Explai five charecteristic feautures of dairy farming
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Important characteristics in a grazing dairy cow are:
Fertile and healthy – grass growth and quality is seasonal and, thus, a profitable grazing dairy farm system must be based on compact calving immediately prior to the initiation of the grass growing season. Therefore, a cow must calve annually with minimal hormonal or any other type of intervention.
High fat plus protein output per hectare from grazed pasture – on intensive grass-based systems, farm profitability will be maximised at relatively high stocking rates and high yields of fat plus protein per hectare from predominately grazed grass (ie efficient converters of grass to milk).
High grass dry matter intake (DMI) per kg of live weight – the anatomical structure of grass limits the amount of feed an animal can consume. Genetic correlations between milk yield and DMI suggest that selection for milk yield alone will result in a correlated response in DMI sufficient for only 50% of the extra energy required. These estimates are, however, based on cows fed total mixed rations and are, therefore, likely to be exacerbated when grazed grass constitutes the majority of the diet. Grazing cows spend about 10 hours per day eating 15 to 20kg DM, whereas cows on a total mixed ration can eat 20 to 25kg DM in five hours. High grass dry matter intake may help alleviate the discrepancy between energy output and energy intake, thereby minimising the energy deficit and its associated effects on reproductive performance and health. A medium target live weight is appropriate for a predominantly grazing system (approximately 470 to 540kg in mid-lactation). Research shows that heavier cows (>540kg) do not eat proportionally more than medium-sized cows in grazing systems.
Easily managed – although ease of management encompasses some of the previously mentioned characteristics, other traits such as calving ease, adaptability to milking, temperament, good leg conformation to minimise lameness as well as good udder conformation, metabolic disease resistance and the metabolic ability to withstand a fluctuation in feed supply are important attributes of dairy cows in grazing production systems. Such characteristics make these animals more adaptable to a large herd structure and high level of labour efficiency.
Related Links & Publications
s there a more dynamic approach to stocking rate than LU/ha?
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What is the impact of reducing calving interval for autumn calving cows?
Fertile and healthy – grass growth and quality is seasonal and, thus, a profitable grazing dairy farm system must be based on compact calving immediately prior to the initiation of the grass growing season. Therefore, a cow must calve annually with minimal hormonal or any other type of intervention.
High fat plus protein output per hectare from grazed pasture – on intensive grass-based systems, farm profitability will be maximised at relatively high stocking rates and high yields of fat plus protein per hectare from predominately grazed grass (ie efficient converters of grass to milk).
High grass dry matter intake (DMI) per kg of live weight – the anatomical structure of grass limits the amount of feed an animal can consume. Genetic correlations between milk yield and DMI suggest that selection for milk yield alone will result in a correlated response in DMI sufficient for only 50% of the extra energy required. These estimates are, however, based on cows fed total mixed rations and are, therefore, likely to be exacerbated when grazed grass constitutes the majority of the diet. Grazing cows spend about 10 hours per day eating 15 to 20kg DM, whereas cows on a total mixed ration can eat 20 to 25kg DM in five hours. High grass dry matter intake may help alleviate the discrepancy between energy output and energy intake, thereby minimising the energy deficit and its associated effects on reproductive performance and health. A medium target live weight is appropriate for a predominantly grazing system (approximately 470 to 540kg in mid-lactation). Research shows that heavier cows (>540kg) do not eat proportionally more than medium-sized cows in grazing systems.
Easily managed – although ease of management encompasses some of the previously mentioned characteristics, other traits such as calving ease, adaptability to milking, temperament, good leg conformation to minimise lameness as well as good udder conformation, metabolic disease resistance and the metabolic ability to withstand a fluctuation in feed supply are important attributes of dairy cows in grazing production systems. Such characteristics make these animals more adaptable to a large herd structure and high level of labour efficiency.
Related Links & Publications
s there a more dynamic approach to stocking rate than LU/ha?
What can be done to improve forage utilisation?
What are the key physical drivers for resilience in pasture-based dairy systems?
Which key reproductive parameters should I aim for when block-calving?
What is the impact of reducing calving interval for autumn calving cows?
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Easily managed – although ease of management encompasses some of the previously mentioned characteristics, other traits such as calving ease, adaptability to milking, temperament, good leg conformation to minimise lameness as well as good udder conformation, metabolic disease resistance and the metabolic ability to ...
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