-docs, two Ph.D. graduates and two MS graduates have assumed new roles. Some continue to work on the Dairy CAP grant. • Matias Aguerre who was a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now an Assistant Professor at Clemson University. • Horacio Aguirre-Villegas who was a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now an assistant scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. • Sarah Collier who was a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now the Farm Program Education Manager at Seattle Tilth. • Mike Hile who was a Ph.D. student and then a post-doctoral research associate at Penn State University is not the manager of the Penn State Manure Odor Program. • Curtis Jones who was a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Maryland is now an Assistant Research Professor there. • Amir Sadeghpour who was a post-doctoral research associate at Cornell is now on the faculty at Cornell University--Extension. • Karen Veltman who was a post-doctoral research associate and the University of Michigan is now an assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan. • Mike Holly who was a Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now a Research Agricultural Engineer/Research Associate at the USDA-ARS Pasture Systems & Watershed Management Research Unit in State College, PA. • Elizabeth McNamee who was a M.S. research assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now a Ph.D. Research Assistant at University of Wisconsin-Madison. • Claire Campbell who was a M.S. research assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is now a soil scientist with the U.S. Forest Service in Missoula, MT. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dairy CAP investigators attend nine conferences and made 43 oral and poster presentations. Four of these conferences were international and two national meetings were professional society meetings. These meetings are used to disseminate research findings to professional colleagues. There were also two regional field meetings and seven field days which focus on disseminating results to lay audiences primarily comprised of producers, farm consultants and Extension Agents. About 1,000 people in total attended these presentations in Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania. The Dairy CAP annual meeting was also an opportunity for investigators to reach other collaborators on the project. We heard 12 oral presentations at that meeting and viewed 13 posters. The poster session was an opportunity for graduate students to showcase their research. In addition, about 13 publications were released in academic journals which are intended to reach other researchers. We have had a "soft release" of the Virtual Farm which is intended to reach students, researchers and Extension staff. We will have a more formal release of the product in early 2017.http://wpsudev2.vmhost.psu.edu/virtualfarm/ Finally, we have been able to develop and implement a high school agricultural curriculum at Vincent High School in Milwaukee. We also have engaged undergraduates through the summer internship program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Measurements and Data Repository In year 5, the cow team will finalize two publications for submission from their experiments. Fei Sun will complete his Ph.D. degree. Dr. Fangle Chen at Penn State will conduct the remainder of the manure flux measurement and analysis in Year 5. Dr. Richard and Dr. Fabian also will continue to help develop protocols with Penn State researchers and Dairy CAP Measurement Team for gas flux measurements and quality control of data collection, and work with the Modeling team to insure that parameters will be of maximum value. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, two postdoctoral researchers will work with Dr. Matt Ruark to complete three separate analyses related to sustainability of dairy production systems. Dr. Ruark will continue to supervise Kavya Krishnan who will graduate in 2017.It is expected that her MS research will be submitted for publication in 2017. Dr. Heather Karsten at Penn State University and Dr. Curtis Dell at the USDA ARS PSWM lab will continue to supervise graduate student, Alejandra Ponce de Leon who will conclude manuscript development to publish the nitrous oxide measurements that were collected in Year 3 and analyzed in Year 4. Dr. Karsten and Dr. Al Rotz, from USDA ARS PSWM, will continue to collaborate using IFSM and down-scaled weather data (Objective 2b) with IFSM to evaluate some dairy cropping systems strategies for climate adaption. Dr. Molly Jahn's research group at UW-Madison will lead data documentation, quality assurance and archival. As part of the Jahn research group, Dr. Carol Barford will prepare and submit to the National Agricultural Library's Ag Data Commons all of the observed data sets of the Dairy CAP including GHG fluxes from manure processing experiments, from barnyards, directly from dairy cows, and from soils. Dr. Joyce Cooper at the University of Washington continues to lead data development for the USDA LCA Digital Commons, an open access database and toolset being built by the USDA National Agricultural Library in response to a national need for data representing US operations for use in LCAs to support policy assessment, technology implementation decision-making, and publically disclosed comparative product or technology assertions. Objective 2: Analyze and Integrate Process Models Across Scales. Dr. Robert Nicholas and Dr. Chris Forest, will continue in collaboration and consultation with the Dairy CAP modeling teams and continue the downscaling of global climate model output to the experimental regions where the modeling team is focusing their efforts. Development is currently under way on a second-generation product that incorporates additional variables (relative humidity, solar insolation) and incorporates improved bias-correction techniques. Completion of this phase of the work is expected in Spring 2017. Dr. Forest's graduate student will begin using the Dairy CAP team's greenhouse gas emission rates (soil, crop, barn and manure) and mitigation targets as inputs for global circulation climate modeling. The goal is to understand how dairy systems affect and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. DNDC-ART will take the lead in the preparation of a manuscript for publication based on the results of the Cornell field data. The paper will include results from Daycent simulations by the Objective 2c team. Objective 3 - Life cycle assessment and model integration During year 5, data collected and process models developed during years 1-4 will be parameterized, including detailed representations of data uncertainty and quality, and formatted for use in the project, for use in a wide range of LCA software, and for dissemination through the LCA Digital Commons database. All of these developments will allow the inter-institutional team to then couple feed and milk production through local or regional feed rations, accounting for locations of feed production and feed consumption as well as transportation of feeds within United States to assess the life cycle impacts of dairy production systems. Dr. Cooper will lead the effort to format project data for use in the project and beyond. Dr. Jolliet at the University of Michigan will continue leveraging results from parallel projects, and finalize a paper on region specific characterization factors for NH3 emissions in the Great Lakes area, including effect of different BMPs contrasting the contrasting their NH3 related impacts with their climate change performances. At the University of Arkansas, Drs. Thoma and Matlock will continue to jointly supervise a post-doctoral fellow who will help with the inventory and BMP modeling, but whose primary responsibility will be to work with IFSM to convert it into a multi-year continuous simulation model. Objective 4: Conduct Extension and Outreach Dr. Eileen Fabian (Penn State) will continue to lead the development of the Virtual Farm in Year 5, which incorporates outcomes of all portions of the project. She will also contribute to video practices, eXtension as appropriate, lead development of written materials, and assist with organization of other efforts. UW-Madison, Penn State and Cornell University will also complete at least 20 fact sheets transforming grant-developed materials into Extension documents. These fact sheets will target four main categories (1) LCA output on overall farm systems and their components, (2) methane, (3) nitrogen, (4) adaptation. The Dairy CAP will co-sponsor the 2017 Waste to Worth Conference, the third International Conference on Livestock and Poultry Environmental Quality, which will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina in April 2017. Eight abstracts from the Dairy CAP team have been submitted to the conference to provide a tract on sustainable dairy. In addition, the annual meeting of the CAP will be held in conjunction with this national conference. The Dairy CAP will also co-sponsor a conference to be held at Cornell University in Spring 2017. The title is "Toward Dairy Production System Sustainability and Health: Comprehensive Model Application for Analysis of Sustainable Food, Energy, Water, and Ecological Systems: Keys for Success." In year 5, the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy team will develop a set of criteria and a protocol to evaluate Dairy CAP process-based modeling and LCI/LCA outcomes produced through Objectives 2 and 3. This protocol and criteria will be used to identify and prioritize relevant data and information to update or modify the current Farm Smart™ model. The Social Science survey will be completed in Year 5 and results will be disseminated to relevant audiences through Fact Sheets and publications. Researchers from UW-Madison and Cornell University will continue to collaborate on this effort. Objective 5. Conduct education activities. In Year 5, the focus at Vincent High School will be on its redesign as a high school of Agricultural Sciences. This is being accomplished by contracting n-Gaged Learning, an agricultural education firm to assist in the development of an urban-based agricultural education curriculum and documenting the opportunities and challenges confronting VHS as it undergoes this transition.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project leadership is satisfied with the accomplishments of Year 4 of the grant. Almost of the data collection efforts in Objective 1 are complete and investigators have or are in the process of analyzing and publishing the results. Seven manuscripts were published under Objective 1a, Enteric and Barn Emissions. Two students received their PhDs in the field of Biological Engineering (Objective 1b) and have begun new jobs. Six publications have been accepted or are under review related to, Manure Handling and Processing Fluxes. One student earned her Master's degree in Soil Science and earned a first place price for her oral presentation at a national conference. Six manuscripts have been published or are in review. In addition, we have successfully built a data repository (Objective 1d) which is populated with databases from 1) dairy cow manure and related characteristics of the manure and 2) fluxes from and characteristics of soils for field-applied manure. These were submitted to the National Agriculture Library and the Ag Data Commons in late 2016. In Objective 2 (Modeling), one of the year's highlights is the acceptance for publication a manuscript which involved 15 authors across eight institutions. The publication is Comparison of process-based models to quantify nutrient flows and greenhouse gas emissions of milk production and will be published in the Journal of Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment. This completes the work for Objective 2a (Process model comparison). Work completed on identification of climate change scenarios and impacts (Objective 2b) is key for further investigations in regional benchmarking and beneficial practice development modeling work. Finally, in Objective 2c, data collected at multiple locations in Wisconsin have been used to calibrate and validate process models. A manuscript is in development. Objective 3 (Life Cycle Assessment) has had multiple successes this past year. The project progress in data and model development ensures that project data will be discoverable, searchable and usable when it is made publicly available. Four presentations were made at international conferences examining the trade-offs of nutritional benefits of milk with health effects associated with high particulates and ammonia emissions using data generated by the Dairy CAP grant. Researchers also spent much time in 2016 investigating the simulations of the beneficial management scenarios for the farm systems being studied under the grant in Wisconsin and New York States and 15 sub-regions modelled for the climate change scenarios. The group was able to identify and correct inconsistencies between the models being used. The team decided to use IFSM as a baseline model for milk production and to use IFSM simulations for the cow's as input for ManureDNDC. An additional highlight was the development of the Virtual Farm as one of our major outreach tools under Objective 4, Extension and Outreach. The soft launch of the website is available at http://wpsudev2.vmhost.psu.edu/virtualfarm/ We envision that this tool be used well into the future as staff continue to populate it with research findings. Fact Sheets, presentations at field days, and conference attendance round out the accomplishments within Objective 4a. The refinement of the Farm Smart user support tools (4b) was one area in which significant progress was not made due to the untimely death of one of the senior staff people at the Innovation Center for US Dairy. We anticipate that this project will be back on track beginning in early 2017 through cooperating efforts between two of the sub-awards. Finally, the social science survey (4c) will be completed in 2017, also having experienced some delays in Year 4. The Dairy CAP project manager is assigned to assist the investigators. A final accomplishment occurred in inner-city Milwaukee with the announcement that Vincent High School has changed its focus and name to Vincent High School for Agricultural Science. We garnered significant publicity at a press conference for this announcement. Additionally, a consultant with experience from the Chicago Agricultural High School is now providing services to bolster curriculum development efforts at Vincent. The Dairy CAP internship was also successful in 2016 in providing research opportunities for five students at multiple colleges across the grant (5b). Several professors are infusing research results gained from the grant into curriculum materials they are using at multiple campuses (Objective 5c). Year 4 was a banner year for creating outputs on the Dairy CAP grant. We envision that as we go into the last year of the project, we will be able to realize a variety of outcomes and impacts from the research that has occurred in five years. Among those will be a more comprehensive understanding of where in the cycle of milk production we can mitigate the production of greenhouse gases and how farmers will be able to adapt better to climate change without sacrificing profitability or productivity.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: 10th International Conference on Life Cycle Assessment of Food Dublin, Ireland. October 2016 " Veltman, K. and Jolliet, O. Use of process-based models to quantify life cycle nutrient flows and greenhouse gas impacts of milk: Influence of beneficial management practices and climate change scenarios. Platform presentation by Olivier Jolliet. http://www.lcafood2016.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/LCA2016_BookOfAbstracts.pdf #133 26th Annual International Society of Exposure Science Meeting Utrecht, Netherlands. October 2016 " Stylianou, K. Modelling PM2.5 exposure and health impact from agricultural emissions: 3 dairy farms in the U.S. " Jolliet, O. Combining environmental and nutritional impacts & benefits in food LCA: Why have we waited so long? Keynote speech by Olivier Jolliet. http://www.lcafood2016.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/LCA2016_BookOfAbstracts.pdf Page 12 " Stylianou, K. and O. Jolliet. Spatial variation of secondary PM2.5 exposure and health impact from milk production http://www.lcafood2016.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/LCA2016_BookOfAbstracts.pdf #121 78th Annual Cornell Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers Cornell Nutrition Conference " Chase L.E. 2016. Methane mitigation strategies for dairy herds. Proc. Cornell Nutrition Conference Syracuse NY. Pp: 197-203. https://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/handle/1813/44744/14Chase_Manuscript.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Agronomy Society of America-Crop Science Society of America -Soil Science Society of America Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, November 2016 Oral Presentation " Curtis J. Dell, Alejandra Ponce de Leon, Emily Duncan, Douglas B. Beegle, Heather D. Karsten and Peter J.A. Kleinman. Understanding the Tradeoffs Among N Loss Pathway When Comparing Benefits of Nitrogen Management Approaches. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2016am/videogateway.cgi/id/26862?recordingid=26862 " McNamee, E.O., M.D. Ruark, R.K. Gaillard, S.M. Collier, and W.L. Bland. Soil water characteristic curve measurement and field capacity estimation influences Daycent predicted N2O emissions. Her presentation won first place in the student oral competition. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2016am/videogateway.cgi/id/26060?recordingid=26060 Agronomy Society of America-Crop Science Society of America -Soil Science Society of America Meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, November 2016 Poster Presentations " M.A. Ponce de Leon, and Dell C. J, and H. D. Karsten. Factors contributing to nitrous oxide emissions from soil planted to corn in no-till dairy crop rotations. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2016am/webprogram/Handout/Paper101211/Ponce%20de%20Leon_Maria%20Alejandra.pdf " Krishnan, K., M.D. Ruark, and J.R. West. The effect of cover cropping on potentially mineralizable soil nitrogen. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2016am/webprogram/Handout/Paper100809/SSSA%20Poster_Krishnan.pdf Agriculture, Food, and Environmental In-Service. Spear Program. Ithaca, NY, Nov. 1, 2016 Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. 2016. Updates on greenhouse gas emission and soil health research in Nutrient Management. Steps to Sustainable Livestock. Bristol, UK, January 12-15, 2016 (Collier) " Sarah Collier and Gregg Sanford; Department of Agronomy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA The Wisconsin Integrated Cropping System Trial SETAC, Nantes, France May 2016 " Spatial variation of secondary inorganic PM2.5 exposure and human health impact: a case study on milk production O. Jolliet, University of Michigan; K. Stylianou, University of Michigan - School of Public Health / Environmental Health Sciences; C. Tessum, J. Marshall, University of Minnesota / Civil Environmental and Geo Engineering; J. Hill, University of Minnesota / Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Karin Veltman, Curtis D. Jones, Richard Gaillard, Sebastian Cela, Larry Chase, Benjamin D. Duval, R. C�sar Izaurralde, Quirine M. Ketterings, Changsheng Li, Marty Matlock, Ashwan Reddy, Alan Rotz, William Salas, Peter Vadas, Olivier Jolliet. 201X. Comparison of process-based models to quantify nutrient flows and greenhouse gas emissions of milk production. Journal of Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Mike Hile. 2016. PhD. Thesis Title: Hydrogen Sulfide Production in Manure Storages on Pennsylvania Dairy Farms Using Gypsum Bedding. The Pennsylvania State University. Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Eileen Fabian, Advisor.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: J. M. Powell and P. A. Vadas. 2016. Gas emissions from dairy barnyards. Animal Production Science, 56, 355361 http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/AN15598.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Aguirre-Villegas, H.A., T.H. Passos-Fonseca, D.J. Reinemann, and R.A. Larson. 201x. Got Pasture? Environmental Impacts of Grazing Dairy Systems in Wisconsin. Journal of Dairy Science.
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Dairy CAP Annual Meeting  March 2, 2016 Madison, WI. Poster Presentations and Abstracts " Climate change mitigation and adaptation in dairy production systems of the Great Lakes region Carolyn Rumery Betz, University of Wisconsin-Madison " Bringing a needle to a laser fight: comparing greenhouse gas sampling methods with gas chromatography and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Claire A Campbell, Sarah M Collie, Matthew D. Ruark and J. Mark Powell, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USDA-ARS, Dairy Forage Research Center " Factors affecting the detection of methanogen DNA in cattle manure Noel Facey, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Dairy CAP Undergraduate Intern at North Carolina Ag and Tech, 2015 under Dr. Millie Worku " Analysis of two indices of available nitrogen in no-till corn within diverse dairy crop rotations Elaine Hinrichs, Oberlin College Dairy CAP Undergraduate Intern at Penn State, 2015 under Dr. Heather Karsten " Nutrient runoff losses from liquid dairy manure applied with low-disturbance methods W.E. Jokela1, J.F. Sherman1, and J. Cavadini2. 1USDA-ARS, Marshfield, WI and, 2University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marshfield, WI " Effects of Low-disturbance Manure Application Methods on N2O and NH3 Emissions in a Silage Corn-Rye Cover Crop System " William Jokela1, Jessica Sherman1, Jason Cavadini2, and Michael Bertram3, 1USDA-ARS, Marshfield, WI; 2University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marshfield, WI; 3University of Wisconsin-Madison, Arlington, WI " Examining the effect of cover crop treatments on potentially mineralizable nitrogen Kavya Krishnan, Jaimie R. West, Matthew D. Ruark Department of Soil Science. University of Wisconsin Madison " Effect of nitrogen- vs phosphorus-based manure and compost management on soil quality Andrew Lefever, Amir Sadeghpour and Quirine M. Ketterings, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Dairy CAP Undergraduate Intern, 2015 under Dr. Quirine Ketterings and Dr. Amir Sadgepour " Soil water characteristic curves of long-term cropping systems in South Central Wisconsin Elizabeth McNamee and William L. Bland, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Soil Science Madison, WI " Factors contributing to nitrous oxide emissions from soil planted to corn in no till dairy crop rotations Maria Alejandra Ponce de Leon1, Curtis Dell2, and Heather D. Karsten 1 1 Plant Science Dept. Penn State University, University Park PA, 16802 2USDA Agricultural Research Service, University Park, PA 16802 " Modeling dairy feed production under future climates A. Reddy1, C Jones1 and C Izaurralde1, 2 1 University of Maryland, College Park; 2 Texas A&M University " Corn Performance under Nitrogen- vs Phosphorus-Based Manure and Compost Management Amir Sadeghpour, Quirine Ketterings, Gregory Godwin, Karl Czymmek Nutrient Management Spear Program, Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca NY " Spatial variation of secondary inorganic PM Exposure and human health impact: a case study on milk production Katerina Stylianou1, Christopher Tessum2, Julian Marshall2, Jason Hill3, Olivier Jolliet1 1 Environmental Health Science, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 2 Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA 3 Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2016 Citation: American Society of Animal Science and American Dairy Science Association " Liang, D., F. Sun, M. A. Wattiaux, V. Cabrera, and E. M. Silva. 2016. Impact of corn or soybean in crops and lactating cow diets on estimated greenhouse gas emission from Wisconsin certified organic dairy farms. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 94, E-Suppl. 5 /J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 99, E-Suppl.1:567 (Abstract 1201). http://adsa.org/Publications/JDS/MeetingAbstracts.aspx " Aguerre, M. J., M. J. Powell, A. R. Pelletier, and M. A. Wattiaux. 2016. Intake, milk production, and methane emission of dairy cows fed diets that differ in ruminal in vitro NDF digestibility. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 94, E-Suppl. 5 /J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 99, E-Suppl.1:561 (Abstract 1190). http://adsa.org/Publications/JDS/MeetingAbstracts.aspx " Sun, F., M. J. Aguerre, and M. A. Wattiaux. 2016. Effect of dextrose and purified starch at two levels of rumen degradable protein on lactation performance and enteric methane emission in dairy cow. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 94, E-Suppl. 5 /J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 99, E-Suppl.1:343 (Abstract 0729). http://adsa.org/Publications/JDS/MeetingAbstracts.aspx " Wattiaux, M. A., J. P. Iñamagua-Uyaguari, F. Casasola-Coto, L. Guerre-Alarcón, and A. Jenet. 2016. Partial carbon footprint of milk and interaction between enteric methane and nitrous oxide emissions in grazing dairy farms: The case of Costa Rica. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 94, E-Suppl. 5 /J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 99, E-Suppl.1:556 (Abstract 1180). http://adsa.org/Publications/JDS/MeetingAbstracts.aspx
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Mike Holly. 2016. PhD. Thesis Title: Abatement of Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions from Storage and Land Application of Dairy Manure. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Department of Biosystems Engineering. R.A. Larson, Advisor.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Elizabeth McNamee. 2016 M.S. Thesis Title: Unpacking the Soil Water Characteristic Curve: Measurement Techniques, Property-Transfer Predictions, and Implications for Daycent Model University of Wisconsin-Madison. Department of Soil Science. W.A. Bland, Advisor.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2016 Citation: Elaine Hinrichs.2016. B.S. Honors Thesis Title: Comparing measures of available soil nitrogen and nitrous oxide in sustainable dairy cropping systems. Oberlin College. Department of Environmental Studies (Dairy CAP summer intern in 2015 with Heather Karsten at Penn State).
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. 2016. Nitrogen vs. phosphorus-based manure and compost management of corn. Agronomy Journal. 108: 185-195. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/aj/abstracts/108/1/185.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Cates, A.M., M.D. Ruark, J.L. Hedtcke, and J.L. Posner. 2016. Long-term tillage, rotation and perennialization effects on particulate and aggregate soil organic matter. Soil Till. Res. 155:371-380. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198715300258
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Collier, S.M., A.P. Dean, L.G. Oates, M.D. Ruark, and R.D. Jackson. 2016. Does plant biomass manipulation in static chambers affect nitrous oxide emissions from soils? J. Environ. Qual. 45:751-756. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jeq/abstracts/45/2/751
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Holly, M.A. and R.A. Larson. 201x. Effects of Manure Storage Additives on Manure Composition and Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions. Transactions of the ASABE.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Aguirre-Villegas, H. and R.A. Larson. 201x. Evaluating Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Manure Management Practices using Survey Data and Lifecycle Tools. Journal of Cleaner Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Holly, M.A., R.A. Larson, M. Powell, M. Ruark, and H. Aguirre-Villegas. 201x. Evaluating greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions from digested and separated manure through storage and land application. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Holly, M.A. and R.A. Larson. 201x. N Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, and Ammonia Emissions from Digested and Separated Dairy Manure during Storage and Land Application. Agriculture Ecosystems and the Environment.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. 201x. Soil health under nitrogen- vs phosphorus-based manure and compost management of corn. Soil Science Society of America Journal.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wang, H. and R.A. Larson. 201x. Effect of Dietary Tannin on Biomethane Potential of Dairy Manure. Environmental Technology.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Wattiaux, Michel A., Matias A. Aguerre and Sanjeewa D. Ranathunga. 2016. Nutrition management of housed dairy cattle in intensive systems. In: Achieving sustainable production of cow's milk Vol 2. Edited by John Webster. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. UK.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Collier, S.M., M.D. Ruark, M.R. Naber, T. Andraski, and M.D. Calser. 201x. Apparent stability and subtle change in soil carbon and nitrogen under a long-term fertilizer gradient. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Cates, A.M. and M.D. Ruark. 201x. Soil aggregate and particulate C and N under corn rotations: Responses to management and correlations with yield. Plant and Soil.


Progress 02/15/15 to 02/14/16

Outputs
Target Audience:The targeted audiences of the Dairy CAP in Year Three of the project include dairy producers, ag consultants, the dairy and food industry and product manufacturers, scientists, college, high school students and college and high teachers and professors. Dairy producers and agricultural consultants were reached through presentations at field days at Wisconsin, Cornell and Penn State's research farms, Extension conferences, the World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI, and state and regional conferences including a state manure expo in Green Bay, WI, and Farm Technology Days in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The grant sponsored three conferences: the Waste to Worth conference in Seattle; a dairy and science conference at Cornell University in July 2015 where about half of the 150 attendees were farmers and representatives of the agri-business industry. The audience for the American Dairy Science Association's 30th Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture entitled "Creating an Enduring U.S. Dairy Production Sector," was primarily consultants and the agri-business industry. Dairy industry and product manufacturers were reached at the American Dairy Science Association's 30th Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture entitled "Creating an Enduring U.S. Dairy Production Sector." The food industry was also represented at this meeting. Scientists were reached through presentations at national meetings which is described elsewhere in this report. About five publications were released in the scientific literature this year. Students at the collegiate level were reached through the curriculum materials using recent research findings at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University and North Carolina A&T State University; guest lectures in existing classes; and with our annual project meeting. High school students and educators were impacted through our efforts to support the agricultural science curriculum at Vincent High School in Milwaukee. The majority of the students are classified as racial and ethnic minorities and are considered economically and educationally disadvantaged. The grant sponsored one high school student from VHS to participate in a summer research program at North Carolina Ag and Tech. Four undergraduate internships were filled at Penn State, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Cornell and North Carolina Ag and Tech. The students made significant contributions to the project. Changes/Problems:Objective 1d: The Jahn Research Group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will take the lead role, directed by Dr. Carol Barford, Associate Scientist. Objective 2a: Dr. Changsheng Li from the consulting firm DNDC ART passed away in 2015. Objective 4c: Dr. Ken Genskow from the Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning will be added as a PI from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Objective 5a: Dr. Craig Benson is no longer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and will no longer be a PI on the project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The grant has supported seven post-doctoral research associates: Matias Aguerre, Ph.D., Department of Dairy Science--University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Aguerre is responsible for the chamber study on the effects of forage fiber on digestibility in 48 lactating animals; he also supervised Tracy Potter, the summer intern from Cornell University, and works with undergraduates and graduate students in the lab and at the farm. Dr. Horacio Aguirre-Villegas, Ph.D. Department of Biological Systems Engineering--University of Wisconsin. He is responsible for goals identified in Objective 3, including LCA system scale, allocation methods, and designation of system boundaries. Sarah Collier, Ph.D. Jahn Research Group and Ruark Lab--University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Collier is responsible for all of the data collection and analysis on GHG emissions from soil/crops at the WICST Farm. In addition, she assists with the overall objective 5 goals, including developing education curriculum materials at the high school and college level and the internship program. She has supervised numerous undergraduate students both in the field and in the laboratory. Mike Hile, Ph.D., Agricultural and Biological Engineering - Penn State University, works on identification of areas for reduction in GHG emissions from manure. Curtis D. Jones, Ph.D., Department of Geography--University of Maryland. Dr. Jones works on model simulations with APEX-EPIC to simulate agricultural management strategies. He was also responsible for obtaining solar radiation data for the team. Amir Sadeghpour, Ph.D, Dept. of Animal Science - Cornell University. His area of specialty is data collection and analysis on GHG emissions from soil/crops. In addition, Dr. Sadeghpour helped supervise Cornell's summer intern. Karin Veltman, Ph.D., Department of Environmental Health--University of Michigan. Veltman has been the lead on the process model comparisons, organizing data structure, linking LCA unit processing with the process model; LCA- based algorithms for integrated tool for farmers. Dr. Veltman is the lead author of the model comparison paper described under Objective 2a. Three other post-docs were also associated with the project in Year 3. Emad Jahanzad, Ph.D., Crops and Soil Sciences--Penn State University also works on data collection and analysis on GHG emissions from soil/crops. Glenn Malcolm, Ph.D., Crops and Soil Sciences--Penn State University, who works with Dr. Karsten on data collection and analysis on GHG emissions from soil/crops. Dae Soo Kim, Ph.D, University of Arkansas Model, assists Dr. Thoma with the development of the Life Cycle Assessment. In Year 3 of the project, eight technicians worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Penn State, and the University of Arkansas. Their work included: Data collection on GHG emissions from soil at WICST in Arlington, WI; video production at the UW-Madison; data collection and analysis on GHG emissions from soil at the Agronomy Farm at Penn State; computer programming for climate downscaling and linking LCA unit processing with the process modeling at the University of Arkansas. Four student interns were hired during the summer of 2015. Noel Facey, was an Intern with Dr. Millie Worku at North Carolina Ag & Tech. He conducted research and generated data on environmental attributes at the farm (climate) and DNA concentration and purity from fecal samples from dairy cows. Elaine Hinriches was a student from Oberlin College assigned to work as a summer intern with Dr. Heather Karsten at Penn State University. The intern evaluated the impact of the various manure management practices on soil health indicators. Andrew LeFever was the intern with Dr. Quirine Ketterings at Cornell University. He worked on sampling protocols for soil health analyses He also worked on an agronomy factsheet on greenhouse gases that will be posted to the nutrient management program website once completed. He completed a poster about the research and one first prize in a poster competition at SSSA in Minnesota. Tracy Potter, came from Cornell University and worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on field data collection; measurement chambers at the USDFRC facilities (Prairie du Sac) and the associated sensors; collected feed, fecal, urine and rumen samples; learned basic techniques for the laboratory, data summarization, data computing, and analysis; and was responsible for operating and troubleshooting of the emission chambers. Seven graduate students were supported by the grant during Year 3: Claire Campbell was a M.S. student in the Department of Soil Science and the Agroecology Program under the direction of Drs. Matt Ruark and Mark Powell at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Campbell's research was assessed the impacts of tannin diets on land applications of dairy manure (Objective 1c). She graduated in December 2015 and is currently working for the US Forest Service. Mike Holly is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biological Systems of Engineering under Dr. Rebecca Larson at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He focuses his research on the GHG solid/liquid separation process under objective 1b. Alejendra Ponce de Leon, is earning a Master's Degree in the Department of Crops and Soil Science with Dr. Heather Karsten at Penn State University. She is working on data collection and analysis on GHG emissions from soil at the Agronomy Farm as part of Objective 1c. Elizabeth McNamee is a M.S. student in the Department of Soil Science and the Agroecology Program with Dr. Bill Bland at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is focusing on soil/water experiments at UW Madison (Objective 1c). Katerina Stylinanou is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Environmental Health studying under the direction of Dr. Olivier Jolliet at the University of Michigan. Her research is on the Life Cycle Impact Assessment framework of dairy products, focusing on ammonia related impacts due to secondary particle formation. Fei Sun is a Ph.D. student in the Dept. of Dairy Science with Dr. Michel Wattiaux at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research involves GHG in vitro methodology and management for cow feeding experiments (Objective 1a). Varada Vaidya is a M.S. student in the Earth and Environmental Systems Department at Penn State University, studying with Dr. Chris Forest. Her area of expertise is computer programming for climate downscaling components of Objective 2b. Six undergraduates have also been supported by the grant in Year 3. Their responsibilities varied from data collection in the field or barn to analysis of USDA data related to the dairy industry and sustainability and website development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Three conferences were supported by the Dairy CAP grant in Year 3. Extensive collaboration with PIs and staff in the Animal Agriculture and Climate Change project took place to plan and deliver the Dairy Environmental Systems and Climate Change Conference at Cornell University in Ithaca in July 2015. About 150 people attended, including academics, staff, extension agents, and farmers and their advisors and a full day of field trips was offered. Sixteen members of the Dairy CAP team were present, including PIs, staff, students, summer interns, and advisory committee members. Presentations were recorded and audio and slide presentations for each presenter and graduate poster presenters are posted to YouTube. Presenters who are affiliated with the Dairy CAP are found as follows: Al Rotz (USDA-ARS NAA). Evaluating Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change for a New York Dairy Farm https://youtu.be/S3N3B368m9o Greg Thoma (U. of Arkansas). Potential Use of LCA to Prioritize Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies https://youtu.be/eCraHBHx564 Larry Chase (Cornell University). Climate Change Impacts on the Dairy Industry https://youtu.be/CRziPAhfIWQ Larry Chase (Cornell University) Herd Management Strategies to Reduce Methane Emissions in Dairy Herds https://youtu.be/4GFZiXlv02o Doug Young (New York Farmer) Farmer Panel: Farmers' Perspectives on Climate Change, Climate Adaptation, and Sustainability in a Commodities-based Markethttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M5PBGkxu5s&feature=youtu.be Juan Tricarico (DMI). Cow of the Future https://youtu.be/GPcXu0Pb9fc Amir Sadeghpour (Cornell) GHG Emissions from Injected vs. Surface Applied Dairy Liquid Manure in Alfalfa and Grassland https://youtu.be/4GFZiXlv02o Mike Hile (PSU) Gypsum Bedding Impact on H2S Release from Dairy Manure Storagehttps://youtu.be/XgXceXR0sCc Claire Campbell, University of Wisconsin-Madison Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Dairy Manure Land Applications with Tannin Feeding Trial https://youtu.be/6xn8JPxKgvc Amir Sadeghpour, Cornell University Nitrogen vs. Phosphorus-Based Manure and Compost Management of Corn: From Corn Performance to Soil and Environment Quality https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfVTH7n3Now&feature=youtu.be Amir Sadeghpour, Cornell University GHG Emissions from N vs P-based Manure and Compost Management of Grain Corn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wt3IedkbrY&feature=youtu.be Alexandra Ponce de Leon, Penn State University Nitrous Oxide emissions from Sustainable Dairy Forage Rotation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9anUc2ktUQ8&feature=youtu.be The Waste to Worth Conference on Advancing Sustainability in Agriculture was held in Seattle, Washington, April 30 - May 3, 2015. The planning team included Dr. Rebecca Larson from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The purpose of the conference was to bring together the nation's best science with innovative outreach on animal agriculture and the environment; to allow for opportunities to meet and network with the outstanding people behind those science and solutions; and to mix together a multidisciplinary emphasis and collaborative atmosphere. Those who attended were professionals who make or influence environmental management decisions on livestock farms, including: ag and environmental organizations, consultants, cooperative extension agents and specialists, equipment manufacturing and sales reps, farmers/growers, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff, regulatory and policy staff, and researchers. Presentations were made by multiple members of the Dairy CAP grant. More information can be found at the website: https://www.eiseverywhere.com/file_uploads/e578f0e115fbe84228a52426d1d74144_WastetoWorthFinalProgramBook.pdf The third conference was the American Dairy Science Association 30th ADSA Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture--Creating an Enduring U.S. Dairy Production Sector, held in Itasca, IL on November 2-5, 2015. The conference was planned in part by Dr. Mark Stephenson (UW-Madison) and about 150 people attended, including about eight people from our project. The goals for this Discover Conference were to provide a cross-section of key discipline experts and a venue for discussion and integration of these issues across animal physiology, nutrition, welfare, climate change, economics and marketing, social issues, and policy among others. Continued success of the U.S. dairy production sector requires engagement in topics that usually do not surface in dairy production meetings, but are essential for improving the U.S. dairy industry and becoming more sustainable and vital for generations to come. More information can be found at the websites: http://www.adsa.org/Meetings/DiscoverConferences/30thDiscoverConference.aspx http://www.adsa.org/Portals/0/SiteContent/docs/discover/DC30/Discover30_Program_100815.pdf Other ways the results were disseminated to communities of interest included presentations at various venues: Wisconsin Discovery Farms Conference Wisconsin Dells, WI. December 10, 2014. Cover crops and nutrient cycling. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Wisconsin Crop Management Conference, Madison, WI. Jan. 15, 2015 Low-Disturbance Manure Application Methods in a Corn Silage-Rye Cover Crop System. Bill Jokela, Jason Cavadini, and Mike Bertram. http://extension.soils.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/02/WCMC-Proceedings-2015.pdf University of Vermont Webinar. January 20, 2015. Tile Drainage Workshop. Cover crops and climate change. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2015 Corn-Soy Expo, Wisconsin Dells, WI. January 29, 2015. Making cover crops pay. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Calumet County Forage Council Meeting. February 6, 2015. Brant, WI Cover crops and nutrient cycling. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2015 Crop Nutrient Management Conference Mankato, MN. February 9, 2015. Cover crops and nutrient cycling. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2015 Iowa Cover Crops Conference, West Des Moines, IA. February 17-18, 2015. Cover crops and nutrient cycling. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Department of Agronomy Seminar, Iowa State U. April 1, 2015 Dairy-based vs. Grain-based cropping systems - which is more sustainable? Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. NCERA 59 Ames, IA. June 4, 2015. Long-Term Effects of Cropping Systems on Particulate and Aggregate Soil Organic Matter. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. North Central Region Water Network Webinar: Application of Cover Crops in the Midwestern US. June 17, 2015. Cover crops after fall manure application. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2015 Musgrave Research Farm field day at Cornell University Ithaca, NY. July 2015. Nutrient Management Research, Quirine Ketterings (150 people). Field Days at the Agronomy Farm, Penn State University. August, 2015. Heather Karsten. Wisconsin Cover Crops Conference. Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, East Troy, WI .August 14, 2015, Bill Bland. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Agronomy/Soils Field Day Arlington, WI. August 19, 2015 Untangling the rotation effect on soil resilience. Bill Bland and Elizabeth McNamee. University of Wisconsin-Madison Cover crops as a trap crop for nitrate. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison Other extension activities continued in Year 3 including multiple presentations presented at scientific conferences. Details are provided elsewhere in this document. The project continues to maintain a website (http://sustainabledairy.org) with content and articles relevant to the grant. We also have a Twitter account: @DairyCAP. We also produced a one-page fact sheet about the project. It can be found on the website: http://www.sustainabledairy.org/AnalyticsReports/FactSheet1.pdf What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1a: The preliminary trial that was conducted in Year 3 will be completed early in Year 4. We anticipate that final sample and data analyses of integration of animal performance, ruminal pH and gaseous emission data that were conducted in this preliminary trial, and statistical analyses of data and manuscript preparation will be completed very early in Year 4. Work on a second experiment conducted in Year 3 will also be finalized. Two additional experiments will also be conducted. Experiment 2 is "Evaluate the impact of contrasting feed efficiency from dairy cows on CH4 emission and N efficiency." Experiment 3 is "Evaluate the impact of contrasting feed efficiency from Holstein and Jersey dairy cows on CH4 emission and N efficiency." Objective 1b: Penn State University will complete its manure studies in Year 4 by completing the manure flux measurement and analyses and developing protocols for gas flux measurements and quality control of data collection. They will work with the Modeling team to insure that parameters will be of maximum value. Objective 1c: Emissions of GHG and ammonia, soil C sequestration, and soil and forage quality will continue into Year 4 in ongoing dairy forage production field experiments in WI, PA, and NY to build a database that provides both baseline emission data and data for evaluation of sustainable practices. Penn State USDA NAA will finish statistical comparisons and interpretations of the nitrous oxide measurements that were collected in Year 3. Cornell University will finalize GHG emission measurements at the Aurora Research Farm and focus on publication of results. Objective 1d: The Jahn Research Group (UW-Madison) and the USDA National Agricultural Library will continue with the database development for the project into Year 4, focusing on preparing project researchers and the LCA Commons editorial system to import, peer-review, and publish Mid-West Dairy CAP Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data. The NAL will communicate data standards to researchers and import data as they become available in Year 4. Objective 2a: Leading the model comparison effort, the University of Michigan will coordinate the next step of the process model comparison application to BMPs for the Twin Birch Farm by doing the following: Coordinating the customization and parameterization of the selected BMPs on the Twin Birch farm, including the selected climate scenarios. Collecting the data obtained by each modeler and providing a comparative analysis of the efficiency and performance of the various BMPs in term of greenhouse gas and nutrient related emissions (NH3, NOx). Writing a paper in collaboration with the other modelers on the BMP analysis and their efficiency for the Twin Birch farm and on the incidence of climate change scenarios on productivity and environmental emissions. Objective 2b: Penn State will continue to downscale climate models to the experimental regions where the modeling team is focusing their efforts. Agreement has been reached to expand this effort with additional solar insolation data in Year 4. Additionally, Dr. Forest will begin using the Dairy CAP team's greenhouse gas emission rates (soil, crop, barn and manure) and mitigation targets as inputs for global circulation climate modeling. The goal is to understand how dairy systems affect and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector. Objective 2c: Datasets from Objective1 will be obtained and simulated with the animal, field, and farm models described in Objective 2a. Models will be calibrated and harmonized so they are simulating the same physical conditions of the experiments, such as measured soil moisture. Model results will then be assessed and compared to generate a thorough understanding of why models might differ. Each simulated dataset will then be considered a benchmark for the region and conditions simulated. Through this process a series of regional benchmarks, including the simulations in Objective 2a, will be created. Model parameters will then be altered in the model to assess the impact of beneficial farm management practices and future weather scenarios on GHG emissions. Model simulation data generated in this process will be used to populate LCI databases associated with Objective 3b. BMPs and production practices will be tested for archetypical farms, or farm components representative of potential practices in the 15 different regions identified for the climate change scenarios. Objective 3: As beneficial management practices are defined based on experimental work or on expert knowledge and opinion, the process models will be used to create BMP-specific lifecycle inventories and impacts which can be used to evaluate potential environmental benefits associated with these BMPs. In conjunction with the BMP assessment, there will be a series of simulations based on future weather scenarios to assess potential vulnerabilities to climate change from current and projected best (adaptation) practices. We will continue to develop the LCIA and LCA to contribute to the completion of Objective 3 including the complete beneficial management practices list to be used as a base of modeling, LCA, and extension purposes. Objective 4: Continuing in Year 4 from previous years' efforts, the Extension team will work with eXtension to support the efforts of existing communities of practice related to climate change and dairy production systems. Materials produced by this project will be hosted in the "Animal Agriculture and Climate Change" topic area managed by the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center. We will begin developing the virtual farms in year 4. The goal is to simulate an on-farm visit or field-day experience for extension programming target audiences that can be accessed through a web-based format. Additionally, this extension team will be heavily involved in supporting several nationally advertised conferences in Years 4 and 5. Objective 4b: Dairy Research Institute will re-evaluate the current Farm Smart tool to assure it meets the needs of the end users. Next they will assess the current Farm Smart model for the feasibility of new algorithms incorporation. If the outcome of the evaluation shows there is no need to update the tool, the decision would be keep the current Farm Smart tool, run the GHG mitigation scenarios and report the outcome. If the evaluation results show a need to update Farm Smart, then the team will proceed to go through the feed print, enteric print, manure print and energy print details to investigate the different options and procedures to update the calculations to meet the needs. There are other possible outcomes from the Dairy-CAP which can be incorporated into Farm Smart in the decision tree, but we will only use the four footprint calculations to show the work flow. Objective 4c: Activities will center on coordinating with other researchers, conducting an online survey of dairy producers, and hosting one or more group discussions with producers. We will complete the draft of survey instrument with input from Dairy CAP partners and social science researchers; finalize target demographics and recruitment strategies, including coordination and consultation with Extension and industry partners to identify survey sample; complete UW IRB review and approval; test/solicit feedback on survey instrument with a select group of producers for initial evaluation; and implement the survey and conduct preliminary analysis Objective 5a: The development and the implementation of the agricultural curriculum at Vincent High School will continue. Objective 5b: We will support the development of undergraduate research opportunities and summer internships by offering up to 11 internships. Objective 5c: We will continue to create agricultural curriculum materials at the college level.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Data continued to be collected under objectives 1a, 1b and 1c. Objective 1a: Experiment 1, "Effect of forage NDF digestibility on animal performance, methane emission and efficiency of N utilization" was conducted between June and October 2015. They collected performance and N utilization efficiency data from 48 cows and GHG emission data from 24 cows. Two articles were published in the Journal of Animal Science, and two in the Journal of Environmental Quality. A fact sheet and video recording of a presentation were published to the Animal Manure Management eXtension website. Objective 1b: Data analysis on the manure storage and land application component of his experimental work were completed and submitted to the project's data library, as were data analysis on additions of manure tannins to digestion systems. A manuscript related to manure management practices in Wisconsin was produced using surveys to quantify greenhouse gas emissions and develop inventory data for life cycle assessments. Nine presentations were given at three conferences relevant to the manure management aspects of the project. Objective 1c: Greenhouse gas measurement data continued being collected at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Arlington Research Station (the WICST plots), the Musgrave Farm at Cornell University, Penn State's Agronomy Farm and at the USDA ARS Dairy Forage Research Center at Marshfield, Wisconsin. One student earned her M.S. degree in Soil Science from the UW-Madison. One article was published in the J. Environ. Qual.; another is in press and a third is in revision. Eight poster presentations, three conference oral presentations and 12 other presentations were completed. Two students won three prizes at one conference. Objective 1d: the internal Dairy CAP data repository was developed in Year 3 as part of a coordinated, multi-institutional effort. Procedures have been established for checking submitted data sets for errors, and we now have records of data sharing and set version tracking. Scientists continue to input data from field investigators as we ensure QA/QC of that data. A database with simulation results of all models (IFSM, DayCent, APEX, CNCPS and ManureDNDC-Objective 2a) for the pilot farm in NY has been completed. Objective 2a: A whole farm balance assessment has been completed as part of the modeling group study for the pilot farm. This is a product of extensive collaboration during the first three years of the project. A final manuscript has been prepared and will be submitted for publication in early 2016. It is: Veltman, K., C. Jones, R. Gaillard, P.A. Bandekar, S. Cela, L. Chase, B. Duval, R.C. Izaurralde, Q.M. Ketterings, C. Li, M. Matlock, A. Rotz, W. Salas, P. Vadas, and O. Jolliet. Comparison of process-based models to quantify nutrient flows and greenhouse gas emissions of milk production. A list of beneficial management practices was developed as part of the next phase of the modeling and Life Cycle Analysis efforts. Objective 2b: The initial CMIP5 data sets were completed, downloaded and archived in September 2015, including daily precipitation, minimum temperature, and maximum temperature time series. The data sets will be used by the modelers and LCA teams for developing alternative scenarios under changing climate conditions. This will set the stage to developing adaptation scenarios for the project. Initial model evaluations using the Dairy CAP measurement data have begun as has the development of the protocol for accessing the database to drive model simulations. Objective 3a: The task of boundary identification has been completed. We have chosen a functional unit of 1 kg of fat and protein corrected milk at the farm gate, and have adopted a biophysical allocation approach for milk and meat production. Objective 3b: A draft format and parameterization of the data developed under the process model comparisons in Obj. 2a have been completed. All input data as well as the emissions results from the model comparison on the Twin Birch Farm for performing the Life Cycle Assessment have been performed as the first step to evaluate and improve regional benchmarks integrated into LCA impact assessment. A data gaps analysis (as spreadsheets) to track what data are available from the project and for the project (from the USDA LCA Digital Commons and what data are needed was completed. The IFSModel will be using for the integration of process models and lifecycle assessment. Several PIs have become self-educated on the intricacies of this model, and a new post-doc will be brought in in Year 4. Objective 4a: Extension and Outreach activities included three conferences supported by the grant: Animal Agriculture and Climate Change at Cornell University in July; the Waste to Worth Conference in Seattle in April; and the American Dairy Science Association 30th ADSA Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture--Creating an Enduring U.S. Dairy Production Sector, near Chicago in November. Other extension activities included multiple presentations presented elsewhere in this document. We produced a one-page fact sheet about the project, http://www.sustainabledairy.org/AnalyticsReports/FactSheet1.pdf. The project continues to maintain a website (http://sustainabledairy.org) with content and articles relevant to the grant. We also have a Twitter account: @DairyCAP. Under Objective 4b, The "Cost of Manure" model was completed as a stand-alone, on-line enterprise accounting/economic engineering model. It is being field tested in Wisconsin. Objective 4c: a literature review focusing on social science studies of producer attitudes to climate change, theories of communication and values systems of ag producers was completed. The team also developed and finalized draft version of survey tool to be used to understand dairy producer views on climate risk, climate change, sources of climate information, willingness to adopt new practices, and other questions to help guide outreach professionals. The survey will be administered in Year 4. Objective 5a: The development and implementation of the ag high school curriculum continues at Milwaukee's Vincent High School. They continue to partner with the food and beverage industry and other community partners. One student participated in a four-week research program at North Carolina Ag and Tech State University under the grant. Objective 5b: Four undergraduates participated in the Research Mentorship Program at Penn State, Cornell, North Carolina Ag and Tech and UW-Madison: http://www.sustainabledairy.org/About/Projects/Pages/Internships.aspx. Several were able to attend at least one conference and prepare a poster or fact sheet based on the research they conducted. One of the interns won first place in the poster competition for undergraduates. Objective 5c: Research findings from the project are beginning to be incorporated into classroom materials at Cornell, Penn State, and North Carolina Ag and Tech State.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Aguerre, M. J., F. Sun, S. Welch, M. A. Wattiaux. 2015. Effect of a ruminal acidosis challenge on methane emission rate in lactating cows. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. S3/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 98, Suppl. 2:781. Abstract: Effect of a ruminal acidosis challenge on methane emission rate in lactating cows / The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) challenge on CH4 emission rate from lactating cows. We hypothesized that low ruminal pH resulting from SARA would reduce CH4 emission substantially especially in cows fed a low forage diet. Eleven ruminally cannulated Holstein cows (711 � 59 kg BW; 103 � 59 DIM) were randomly assigned to either a 45 or 67% forage diet (DM basis) in a complete randomized design. After 2-wks of adaptation to a GreenFeed CH4 measuring unit, four cows on each treatment were selected to undergo the SARA induction protocol, which included four periods: baseline (4 d), feed restriction (50%; 1 d), challenge (TMR + wheat-barley pellet at 20% of baseline DMI; 2 d), and recovery (normal dietary treatments feeding; 2 d). Rumen pH was recorded every five minutes for seven of the nine d of protocol using wireless pH meters. Methane (g/h) was measured at 12 pm, 5 pm, 9 pm, and 6 am during the induction protocol. Overall, milk yield (40.4 � 3.6 kg/d, P = 0.16), DMI (23.1 � 1.8 kg/d, P = 0.26), mean ruminal pH (6.08 � 0.15, P = 0.84), nadir ruminal pH (5.49 � 0.15, P = 0.31), hours below pH 5.6 (3.2 � 1.78 h/d, P = 0.31) and CH4 emission rate (12.2 � 1.0 g/h, P = 0.29) were not affected by dietary treatments. There was no treatment by period interaction but a significant period effect for reported variables. Compare to baseline (27.3 kg/d) DMI was not different (P = 0.82) during the challenge (26.1 kg/d) but was lower (P = 0.05) during recovery (25.2 kg/d). Milk yield dropped (P < 0.01) from 45.5 kg/d during baseline to 32.5 kg/d during challenge and returned almost to baseline during recovery (41.2 kg/d, P = 0.10). Methane emission (g/h) rate were 14 and 26% lower during challenge (11.7, P = 0.03) and recovery (10.1, P < 0.01) compare to baseline (13.6). During recovery, CH4/DMI (g/kg) was lower (9.7, P = 0.05) compare to baseline (12.2). Hours below pH 5.6 increased from 1.5 to 6.4/d from baseline to challenge (P <0.01). In this study SARA reduced CH4 emission but there was a complex temporal relationship between rumen pH and CH4 emission during and after an acidosis episode.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Aguerre, M. J., B. Duval, M. J. Powell, P. Vadas, M. A. Wattiaux. 2015. Effects of dietary tannin extracts levels during a thirteen-week period on lactating cow performance and N use efficiency. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. S3/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 98, Suppl. 2:775. Abstract: Our objective was to determine the long-term effect of feeding tannin extracts to lactating cows on performance and nitrogen (N) utilization efficiency. Thirty-four multiparous lactating Holstein cows (711 � 59 kg BW; 113 � 19 DIM) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design. Following a 2-wk covariate adjustment period, cows were fed their assigned treatment diets for 13 weeks. Rice hull was removed from a 54:46 forage to concentrate ratio (%DM) TMR as a tannin extract mixture from Quebracho and Chestnut trees (2:1 ratio) was included at 0 (control), 0.45, and 1.8% of dietary DM. Urinary excretion (g/d) was calculated as 0.0283 x BW (kg) x MUN (mg/dL). There was no interaction between dietary treatments and experimental week. Overall, milk yield (48.7 kg/d), fat-and-protein corrected milk (46.7 kg/d), milk fat content (3.89%) and yield (1.86 kg/d) and true protein yield (1.45 kg/d) were not affected by dietary treatments. There was a linear increase in DMI (29.2 to 30.9 kg/d), a linear decrease in milk/DMI (1.67 to 1.57 kg/kg) and a linear decrease in MUN (12.2 to 10.8 mg/dl) with incremental levels of tannin extracts in the diet (all P<0.01). There was a quadratic effect (P<0.01) for milk true protein content, (2.96, 3.13, and 3.00% for control, 0.45 and 1.8% tannin extract, respectively) and a tendency for linear (P=0.07) and quadratic (P=0.06) response for BW gain (0.31, 0.16 and 0.44 kg/d for control, 0.45 and 1.8% tannin, respectively). Intake of N increased linearly (782, 795, and 820 g/d) and N utilization efficiency (milk N/ intake N) decreased linearly (0.333, 0.333 and 0.333 for control, 0.45 and 1.8% tannin, respectively). An 11% reduction (P<0.01) in estimated urinary N excretion was observed between control and 1.8% tannin extract. In this study, adding tannin to the diet reduced feed efficiency, but had a positive effect on milk protein content at 0.45% tannin extract level. Feeding tannins at 1.8% in the diet may reduce dietary protein degradation and urinary N excretion without impacting milk protein yield. https://www.extension.org/sites/default/files/LPELC%20Book4b.pdf
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. 2015. Nitrogen vs. phosphorus-based manure and compost management of corn. Agronomy Journal 108:185-195. Abstract: Animal manure is typically applied to meet the N needs of crops. This can lead to overapplication of P and K. We evaluated the impact of a change from N-based applications of manure and compost without incorporation to a P-based (crop-removal) management system with immediate incorporation of manure on (i) silage corn (Zea mays L.) yield and quality, and (ii) soil test NO3, P (STP), and K (STK). A 5-yr field study was conducted with annual spring applications of composted dairy solids (46 and 74 Mg ha1), liquid dairy manure (68 and 196 kL ha1), and inorganic N fertilizer (0 and 112 kg ha1). Shifting from N- to P-based manure and compost management reduced the corn yield by 7 to 13% and protein by 8 to 9%, suggesting that fertilizer N is needed for P-based management. Shifting from N- to P-based manure management reduced soil NO3N at silage harvest by 39% vs. 21% for compost. After 5 yr, STP increased four- and sixfold and two- and fourfold for N- and P-based manure and compost management, respectively, reflecting positive P balances (lower than anticipated yields). Soil test K increased three- and twofold with N- and P-based manure and compost management, respectively. Both STP and STK remained unchanged with inorganic N fertilization. We conclude that a shift from N- to P-based compost and manure management, with immediate incorporation of manure, leads to reduced soil P and K buildup and, for manure, also soil NO3, but supplemental inorganic N fertilization is required to ensure that crop N needs are met. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/aj/abstracts/0/0/agronj2015.0218
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Collier, Sarah. Oct. 27, 2015. J. Environ. Qual. https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/jeq/first-look J. Environ. Qual. posted 10/27/2015. doi:10.2134/jeq2015.07.0377 Abstract: One of the most widespread approaches for measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from soils involves the use of static chambers. This method is relatively inexpensive, easily replicated, and is ideally suited to plot-based experimental systems. Among its limitations is the loss of detection sensitivity with increasing chamber height, which creates challenges for deployment in systems including tall vegetation. It is not always possible to altogether avoid inclusion of plants within chambers or to extend chamber height to fully accommodate plant growth. Thus in many systems, such as perennial forages and biomass crops, plants growing within static chambers must either be trimmed or folded during lid closure. Currently, data on how different types of biomass manipulation affect measured results is limited. Here, we compare the effects of cutting vs. folding of biomass on nitrous oxide (N2O) measurements in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) systems. We report only limited evidence of treatment effects during discrete sampling events, and little basis for concern that effects may intensify over time as biomass manipulation is repeatedly imposed. However, non-significant treatment effects that were consistently present amounted to significant overall trends in three out of the four systems studied. Such minor disparities in flux could amount to considerable quantities over time, suggesting that caution should be exercised when comparing cumulative emission values from studies employing different biomass manipulation strategies.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. (2016--In Press) Nitrogen vs. phosphorus-based manure and compost management of corn. Crops and Soils. Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a change from N-based application of liquid dairy manure and composted dairy solids without incorporation to a P-based (crop-removal) management system with immediate (<1 h) incorporation of manure on (i) corn silage yield and quality and (ii) soil test NO3 and STP over five consecutive years in which corn was grown and harvested for silage. Earn 1 CEU in Nutrient Management by reading this article and taking the quiz at www. certifiedcropadviser.org/certifications/self-study/756.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. Soil health under nitrogen- vs phosphorus-based manure and compost management of corn. Soil Science Society of America Journal (In-Revision).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Agronomy Society of America  Crop Science Society of America Soil Science Society of America Meetings; Minneapolis, MN November 2015 Poster Presentations " Bringing a Needle to a Laser Fight: Comparing Gas Chromatography and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry Greenhouse Gas Sampling Techniques. Campbell, Claire, Sarah Collier, Matt Ruark, Mark Powell, University of Wisconsin-Madison and USDA ARS DFRC, Madison, WI " Soil Water Characteristic Curves of Long-Term Cropping Systems in South Central Wisconsin. McNamee, Elizabeth and William L. Bland, University of Wisconsin-Madison " Nutrient Runoff Losses from Liquid Dairy Manure Applied with Low-Disturbance Method. Jokela, W.E1, J.F. Sherman1, and J. Cavadini. USDA ARS DFRC, Marshfield WI " Effect of Nitrogen- Vs Phosphorus-Based Manure and Compost Management on Soil Quality. Lefever, Andrew, Amir Sadeghpour and Quirine M. Ketterings. Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. 1st place winner of undergraduate student poster presentation.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Dairy Environmental Systems & Climate Adaptation Conference Ithaca, NY, July 29-31, 2015 Poster Presentations " Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Dairy Production Systems of the Great Lakes Region. Betz, Carolyn. University of Wisconsin-Madison " Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Sustainable Dairy Forage Rotations. Ponce de Leon, Alejandra, Penn State University " Nitrogen Vs Phosphorus-Based Manure and Compost Management Of Corn: From Corn Performance To Soil And Environment Quality. Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. Cornell University " Nutrient Mass Balances and Drivers for Change on NY State Dairy Farms Soberon, M., S. Cela, Q.M. Ketterings, K.J. Czymmek, S. Crittenden. Cornell University " Impact of Nitrogen Vs. Phosphorus-Based Manure and Compost Management on Soil Quality Lefever, A., A. Sadeghpour, A., Q.M. Ketterings. Cornell University
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: American Dairy Science Association 29th Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture Amino Acid Requirements of Dairy Cattle Itasca, IL -May 28, 2015 " Environmental implication of crude protein content of lactating cow rations J. Mark Powell -USDA, ARS  Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: American Dairy Science Association -30th Discover Conference on Food Animal Agriculture Creating an Enduring U.S. Dairy Production Sector Itasca, IL Nov 2-5, 2015 (Proceedings were made available to attendees as well as on You Tube) "Why Sustainability?  Perspectives from Dairy Sector Stakeholders Juan Tricarico Innovation Center for US Dairy " Carbon Footprint of Dairy (greenhouse gas emissions and air quality) Frank Mitloehner, University of California, Davis " WI Impact on Nutrient Loading in the Environment Mark Powell Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, " Water Footprint of Dairy Marty Matlock, University of Arkansas
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers 1st Climate Change Symposium: Adaptation and Mitigation Itasca, IL May 3-5, 2015 Proceedings were made available to attendees " C. Alan Rotz1 , R. Howard Skinner1 , Anne M.K. Stoner2 , and Katharine Hayhoe2 1USDA/Agricultural Research Service; 2Climate Science Center, Texas Tech University http://elibrary.asabe.org/azdez.asp?AID=45511&T=2
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Midwest Manure Management Summit Green Bay, WI - February 24, 2015 " The rations we feed dairy cattle impact manure chemistry and nutrient dynamics in soil, water and air. J. Mark Powell - USDA, ARS  Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI http://fyi.uwex.edu/midwestmanure/files/2009/10/Powell-Midwest-Manure-Summit.pdf " Manure Economics Dr. Mark Stephenson  University of Wisconsin-Madison http://fyi.uwex.edu/midwestmanure/files/2009/10/Stephenson.pdf
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Dairy Environmental Systems & Climate Adaptation Conference Ithaca, NY, July 29-31 (Proceedings were made available to attendees as well as on You Tube) " Greenhouse gas emissions from injected vs. surface applied dairy liquid manure in alfalfa and grassland. Amir Sadeghpour, Q.M. Ketterings, G.S. Godwin, K.J. Czymmek. Cornell University https://youtu.be/G3XIID8b7hc " GHG Emissions from Injected vs. Surface Applied Dairy Liquid Manure in Alfalfa and Grassland Amir Sadeghpour Cornell University https://youtu.be/G3XIID8b7hc " Sustainable Intensification of Animal Agriculture to satisfy Human Nutritional Needs and Protect the Environment. Frank Mitloehner. UC-Davis (Advisory Committee Member) https://youtu.be/K_BBcLiX0Uc " Evaluating Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change for a New York Dairy Farm. Al Rotz. USDA-ARS-NAA Advisory Committee. Member https://youtu.be/S3N3B368m9o " Potential Use of LCA to Prioritize Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies. Greg Thoma https://youtu.be/S3N3B368m9o "Climate Change Impacts on the Dairy Industry. Larry Chase. Cornell University https://youtu.be/CRziPAhfIWQ " Herd Management Strategies to Reduce Methane Emissions in Dairy Herds. Larry Chase. Cornell University https://youtu.be/4GFZiXlv02o "Farmer Panel: Farmers Perspectives on Climate Change, Climate Adaptation, and Sustainability in a Commodities-based Market Whole Farm Best Practice. Doug Young (New York Farmer) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M5PBGkxu5s&feature=youtu.be " Cow of the Future. Juan Tricarico DMI https://youtu.be/GPcXu0Pb9fc " Gypsum Bedding Impact on H2S Release from Dairy Manure Storage. Mike Hile. Penn State University https://youtu.be/XgXceXR0sCc
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting New Orleans, LA July 26-29, 2015 Comparing different manure management practices in dairy farms of Wisconsin " Horacio Aguirre-Villegas, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering https://www.asabe.org/media/208306/15aim_program2-print3.pdf " Gas Reduction Benefits from Storage to Application of Anaerobic Digestion and Solid-liquid Separation of Dairy Manure Michael A Holly1, Rebecca A. Larson1, and J. Mark Powell2 - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering and 2Mark Powell -USDA ARS  Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI http://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=45956&t=2&redir=aid=45956&redir=[confid=norl2015]&redirType=techpapers.asp&redirType=techpapers.asp / " Hui Wang, and R.A. Larson. 2015. Effect of Dietary Tannin on Biomethane Potential of Dairy Manure. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering http://elibrary.asabe.org/azdez.asp?AID=46177&T=2
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: LCA 15: LCA XV - A BRIGHT GREEN FUTURE Vancouver-Canada 8 October 2015 " Understanding Ranges of Nutrient Losses in Agriculture, Focusing on Dairy Farms Olivier Jolliet, University of Michigan http://easychair.org/smart-program/LCA15/2015-10-08.html
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Barcelona, Spain; May 2015 Comparison of process-based models to quantify nutrient flows and greenhouse gas emissions of milk production. Olivier Jolliet. University of Michigan
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: SWAT conference Pula, Sardinia, Italy 24-26 June 2015 Modeling Biogeochemical Processes with APEX. University of Maryland. Izaurralde, R.C., C.D. Jones, J.R. Williams, and W.B. McGill. 2015. Biogeochemical modeling with APEX. http://swat.tamu.edu/conferences/2015
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Marcell Soil Fertility Conference - Minnesota, June 9, 2015 " Are there meaningful relationships between SOM fractions and corn yield in Wisconsin? Matt Ruark, University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Waste to Worth Conference Advancing Sustainability in Agriculture Seattle, WA; April 30  May 3, 2015 " Measuring nitrous oxide emissions from a Wisconsin dairy forage cropping system Sarah Collier, and M.D. Ruark. " Effects of Mixing Duration on Biogas Production and Methanogen Distribution in Dairy Manure Anaerobic Digesters Hui Wang, and Rebecca A. Larson, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Madison, WI http://articles.extension.org/pages/72955/effects-of-mixing-duration-on-biogas-production-and-methanogen-distribution-in-dairy-manure-anaerobi#.Vk5Np3arSUk " Adapting Agriculture to Sustainably Feed the World Marty Matlock, University of Arkansas, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GTjpgtU03w&feature=youtu.be " Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Dairy and Bioenergy Systems Horacio Aguirre-Villegas, Rebecca A. Larson, and Douglas J Reinemann, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Madison, WI http://articles.extension.org/pages/72728/life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-emissions-of-dairy-and-bioenergy-systems#.Vk5LC3arSUk " Gas Reduction Benefits from Storage to Application of Anaerobic Digestion and Solid-liquid Separation of Dairy Manure Michael A Holly1, Rebecca A Larson1, and J. Mark Powell2, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of " GHG and ammonia emissions from manure storage and land application following manure processing Michael A Holly and Rebecca A Larson, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dept. of Biosystems Engineering http://articles.extension.org/pages/72842/how-much-of-the-nitrogen-contained-in-dairy-ration-components-is-partitioned-into-milk-manure-crops-#.Vk5JBnarSUk " Adapting Dairy Farms to Climate Change Rotz, Alan USDA Agricultural Research Service How much of the nitrogen contained in dairy ration components is partitioned into milk, manure, crops and environmental N loss? J. Mark Powell, Soil Scientist, USDA-ARS US Dairy Forage Research Center mark.powell@ars.usda.gov Tiago Barros, Marina Danes, Matias A. Aguerre and Michel A. Wattiaux Dep. Dairy Sci., University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin USA http://articles.extension.org/pages/72842/how-much-of-the-nitrogen-contained-in-dairy-ration-components-is-partitioned-into-milk-manure-crops-#.Vk5JBnarSUk " Research in the animal agriculture and climate change field that attendees can take home for their clients, or find out where to look for more research coming out in the future. Mark Powell, Global Research Alliance, USDA " Rebecca Larson, Dairy CAP, University of Wisconsin http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Pages/Animal_Ag_Climate/AACG_Resources.html
  • Type: Books Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wisconsin Crop Management Conference - January 2015, Madison, WI Oral Presentations " Low-Disturbance Manure Application Methods in a Corn Silage-Rye Cover Crop System Bill Jokela1, Jason Cavadini, and Mike Bertram  1USDA ARS  Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI http://extension.soils.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/02/WCMC-Proceedings-2015.pdf " Measures of Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Environmental Impacts of Dairy Production Systems Keynote Presentation J. Mark Powell - USDA, ARS  Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI management impact NUE and N loss from dairy production systems. http://extension.soils.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/02/WCMC-Proceedings-2015.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Workshop on Uncertainty Quantification in Climate Modeling and Projection July 13-17, 2015, Trieste, Italy The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics on Uncertainty Quantification Climate/Earth System Modeling and Sources of Uncertainties in their Projections " Climate Modeling and Sources of Uncertainty in Projections. Chris E. Forest http://indico.ictp.it/event/a14268/session/0/contribution/2/material/slides/0.pdf " Risk Assessment. Chris E. Forest1, K. Keller, A. Libardoni, J. Tsai, W. Li, R. Nicholas, R. Sriver2 (U. Illinois), A. Sokolov3 (MIT) 1The Pennsylvania State University; 2 University of Illinois, 3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology http://indico.ictp.it/event/a14268/session/2/contribution/13/material/slides/0.pdf
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: World Congress on Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forest Systems Brazilia, Brazil  July 12  17, 2015 " Nitrogen use and balances in small-holder crop-livestock production systems J. Mark Powell  USDA, ARS  Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI
  • Type: Websites Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: The project maintains a web site with content and articles relevant to the grant. http://sustainabledairy.org Websites for conferences sponsored by the Dairy CAP grant: " https://www.eiseverywhere.com/file_uploads/e578f0e115fbe84228a52426d1d74144_WastetoWorthFinalProgramBook.pdf " http://www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu/Pages/Animal_Ag_Climate/AACG_Resources.html " http://www.adsa.org/Meetings/DiscoverConferences/30thDiscoverConference.aspx The project maintains a Twitter account: @DairyCAP
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Assessing the Impacts of Tannin Diets on Land Applications of Dairy Manure Claire Campbell. M.S. Thesis Department of Soil Science. Agroecology Program. December 2015 graduation
  • Type: Other Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Presentations at Non-Professional Meetings or Extension Venues " 2015 Agronomy/Soils Field Day Arlington, WI August 19, 2015 Untangling the rotation effect on soil resilience. Bill Bland and Elizabeth McNamee. University of Wisconsin-Madison; Cover crops as a trap crop for nitrate. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison " 2015 Corn-Soy Expo, Wisconsin Dells, WI January 29, 2015 Making cover crops pay. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " 2015 Crop Nutrient Management Conference MN Mankato, MN February 9, 2015 Cover crops and nutrient cycling. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " 2015 Iowa Cover Crops Conference, West Des Moines, IA February 17-18, 2015 Cover crops and nutrient cycling. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " 2015 Musgrave Research Farm field day Ithaca, NY Nutrient Management Research at Cornell University, Quirine Ketterings (150 people) " Department of Agronomy Seminar, Iowa State U. Dairy-based vs. Grain-based cropping systems  which is more sustainable? Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " Global research platform meeting November 24-25,2015 Madison, WI Data management in the Dairy-CAP project " NCERA 59 Ames, IA June 4, 2015 Long-Term Effects of Cropping Systems on Particulate and Aggregate Soil Organic Matter. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " North Central Region Water Network Webinar: Application of Cover Crops in the Midwestern US June 17, 2015 Cover crops after fall manure application. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " Students of Agronomy, Soils, and Environmental Sciences (SASES) Convention, Madison, WI March 14, 2015Sustainable dairy production. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " Tile Drainage Workshop University of Vermont Webinar, January 20, 2015Tile drainage research in Wisconsin. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, East Troy, WI August 14, 2015 Cover crops and climate change. Wisconsin Cover Crops Conference Bill Bland. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " Wisconsin Discovery Farms Conference Wisconsin Dells, WI December 10, 2014 Cover crops and nutrient cycling. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison. " UW-Madison Climate Change Symposium, March 6, 2015, Madison, WI Dairy production systems: Greenhouse gas mitigation and climate change adaptation. Matt Ruark. University of Wisconsin-Madison.


Progress 02/15/14 to 02/14/15

Outputs
Target Audience: The targeted audiences of the Dairy CAP in year two of the project include: Dairy producers and agricultural consultants, who were reached through presentations at field days, Extension conferences, the World Dairy Expo, and state and regional conferences such as the Waste to Worth conference, state manure expos, farm and tech days, and through social media. Dairy industry and product manufacturers, who were reached at the annual meeting of the Sustainability Council for Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy and through introductory presentations on the FarmSmart assessment tool. Scientists, who were reached through presentations at national meetings and publications in the scientific literature. Students at the collegiate level, who were reached through the curriculum materials using recent research findings at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University and North Carolina A&amp;T State University; guest lectures in existing classes; and with our annual project meeting. High school students and educators, who were impacted through our efforts to support the agricultural science curriculum at Vincent High School in Milwaukee. The large majority of these students are racial and ethnic minorities and are considered economically and educationally disadvantaged. Changes/Problems: Objective 1b: Manure: Field and laboratory experiments at Penn State University on solid and semi-solid manures for bedding/housing design and composting systems are currently behind schedule, however, a post-doctoral research associate is now on-track to complete these experiments in years 3 and 4. Objective 1d: Build data repository: The data repository is currently behind schedule. Due to changes in personnel at USDA National Laboratory for Agricultural and Environment, Dr. Jerry Hatfield will no longer serve as Objective 1d lead. Instead, the team will be led by Dr. William Bland from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Bland has an available programmer at 20% time to develop and populate the data repository and will also bring on a new graduate student to assist in its development. The team has met multiple times and has conferred with the USDA National Library of Agriculture who comes onto the grant in Year 3; a plan is now in place to allow this objective to be accomplished in Years 3 and 4. Objective 4c: Due to change in staffing capabilities, the services of AgInfomatics will no longer be retained. A new PI will be brought on early in Year 3 to conduct activities described in the project proposal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? In Year 2 of the project, we had five post-doctoral research associates trained under the grant; one in soil science, two in systems engineering, and two in biogeochemical modeling. They are at the University of Wisconsin, Cornell University, the University of Maryland, the University of Michigan, and the USDA ARS Dairy Forage Research Center. There are nine graduate students involved in the project from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University, the University of Maryland, the University of Arkansas. These students are learning by taking classes toward either a M.S or Ph.D. degree and by participating in field and laboratory research and computer modeling. They are in Soil Science, Biological Systems Engineering and Environmental and Public Health. Twelve undergraduates have been employed on a part-time basis to assist with field and laboratory experiments. Eight are in Soil Science, two are in Environmental Sciences, and two are in Biological Systems Engineering. They attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Pennsylvania State University, Cornell University, and the University of Arkansas. In November 2014, Claire Campbell (graduate student) and Sarah Collier (post-doctoral research fellow) attended a workshop on "Issues with Nitrous Oxide Emissions Measurements from Soil." The workshop discussed a variety of topics to improve nitrous oxide measurements and data analysis, including determining the most appropriate chamber based flux calculation and emission interpolation models for individual research needs, greenhouse gas chamber deployment timing, recommendations on sampling equipment choices, and temporal and spatial sampling strategies. The workshop included time for novice and intermediate greenhouse gas researchers to meet and discuss their projects with experts in the GraceNet protocol. Individual research case studies, GraceNet project updates, and new modeling strategies were also presented. Campbell and Collier are both at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In October, 2014 a team of outreach staff and graduate students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison prepared an education demonstration used at the World Dairy Expo held in Madison, WI, an event that drew over 77,000 attendees. The hands-on demonstration showed an experimental design to measure the greenhouse gas emissions from soils that had been treated with different methods of manure application. We also had several videos playing at the display which detailed other experiments that had been conducted that fall. Planning for this event provided an opportunity for the graduate students associated with the project to work collaboratively together and to attend the World Dairy Expo. Some students had never attended the event and reported that it was an important educational and networking experience to visit the booths and attend lectures and presentations. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? This reporting period was the first when the measurement research was conducted and preliminary results were disseminated to two primary audiences: dairy farmers/agricultural consultants and the dairy industry. Information to dairy farmers and agricultural consultants was disseminated at: UW&#39;s Arlington Agricultural Research Station Field Day (August 27, 2014) added a special session entitled "Greenhouse Gases &amp; Wisconsin Agriculture." Two presentations were related to the Dairy-CAP: "Introduction to greenhouse gases" by Matt Ruark and "Greenhouse gases from dairy-based rotations" by Sarah Collier and Matt Ruark; 105 people attended. Concurrent work that addresses some of the adaptation issues of dairy production system is being conducted on the topic of cover crop incorporation into the system to help buffer the soil against extremes in weather. Matt Ruark has conducted 34 presentations reaching 3,114 people in Wisconsin in 2014. Cornell University&#39;s Aurora Research Farm Field Day (July 17, 2014) hosted 115 people, including farmers, crop consultants, and state agency professionals. Cornell&#39;s Certified Crop Advisor Conference (Dec 2-4, 2014) presented preliminary research findings to primarily crop consultants. At Penn State University, field days with media and manure haulers in PA and NY were held August 2014 with a focus on safety gas emissions for manure management. In the spring, PIs conducted manure agitation safety training with the Pennsylvania NRCS. In June 2014, an Outdoor Agricultural Exposition was held, and in the spring, PIs attend USDA meetings and tours of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force. Dairy Forage Research Center: Dr. Mark Powell made a presentation at the Wisconsin Soils Summit in Eau Claire on October 31 on "Management of feed, cows and manure in grazing-based systems: examples from around the world." Information to the dairy industry has been disseminated through the following events: Dr. Marty Matlock from the University of Arkansas gave the National Institute for Animal Agriculture&#39;s keynote presentation on "Sustainability Framework for Animal Agriculture" with an audience consisting of members of Tyson Foods, the US Poultry and Egg Federation, the National Pork Board, and Dairy Management Inc. Dr. Mark Powell made a presentation on the project at the 18th Nitrogen Workshop, in Lisbon, Portugal in the summer of 2014. In May 2014, Dr. Matt Ruark gave a progress report on grant activities to the Innovation Center&#39;s Sustainability Council meeting. Approximately 350 people including farmers, national policy makers, Innovation Center staff, and supporting agencies and manufacturers attended. He also participated in visioning and planning exercises and participated in a Farm Smart&trade; focus work group to see a demonstration of how the tool is used and hear reactions from producers. This networking opportunity provided the introduction to several farmers and processers who now serve on the Dairy CAP&#39;s Advisory Committee. In October 2014, CAP staff and graduate students from the UW-Madison participated in an education demonstration at the World Dairy Expo inMadison, WI, an event that drew over 77,000 attendees. The hands-on demonstration showed an experimental design to measure the greenhouse gas emissions from soils that had been treated with different methods of manure application. Additional clientele include graduate and undergraduate students. Dr. Matt Ruark guest-lectured in two classes in the fall of 2014: "Sustainable dairy: on milk, manure, and methane;" and to a soil science class on advanced topics on soil science methodologies. Heather Karsten (Penn State) has presented Dairy-CAP research ideas in an undergraduate class "Emerging Issues in Plant Science." At North Carolina State Ag and Tech, Millie Worku conducted a workshop in the spring of 2014 for high school research apprentice program participants entitled "What is Research?" Dr. Mark Powell from the DFRC was a Weston Lecturer at the UW-Madison on the topic "Management of feed, cows and manure in grazing-based systems: examples from around the world." Dr. Molly Jahn was also a part of the Weston Roundtable Series and made a presentation on September 18 on "Knowledge systems for sustainability: a report from the front lines" using the Dairy CAP as an example of knowledge systems. Additional clientele include students at Vincent High School in Milwaukee, a school that would like to realize its potential as an agriculturally-focused public school. Students in May 2014made an agriculture display with plants, animals, and the mini aquaponics unit the Milwaukee school district STEM Showcase. An FFA chapter has been established at the school and six students participated in an FFA service project by packing meals, attending convention sessions, and participating in leadership workshops and a career expo inMadison in mid-June. These students also attended the Wisconsin State Fair and for four days in a collaborative effort with other FFA chapters, cared for animals and led hands-on agricultural activities. Vincent program staff and teachers have developed urban agricultural curriculum to support classes that are offered in Food Sciences, Animal Sciences, Plant Sciences, Environmental Education, and Agricultural Mechanics. Lesson plans were made for a summer school program held for 60 students in 2014. In the summer of 2014, approximately 46 students were hired through the Earn &amp; Learn Program, an effort to pay Milwaukee public school students for work done on various city-sponsored projects. Students placed at Vincent High School were led by agricultural teachers working on the grounds and gardens around the school and in taking care of the animals. Ag students also participated in two field trips to the UW-Madison in the fall of 2014 to become more familiar with the campus and what collegiate agricultural classes are like. Students and teachers were also able to complete college visits to local higher education institutions, and apply to attend summer programs lead by our collaborators at North Carolina State Agricultural and Technical College. Finally, we had the opportunity to disseminate information to external clients through the following: At the UW-Madison, presentations about the Dairy CAP grant were made on August 12, 2014 to a delegation of Iranian Dairy scientists through the World Learning Organization. Presenters were Drs. Matt Ruark, Mark Powell, Michel Wattiaux and graduate students Claire Campbell and Elizabeth McNamee. The Dairy-CAP is a key piece of the USDAs involvement with the Global Research Alliance (GRA). Mark Powell attended the Livestock Research Group Meeting in Jogjakarta, Indonesia on 14-15 November, 2014 and made a presentation called "Towards Sustainability." Dr. Powell has since been selected to serve as the US representative to this organization. The Global Farm Platform is a network of academic institutions that promote farm research platforms for optimization of ruminant livestock production. Since the UW-Madison is a partner institution, lead scientists for the GFP were invited to Madison in November 2014 to give presentations and visit our research sites. The Dairy CAP serves as a mechanism to drive this collaborative effort. The Agriculture Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) exists to improve crop and economic models for better climate change scenario developments and has also expanded into biogeochemical models. Our modeling team and data teams have interacted with the AgMIP to provide value beyond the scope of the grant. Molly Jahn is the primary point of contact between Dairy-CAP and AgMIP and serves on the Science Steering Group of AgMIP. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Objective 1. Measurements: Three major experiments on the enteric and barn fluxes will take place in Year 3: Effect of forage NDF digestibility on animal performance, methane emission and efficiency of N utilization Effect of forage NDF digestibility on volatile fatty acid metabolism and their relationship with CH4 emission and ; Evaluate the impact of contrasting feed efficiency from dairy cows on CH4 emission and N efficiency Evaluate relationship between CH4 emission measurement using emission chambers or a portable spot sampling system. An assessment of manure processing/ handling and storage will be evaluated using current data and modeling tools to identify areas of manure management systems that have significant potential for mitigating GHG emissions in manure storages. Penn State will assess mechanisms related to key components in emissions from manure processing and storage and on beneficial manure management practices to impact release of emissions. Soil level flux experiments will continue to measure emissions of GHG and ammonia, soil C sequestration, and soil and forage quality in field experiments in WI, PA, and NY to build a database that provides both baseline emission data and data for evaluation of sustainable practices. Measurements will focus on cropping systems typical of dairy operations (perennial forage-annual crop rotations receiving manure) and on specific manure application method for corn and perennial forages. GHG emission data will be summarized and provided to the modeling group following the field season. All measured data will be catalogued in a data repository at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. These data will inform process and LCA model development and testing. The primary research databases will have appropriate metadata to allow cataloging in the NAL Ag Data Commons In addition, on-going effort will continue to develop external interfaces to the project that are critical for harmonization of data collection, curation, and dissemination with other existing efforts, both domestic and global. Objective 2: Modeling: The modelers will finalize/revise the publication of the process model comparison. They will also further compare models and evaluate a series of alternative mitigation scenarios based on the analysis of the present carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycle of the NY pilot farm. The University of Michigan will initiate, coordinate and synthesize the model comparison at a regional level by applying it to the entire State of Wisconsin. Each of the modeling team members will develop an approach to apply their model at a regional level for Wisconsin milk production. GHG and N- and P-related emissions per kilogram of milk produced in Wisconsin will be compared between models. The team will set up the model comparison with experimental data collected in Objective 1. This task will start by coordinating the collection of a set of input data for each of the experimental set-ups. Results from climate change scenarios will be integrated into the process models. After model harmonization is completed, we will select the appropriate models to advance to the LCA process. We will apply the retained model (or group of models) to the entire dairy production cycle. Objective 3. Life cycle assessment: The system boundary definition will be finalized as well as agreement on the definitions of the functional unit, or primary output of interest, as well as allocation of farm burdens among co-products of the operation using the method of Thoma et al. (2011). The team will build on a draft list of options for LCA system scale, allocation methods, functional unit, and system boundaries. This project will use advanced LCI parameterization and interpretation of data quality in the development and application of LCI datasets, led by the University of Washington. New LCI for critical dairy rations will be created including: alfalfa hay, alfalfa silage, soybean meals, pasture, and other needed feeds. The LCA Digital Commons database will ultimately be seeded with unit process data representing a wide range of industrial production practices, developed by researchers throughout the US at all stages of the life cycle. During Year 3, data collected and process models developed earlier will be parameterized, including detailed representations of data uncertainty and quality, and formatted for use in the project, for use in a wide range of LCA software, and for dissemination through the LCA Digital Commons database. The National Agricultural Library (NAL) will be an important participant in this sub-objective for both the LCA Commons (Life Cycle Assessment) and the database repository for LCA data. Objective 4: Extension and Outreach: Extension programming will be conducted in with existing Extension programming; development of new Extension material; support of existing communities of practice on eXtension with web materials also hosted on our project website; and hosting of regional conferences. We will develop local, state, and regional extension programming materials including newsletters, web-based educational materials, power point presentations, educational videos, and peer-reviewed extension publications. Most of the program materials will be developed in Years 3, 4, and 5 of the project. Additionally, the extension team will support several nationally advertised conferences in Year 3 and will include research updates from participating researchers, demonstrations of developed decision-support tools, and grower/industry panels to provide feedback and concerns related to research discoveries and extension recommendations Two types of decision tools will be developed: an economic manure tool and a comprehensive self-assessment stewardship toolkit that provides online decision support for dairy producers, called Farm Smart. Surveys will be conducted in Year 3 to understand how dairy farmers can change practices related to climate change mitigation and adaption. The surveys will also attempt to further understand dairy farmer perceptions of resources to better identify where they obtain trustworthy information in order to target these already developed information chains when developing extension materials. Dairy farmers will also be evaluated to understand how receptive they may be to different types of educational tools and technology options throughout the dairy system to align the outreach activities of industry (particularly DMI) with that of university extension (UW, Penn State, and Cornell) to provide a unified message and combine resources where appropriate. Extension and outreach efforts will disseminate the results. Change from Original Proposal: Due to change in staffing capabilities, the services of AgInfomatics will no longer be retained. A new PI will be brought into the grant early in Year 3 to achieve the goals of Objective 4c. Objective 5. Education activities: Education activities will continue at the high school, undergraduate and undergraduate levels. Particular attention will be given to target the participation of urban and minority-serving institutions. Vincent High School is the location of high school activities. Four internships will be held for college students in the summer of 2015. These internships will engage students in research associated with the project or with agricultural education programming. Interns will be hosted by researchers or staff associated with the project and will be provided with all of the resources needed to achieve a positive learning experience. Many educators and researchers across the Dairy CAP and other USDA-grant funded CAPs continue to contribute to and leading efforts at their respective institutions to create and enhance curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Impact Statement Research, extension and education outputs in the Dairy CAP grant will lead to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from dairy production system and will allow dairy production systems to adapt to changes in climate. Both of these long-term outcomes will be achieved without compromising profit to either the producer or processer while providing consumers with confidence that the dairy products are created in a sustainable manner. The outcomes of the project will be achieved through our five research teams: 1) Measurement, 2) Modeling, 3) Life-cycle assessment, 4) Extension, and 5) Education. The measurement team is conducting experiments at the cow, manure, crop production and soils level to evaluate GHG mitigation potential and adaptation opportunities. The modeling team is focused on conducting harmonization of process models to confidently predict where in the production cycle greenhouse gases are greatest. The life cycle assessment team is working on an improved LCA for dairy that will be used to improve the industry supported Farm Smart &trade; assessment tool. The extension team is working on activities such as hosting conferences and field days and developing online materials for eXtension.org and sustainabledairy.org. The education team is working across education levels including Vincent High School in Milwaukee, an undergrad internship program with North Carolina A&amp;T State University and with the numerous graduate students on this project. The change of knowledge will be a greater understanding of where greenhouse gas emissions are the greatest in the dairy production system, where they can be reduced, and which adaptation strategies should be implemented. The dairy industry will use the increased knowledge gained through this project to achieve their goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by the year 2020. The dairy industry will also have a validated user support tool (Farm Smart &trade;) that will allow producers to compare alternative management practices to assess reductions in greenhouse gases while simultaneously understanding the economic consequences of each management alternative. Finally, producers and their agricultural consultants will implement management practices to reduce greenhouse gases and build resiliency to climate change and extreme weather. This will be accomplished by improving milk production per cow; improving soil health and resilience to heat, drought or flooding, and optimizing cropping practices; and using manure as a valuable nutrient and value-added opportunities but without negative environmental impacts. Measurement Team (Objective 1) Sampling protocols used for enteric and barn fluxes, manure handling and processing fluxes, and soil level fluxes have been completed and are available to the team. A transdisciplinary project was completed: a feeding trial that involved adding tannins to the cows&#39; diets in the GHG chambers of the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center facility. Gases were measured from the cow and in the manure; all manure was collected and analyzed, and experiments were conducted on manure processing. Manures were then applied to the field where GHG and other gas measurements were taken; corn was grown, harvested and analyzed. Feed efficiency trials were conducted at the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center by their researchers and others from the UW-Madison.A manuscript is under review by the Journal of Dairy Science. A book chapter was published by the USDA in Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity-Scale Inventory. Experiments were conducted and completed to identify areas in manure handing and processing where substantial reduction in GHG can be realized and to assess the mechanisms related to key components in emissions from manure processing and storage. Additionally, laboratory experiments were conducted to measure levels of GHG emissions from manure storage following treatments of raw manure, separated raw manure (both liquid and solid), digested manure, and separated digested manure (both liquid and solid). A manuscript is in preparation. An experiment to understand how dairy diets with tannin additives impact land application of manure, specifically quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, N uptake, and corn silage yield response, was conducted and completed in Year 2 of the project, and a poster was presented at the SAAA meeting in November 2014. Greenhouse gas flux data continued to be collected in Year 2 as part of the long-term trials at the Arlington Research Station (Wisconsin), Marshfield (Wisconsin), Musgrave Farm (Cornell) and Penn State Agronomy Farm. Additionally, a full season of field experiments and data collection was conducted at Arlington and Penn State Agronomy Farm on the effect of long-term crop rotation on soil water. A unique article was published Journal of Visualized Experiments, Measurement of Greenhouse Gas Flux from Agricultural Soils Using Static Chamber. Four posters, two oral presentations and a workshop were presented at the Soil Science Society of America meeting in November 2014 as direct products of Objective 1. Modeling Team (Objective 2) A whole farm mass-balance modeling exercise was completed for the project&#39;s pilot farm, the Twin Birch Farm near Cornell University, using data provided by the producer in cooperation with the Cornell and County Extension Agents. Other inputs such as weather and soil data were provided by members of the modeling team. Model runs were completed on CNCPSv.6.1 (animal); DAYCENT (field); DNDC-manure (farm); APEX (field to watershed); IFSM (farm). The model results have been compared and a poster was presented at the Food 2014 conference in October 2014. This provides an excellent example of a cross-institutional effort with major contributions from seven different institutional partners. The conclusions from the comparative analysis showed that enteric CH4 emissions dominate global warming potential at the individual farm level. A manuscript is in preparation. A climate change workshop was held in Chicago August 2014 for the modeling team about climate projections across the Great Lakes Region. Through this workshop, a plan of work was developed to provide the most current, downscaled climate projections for up to five sites across the Great Lakes region. The results were presented at the Dairy CAP annual meeting in March 2015. Life Cycle Assessment Team (Objective 3) - begins in Year 3 of project. Extension Team (Objective 4) The Extension and Outreach team held monthly conference calls in Year 2 of the project. Activities included revamping the project&#39;s website (sustainabledairy.org); developing content for eXtension.org and the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center&#39;s website. Three videos are now available on the project&#39;s YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2nOrablH0N7jmF9cOUZdg. Specific extension outputs are described in the dissemination section. Education Team (Objective 5) Substantial progress has been made at Vincent High School in development and implementation of an agricultural program, and two new agriculture teachers have been hired. In addition to new curricula, the high school works with the Food and Beverage Association and other community partners to introduce students to career opportunities in the area. Students continue to be visit colleges that feature agricultural and food science degree programs. Team members met multiple times in Year 2 to plan internships for the next three years. At least four internships will be offered in the summer of 2015 at University of Wisconsin-Madison, North Carolina Ag and Tech, Penn State and Cornell University. Team conference calls focused on new courses developed and taught at multiple universities in the network. Team members have been able to share course materials via the internet.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Poster Presentations  Soil Science Society of America Effects of low-disturbance manure application methods on corn silage yields, plant and soil N, and gaseous N emissions William E. Jokela1, John B. Peters2, Michael G. Bertram3 and Jason Cavadini2, (1)USDA-ARS, Marshfield, WI,(2)University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marshfield, WI, (3)University of Wisconsin-Madison, Arlington, WI Incorporation of manure by tillage can conserve manure N by reducing ammonia volatilization losses, but tillage also incorporates crop residue, which increases erosion potential. This study compared several low-disturbance manure application methods, designed to incorporate manure while still maintaining crop residue for erosion control, to conventional broadcast application in a silage corn/winter rye cover crop system. Treatments included low-disturbance sweep injection, sweep injection ridged with paired disks (strip-till), coulter injection, aerator-band, and broadcast with and without disk harrow incorporation (all fall-applied), plus pre-plant fertilizer N rates ranging from 0 to 200 kg/ha in separate non-manured plots. There were small differences in plant N concentrations (earleaf and silage harvest) and N uptake among injected/incorporated manure treatments, but all were greater than surface-applied manure, which was equal to or slightly greater than no-manure control. PSNT results were consistent with those of plant N. Ammonia emission was greatest from surface-applied manure, with reductions of 85% or more from injected manure and more modest reductions (30 to 55%) from aerator/band and disk incorporation. Residue cover of 30-40% pre-manure was reduced by manure application depending on intensity of injection or tillage action. These results indicate that low-disturbance manure application methods can reduce ammonia-N loss and improve manure N availability compared to surface application and maintain residue cover better than disk incorporation of manure.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Poster Presentation  LCA Food Conference Comparison of Process-Based Models to Quantify Major Nutrient Flows and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions of Milk Production Karin Veltman1, Andrew Henderson2, Anne Asselin-Balencon1, Larry Chase3, Ben Duval4, Cesar Izaurralde5, Curtis Jones5, Changsheng Li6, Dingsheng Li1, William Salas7, Peter Vadas4, Olivier Jolliet1 (1) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (MI), (2) University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (TX), (3) Cornell University, Ithaca (NY), (4) United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Madison (WI), (5) University of Maryland, College Park (MD), (6) University of New Hampshire, Durham (NH), (7) Applied Geosolutions (AGS), Durham (NH) Assessing and improving the sustainability of dairy production systems requires an accurate quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and major nutrient (N, C, P) flows associated with milk production at the animal, farm and field-scale. Life cycle inventory databases are often based on rough estimates of GHG emissions and nutrient flows, and cannot account for spatially-explicit variation in these flows. Integrating process-based farm models into LCA data acquisition can improve emission estimates as underlying processes influencing GHG emissions and nutrient balances are explicitly considered in these models. The project aims to quantitatively compare five process-based models in terms of predicted nutrient flows (N, C, P) and GHG emissions associated with milk production at the animal, farm and field-scale; and to improve life cycle inventory databases for milk production in the US by integrating process-based models into LCA data acquisition. The five process-based models are: CNCPSv.6.1 (Animal); DAYCENT (Field); DNDC-manure (Farm); APEX (field to watershed); IFSM (farm)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: Poster Presentation  Ecological Society of America Collier, Sarah M., Gail Kraus, Molly Jahn. August 2014. Energizing high school science education through a focus on food systems. Ecological Society of America. Sacramento, CA. http://eco.confex.com/eco/2014/webprogram/Paper47002.html Thematic approaches to K-12 education can be an effective means of bolstering curricular cohesiveness and providing students with strong career development opportunities. The positive impact of thematic education can be seen in the long waiting lists and remarkably high rates of high school graduation and college admission associated with several agriculturally-focused schools across the country. Through areas of emphasis such as food systems, agriculture, and urban ecology, thematic schools are able not only to provide energized and cohesive programming, but also to train future scientist to tackle challenges of food system sustainability, and to expose students to a wealth of diverse career paths. Such schools remain isolated examples, however, not widely replicated despite their clear success. Why is this? What obstacles exist to forming a replicable model that would allow schools to more easily specialize in agricultural and urban ecology and food systems? To address this question, we have partnered with Milwaukees Vincent High School (VHS), which is in its first years of transition to a focus on agricultural science and urban food systems. VHS serves a more than 95% minority student population, with over 85% of students coming from low income or homeless families. With many of its students living under difficult circumstances, dealing with truancy and providing successful career and college counseling are significant challenges for the school. At the same time though, teachers have begun to organize science and engineering courses around agricultural themes, and to begin courses in agricultural education  with positive results. In the fall of 2013, we placed one of our University of Wisconsin team members at VHS to work as an Agricultural Education Coordinator, supporting teachers in curriculum development, and guiding long-term program expansion. Through this association, we are working both to ensure success of the VHS transition, and to compare and contrast the process with those that have taken place at currently existing agriculturally, urban ecology, or food system focused schools, with the goal of synthesizing replicable model(s) for broader use. Crucial elements that have come to light in this first year are reviewed, including the critical role of industry partnerships for providing career perspectives and development opportunities, and challenges and opportunities in bridging curriculum in urban and rural food systems and agroecosystem science.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Oral Presentations  Soil Science Society of America Nitrogen- Vs Phosphorus-Based Manure and Compost Management of Corn Amir Sadeghpour1, Quirine M. Ketterings2, Gregory Godwin3 and Karl J. Czymmek3, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Application of animal wastes (manure and compost) to farmland is generally based on nitrogen (N) requirement of crops. However, long-term N-based application of animal wastes leads to surplus application of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) compared to crop removal which can cause P runoff and forage quality concerns (high K forages). The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a change from N-based applications without incorporation to a P-based (crop-removal) management system with immediate incorporation of manure on (i) corn yield and quality, and (ii) soil test nitrate, P, and K over five consecutive crop years. A 5-yr field study was conducted with annual spring applications of two rates of composted dairy manure (45 and 77 Mg ha-1), two rates of liquid dairy manure (63.5 and 180 kL ha-1), and two inorganic N fertilizer rates (0 and 112 kg ha-1). Highest dry matter yields were obtained with N-based manure applications (7.22 Mg ha-1, averaged over 2003, 2004, and 2005). Shifting from N-based to P-based management resulted in 15 and 21% yield decrease in manure and compost treatments, respectively. Nitrogen-based compost application resulted in a 6-fold increase in soil test P between 2001 and 2006, consistent with a 5-yr P balance of 240 to 280 kg P ha-1. The highest soil test K accumulation was also observed in N-based treatments, increasing Morgan K levels from 47 to 132 and 137 mg K kg-1 in compost and manure treatments, respectively. Our data indicate that N-based manure management ensures crop productivity and quality beyond what can be obtained with fertilizer N only but also results in rapid increase in soil test P and K. Further studies are needed to determine a more accurate P-based manure rate.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Oral Presentations  Soil Science Society of America Building resilience: Effect of long-term crop rotation on soil water Sarah M Collier, Matthew D. Ruark, William L. Bland and Elizabeth McNamee University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI As many regions of the world face increasing threat of water stress, there is a need for intensified focus on soil water holding dynamics, and the ways in which management practices affect agroecosystem performance under stress. A long-term study is under way comparing cropping systems of varying complexity on a Typic Argiudoll in Wisconsin. Here, we report the impact of over 20 years of variable management on soil water holding dynamics. By combining both in-field and laboratory-based analyses of soil water dynamics with current and historical system performance, this study analyzes cropping system effect on intrinsic soil properties as well as performance under stress.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Workshop  Soil Science Society of America Developing chamber measurement protocols for accessing greenhouse gas emissions (Workshop) Curtis J. Dell, USDA-ARS Pasture Systems & Watershed Mgmt Research Unit, University Park, PA Management of agricultural soils can significantly impact the emission of greenhouse gases, especially nitrous oxide. Chamber methods are widely accepted as an affordable means to access management impacts within plot-scale experiments. However, careful planning is needed to design a sampling protocol that is appropriate for a specific study. A range of approaches have been published, but the USDA-ARS GraceNet and the Global Research Alliance protocols have provided the most comprehensive guidance. Criteria for development of trace gas emissions protocol will be discussed. Selection of chamber dimensions should reflect crop spacing and height, with chamber height also coordinated length of chamber deployment time. Sampling frequency will depend on the objectives of the study (i.e. estimation of annual gas flux verses response to N application or heavy rainfall)
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Powers, W., B. Auvermann, A. Cole, C. Gooch, R. Grant, J. Hatfield, P. Hunt, K. Johnson, A. Leytem, W. Liao, J. M. Powell. July 2014. Chapter 5: Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Animal Production Systems. In Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Fluxes in Agriculture and Forestry: Methods for Entity?Scale Inventory. Technical Bulletin Number 1939.Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington. DC. 606 pages. Eve, M., D. Pape, M. Flugge, R. Steele, D. Man, M. Riley, Gilbert, and S. Biggar, Eds. Text can be found using this link: http://www.usda.gov/oce/climate_change/Quantifying_GHG/Chapter5S.pdf
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Collier, Sarah M., Matthew D. Ruark, Lawrence G. Oates, William E. Jokela, Curtis J. Dell, 2014. Measurement of Greenhouse Gas Flux from Agricultural Soils Using Static Chamber. Journal of Visualized Experiments. http://www.jove.com/video/52110/measurement-greenhouse-gas-flux-from-agricultural-soils-using-static Measurement of greenhouse gas flux from agricultural soils using static chambers)
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Arndt, C., J. M. Powell, M. J. Aguerre, P. M. Crump, and M. A. Wattiaux. In Review. Feed conversion efficiency in dairy cows: Repeatability, variation in digestion and metabolism of energy and nitrogen, and ruminal methanogens. Journal of Dairy Science.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Poster Presentations  Soil Science Society of America Soil Health Under Nitrogen - Vs Phosphorus-Based Manure and Compost Management of Corn Amir Sadeghpour, Quirine M. Ketterings, Gregory Godwin and Karl J. Czymmek Cornell University Ithaca, NY Abstract: In recent years manure and compost management is shifting from nitrogen (N)-based to phosphorus (P)-basis application due to environmental concerns from P and potassium (K) surplus that impacts water quality and forage quality, respectively. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a change from N-based applications without incorporation to a P- based (crop-removal) management system with immediate incorporation of manure on (i) soil pH, organic matter (OM), P, K, and nitrate accumulation at different depths, and (ii) soil carbon dioxide respiration in the top 20 cm of soil. A 5-yr field study was conducted with annual spring applications of two rates of composted dairy manure (45 and 77 Mg ha-1), two rates of liquid dairy manure (63.5 and 180 kL ha-1), and two inorganic N fertilizer rates (0 and 112 kg ha-1). Soil respiration was determined using the Solvita� test. After five growing seasons, the lowest soil pH was observed where 112 kg ha-1 inorganic N was added. Soil pH increased with depth, reflecting calcareous soil parent material. Soil organic matter was higher in compost treatments than the manure and inorganic treatments and decreased from upper (0-5 cm) to deeper soil layers (40-50 cm) in all treatments. Soil nitrate levels were higher in N-based manure and compost treatments than those of P-based and inorganic treatments. Soil P and K levels were higher in surface layers (0-5 and 5-20 cm) than deeper layers and showed the highest accumulations of P and K with N-based compost and manure additions. In 2005, OM and soil carbon dioxide respiration were linearly related (r2= 0.92; p<0.04). These results show that compost application can improve soil health over time. However, rates should be limited to reduce P and K buildup in the soil.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Poster Presentations  Soil Science Society of America Impact of N Application Rate on Nitrogen Use Efficiency and pH in a Fertilizer-Management Continuous Corn Silage System Amir Sadeghpour, Quirine M. Ketterings, Gregory Godwin and Karl J. Czymmek, Cornell University Ithaca, NY Nitrogen (N) is essential for producing optimum corn (Zea Mays L.) silage yield with high quality. Under-application can impact yield and quality while over-application can result in low nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and hence loss of N to the environment, a decrease in soil pH, and possibly in soil organic matter. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the optimum N rate for continuous corn silage production and (ii) assess the influence of under- and over- application of N on yield, forage quality, soil nitrate, organic matter and pH. A 5-yr field study was conducted with six N rates (0, 56, 112, 168, and 224, and 280 kg N ha-1; sidedressed) in five replications for corn that was established with a 22 kg N ha-1 starter. Corn silage yield (dry matter basis) varied from year-to-year. In 2002 and 2005 (July drought), corn yield did not increase with N application, averaging 6.2 and 12 Mg ha-1, respectively. In 2003 and 2004, the most economical N rates (MERN) were 95 and 107 kg N ha-1, respectively, with yields of 13.3 and 14.1 Mg ha-1, respectively. Over five years, soil pH was decreased significantly with N application rates higher than 56 kg N ha-1. These findings suggested that over-application of N can increase lime needs over time. Nitrogen application rates below than MERN (0 and 56 kg N ha-1) decreased organic matter levels over time, possibly reflecting a reduction in carbon addition through root biomass for lower yielding plots. The results show an optimum N sidedress rate of 100 kg N ha-1 in good growing seasons versus 0 kg N ha-1 under challenging growing condition. The results also show that N application cannot overcome weather-related challenges for this soil.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2014 Citation: 2014 Poster Presentations  Soil Science Society of America Assessing greenhouse gas emissions of dairy manure from tannin in feeding trials Claire Campbell1, Matthew D. Ruark1 and J. Mark Powell2 1University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 2USDA-ARS, Madison, WI Abstract: Dairy production systems, especially manure land applications, are responsible for a significant amount of total livestock based agriculture greenhouse gas emissions. Tannin additions to dairy cow diets are known to result in reduced ammonia emissions, enhanced N use efficiency, and higher N content in manure feces in laboratory incubations. However, research on the effects of large scale field application of tannin enhanced manures has not been studied. The objective of this project is to understand how dairy diets with tannin additives impacts land application of manure, specifically quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, N uptake, and corn silage yield response. Raw manure from an experimental dietary trial with tannin additions was field applied on 15 May 2014 in Prairie du Sac, WI. Three diets were studied (no tannin and diets 0.45% and 1.8% tannin by weight), each at two N application rates (240 kg ha-1 and 360 kg ha-1), accompanied with a control of no manure application to corn silage. Greenhouse gas measurements for CO2, NH3, N2O, and CH4 were made intensively during the first 68 hours after application, then measured every 7- 14 days through the growing season using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Soil sampling from 0-10 and 10-20 cm accompanied GHG measurements and was analyzed for soil nitrate and ammonium. Silage was harvested and analyzed for plant tissue N and total yield from 9 m2 plots. Experimental results will be presented from the 2014 growing season for greenhouse gas emissions, plant available N, and corn silage yield data.


Progress 02/15/13 to 02/14/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences for the first year of the project have included: 1) Graduate students who are participating in project research; 2) High school students at Vincent High School in Milwaukee; 3) Businesses and community partners in supporting the development of the Urban Ag. and Ed. program at Vincent High School; 3) Users of eXtension websites, other extension agents; and those who do outreach; 4) Dairy producers interesing in current research on manure management and nutrient managment planning; 5) Those who attend University Field Days through University of Wisconsin; Penn State and Cornell University; 6) Leaders of Discovery Farms in Wisconsin to identify farm partners in the future. 7) Members of Dairy Management, Inc. Sustainability Council (Business Partners) and its Board of Directors 8) Dairy production contacts via website and Twitter; 10) Other PIs and participants at other universities. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Five post-doctoral fellows are working toward fulfilling the goals of the Dairy CAP at the University of Wisconsin (2); University of Maryland (1); University of Michigan (1); and US Dairy Forage Research Center. Eleven graduate students are addressing specific elements of the Dairy CAP Objective 1: Measurements and Data Repository - 9 students -- Penn State, US Dairy Forage Research Center; University of Michigan; University of Wisconsin-Madison; USDA National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment Objective 2: Modeling - One graduate student and one post-doctoral fellow at University of Michigan; one post-doctoral fellow at US Dairy Forage Research Center Objective 3: Life Cycle Assessment: the Post-doctoral fellow at University of Michigan will also work on this objective. Objective 4: Extension/Outreach: The eXtension website www.extension.org/ is being populated with information generated from the Dairy CAP study. A list of products that will be developed has been generated. Objective 5a: Education. Our education specialist is developing curriculum materials for high school students at VIncent High School in Milwaukee. Hundreds of students are currently enrolled in the ag courses available. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Outreach products are being posted on two websites: www.sustainabledairy.org and www.extension.org. We have been able to videotape three lectures that will be posted on-line for interested parties to access. The Dairy CAP at UW-Madison has been preparing for a nitrogen summer in March 2013. Cornell University has hosted field days where Quirine Ketterings gave two presentations on nutrient managment (80 people). She also gave a presentation on manure managment to the Cooperative Extension&#39;s South Central New York Diary and Field Crops Program (75 people) Hundreds of students at VIncent High School in Milwaukee have taken classes in agricutural subjects and have been exposed to career opportunities in the agricultural arena. Additionally, businesses in the Milwaukee area have been contacted and have visited the school or students have visited them, creating opportunities for employment and better understanding of what courses will make students job-eligible. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The project proposal serves as an outline for what we will accomplish during the next reporting period. Several of the obstacles that we encountered in the first year of the project have now been resolved. These include establishing all of the contracts and subawards for personnel and institutional involvement in the grant, hiring of graduate students and post-docs to accomplish specific activities and ordering equipment to conduct field experiments and research on the project. Other issues that have been resolved are establishing standard measurement protocols and standarized equipment, particularly for the soil flux measurements. Objective 1: Measurement Objective 1a: Enteric emissions: Experiments 1 and 2 outlined in the project proposal will be conducted to study the effects of forage fiber digestibility and the effects of animal genetics at two dietary forage levels. These experiments will be conducted at the US Dairy Forage Research Center. Experiment 3 outlined in the project proposal will be conducted to validate the protocol to determine the feasibility to identify low and high CH4 emitting cows from commercial dairy herds. Issue: Experiment 1 was supposed to be conducted in Year 1 but the laser CH4 detector was not available. A new piece of equiment has been identified and will be ordered for this experiment for Year 2. Background information collected in year 1 will be useful for Experiment 1. Objective 1b: Manure handling and processing fluxes UW-Madison will continue its research on manure processing from studies in Year 1. Two PhD students have been hired to work on this study. Penn State will begin its focus on solid and semi-solid manures including bedding pack, free-stall barns, and compost systems. Issue: The subaward to Penn State experienced major delays in 2013, but these issues have been resolved. They are in the process of hiring personnel to complete their experiments. No delays are expected. Objective 1c: Soil level fluxes All soil measurements for greenhouse gas fluxes will continue as outlined in the project proposal. Issue: In 2013, research was conducted to determine the type of equipment that was needed to measure GHG and the standard sampling protocols that would be used by researchers in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and New York. These protocols and equipment needs have been resolved and formalized. The US Dairy Forage Research Station did collect data in 2013, but were not able to hire any personnel due to delay in availability of funds. A technician will be hired through the University of Wisconsin in 2014. Delays are not expected for 2014. Sampling equipment will be ready by Spring 2014. Data that were not collected in 2013 will now be collected in 2014. Cornell University did not collect data in 2013 due to lack of sampling equipment and lack of sampling protocols. A post-doctoral researcher has now joined the group to begin data collection and analysis for 2014. The subaward to Penn State experienced major delays in 2013, but these issues have been resolved. They are in the process of hiring personnel to complete their experiments. No delays are expected for Year 2. The weather was not particularly cooperative during the first field season with extreme rain events early in the season and drought following. These situations are out of our control. Objective 1d: create a publically available data library for all collected data; The data library website will be tested in March 2014. Data are collected over the 2014 field season will be entered into the data base. Objective 2: Analyze and integrate process models across scales. Objective 2a: Process Model comparison and identification of key needs Integration of all models identified in the grant proposal will continue. A new post-doc at the University of Michigan to oversee progress on this objective under the direction of the Objective Lead. Multiple scale integration (field, farm and watershed) will also take place in Year 2. Objective 2b: Identify climate scenarios and impacts The development of model input data for IGSM will continue from Year 1. Once complete, the Foresighting Workshops will be held in Year 2 to further design producer stakeholder concerns and boundaries. Objective 3. Life Cycle assessment and model integration Objective 3c: Life Cycle Assessments A geospatial database of impact characterization factors, including global warming, eutrophication, ecosystem and human health impacts will be generated and made available for incorporation into the decision support models that will be created as part of this project. Objective 4. Extension and Outreach Objective 4a: The websites will provide the infrastructure needed to share information with other professionals and the dairy production community. Discovery Farms in Wisconsin will be used to identify cooperating farmers for both on-farm water quality research, that will also participate in on-farm demonstration, research, and evaluation in later years of the project. A conference at Penn State will address all aspects of manure management including handling and storage to land application along with the implications for climate change. Field days on nutrient and manure management will take place in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and New York. The Nitrogen Summit will be held in Madison in March 2014. Objective 4b: A web-based application to help dairy producers assess costs and and compare them with benchmarks of similar systems will begin to be developed in 2014. Objective 5: Education Objective 5a: H.S. Education . The agricultural curriculum at Vincent High School will continue to be developed and implemented at a greater scale over the next four years. Continued contacts with food-related businesses and technical schools in Milwaukee will help provide opportunties for students become involved in careers in the future. Additionally, contact with UW-Madison will provide higher education opportunities to this cohort group. Objective 5b. Undergraduate research and internship opportunties. A process for bringing students from 1890 Universities to three major research universities will become solidified so that internships can take place in summer months. Objective 5c. Graduate and undergraduate curriculum needs will be developed. We will use the Integrated Sustainable Certificate being developed at the University of Wisconsin to draw students into sustainable agriculture opportunities.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Significant progress has been made in the first year of the Dairy CAP to bring together a large group of principal investigators from eight universities; four federal labs; two consultants and one business partner. Key personnel are in place, including: 28 PI; five Post-doc Research Associates; six professional staff and technical staff and seven graduate students. Sub-awards have been granted allowing us to fully engage in all activities planned for year 2. Collaborative efforts have been accomplished through a monthly newsletter, creation of a project website and twitter account, conference calls with the entire team and objective/sub-objective members. Team members used professional meeting attendance as opportunities for more face-to-face contact with members of their objective team. A partial team meeting was held in Madison in October 2013, and our first all-hands team meeting will take place in Chicago at the end of February 2014. Objective 1. Measurements - C, N, H2O and energy fluxes Objective 1a Experiments on enteric emissions were conducted at the USDA DFRC (WI) as a performance and gas emission trial for CH4 and N emission mitigation strategy, an evaluation of alternative/complementary methods to measure volatile fatty acid production and the relationship to CH4 emissions. Results will be used to improve and complement the measurements and techniques that will be used in Experiments 1, 2 and 3 in 2014. Data will be collected for Experiments 1, 2, and 3 in 2014 and summary statistics and discussion of results will follow. Change of knowledge: the design of chambers for measuring GHG emissions from the cow was published in 2013 and presented at an international conference on greenhouse gases and animal agriculture in Ireland, August 2013. Objective 1b Experiments on manure were conducted at UW-Madison on manure processing and handling. Manure processes under different scenarios will be spread onto fields and used for field emission measurements for Objective 1c. Data were collected weekly for on different manure processes for manure-N2O, CH4, CO2, NH3, and H2S (UW-Madison, stored in 55-gallon drums). Monthly data have been analyzed for total solids, volatile solids, total nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, total carbon, ADF, NDF, and C:N ratio. Summary statistics and discussion of results will follow. A change of knowledge: 1) identified significant GHG reductions can be realized in manure processing systems; 2) developed a measurement protocol for manure emissions; and 3) developed and implemented the manure emission measurement methodology on digested or separated manures. Results will be published at a later date. Objective 1c experiments were conducted at two research stations in Wisconsin and one site in Pennsylvania using vented chambers to measure soil greenhouse gas flux under different growing conditions and rotations. At Cornell, manure and compost treatments were applied to the long-term corn and alfalfa rotation and manure source trial in the spring of 2013. Standard methodologies were established through experiments at Arlington and equipment needs were evaluated across all sites. Data were collected weekly to measure CO2, N2O, CH4 flux, ammonia, soil temperature, soil moisture, and temperature and surface residue treatments. Summary statistics and discussion of results are currently underway. A change of knowledge: development of standard methods and equipment identification. A methods paper based on our standardized GHG flux sampling protocols is in preparation for the Journal of Visualized Experiments. Objective 1d: Activity included creating a data library website, available for testing by March 2014, and put to use, Summer 2014. Objective 2: Process Models Objective 2a: Activities. Using data from a New York farm (systematic set of farm and nutrient related emissions including water use, CO2, CH4, N2O, NO3, NH3, and P emissions), the process models--Cornell CNCPS, IFSM, DNDC, EPIC-APEX, and DayCent--were run. Data generated from the model runs were integrated in an Excel worksheet and a pivot tables was generated to compare results which have been made available to the team. Integrated comparison graphs have been generated and distributed and a report has been prepared as a discussion of results. A change of knowledge has occurred through 1) the initial identification of key data needs from the modelers; 2) Establishment of criteria for model comparison, addressing ease of use, applicability to different scales, scientific validity, uncertainty assessment availability, ability to inform relevant BMPs, applicability for up-scaling to regional or national level. Objective 2b: Activities included the development of a matrix of climate change scenarios using existing IPCC and downscaled climate projection data. A discussion of these scenarios will be held at the all-team meeting in February 2014 to guide modeling inputs and outputs. No new Data were generated. A discussion of data will take place at the all-hands meeting in Feb 2014 and will be used by modelers and LCA objective members in years 2-5. Objective 2c &ndash; Year 3 Objective 3: Life cycle assessment and model integration. While this objective was not scheduled for work in year one, progress has already been made. Data needed for the Life Cycle Inventory and Life Cycle Impact Assessment objectives were identified and shared with the process modelers. Because the process model runs were completed in January 2013, the LCA objective will have the outputs they will need when their work begins in subsequent years. Objective 3b is scheduled for year 3 and objective 3c is scheduled for year 2. Objective 4. Extension/Outreach Objective 4a: Extension Programming activities have included 1) Organizing and co-sponsoring a nitrogen summit to be held at UW-Madison in March 2014; 2) Developing a website for the project (www.sustainabledairy.org) and developing a series of products for the national website, www.extension.org under the Animal Manure Management Resource Area tab; 3) Working with UW-Discovery Farms program and its steering committee to identify cooperating farmers for both on-farm water quality research, that will also participate in on-farm demonstration, research, and evaluation in later years of the project; 4) Planning a conference at Penn State to address all aspects of manure management including handling and storage to land application along with the implications for climate change; and 5) Participated in field days, Extension outreach conferences and training session on nutrient and manure management through Cornell University. A change of knowledge has occurred through sharing of information with Extension agents, other scientists and the general public. Objective 4b begins in Year 2. Objective 4c: Change in grower knowledge. Activities include development of a draft survey instrument that will be administered to 100 farmers in Wisconsin, New York and Pennsylvania in 2014 as a baseline data for producer knowledge about best management practices for dairy production systems. Discussion of results will be made available in year 2. Objective 5: Education Objective 5a: H.S. ag curriculum. Action 1) Hundreds of students at Vincent H.S. (Milwaukee) are enrolled in six ag classes for the 2013-14 school year; 2) Course sequencing, common course plans and course outlines have been developed for 13 classes; 3) 20 students visited UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A change of knowledge has occurred through student learning. Connections have been made with the business community in Milwaukee to enhance employment opportunities for students. 5b: Mentoring undergraduates Action 1) A process is being developed for undergraduate internships that will draw from 1890 universities, beginning in 2015. 5c: Action: An assessment of curriculum needs at the college level is being conducted of teaching faculty on the grant.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Powell, J.M., B.D. Duval, P.A. Vadas (2013). Greenhouse gas fluxes from experimental dairy barnyards. Advances in Animal Biosciences: Proceedings of the 5th GGAA 4:264.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dr. Ben Duvall (Post-doctoral; USDA- ARS, Dairy Forage Research Center) attended the "Greenhouse Gases and Animal Agriculture 2013" conference in Dublin Ireland (August 2013) to present a paper, Greenhouse gas fluxes from experimental dairy barnyards.