Setting targets for the Irish dairy industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Laurence Shalloo ◽  
Liam Hanrahan
Keyword(s):  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Sustainability Indicators ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Significant Potential ◽  
Grass Growth ◽  
Farm Business ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Efficiency And Productivity

A resilient dairy business will be sustainable across all of the sustainability indicators, survive milk-price drops and be very profitable when milk price is high. The term resilient means able to ‘recover, respond, deal or withstand’ different internal and external challenges that may manifest themselves within the farm business from time to time. There is significant potential to increase efficiency and productivity at farm level when compared with the average farm nationally. The focus at a farm level must be about increasing grass growth and utilisation and converting that feed to milk solids (kg of milk fat and protein) sales at as low a cost as possible. Increasing labour efficiency by operating more streamlined work practices, using contractors and contract rearing of heifers will have a major impact on farm labour requirements.

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 cereal grain, lupins-cereal grain or hay supplements on the intake and performance of grazing dairy cows

1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 811 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. R. Stockdale
Keyword(s):  
Milk Fat ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
The Body ◽  
Absolute Level ◽  
Milk Protein Content ◽  
Cereal Grain ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Grazing Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Solids ◽  
Stocking Rates

Summary. Three experiments of 5 weeks duration, using 32 Friesian cows per experiment, were conducted in northern Victoria during 1994–95. Experiment 1 was conducted during spring (October–November), experiment 2 was carried out in summer (January–February), and experiment 3 was in autumn (April–May). In each experiment, there was a pasture only treatment and 3 treatments in which 5 kg dry matter (DM)/cow of different supplements were offered in 2 equal feeds each day. The supplements were either pelleted cereal grain (75% barley and 25% wheat), pelleted mixed grains (50% lupins, 25% barley, 25% wheat) or hay. The hay used in experiment 1 was made from lucerne (Medicago sativa), while that used in experiments 2 and 3 originated from irrigated annual and perennial pastures, respectively. Cows strip-grazed irrigated pasture at a herbage allowance of about 30 kg DM/cow.day in each experiment. There were 4 cows per treatment and treatments were replicated twice. All supplements significantly (P<0.05) increased milk production. The lupins–cereal grain supplement resulted in the greatest response and the hay the smallest response, both in terms of absolute level of production and the marginal return to additional total DM consumed (1.4, 1.7 and 0.9 kg of extra milk for each additional kg DM of total intake associated with the cereal grain, lupins–cereal grain and hay supplement treatments, respectively). However, the marginal response to each kg of a supplement varied (P<0.05) with the time of the year. There were no differences between supplements in spring whilst in summer and autumn, the cereal grain and lupins–cereal grain supplements were better (P<0.05) than hay. Milk solids yield responded in a manner similar to milk yield. This was principally due to the fact that none of the supplements affected (P>0.05) milk protein content and, although milk fat content was reduced (P<0.05) by both concentrate supplements, the effects were not biologically large (a difference of about 0.05 percentage units). The cereal grain and lupins–cereal grain supplements also improved (P<0.05) the body condition of cows relative to those that were unsupplemented or were supplemented with hay. Levels of substitution were similar across types of supplement, averaging 0.28 kg DM reduction in pasture intake for each kg DM of supplement eaten. It was concluded that, at low pasture allowances (high stocking rates) with moderate supplementation, large differences in substitution between readily fermentable concentrate supplements, such as cereal grain or lupins–cereal grain, and hay are unlikely. Hence, responses in milk will largely be based on the energy content of the supplement. At higher pasture allowances and/or higher levels of supplementary feeding, variations in substitution will probably play an important role in determining the responses observed.

scholarly journals Developing farm-level sustainability indicators for Ireland using the Teagasc National Farm Survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Ryan ◽  
T. Hennessy ◽  
C. Buckley ◽  
E.J. Dillon ◽  
T. Donnellan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Farm Survey ◽  
Farm Sustainability ◽  
On Farm

Abstract In the context of an expanding, export-dependent agri-food sector, indicators of sustainable development and intensification are necessary to measure, assess and verify the comparative advantage afforded by Ireland’s natural pastoral-based food production systems. Such indicators are also necessary to ensure that we produce more food with less adverse impacts on the Irish environment, climate and society. This article outlines the development of farm-level indicators that refect the multifaceted nature of sustainability, which is encompassed in economic, environmental and social indicators. The role of innovation in farm sustainability was also examined. A comparison of indicators across Irish farm systems showed that dairy farms, followed by tillage farms, tended to be the most economically and socially sustainable farm systems. In relation to greenhouse gas emissions in particular, the top-performing dairy farms, in an economic sense, also tended to be the best-performing farms from an environmental sustainability perspective. This trend was also evident in relation to the adoption of innovative practices on farm, which was found to be strongly correlated with economic performance.

The influence of mineral granulated complex on milk productivity and quality indicators of cows’ milk

2021 ◽  
pp. 33-42
Author(s):  
S. I. Nikolaev ◽  
D. A. Randelin ◽  
N. M. Kostomakhin ◽  
Yu. M. Batrakova ◽  
K. S. Arstanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Control Group ◽  
New Mineral ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Nonfat Milk ◽  
Group A ◽  
Milk Solids

The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of the use of rations for freshly calved cows during the increasing the milk yield period with the use of new mineral granulated complexes produced by Uralchem LLC. The results of research on the replacement of the mineral part of the vitamin and mineral premix in the rations of lactating cows with the mineral granular complex developed according to two recipes have been presented in the article. Research has shown that cows of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups during the experiment period gave more milk than their herdmates from the control group by 70,8 (P ≥ 0,95) and 106,2 kg (P ≥ 0,95). Due to the higher milk yield of animals that consumed the granulated complex, the yield of milk fat was greater than that of the control analogues by 3,21 (P ≥ 0,95) and 5,17 kg (P ≥ 0,95), protein by 2,70 and 4,30 kg (P ≥ 0,95). The milk yield of cows of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups for 305 days of lactation was higher than in the control group, respectively, by 205,3 (P ≥ 0,95) and 296,8 kg (P ≥ 0,95). In the milk of cows that consumed the granulated complex, there was a tendency for a higher content of dry matter (0,09 and 0,16 %), lactose (0,01 and 0,06 %), nonfat milk solids (0,09 and 0,07 %), ash (0,05 and 0,05 %) in comparison with analogues from the control group. A similar trend has been established between groups of cows in terms of milk density, acidity and rennet coagulability. The revenue from the sale of milk produced from cows of the 1st and 2nd experimental groups was more than in the control group for the experimental period (120 days) by 2074,6 and 3344,0 rubles and for the 305 days of lactation by 7055,4 and 9950,6 rubles.

Genetic and phenotypic trends in production traits in the United Kingdom (UK) dairy herd

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 191-191
Author(s):  
C. M. Lindberg ◽  
G. J. T. Swanson ◽  
R. A. Mrode
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Individual Animal ◽  
Know How ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Breeding Schemes

It is important for the dairy industry to be aware of the consequences of past selection policies. This can provide guidance on how to improve or change current breeding schemes. In addition it is important to know how much of current progress is due to breeding and how much to management. The objective of the study was to analyse genetic and phenotypic trends for the production traits (milk, fat and protein) using the results from the latest UK Individual Animal Model evaluations.

scholarly journals Revisiting the Impact of Bt Corn Adoption by U.S. Farmers

2012 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 377-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Fernandez-Cornejo ◽  
Seth Wechsler
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Econometric Model ◽  
Bt Corn ◽  
Insect Infestation ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Self Selection ◽  
On Farm ◽  
The Impact

This study examines the impact of adopting Bt corn on farm profits, yields, and insecticide use. The study employs an econometric model that corrects for self-selection and simultaneity. The model is estimated using nationwide farm-level survey data for 2005. Regression analysis confirms that Bt adoption is associated with increased variable profits, yields, and seed demand. However, the results of this analysis suggest that Bt adoption is not significantly related to insecticide use. This result may be due to the fact that insect infestation levels were lower in 2005 than they were in previous years.

Dietary effect on bovine milk fat conjugated linoleic acid content

2000 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 283-293
Author(s):  
F. Lawless ◽  
J.J. Murphy ◽  
S. Fitzgerald ◽  
B. O’Brien ◽  
R. Devery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Conjugated Linoleic Acid ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Methyl Esters ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Linoleic Acid Content ◽  
Grass Growth

AbstractConjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11-C18:2; CLA) in milk arises as a result of microbial biohydrogenation of dietary linoleic and linolenic acids in the rumen (Kepler and Tove, 1967). Milk fat CLA concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher when cows were fed silage supplemented with pulp’n brew (a mixture of brewers grains, a by-product of the brewing industry, and sugar beet pulp in dry matter proportions of 0.65:0.35), compared with silage alone (Trial 1). Intake of spring grass resulted in a 2.1–fold increase in milk fat CLA concentrations over cows receiving autumn grass. Throughout lactation in Trial 2, spring calving cows produced higher milk fat CLA concentrations (from 0.5-2.7 g/100 g fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)) than autumn calving cows (0.3-1.7 g/100 g FAME); the former having spent 80% and the latter 50% of lactation on pasture. The CLA content was higher in late lactation milk compared with early lactation milk in both herds. There were no significant differences in milk yields or milk constituent yields between the herds. Manufacturing milk obtained between March and September was analyzed for milk fatty acid composition and the data correlated with grass growth throughout the season. Significant positive correlations were obtained between grass growth rates and concentrations of CLA and linolenic acid in milk fat. The data indicate that seasonal variation in milk fat CLA concentrations may be attributed to variation in pasture growth rates.

Impact of occupational migration of unskilled labourer from domestic agriculture on farm business income in source households of Assam, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (12) ◽  
pp. 1561-1576
Author(s):  
Bodrul Islam ◽  
Pradyut Guha
Keyword(s):  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brahmaputra Valley ◽  
Business Income ◽  
Farm Business ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Unskilled Labourer

PurposeThe present study aims at examining the determinants of occupational migration of unskilled labourer from domestic agriculture and their impact on farm business income (FBI) in Assam, India.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data for this study were collected during June–November, 2019 from 224 farm (cultivator) households in two contiguous districts in central Brahmaputra valley of Assam. The study used three-stage least square (3SLS) estimation technique for jointly determining the factors influencing migration and remittances and their impact on FBI.FindingsThe result of this study confirms that occupational migration of unskilled labourer from domestic agriculture significantly reduced household FBI. In contrast to the inflow of remittances from migrants helped in increasing the FBI. The migration in the study area considerably influenced by household size, total value of assets holding, networking influence, distance to commercial bank and flood proneness of the village; while the number of migrants, number of dependents and age of migrants seen to be strong predictor of inflow of remittances. Findings of present study offer evidence in support of the new economics of labour migration (NELM) theory.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is restricted to a single crop (paddy) and constrained by the collection of longitudinal data with a revisit to the farm household pre and post-migration of the unskilled labourer from household agriculture.Originality/valueThis paper is based on a novel data set that has especially been collected to examine the determinants of occupational migration from agriculture and their impact on the FBI in Assam that has not been studied before.

The effect of udder infections on the lactation yield of milk and milk solids

1960 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O'Donovan ◽  
F. H. Dodd ◽  
F. K. Neave
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Therapy ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Fat Yield ◽  
Milk Solids

SummaryData available for fifty cows mainly infected with Staphylococcus pyogenes have been analysed to determine the effects of udder infections and mastitis on milk, fat and solids-not-fat yield and on fat and solids-not-fat percentages over full lactations.It was found that lactation yields of milk, solids-not-fat and fat were depressed by 10, 11 and 12% respectively in the presence of infection. These depressions were significant (P < 0·05). The composition of the milk averaged over whole lactations was not significantly affected (P > 0·05), although the mean solids-not-fat percentage of the milk was significantly depressed by 0·196±0·092 during the period of infection.It is suggested that the depressions in lactation yield and changes in milk composition would have been greater in the absence of antibiotic therapy for mastitis.

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