Ecohydrology of irrigated silage maize and alfalfa production systems in the upper midwest US

Increased reliance on maize silage as a primary dairy forage tradeoffs with on-farm water balances and water quality. crop, manure, and irrigation management influence field-scale duction systems. This study utilized year-round measurements (ET), soil water storage, subsurface tile drainage, and dissolved reactive P (DRP), and total suspended solids ficiency, and water quality impacts of these crops. Mean mm yr(-1)) were similar between crops, due in part to paired years was 326 mm for silage maize and 214 mm alfalfa (25 +/- 44 mm yr(-1)) and silage maize (27 +/- 50 mm were balanced. Inherent water use efficiency (IWUE*) was C hPa kg H2O-1 d(-1)). Paired-watersheds analysis indicated trations in drainage compared to silage maize. However, and 33%, respectively, and annual TSS loads reduced highlight the value of alfalfa for managing on-farm water year and suggest that increased usage of maize silage has

Automated summary

Increased reliance on maize silage as a primary dairy forage has tradeoffs with on-farm water balances and water quality. Crop, manure, and irrigation management play important roles in field-scale production systems. The study found that the mean annual evapotranspiration and water quality were similar between maize silage and alfalfa. However, alfalfa had lower total suspended solids loadings compared to maize silage, suggesting its value in on-farm water management.