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The Environmental Impact of Bovine Somatotropin Use in Dairy Cattle
Author(s) -
Johnson Donald E.,
Ward Gerald M.,
Torrent Joan
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of environmental quality
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1537-2537
pISSN - 0047-2425
DOI - 10.2134/jeq1992.00472425002100020001x
Subject(s) - silage , manure , hay , zoology , dairy cattle , soybean meal , agronomy , greenhouse gas , bovine somatotropin , herd , environmental science , biology , chemistry , growth hormone , ecology , raw material , biochemistry , hormone
The environmental impact of bovine somatotropin (bST) use in dairy cattle ( Bos taurus ) was analyzed with the following assumptions: base herd (1989) of 10.1 × 10 6 cows, milk production 6475 kg of 3.5% fat per 305 d; bST herd of 8.96 × 10 6 cows, 3.8 kg/d increase during 215 d treatment period; 100% adoption rate, 60 d dry period, 40% replacement rate; all formulated diets from: alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) hay, corn ( Zea mays L.) silage, cracked corn, soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] meal, and supplement to satisfy level of production. Using these assumptions, the analysis indicates that the current U.S. milk supply could be produced by 11% fewer cows fed 9% less feed produced on 6% less land, and soil loss would be 5% less. Fossil fuel requirements would be 6% less and irrigation water use would be reduced by 9%. Output of the greenhouse gas methane would be decreased 9%; manure production and outputs of N and P declined by 10, 8, and 10%, respectively.