forage crop

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Atkins N.A., Bleach E.C.L. and Sinclair L.A.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
Out-wintering replacement dairy heifers is commonly practised among low input pasture-based dairy systems, and is potentially an option to facilitate expansion for high output dairy farms. The effects on performance of Holstein dairy heifers out-wintered on perennial ryegrass, fodder beet, or housed during the winter of 2013/2014 in the UK were examined. Forty eight, 23-(±2.8) month-old, in-calf heifers were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: out-wintered on perennial ryegrass and grass silage (G); out-wintered on fodder beet and grass silage (F); or housed and fed grass silage and concentrate (H). The study commenced in November 2013, with heifers continuing on their respective treatments for 13 weeks, before being housed for six weeks before parturition. Post-partum all animals received the same diet with performance measured for 12 weeks. Mean live weight (Lwt) and body condition score (BCS) during the winter was unaffected by treatment, but BCS of heifers that received G tended to be lower (P=0.090) at housing. Post-partum, mean Lwt was unaffected by treatment; however, mean BCS was lower (P=0.022) in animals that received G. Milk yield was not affected by treatment, but milk fat (g kg‑1) was lowest (P=0.027) and milk protein (g kg‑1) highest (P=0.026), in F. The results indicate that Holstein heifers can be successfully out-wintered without impacting on first lactation performance in a high output dairy system.

Bijeenkomst: EGF2015
Auteur: Pinxterhuis J.B., Beare M.H., Edwards G.R., Collins R.P., Dillon P. and Oenema J.
ISBN: 978-9090-289-61-8
Jaar van uitgifte: 2015
Producttype: Paper
European and New Zealand dairy farmers pursue high productivity, while meeting the requirements of environmental legislation. Due to market constraints, New Zealand dairy farming has traditionally relied on low-input grazed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) – white clover (Trifolium repens L.) pastures and on grazed forage crops in seasons with low pasture production. However, in the past three decades the use of synthetic nitrogen (N) increased, allowing higher stocking rates and more milk production per hectare, but increasing N surplus per hectare and therefore potential N loss to the environment. The use of supplements has also increased, with an increasing number of farmers investing in infrastructure to feed cows off-pasture during the winter. This is seen to benefit the animal as well as the environment because supplements provide the opportunity to reduce surplus N intake, and collected urine and faeces can be applied efficiently on pastures or crops. In Europe, indoor systems, use of supplements and efficient manure application methods are common. There is interest in improving production and utilisation of home-grown pastures and crops to reduce costs and overall environmental footprint. This is where the challenge for European and New Zealand dairy systems meet: there is a common need to examine how crops and forages can be used to improve N efficiency in the soil-plant-dairy cow system. Combining best practices and recent advances in European and New Zealand research provides scope for cost- and nutrient-efficient and highly productive dairy farm systems.