The economic, environmental and welfare implications of alternative systems of accommodating dairy cows during the winter months
P. French A B , K. O. Driscoll A , B. Horan A and L. Shalloo AA Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland.
B Corresponding author. Email: padraig.french@teagasc.ie
Animal Production Science 55(7) 838-842 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14895
Submitted: 21 October 2014 Accepted: 21 March 2015 Published: 9 June 2015
Abstract
Pasture grazed in situ is one of the most competitive and sustainable feeding systems for dairy cows globally because of a low environmental footprint, the potential for excellent animal welfare and the relatively low cost in the production and utilisation of the feed. However, because of seasonal variation in grass production and inclement weather conditions, dairy cattle may have to be accommodated and/or fed off pasture. There are numerous infrastructural options for achieving this and the focus of the present paper was to review the research and discuss the merits of these alternate animal accommodation systems, focussing on the impact that they have on the environment, animal welfare and farm profitability relative to pasture-only systems. Research data showed that dairy cow welfare can be protected in a range of well managed alternative winter accommodation. In a temperate climate, such as that which pertains in Ireland, adequately fed adult cattle will not use extra feed energy to maintain body temperature when accommodated outdoors and exposed to the effects of wind, rain and low temperatures, as the heat produced from the digestion of feed is in excess of the requirement to maintain body temperature. The main welfare challenge of a wintering system in such conditions is to provide suitable lying facilities for cows to express normal lying behaviour and provide adequate feed. The primary economic focus of pasture-based systems should be to maximise the length of the grass-grazing season and, consequently, to minimise the period off paddock. Provided that body condition targets can be met, there will be minimal effect of wintering system on dairy cow productivity and the only economic differences will be in costs. The cost analysis should combine the capital costs of construction financed over its useful life and the annual operating costs, including labour.
Additional keywords: dairy cow accommodation, off paddock.
References
Boyle GE 2002Briemle G, Elsässer M (1997) The functions of the Grünlandes. In ‘Reports on agriculture. Vol. 75’.
Christopherson RJ (1985) Management and housing of animals in cold environments. In ‘Stress physiology in livestock. Ungulates, II’. (Ed. MK Yousef) pp. 175–194. (CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL)
Clark DA, Jans F (1995) High forage use in sustainable dairy systems. In ‘Proceedings of the IVth international symposium on the nutrition of herbivores’, Clermont-Ferrand, France, 11–15 September. pp. 497–522.
Dillon P, Roche J, Shalloo L, Horan B (2005) Optimising financial return from grazing in temperate pastures. In ‘Proceedins of XXth international grassland congress, Cork, Ireland’. (Ed. J.J. Murphy) pp. 131–148. (Wageningen, The Netherlands)
French P, Hickey MC (2005) Out-wintering pads; effects on beef cattle production. In ‘Proceedings of the agricultural research forum’, 9–10 March, Tullamore, Ireland. Tullamore
Hickey MC, French P, Grant J (2002) Out-wintering pads for finishing beef cattle: animal production and welfare. Animal Science 75, 447–458.
Jankowska-Huflejt H (2006) The function of permanent grasslands resources protection. Journal of Water and Land Development 10, 55–65.
| The function of permanent grasslands resources protection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Leip A, Weiss F, Wassenaar T, Perez I, Fellmann T, Loudjani P, Tubiello F, Grandgirard D, Monni S, Biala K (2010) Evaluation of the livestock’s sector contribution to the EU greenhouse gas emissions (GGELS). Final report. European Comission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy.
NRC (1996) ‘Nutrient requirement of beef cattle.’ 7th edn. (National Academy Press: Washington, DC)
O’Driscoll K, Boyle LA, Hanlon A, Buckley F, French P (2010) The effect of dry cow winter management system on feed intake, performance and estimated energy demand. Animal 4, 272–281.
| The effect of dry cow winter management system on feed intake, performance and estimated energy demand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC38vptFWmtw%3D%3D&md5=6d38dcf887a110006fd04b582c8d8b28CAS | 22443881PubMed |
Wagner DG (1988) Effects of cold stress on cattle performance and management factors to reduce cold stress and improve performance. The Bovine Practitioner. 23, 88–93.
Young BA (1981) Cold stress as it affects animal production. Journal of Animal Science 52, 154
