Managing Nutrients Without Water
Adapted by Deanne Meyer, Ph.D. CE Livestock Waste Management Specialist, UC Davis
It’s March and the winter rains never quite made it to California. Certainly, the snow didn’t come at high enough quantities. Right now we’re looking at some tough decisions for dairy operators with respect to forage management.
Decisions are limited and hardest in areas where water hauling for animal consumption has already begun. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) have had emergency funds available for drought management (due in March) and FSA has a program opening mid-April for pasture losses (see page 1 article).
Winter forage---looking at the crop in the valley it’s probably light. Recent rains are good if they haven’t lodged the crop. In areas where lodging has occurred, perhaps a skilled individual at the chopper will be successful in removing forage. As of mid-March the value of current winter forage crop in the field was inching over $50/ton.
Summer crop---Drought impact to operators will be a function of water availability. For operators using wells, perhaps they need to drill deeper for water (common in S. Valley) therefore increasing costs of production ($75/ton already projected for corn).
For operators using District water, impact of drought will be a function of water allocation. I’ve heard numbers up to 60% reduction in acreage planted. Some Districts will provide a given amount of water per month. Depending on availability of well water, producers may opt for longer season corn, and fewer acres.
Some Districts will offer a fixed amount of water—delivered upon request. Operators in these areas may opt for shorter season corn, and attempt to plant early to take advantage of any lingering moisture/potential late spring moisture. The trade-off may be lower yield.
Producers who receive water through the Federal system are getting a trickle of an allocation. One operator indicated he’d plant 20% of his land receiving that water and go with forage sorghum.
Attention to nutrient management must still occur even with fewer forage acres planted and potentially lower yield. Adjust pond water applications (reduce) if yield expectations are reduced. Remember to consult with your agronomist to be sure the appropriate quantity of nutrients is applied. Prioritize and keep land in production if it can utilize liquid manure….DO NOT OVER APPLY LIQUID MANURE. Remember to sample solid manure when it is moved off the dairy. Sample the pond more frequently if you have less dilution water coming in due to less irrigation water. You don’t want to burn crops with too much nitrogen or salt due to concentrated water.
In the good news department, there’s no shortage of seed available for the summer plantings. Unfortunately, that’s because fewer acres will be planted.
The more things change the more they stay the same. As always, for GOOD nutrition, have diets formulated to meet nutrient and fiber needs of animals. Finding effective fiber and energy in diets come late summer through next year may be a challenge. My crystal ball says that there won’t be an almond hull in the state that isn’t spoken for…. Questions? Concerns? Comments? Email me at dmeyer@ucdavis.edu
Link to PDF Version: Managing Nutrients Without Water