Ammoniation Demonstrations Justin W. Waggoner, Ph.D. K-State Beef Systems Specialist Garden City, KS

Application Rate (Previous K-State studies) Anhydrous Application Rates Item, % Dry Matter0%1.5%3.0% Straw, (Laytimi et al., 1984, KSU) Crude Protein IVDMD ADF DM Digestibility CRP Hay (Clark County KS, 2011) Crude Protein TDN ADF

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 Slattery 2.Meadowlark District-Jody Holthaus 3.Pottawatomie County-Austin Sexten 4.Kingman County- Matt Clark 5.Walnut Creek District-Jared Petersilie 6.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 persons  Condensation under plastic at some sites  Lack of an improvement in ADF/TDN – Some sites ADF increased, decreased TDN content

Crude Protein ADF IVDMD Laytimi et al., 1984 Crude Protein ADF IVDMD Application Rate Anhydrous Application Rates Item, % Dry Matter0%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 Item1.5%3.0% Straw$60.00$60.00 Stacking and handling$2.00$2.00 Plastic ($236, 40 x 100, 6 mil) $6.75$6.75 Anhydrous Ammonia ($700/ton)$10.50$21.00 Total Cost$ Ammoniation cost less hay$19.25$29.75 Kuhl, 1981 as cited in OSU Publication #PSS-2243

680 Hits in 30 days 859 total

Justin W. Waggoner, Ph.D. Beef Systems Specialist Garden City, KS