A survey of dairy farming in Pennsylvania: nutrient management practices and implications

A survey was conducted to collect information on nutrient management practices on dairy farms in south-central Pennsylvania. Of the 994 responding farms, the average farm consisted of 64 lactating cows, 10 dry cows, 41 heifers, and 17 calves with 69.7 ha of tillable land. Manure from lactating cows was mainly collected on a daily basis (84% of the farms) and stored as slurry or liquid (73%), while dry cow and heifer manure was collected weekly or less frequently (69 and 85% of the farms) and stored as solid stack or bedded pack (67 and 82%). Manure utilization featured consistent use of on-farm spreading, with limited incorporation, to corn or small grain fields before planting. Spreading on perennial forages or pasture was also common. Irrigation or injection of manure occurred on less than 5% of the farms. Only 20% of the farms reported manure nutrient testing, contrasting to over 90% for soil testing. Farm advisors and their services can be of vital importance in helping producers make conscientious management decisions for enhanced nutrient utilization. For example, ration balancing involved the services of feed and mineral sales representatives (85% of the farms), independent consultants (12%), and veterinarians (5%). Manure nutrient crediting to determine manure application rates was made by fertilizer dealers (40%), crop advisors and independent consultants (31%), and others. Nutrient management strategies and efforts must address the specific needs of farms with different animal densities and nutrient balances in order to be effective and applicable on the majority of farms.