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Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Microplot Design and Plant and Soil Sample Preparation for 15Nitrogen Analysis
Published on: May 10, 2020
Nitrogen use efficiency and soil chemical composition in small-scale dairy systems
Dixan Pozo-Leyva1, Felipe López-González2, Fernando Casanova-Lugo1
1Tecnológico Nacional de México, Campus I. T. de la Zona Maya, Carretera Chetumal-Escárcega km 21.5, Ejido Juan Sarabia, 77960, Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Dairy farms show low nitrogen efficiency, recovering only 19% of consumed nitrogen for milk. Feeding strategies impact nitrogen excretion and soil nitrogen content in small-scale systems.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Animal Science
- Soil Science
Background:
- Sustainable dairy production requires efficient resource utilization.
- Nitrogen use and soil impact in small-scale dairy systems are understudied.
- Feeding strategies significantly influence nutrient cycling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate feed utilization efficiency in small-scale dairy farms.
- To quantify soil chemical composition under different feeding strategies.
- To analyze nitrogen (N) input and output in dairy cattle.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of two feeding strategies (cut-and-carry vs. grazing) on 12 dairy farms.
- Data collection from May 2016 to April 2017.
- Statistical analysis using ANOVA in a completely randomized model.
Main Results:
- Nitrogen intake and excretion differed significantly between feeding strategies, with grazing systems showing higher crude protein intake.
- Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) was low, with only 19% of consumed N converted to milk.
- Soil total nitrogen and carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio showed significant differences based on feeding strategy.
Conclusions:
- Small-scale dairy systems exhibit low nitrogen utilization efficiency.
- Feeding strategies influence nitrogen excretion and soil properties.
- Integrated crop-livestock systems can enhance agricultural system dynamics.
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