Dairy cows excrete more nitrogen and phosphorus than previously thought, impacting pollution.
The researchers studied how much nitrogen and phosphorus dairy cows eat and excrete in their manure. They found that lactating cows excrete more nitrogen and phosphorus than dry cows or heifers. The amount of nitrogen and phosphorus excreted varies depending on the cow's stage of life. The cows excrete over 50% of the nitrogen and phosphorus they eat. The researchers created a model to estimate how much nitrogen and phosphorus a cow will excrete based on what they eat. This model can help manage manure and prevent pollution on dairy farms.
