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NUTRIENT REMOVAL WITH GRAZING CATTLE Steven C. Smith Area Extension Livestock Specialist McAlester, OK. Oklahoma State University. More grass = more cattle. BODY COMPOSITION. Across species and age, fat-free body composition is remarkably similar. water 74-76% protein 20-22% ash 3-5%
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NUTRIENT REMOVAL WITH GRAZING CATTLESteven C. SmithArea Extension Livestock SpecialistMcAlester, OK Oklahoma State University
BODY COMPOSITION • Across species and age, fat-free body composition is remarkably similar. water 74-76% protein 20-22% ash 3-5% • Fat: <5% to over 40%. cattle, goats, mice, rats, sheep, swine, chickens, quail, turkeys, fish & humans OSU
Body Composition, Cattle Weight Water Protein Fat Ash Newborn 74 19.0 3 4.0 200 70 19.6 6 4.6 400 66 19.3 11 4.4 600 62 19.2 14 4.6 800 58 18.7 19 4.2 1000 53 17.6 26 3.8 Armsby, Pond
FUNCTIONS OF N & P • Phosphorus found in: • Bone 17-18% • Phospholipids (fats) used in cell metabolism, structure, membranes, energy metabolism • Blood serum, RNA & DNA & enzymes • Nitrogen used as a component of protein, found in blood, excreted in urine & as component of feces.
BRIGGS GRAZING DEMO. • Growing, breeding, 823# heifers • Stocking rate • .9A/head for litter treatment • .9A/head for commercial fertilizer • 2.5A/head for control • Season gains • 107# litter • 125# commercial fertilizer • 71# control OSU Extension
NUTRIENTS REMOVED BY CATTLE • Litter, 107# gain • 5.36# protein= .86# N, .21# P (44% fat) • Commercial Fertilizer, 125# gain • 5.33# protein= .85# N, .21# P (51% fat) • Control, 71# gain • 6.95# protein = 1.12# N, .27# P (27% fat)
NUTRIENT REMOVAL CROP N, lbs P, lbs Corn (60 bu/A) 43 8.8 Milo (30 bu/A) 27 4.8 Bermuda hay (3 tons/A) 86 10.3 --------------------------------------------------------------- Corn 9%CP .29%P Milo 11 .32 Ber. Hay 10 .19 NRC, 1996
$$$ ECONOMICS • Broiler litter, $9/T ($50/load, spread) • Urea @ $180/T = $0.20/# N • Opportunity cost of land = $80/acre/yr • no taxes, fencing, weed control, etc • 6 month grazing season • Stocking rate • litter = .6A/head or 1.7 head/A • fertilizer = .6A/head or 1.7 head/A • no fertilizer = 1.5 A/head or .7 head/A
BUDGET, 450# Stocker Cattle No fert Litter Fert. • Fert. $/A 0 30 38 • Opp. $/A/Y 80 80 80 • Total 80 110 118 • Forage $/head* 60 42 47 • Brkvn. price 79.50 77.11 77.84 *1/2 land + fert x stocking rate
OSU Extension Cattle are nutrient recyclers, not nutrient harvesters.