Increasing home-grown forage consumption and profit in non-irrigated dairy systems. 1. Rationale, systems design and management

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 221 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
J. Hill ◽  
J. Tharmaraj ◽  
D. Beca ◽  
S. N. Kenny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Dairy Systems ◽  
Milk Solids

The profitability of dairy businesses in southern Australia is closely related to the amount of feed consumed from perennial ryegrass-dominant pasture. Historically, the dairy industry has relied on improvements in pasture productivity and utilisation to support profitable increases in stocking rate and milk production per hectare. However, doubts surround the extent to which the industry can continue to rely on perennial ryegrass technology to provide the necessary productivity improvements required into the future. This paper describes the design and management of a dairy systems experiment at Terang in south-west Victoria (780-mm average annual rainfall) conducted over four lactations (June 2005–March 2009) to compare the production and profitability of two forage base options for non-irrigated dairy farms. These options were represented by two self-contained farmlets each milking 36 mixed-age, autumn-calving Holstein-Friesian cows at peak: (1) well managed perennial ryegrass pasture (‘Ryegrass Max’, or ‘RM’); and (2) perennial ryegrass plus complementary forages (‘CF’) including 15% of farmlet area under double cropping with annual species (winter cereal grown for silage followed by summer brassica for grazing on the same land) and an average of 25% of farmlet area in perennial pasture based on tall fescue for improved late spring–early summer feed supply. The design of these systems was informed by farming systems models (DairyMod, UDDER and Redsky), which were used to estimate the effects of introducing different forage options on farm profitability. The design of the CF system was selected based on modelled profitability increases assuming that all forage components could be managed to optimise forage production and be effectively integrated to optimise milk production per cow. Using the historical ‘average’ pasture growth curve for the Terang district and a mean milk price of $3.71 per kg milk solids, the models estimated that the return on assets of the RM and CF systems would be 9.4 and 15.0%, respectively. The objectives of the experiment described here were to test whether or not such differences in profitability could be achieved in practice, and to determine the risks associated with including complementary forages on a substantial proportion of the effective farm area. Key results of the experiment are presented in subsequent papers.

Increasing home-grown forage consumption and profit in non-irrigated dairy systems. 3. Intake, milk production and composition, bodyweight and body condition score

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hill ◽  
D. F. Chapman ◽  
J. Tharmaraj ◽  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
B. R. Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Double Cropping ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Dairy Systems ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
Feeding Systems

This paper reports the performance [intake, milk production, bodyweight and body condition score (BCS)] of cows managed under two feeding systems over 4 years (June 2005–May 2009) in south-west Victoria, Australia. The feeding systems were ‘Ryegrass Max’ (RM) a well managed perennial ryegrass pasture-based system stocked at 2.2 cows/ha, and a ‘Complementary Forage’ (CF) system based on perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and a double crop of winter-sown cereal and summer-sown brassica crops stocked at 2.82 cows/ha. There were no significant differences in milk production per lactation between feeding systems, with an average of 543 and 553 kg milk solids per cow (1246 and 1642 kg milk solids per ha) produced in the RM and CF systems, respectively. These production levels were 20.9 and 10.8% above pre-experimental model targets, respectively. The bodyweight and BCS of multiparous cows were not significantly different between the two feeding systems; however, bodyweight of heifers in early lactation declined more rapidly in the CF compared with RM feeding system. Over the 4-year study in the RM system pasture comprised 60% of total DM consumed (grazed + conserved), with 26% of the ration being concentrate and the balance being purchased hay supplements. In the CF system, home-grown forage contributed 57.9% of total DM consumed of which 46.6% was pasture (grazed + conserved) and 11.3% was from the double cropping system. These levels of home-grown forage consumption were lower than those predicted by the pre-experimental modelling, leading to higher than predicted levels of purchased concentrates and conserved forages being fed. The lower than expected levels of consumption of the forages produced in the double cropping system reflected both the low intake potential and moderate nutritive value of cereal silage, and the failure of establishment and subsequent low DM yields from the summer brassica crop. Further work is required to determine the risk of implementing CF in rain-fed dairy systems reflecting uncertainties in forage management planning and nutrient delivery to support high levels of milk production.

Including white clover in nitrogen fertilized perennial ryegrass swards: effects on dry matter intake and milk production of spring calving dairy cows

2016 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 657-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. EGAN ◽  
M. B. LYNCH ◽  
D. HENNESSY
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
Daily Milk

SUMMARYThe current experiment was undertaken to investigate the effect of including white clover (Trifolium repensL.; WC) into perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.; PRG) swards (PRG/WC) receiving 250 kg nitrogen (N) per hectare (ha) per year compared with PRG only swards receiving 250 kg N/ha/year, in an intensive grass-based spring calving dairy production scenario. Forty spring-calving cows were allocated to graze either a PRG/WC or PRG sward (n= 20) from 6 February to 31 October 2012. Fresh herbage was offered daily (17 kg dry matter (DM)/cow) supplemented with concentrate in times of herbage deficit (total supplementation 507 kg/cow). Pre-grazing herbage mass (HM), sward WC content and milk production were measured for the duration of the experiment. Herbage DM intake was estimated in May, July and September. Pre-grazing HM (±s.e.) was similar (1467 ± 173·1 kg DM/ha) for both treatments, as was cumulative herbage production (14 158 ± 769 kg DM/ha). Average WC content of the PRG/WC swards was 236 ± 30 g/kg DM. The PRG/WC cows had greater average daily milk yield and milk solids yield from June onwards. Cumulative milk yield and milk solids yield were greater for the PRG/WC cows compared with the PRG cows (5048 and 4789 ± 34·3 kg milk yield/cow, and 400 and 388 ± 1·87 kg milk solids/cow, respectively). Cows had similar DM intake in all measurements periods (15·1 ± 0·42 kg DM/cow/day). In conclusion, including WC in N-fertilized PRG swards increased milk production from cows grazing the PRG/WC swards compared with PRG, particularly in the second half of the lactation.

Effects of Dried Distillers’ Grains Cube Supplementation for Steers Grazing Introduced Pastures on Animal Performance and Forage Production

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 12-13
Author(s):  
Jordan Adams ◽  
Rodney Farris ◽  
Scott Clawson ◽  
Earl Ward ◽  
Paul Beck
Keyword(s):  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Distillers Grains ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Trenbolone Acetate ◽  
Dried Distillers Grains

Abstract We evaluated the effects of supplementing dried distillers’ grains cubes (DDGS) and re-implantation of steers (n = 149; BW = 238 ± 13.8 kg) grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea)/bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures (n = 9 pastures, 7.2 ± 2.90 ha) from 14 April to 17 September 2020 (n = 155 d) in a split-plot design on steer performance and forage production. Main plot supplemental treatments (n = 3 pastures/treatment) included 1) Fertilized Control (FC), no supplementation on fertilized pastures (112 kg N/ha); 2) Fertilized Supplement (FS), supplemental DDGS fed at 2.9 kg 3-d/wk on fertilized pastures; and 3) Supplement (S), supplemented DDGS at 0.75% BW/d on unfertilized pastures prorated for 5-d/wk feeding. Steers were previously implanted during receiving with 40 mg trenbolone acetate and 8 mg estradiol (REV-G; Revalor G, Merck Animal Health). On July 7, steers in each pasture were randomly assigned to one of three re-implant treatments: 1) no re-implant; 2) REV-G; or 3) 200 mg progesterone and 20 mg estradiol (Synovex S, Zoetis Animal Health). Steers in FS and S gained more (P < 0.01) than FC throughout the trial and final BW was greater (P < 0.01) for FS and S compared with FC. Unexpectedly, re-implanting had no effect on ADG (P = 0.57) or BW (P = 0.34), but statistical power may be lacking. Supplemental efficiency was greater in the late summer for FS (P = 0.05) compared to S. Fertilizing pastures in FS and FC did not affect biomass (P = 0.39), however, CP was increased (P = 0.01) and acid and neutral detergent fibers tended to decrease (P = 0.06) relative to S in the early summer (April, May, June, and July), but did not differ in late summer (August and September). Based upon our analysis, DDGS is a suitable supplement and can replace N fertilizer for steers grazing introduced pastures.

scholarly journals The Carbon Footprint of Energy Consumption in Pastoral and Barn Dairy Farming Systems: A Case Study from Canterbury, New Zealand

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (17) ◽  
pp. 4809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hafiz Muhammad Abrar Ilyas ◽  
Majeed Safa ◽  
Alison Bailey ◽  
Sara Rauf ◽  
Marvin Pangborn
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Energy Inputs ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Feed Supplements ◽  
Dairy Systems ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
On Farm

Dairy farming is constantly evolving to more intensive systems of management, which involve more consumption of energy inputs. The consumption of these energy inputs in dairy farming contributes to climate change both with on-farm emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels, and by off-farm emissions due to production of farm inputs (such as fertilizer, feed supplements). The main purpose of this research study was to evaluate energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, the carbon footprint, of pastoral and barn dairy systems located in Canterbury, New Zealand. The carbon footprints were estimated based on direct and indirect energy sources. The study results showed that, on average, the carbon footprints of pastoral and barn dairy systems were 2857 kgCO2 ha−1 and 3379 kgCO2 ha−1, respectively. For the production of one tonne of milk solids, the carbon footprint was 1920 kgCO2 tMS−1 and 2129 kgCO2 tMS−1, respectively. The carbon emission difference between the two systems indicates that the barn system has 18% and 11% higher carbon footprint than the pastoral system, both per hectare of farm area and per tonne of milk solids, respectively. The greater carbon footprint of the barn system was due to more use of imported feed supplements, machinery usage and fossil fuel (diesel and petrol) consumption for on-farm activities.

Effects of drought rations offered to lactating beef heifers on liveweight changes, milk production and composition, calf carcasses and cow fertility

1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 801
Author(s):  
D Hamilton ◽  
RC Seirer ◽  
JP Cook
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Energy Requirement ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Calf Growth ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Effects Of Drought ◽  
Angus Heifers

Thirty-two early-summer-calving Angus heifers received 4 rations in early lactation for the last 92 days of drought and then grazed pasture. The aim was to produce calves suitable for slaughter at weaning (i.e. at about 11 months of age) and to maintain the usual calving rate of about 85% at the next calving. Variations on the control ration of 83% cracked wheat and 17% long oaten hay, plus minerals and vitamins, were 44% hay or additions of urea or sodium bicarbonate. The calves received 0.33 kg and later 0.66 kg of pasture hay/head.day. The nitrogen content of the respective rations was 19.3, 17.5, 24.3 and 19.3 g/kg of dry matter. The apparent digestibilities of the organic matter were 66, 68 and 88% for the pasture hay, oaten hay and cracked wheat, respectively. There was no acidosis, but the heifers would only consume at 80% of the intended level of 6.0 kg/head.day for the control ration. Heifer condition score, weight change and milk composition, and calf growth and milk consumption, did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. The average daily liveweight changes during drought feeding were -0.51 kg for the heifers and +0.64 kg for the calves. There was a tendency to slower eating and fewer calves at the next calving with the urea and bicarbonate rations. The calves were all of slaughter condition at weaning, and on average 84% of the heifers calved at the next calving. The control ration appeared to contain adequate roughage and nitrogen for milk production. The heifers' energy requirement in relation to milk production and liveweight performance was as predicted by the common feeding standards. Feed consumption, although lower than intended and probably constrained by the mineral content of the diet, was adequate in heifers that were initially fat enough to tolerate prolonged weight loss.

Development of profitable milk production systems for northern Australia: a field assessment of the productivity of five potential farming systems using farmlets

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 246 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Chataway ◽  
R. G. Walker ◽  
M. N. Callow
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
Nutrient Inputs ◽  
Tropical Pastures ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
Forage Base

Farmlets, each of 20 cows, were established to field test five milk production systems and provide a learning platform for farmers and researchers in a subtropical environment. The systems were developed through desktop modelling and industry consultation in response to the need for substantial increases in farm milk production following deregulation of the industry. Four of the systems were based on grazing and the continued use of existing farmland resource bases, whereas the fifth comprised a feedlot and associated forage base developed as a greenfield site. The field evaluation was conducted over 4 years under more adverse environmental conditions than anticipated with below average rainfall and restrictions on irrigation. For the grazed systems, mean annual milk yield per cow ranged from 6330 kg/year (1.9 cows/ha) for a herd based on rain-grown tropical pastures to 7617 kg/year (3.0 cows/ha) where animals were based on temperate and tropical irrigated forages. For the feedlot herd, production of 9460 kg/cow.year (4.3 cows/ha of forage base) was achieved. For all herds, the level of production achieved required annual inputs of concentrates of ~3 t DM/animal and purchased conserved fodder from 0.3 to 1.5 t DM/animal. This level of supplementary feeding made a major contribution to total farm nutrient inputs, contributing 50% or more of the nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium entering the farming system, and presents challenges to the management of manure and urine that results from the higher stocking rates enabled. Mean annual milk production for the five systems ranged from 88 to 105% of that predicted by the desktop modelling. This level of agreement for the grazed systems was achieved with minimal overall change in predicted feed inputs; however, the feedlot system required a substantial increase in inputs over those predicted. Reproductive performance for all systems was poorer than anticipated, particularly over the summer mating period. We conclude that the desktop model, developed as a rapid response to assist farmers modify their current farming systems, provided a reasonable prediction of inputs required and milk production. Further model development would need to consider more closely climate variability, the limitations summer temperatures place on reproductive success and the feed requirements of feedlot herds.

scholarly journals Efficiency of water use and nitrogen for goat milk production in irrigated pasture to different management

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1374-1380
Author(s):  
A.C.R. Cavalcante ◽  
P.M. Santos ◽  
J.A.A. C. Júnior ◽  
M.J.D. Cândido ◽  
N.L.S. Lemos
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Goat Milk ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Water Efficiency ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Use Efficiency

ABSTRACT The aim was to determine the efficiency of use of water and nitrogen for forage production and goat-milk production on an irrigated Tanzania Guineagrass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia) pasture subjected to different management practices. The management levels tested were combinations among nitrogen fertilization levels and post-grazing residual heights (ResH): Intensive (ResH = 33.0cm and 600.0kg N/ha.year-1); Moderate (ResH = 47.0cm and 300.0kg N/ha.year-1); Light (ResH = 47cm and 0kg N/ha.year-1); and Conventional (ResH = 33cm and 0kg N/ha year-1). The efficiency of water use for forage production was higher in intensive and Moderate management. The Conventional management was recommended only for forage production since there is no nitrogen input available because this result was similar to Intensive management in water efficiency. The efficiency of water use to produce goat milk was higher in Intensive management. Moderate management presented higher efficiency of nitrogen to produce forage. On the other hand, Intensive management was more efficient using nitrogen in goat milk production. The amount of water needed to produce one liter of goat milk varied from 893.20 to 3,933.50L. In the moderate management, up to 121.48kg forage and 21.56kg of milk were produced for every kilogram of N utilized. Intensive management is advantageous for water use efficiency as well nitrogen efficiency to produce goat milk in cultivated pasture.

scholarly journals Eighty years of food-web response to interannual variation in discharge recorded in river diatom frustules from an ocean sediment core

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (38) ◽  
pp. 10155-10159 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Sculley ◽  
Rex L. Lowe ◽  
Charles A. Nittrouer ◽  
Tina M. Drexler ◽  
Mary E. Power
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Sediment Core ◽  
Nutrient Loading ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Algal Production ◽  
Positive Effects

Little is known about the importance of food-web processes as controls of river primary production due to the paucity of both long-term studies and of depositional environments which would allow retrospective fossil analysis. To investigate how freshwater algal production in the Eel River, northern California, varied over eight decades, we quantified siliceous shells (frustules) of freshwater diatoms from a well-dated undisturbed sediment core in a nearshore marine environment. Abundances of freshwater diatom frustules exported to Eel Canyon sediment from 1988 to 2001 were positively correlated with annual biomass ofCladophorasurveyed over these years in upper portions of the Eel basin. Over 28 years of contemporary field research, peak algal biomass was generally higher in summers following bankfull, bed-scouring winter floods. Field surveys and experiments suggested that bed-mobilizing floods scour away overwintering grazers, releasing algae from spring and early summer grazing. During wet years, growth conditions for algae could also be enhanced by increased nutrient loading from the watershed, or by sustained summer base flows. Total annual rainfall and frustule densities in laminae over a longer 83-year record were weakly and negatively correlated, however, suggesting that positive effects of floods on annual algal production were primarily mediated by “top-down” (consumer release) rather than “bottom-up” (growth promoting) controls.

scholarly journals The feeding value of forage herbs: studies with red deer

2006 ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
S.O. Hoskin ◽  
P.R. Wilson ◽  
M. Ondris ◽  
A.H. Bunod
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin B12 ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Red Deer ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Selenium Status ◽  
Liver Copper ◽  
Complementary Role ◽  
Feeding Value

This paper summarises three studies that: 1) compared the feeding value of perennial ryegrass-based pasture with chicory and plantain during 8 weeks grazing by weaner red deer in spring 2003 and 13 weeks grazing plantain by weaner deer during autumn 2004; 2), compared the liver copper, liver and serum vitamin B12 and blood selenium status of weaner red deer grazing ryegrass-based pasture, chicory or plantain for 8 weeks during spring 2003; and 3) determined the effect of grazing perennial ryegrass-based pasture alone, or with intermittent grazing of plantain from 1 month pre-partum to 1 month post-partum on liver copper and vitamin B12 status of calves during December 2004 and January 2005. Feeding value (as determined by liveweight gain) of chicory was 40-48% higher than other forages in spring. Feeding value of plantain was 14% higher than pasture in autumn, but similar to pasture in spring. Grazing chicory significantly enhanced the liver copper concentration of weaner deer in spring compared with both ryegrass and plantain. Grazing plantain significantly enhanced the copper status of weaners in autumn, but not of weaners or calves in spring and early summer, enhanced the vitamin B12 status of weaners in autumn and spring and calves in early summer and increased the selenium status of weaners during both spring and autumn. This study has highlighted the complementary role of forage herbs in improving growth and maintaining trace element status of farmed deer. Keywords: chicory, plantain, copper, vitamin B12, selenium, weaner deer

scholarly journals Improving water productivity in the Australian Grains industry—a nationally coordinated approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Kirkegaard ◽  
J. R. Hunt ◽  
T. M. McBeath ◽  
J. M. Lilley ◽  
A. Moore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Wheat Yield ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Cost Ratio ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Farm Scale

Improving the water-limited yield of dryland crops and farming systems has been an underpinning objective of research within the Australian grains industry since the concept was defined in the 1970s. Recent slowing in productivity growth has stimulated a search for new sources of improvement, but few previous research investments have been targeted on a national scale. In 2008, the Australian grains industry established the 5-year, AU$17.6 million, Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Initiative, which challenged growers and researchers to lift WUE of grain-based production systems by 10%. Sixteen regional grower research teams distributed across southern Australia (300–700 mm annual rainfall) proposed a range of agronomic management strategies to improve water-limited productivity. A coordinating project involving a team of agronomists, plant physiologists, soil scientists and system modellers was funded to provide consistent understanding and benchmarking of water-limited yield, experimental advice and assistance, integrating system science and modelling, and to play an integration and communication role. The 16 diverse regional project activities were organised into four themes related to the type of innovation pursued (integrating break-crops, managing summer fallows, managing in-season water-use, managing variable and constraining soils), and the important interactions between these at the farm-scale were explored and emphasised. At annual meetings, the teams compared the impacts of various management strategies across different regions, and the interactions from management combinations. Simulation studies provided predictions of both a priori outcomes that were tested experimentally and extrapolation of results across sites, seasons and up to the whole-farm scale. We demonstrated experimentally that potential exists to improve water productivity at paddock scale by levels well above the 10% target by better summer weed control (37–140%), inclusion of break crops (16–83%), earlier sowing of appropriate varieties (21–33%) and matching N supply to soil type (91% on deep sands). Capturing synergies from combinations of pre- and in-crop management could increase wheat yield at farm scale by 11–47%, and significant on-farm validation and adoption of some innovations has occurred during the Initiative. An ex post economic analysis of the Initiative estimated a benefit : cost ratio of 3.7 : 1, and an internal return on investment of 18.5%. We briefly review the structure and operation of the initiative and summarise some of the key strategies that emerged to improve WUE at paddock and farm-scale.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document