The dairy sector in the Netherlands threatens to exceed the nitrogen ceiling again in 2019. This means that measures are needed to avert a new generic discount. It is up to the sector itself and insists on knowledge and awareness. What is possible in the field of food?
Nitrogen emissions last year were 4% above the sectoral standard, which means that the national nitrogen ceiling was slightly exceeded. Minister Carola Schouten (Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality) therefore threatened in February with a generic discount. To prevent this, Nevedi, the Dutch Dairy Farmers' Union (NMV), LTO Netherlands, Netwerk Grondig, the Dutch Dairy Organization (NZO) and the Dutch Agricultural Youth Contact (NAJK) have come up with a 'Sector Approach to Nitrogen Reduction in Dairy Farming'.
In this sector approach argue among other things, they provide a clear story to the dairy farmer: the ration has a controlling factor on nitrogen utilization and emissions. How do different feed specialists view this issue?
Tailor the silage to young cattle
Ap van der Bas, Cattle Advisor at DLV Advies, says that a lot of profit can be achieved with relatively simple applications. "For example, the protein-rich autumn silage is often fed to young cattle, while the protein requirement of older young cattle is low. This causes nitrogen losses." Van der Bas says that dairy farmers can achieve nitrogen gains by specifically making one pit with a lower crude protein, which is suitable for young cattle and dry cows." This can easily be done by letting the cut grow longer or fertilizing less.
Yet the issue is more difficult than expected, as the advisor knows. "You can improve the nitrogen utilization in a ration by, for example, including more energy (corn) and less protein (grass) in the ration, but companies with a derogation are limited to a maximum of 20% arable land in their area. Moreover, the nitrogen utilization of fertilization on corn land is usually not optimal, which means there is a risk of leaching. Van der Bas believes that dairy farmers should be rewarded if they increase nitrogen utilization. He advocates a reward system through the milk money.
Improve utilization
Albart Coster from Dairyconsult also reports that these protein-rich autumn silages contribute to nitrogen losses in dairy farming. According to the consultant, part of these nitrogen losses can be explained by the high proportion of unstable protein in these silages. Among other things, adjustments to the ensiling process can reduce the proportion of resistant protein in those silages, which can improve utilization. The aim here is to minimize the process of protein degradation that takes place during the entire process (from mowing to ensiling).
Feed fresh grass
It may also be interesting to feed grass fresh, then the least protein has been broken down and the proportion of soluble protein is lower than with the same grass after ensiling. If better quality grass can be fed, then more grass can also be fed to dairy cows. This causes the protein supply to companies to decrease. Coster also states that specific leguminous plants (red clover, trefoil and esparcette) can reduce the solubility of protein due to the presence of tannins and specific enzymes. In addition, leguminous plants fix nitrogen, so that less nitrogen needs to be supplied.