Optimizing Feeding Strategies to Minimize Phosphorus Losses from Roofed Winter Feeding Areas.

Concentrated brood cattle feeding in West Virginia’s roofed feeding and waste storage structures during winter months results in an accumulation of manure. During spring and fall, manure applications are made to fields within the farm. Our objective is to determine the nutrient levels in accumulated manures, harvested crops, feed supplements, imported manures and fertilizers. Using this data, we can determine long term P and K farm scale balance outcomes. Comparisons were then made between soil phosphorous and potassium, on manure applied areas, and total imported phosphorous and potassium through fertilizers and feeds. Sustainability of each system was then assessed by use of Manure Management Planner, RUSLE2, and the West Virginia P Index. After individual assessments are completed, systems with similar attributes will be analyzed for multi-year projections of whole farm nutrient balance.