Towards nitrogen self-sufficiency in mixed crop organic dairy systems: legumes and protein-rich plants contributions

Summary

Nitrogen is known to be the limiting factor of productivity in organic systems. In low-input organic, mixed-crop dairy systems (MCDS) at the Mirecourt INRA station, studies are conducted on the contribution of associated cereal/protein-rich plant crops and concentrate mixes to the nitrogen self-sufficiency of the system. An agronomic and zootechnical analytical trial was established with nine types of cereal and protein-rich plants, and associated cereal/protein-rich plant crops were compared in plot trials in 2006 and 2007. The valorization of three cereal/protein concentrate mixes by 24 lactating dairy cows was tested in a zootechnical experiment during winter 2007. Dairy cows were each fed 4 kg d-1 of the mix, 8kg DM d-1 of lucerne/cocksfoot hay, and permanent grassland hay ad libitum. Associated cereal/protein rich plant crops produced a greater and more stable yield (3.0 t ha-1) that pure cereals (2.2 t ha-1) but the proportions of protein rich grains in the mixes were highly variable (26 to 62%). Dairy cows' feed requirements were satisfied by the three diets. Cereal/protein concentrate mixes had a low impact on dairy cows' performance because of the high contribution of forages to the diet.