Effects of Feeding Practices on Cs137 Levels of Milk,

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Abstract
The levels of fallout Cs137 were determined in samples of forages and a grain mix fed to the University herd during 1962 to 1964. The highest levels were found in pasture forage over short periods of time following contamination by rains of high activity. Maximum pasture activity was found in June, with rather consistent declines until the end of the pasture season. Maxima were in 1962, 5200; 1963, 6800; and 1964, 4100 pc/kg of dry matter. Nearly as much activity was found in 1st-cutting hay with a fourfold decrease in 3rd-cutting hay. Corn silage had Cs137 activities which were slightly higher than 3rd-cutting hay, whereas grain mixes were considerably lower than 3rd-cutting hay. Milk from cows fed solely on pasture is a reliable indicator of variations in the fallout rate of Cs137. However, under the more common dairy feeding practices, where cows are not entirely on pastures, milk levels are not closely related to fallout rates, even in the summer months.