A novel test for measuring and managing potential phosphorus loss from dairy cattle feces.

Pollution of waters resulting from phosphorus (P) runoff from agricultural land receiving long-term manure application is one of the most serious threats to water quality in many regions of the world. Of various approaches to alleviate the problem, reducing P surplus on animal farms through optimizing P intake and minimizing P excretion in manure offers a great opportunity. Here, we present a fecal P test method that has the potential to identify over-feeding of P in dairy cattle. Previous research has suggested that water-extractable P in dairy cow feces closely reflects dietary P changes and may indicate the animal's P status (adequate vs excessive). However, the notion was somewhat confounded when a subsequent study found other factors (pH and Ca content as well as sample handling method) also affecting P extractability in water. In the present work, we hypothesize that the impact of those factors on P extractability can be overcome by selecting dilute acid solutions to replace deionized water as the extractant. Using samples from 25 commercial dairy farms, we tested an array of acid solutions (including HCI, citric acid, and acetic acid) and found that 0.1% HCI is the most suitable extractant. Inorganic P (P(i)) released in 0.1% HCl closely reflected dietary P changes among the farms (R2 = 0.69) and was independent of pH, Ca, or sample handling method. Knowledge of P metabolism and partitioning in dairy cows and our experimental data suggest that excess P intake by the animal leads to greater amounts of bioavailable but unabsorbed P, which is excreted in feces. Its relative magnitude may be estimated by measuring P(i) extractable in 0.1% HCl. This novel and simple fecal P test could potentially be used as an indicator of the animal's P supply utilization status and thus serve as a screening tool for the presence of P over-feeding on dairy farms.

Nitrogen- vs. phosphorus-based dairy manure applications to field crops: nitrate and phosphorus leaching and soil phosphorus accumulation.

Management of animal manures to provide nutrients for crop growth has generally been based on crop N needs. However, because manures have a lower N/P ratio than most harvested crops, N-based manure management often oversupplies the crop-soil system with P, which can be lost into the environment and contribute to eutrophication of water bodies. We examined the effects of N- vs. P-based manure applications on N and P uptake by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.) for silage, and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), leaching below the root zone, and accumulation of P in soil. Treatments included N- and P-based manure rates, with no nutrient input controls and inorganically fertilized plots for comparison. Nitrate concentrations in leachate from inorganic fertilizer or manure treatments averaged 14 mg NO(3)-N L(-1), and did not differ by nutrient treatment. Average annual total P losses in leachate did not exceed 1 kg ha(-1). In the top 5 cm of soil in plots receiving the N-based manure treatment, soil test P increased by 47%, from 85 to 125 mg kg(-1). Nitrogen- and P-based manure applications did not differ in ability to supply nutrients for crop growth, or in losses of nitrate and total P in leachate. However, the N-based manure led to significantly greater accumulation of soil test P in the surface 5 cm of soil. Surface soil P accumulation has implications for increased risk of off-field P movement.

Vancomycin for the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal and enterococcal infections in 15 horses.

We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 15 foals and adult horses in which vancomycin was used, alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside, to treat methicillin-resistant staphylococcal and enterococcal infections. Signalment, presenting complaint, history (including history of treatment for the current complaint), results of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, treatment, and outcome were reviewed. The average vancomycin dosage was 7.5 mg/kg q8h, administered by intravenous infusion over 30 min. The infection resolved in all 7 horses with soft tissue infections and in 6 of the 8 horses with infections involving a bone or a joint, or both. No adverse effects of vancomycin therapy were noted. Although the number of cases is small, our findings suggest that vancomycin, alone or in combination with an aminoglycoside, is safe and effective for the treatment of resistant staphylococcal and enterococcal infections in horses and foals. However, owing to the importance of staphylococci and enterococci in human medicine and the problems with emerging resistance, we recommend that the use of vancomycin in horses be limited to cases in which culture and susceptibility results clearly indicate that this agent is likely to be effective and in which there is no reasonable alternative.