AmmoniationDemonstrations

Justin W. Waggoner, Ph.D. K-State Beef Systems Specialist

Garden City, KS

Application Rate

(Previous K-State studies) Anhydrous Application Rates

Item, % Dry Matter 0% 1.5% 3.0%

Straw, (Laytimi et al., 1984, KSU)Crude Protein 3.9 7.7 8.8IVDMD 47.2 57.3 56.7ADF 55.6 56.5 56.3DM Digestibility 45.6 53.8 52.7

CRP Hay (Clark County KS, 2011)Crude Protein 5.1 9.3 9.9TDN 44.4 46.2 48.0ADF 52.2 50.3 48.4

Objective

Demonstrate the process of ammoniating forages to producers

Evaluate the application of different application rates of anhydrous ammonia under field conditions– 1.5% of forage DM (30 lbs/ton)– 3.0% of forage DM (60 lbs/ton)

Locations

1. River Valley District- Robin Slattery2. Meadowlark District-Jody Holthaus3. Pottawatomie County-Austin Sexten4. Kingman County- Matt Clark5. Walnut Creek District-Jared Petersilie6. KSU Stocker Unit

Procedures

Bales were stacked in a 3,2 arrangement

Covered with 6 mil black plastic– Same plastic used at all sites

Forage samples were obtained – Prior to treatment– Approximately 14 days following anhydrous

application

Observations

Demonstrations were well attended at all sites 30-45 persons

Condensation under plastic at some sitesLack of an improvement in ADF/TDN – Some sites ADF increased, decreased TDN

content

Crude Protein 3.50 8.60 10.83ADF 51.38 52.33 52.10IVDMD

Laytimi et al., 1984Crude Protein 3.9 7.7 8.8ADF 55.6 56.5 56.3IVDMD 47.2 57.3 56.7

Application Rate

Anhydrous Application Rates

Item, % Dry Matter 0% 1.5% 3.0%

----In Progress---

Nutrient Values

Crude protein– Consider ½ the increase in CP available – 1.5% = 6.1 % CP– 3.0% = 7.2 % CP

Energy content– Brands currently (50% TDN, 0.43 Mcal/lb NEm)– Traditional equations from ADF may not fit– Based off of IVDMD data

Application Rate

Estimated Cost of Ammoniation/ton

Item 1.5% 3.0%Straw $60.00 $60.00Stacking and handling $2.00 $2.00Plastic ($236, 40 x 100, 6 mil) $6.75 $6.75Anhydrous Ammonia ($700/ton) $10.50 $21.00Total Cost $79.25 89.75Ammoniation cost less hay $19.25 $29.75

Kuhl, 1981 as cited in OSU Publication #PSS-2243

680 Hits in 30 days859 total

Justin W. Waggoner, Ph.D. jwaggon@ksu.edu

Beef Systems SpecialistGarden City, KS620-275-9164