scholarly journals The impact of feeding maize silage on dairy production

1998 ◽  
pp. 51-55
Author(s):  
N.L. Thomson ◽  
K.L. Davis ◽  
J. Mmcgrath ◽  
R.J. Hainsworth ◽  
J.C. Clough
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Production ◽  
System Study ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Time Of Feeding ◽  
Farm System ◽  
The Impact

A farm system study was run on the Waimate West Demonstration Farm in south Taranaki during the 1996/97 and 1997/98 dairying seasons. The aim was to investigate the effect of time of feeding purchased maize silage on milksolids production.

Linking Land Use Capability classes and APSIM to estimate pasture growth for regional land use planning

Soil Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Vogeler ◽  
Rogerio Cichota ◽  
Josef Beautrais
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Land Resource ◽  
Pastoral Systems ◽  
System Models ◽  
Farm System ◽  
The Impact

Investigation of land-use and management changes at regional scales require the linkage of farm-system models with land-resource information, which for pastoral systems includes forage supply. The New Zealand Land Resource Inventory (NZLRI) and associated Land Use Capability (LUC) database include estimates of the potential stock-carrying capacity across the country, which can be used to derive estimates of average annual pasture yields. Farm system models and decision support tools, however, require information on the seasonal patterns of pasture growth. To generate such pasture growth curves (PGCs), the Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) was used, with generic soil profiles based on descriptions of LUC classes, to generate PGCs for three regions of New Zealand. Simulated annual pasture yields were similar to the estimates of annual potential pasture yield in the NZLRI spatial database, and they provided information on inter-annual variability. Simulated PGCs generally agreed well with measured long-term patterns of seasonal pasture growth. The approach can be used to obtain spatially discrete estimates of seasonal pasture growth patterns across New Zealand for use in farm system models and for assessing the impact of management practices and climate change on the regional sustainability.

scholarly journals Towards the integrated assessment of New Zealand pastoral farm systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
M.B. Dodd ◽  
D.R. Stevens
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
Complex Adaptive System ◽  
Natural Capital ◽  
Resource Owner ◽  
Farm Systems ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Land Use And Management ◽  
Farm System ◽  
The Impact

Land use and management change is a feature of New Zealand farm systems, driven by a range of factors including volatile markets and exchange rates, variable weather and climate patterns, continuous policy evolution and the inherent innovation of New Zealand farmers. Yet the common indicators used to evaluate the impact of change appear to be limited to the link between productivity (of land/labour/capital) and profitability. However, if farm system "owners" seek truly sustainable systems they should consider a wider set of indicators to guide investment. Sustainability is considered in terms of the ability of the pastoral farm system to fulfil its primary purpose in the long-term, i.e. "to derive value from the natural capital of a land and water resource that is sufficient to support the objectives of the resource owner" and fulfil secondary objectives considered important by other stakeholders (e.g., product and environmental quality). The objective of this study was to develop an integrated assessment framework for sustainability indicators that was useful for guiding change decisions at the farm system scale, a key determinant of regional economic, environmental and social outcomes. The approach is based on the fundamental properties of a complex adaptive system: existence, effectiveness, freedom of action, security, adaptability and coexistence, applied to six key system drivers (financial, environmental, social, cultural, technological and regulatory). This framework could support decision-making in terms of the investment of human, natural and financial capital at the farm system scale and contribute to larger scale information imperatives (e.g., value chains, catchments). Keywords: integrated assessment, pastoral farm systems, sustainability, systems properties

scholarly journals Using bio-manipulation to optimise nutrient management within intensive farm systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vito Abbruzzese
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Retention Capacity ◽  
Know How ◽  
System P ◽  
Livestock Farms ◽  
Farm System ◽  
The Impact

The research project aims to enhance organic nutrient management in livestock farms using microbial and enzyme inoculations, with a particular focus on the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle. In order to do this the first approach consists of characterising the chemical and biological properties of farm slurries as a baseline to evaluate possible amendments of the intrinsic properties of the slurry. Consequently, it is pivotal to consider properties such as plant nutrients, i.e., phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, as well as the microbial community within the slurry. Likewise, attention needs to be paid to soil chemical and biological properties, e.g. pH, salinity and organic matter, as well as to the variety of organisms inhabiting the soil, in order to determine the impact of inoculation on phosphorus cycling and nutrient availability for plant use. Furthermore, it is important to know how soil and its productivity may be influenced by the addition of the inoculated slurry. Of particular interest are also the soil properties which have an effect on plant growth. The pH of soil and, notably, nutrient availability and retention capacity are some of the features on which to direct the research in order to assess the quality of soil and, as a result, the production of a grass crop in livestock farms. The characterisation of these properties will be performed using a variety of approaches, beginning with analysis at laboratory- and mesocosm-scales and progressing to a fieldwork approach in order to evaluate the results directly in a farm system.

scholarly journals Geospatial Analysis and Environmental Impact Assessment of a Holistic and Interdisciplinary Approach to the Biogas Sector

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5374
Author(s):  
Robert Bedoić ◽  
Goran Smoljanić ◽  
Tomislav Pukšec ◽  
Lidija Čuček ◽  
Davor Ljubas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biogas Production ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Alternative Pathways ◽  
Agriculture Industry ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
The Impact

Crop-based biogas energy production, in combination with electricity generation under subsidy schemes, is no longer considered a favourable business model for biogas plants. Switching to low-cost or gate fee feedstocks and utilising biogas via alternative pathways could contribute to making existing plants fit for future operations and could open up new space for further expansion of the biogas sector. The aim of this study was to combine a holistic and interdisciplinary approach for both the biogas production side and the utilisation side to evaluate the impact of integrating the biogas sector with waste management systems and energy systems operating with a high share of renewable energy sources. The geospatial availability of residue materials from agriculture, industry and municipalities was assessed using QGIS software for the case of Northern Croatia with the goal of replacing maize silage in the operation of existing biogas plants. Furthermore, the analysis included positioning new biogas plants, which would produce renewable gas. The overall approach was evaluated through life cycle assessment using SimaPro software to quantify the environmental benefits and identify the bottlenecks of the implemented actions. The results showed that the given feedstocks could replace 212 GWh of biogas from maize silage in the relevant region and create an additional 191 GWh of biomethane in new plants. The LCA revealed that the proposed measures would contribute to the decarbonisation of natural gas by creating environmental benefits that are 36 times greater compared to a business-as-usual concept. The presented approach could be of interest to stakeholders in the biogas sector anywhere in the world to encourage further integration of biogas technologies into energy and environmental transitions.

scholarly journals Using manure as fertilizer for maize could improve sustainability of milk production

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0601 ◽  
Author(s):  
José D. Jiménez-Calderón ◽  
Adela Martínez-Fernández ◽  
Fernando Prospero-Bernal ◽  
José Velarde-Guillén ◽  
Carlos M. Arriaga-Jordán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Organic Fertilization ◽  
Positive Balance ◽  
Chemical Fertilization ◽  
Cow Performance ◽  
Ch4 And N2o

This study evaluated the effect of organic or chemical fertilization of maize on cow performance, economic outcomes, and greenhouse gas emission. Each type of maize silage according its different fertilization was used in two rations offered to two different groups of nine Friesian-Holstein cows throughout 4 months. The production cost of the maize silage was 8.8% lower for organic than for chemical fertilization. Both silages had similar nutritive value, except a higher concentration of starch in maize with organic fertilization, which allowed a reduction in the proportion of concentrate in the ration, saving 25.3 eurocents per cow in the daily ration, generating a positive balance of 21.8 eurocents per cow and day. The milk yield and composition were unaffected depending on the type of fertilization, whereas the estimation of CH4 and N2O emissions with chemical fertilization was higher than emissions with organic fertilization. As a result, it is possible to increase the sustainability and profitability of dairy production with reuse and recycling of manure.

scholarly journals Recent Changes in the Regional Structure of U.S. Dairy Production

1988 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Huy ◽  
Joachim G. Elferich ◽  
Conrado M. Gempesaw
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Production ◽  
Shadow Prices ◽  
Regional Structure ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Milk Supply ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Demand Elasticities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Recent Policy ◽  
Production Characteristics

Gauging the impact of recent policy changes, this article analyzes production characteristics and the impact of the dairy assessment for northeastern dairy farmers as compared to other major production regions. Employing a restricted translog variable profit function, returns to size, shadow prices, supply elasticities for milk and livestock as well as demand elasticities for concentrate were estimated. Northeastern, just as midwestern farmers, were less responsive in milk supply and concentrate demand, more responsive in livestock production, and less efficient than their California and Texas counterparts. The dairy assessment affected profits of northeastern farmers later than those of other regions. Negative shadow prices indicated overinvestment into fixed factors.

scholarly journals Pasture persistence: how much is it worth?

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
R. Brazendale ◽  
J.R. Bryant ◽  
M.G. Lambert ◽  
C.W. Holmes ◽  
T.J. Fraser
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
System Model ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Farm Profitability ◽  
Farm System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

The farm system model, Farmax Dairy Pro, was used to evaluate the impact of new pastures on dairy farm profitability, assuming a range of pasture yields and qualities, and different levels of persistence in the new pastures, which were established on 10% of the farm annually. Scenarios were tested for Waikato, Taranaki, Canterbury and Southland dairy farm systems. Assuming a $6.50/kg MS milk payment and a response to pasture renewal of 10% in dry matter yield and a 0.6 MJ ME/kg DM increase in quality, increasing persistence from 4 years up to 8 years was modelled to increase dairy farm profitability by $271/ha to $478/ha. Management practices, including selections of cultivars and endophytes, that improve pasture persistence are likely to increase dairy farm profitability. Keywords: dairy farms, modelling, pasture renewal, persistence

scholarly journals Farm system N balances for contrasting intensive grassland dairy production systems

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Ryan ◽  
D Hennessey ◽  
L Shalloo ◽  
J Murphy ◽  
T Boland
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Farm System

Supplementary feeding options to alleviate the impacts of decreased water availability on dairy-farm economic performance in northern Victoria

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 194 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. M. Ho ◽  
B. Malcolm ◽  
P. T. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Feed System ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Farm System ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Variable Water

The anticipated effects of climate change, competing demands from the environment, industry and urban users, and changes in water policy are likely to reduce the amount and increase the variability of water allocations to dairy farmers in northern Victoria. The way two irrigated dairy farms that differed in feedbase characteristics, herd size and farm area, would operate and perform with reduced and more variable water allocations was examined over 10 years. Strategies to manage the impact of changed water availability were tested; namely, increasing milk production by feeding more supplementary feed, changing the feed system to present supplements in a partial mixed ration (PMR), and increasing milk production by using a PMR. Neither farm was profitable under medium climate change, or if the conditions that generated the low inflows of water into irrigation supply dams between 1996–97 and 2006–07 prevailed, unless changes were made to the farm system. Feeding supplements in a well formulated mixed ration have the potential to increase the efficiency of metabolisable energy use and offers the opportunity to increase feed intake and milk production. A PMR system enabled one of the farms to maintain and increase profit under medium climate change conditions; however, risk, measured as variability in profit, also increased. Under more severe reductions in water availability, neither of the farms examined was profitable over the run of years. Changes to the farm system other than feeding additional supplementary feed to increase milk production and/or using a PMR system, would be needed to counteract the effects of reduced and more variable water availability and maintain profit.

scholarly journals Increasing maize silage yields in Taranaki

2005 ◽  
pp. 131-135
Author(s):  
R.J. Densley ◽  
D.J.W. Mcdonald ◽  
D.W. Densley ◽  
D.B. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Crop Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Planting Date ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
The Past ◽  
Maize Yields ◽  
Growing Environment ◽  
The Impact

Improved productivity and utilisation of forages will be central to maintaining business viability on high value Tar anaki dairy land. Data from 712 plots in 119 trials planted over ten years in Taranaki was analysed to determine average yields and the impact of planting date on yield. Six rural contractors who plant approx. 90% of maize in Taranaki were surveyed to determine the perceived factors most limiting maize yields in the Taranaki. The overall average Taranaki maize silage dry matter (DM) yield of all hybrids from the trialling program over the past ten years was 20.5 t DM/ha and the average harvest DM content was 33.8 %. Currently commercially available hybrids yielded an average of 20 t DM/ha. Average maize silage yield/yr varied from a high of 22 t DM/ha in 1999 to a low of 18.3 t DM/ha in 2004. Planting between the 15th and 24th October gave the greatest crop yield. Paddock selection seemed to be driven by the need for pasture renovation rather than paddocks being selected because they provide an ideal growing environment for maize. Contractors suggested shelter was a key consideration for increasing yields. Keywords: cropping , maize silage , Taranaki

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document