Individualised feeding of concentrate supplement in pasture-based dairy systems: practices and perceptions of New Zealand dairy farmers and their advisors
B. T. Dela Rue A B and C. R. Eastwood AA DairyNZ Ltd, Private Bag 3221, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
B Corresponding author. Email: brian.delarue@dairynz.co.nz
Animal Production Science 57(7) 1543-1549 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN16471
Submitted: 21 July 2016 Accepted: 21 November 2016 Published: 18 January 2017
Abstract
Approximately one-third of New Zealand dairy farms have in-shed feeding systems, and quarter of these systems have individual-cow feeding capability. There is little information about the factors motivating farmers to install individualised feeding technology in New Zealand and their management practices. A survey was conducted of 42 farmers using individualised feeding, followed by interviews of 32 farmers and five farm consultants. The aim of the study was to understand why farmers were installing individualised feeding, how they were using it, and what challenges they were facing. Results indicated that these farmers were commonly motivated by improving productivity and most farmers strongly believed that they were gaining value with this approach compared with flat-rate feeding. However, there was also uncertainty about the most profitable feeding strategies. The farmers were most commonly feeding cows in distinct groups rather than as individuals, and were typically adjusting feed allocation at three to four stages of the lactation. Consultants identified a lack of a value proposition for investment, limited justification for feeding-decision rules, and the absence of information to support the perceived productivity (and other) benefits. The perceived productivity benefit of individualised feeding held by farmers in the present study is contrary to recent research that has indicated no marginal milk-production benefit compared with flat-rate feeding. Although, few of these studies relate to individualised feeding in grazing systems where pasture allowance is restricted as is typical of New Zealand farm systems, indicating a need for further experimental and modelling research to quantify the potential value in these systems. Farmers were seeking reliable information on the response rate and cost effectiveness of various feeds and feeding rules, how to distribute a fixed amount of feed to the herd most profitably, and technical expertise, support and back-up for specific feeding systems. Findings from the present study suggest a lack of advisor expertise related to in-shed feeding of concentrate supplement in pasture-grazed systems, signalling opportunities for more training of rural professionals to provide informed advice and improved communication channels with farmers.
Additional keywords: farm management, in-shed feeding, precision farming, technology adoption.
References
Creswell JW (2003) Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches.’ 2nd edn. (Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA)DairyNZ (2014) DairyNZ economic survey 2011–12 [Online]. Available at http://www.dairynz.co.nz/publications/dairy-industry/dairynz-economic-survey-2012-13 [verified 28 October 2016]
Dale AJ, McGettrick S, Gordon AW, Ferris CP (2016) The effect of two contrasting concentrate allocation strategies on the performance of grazing dairy cows. Grass and Forage Science 71, 379–388.
| The effect of two contrasting concentrate allocation strategies on the performance of grazing dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC28Xht1ekt7vO&md5=5b99d46bc62206c0db9acf86725ca35dCAS |
Dela Rue BT (2015) ‘Individualised supplementation of grazing cows: how does it stack up?’ DairyNZ technical series. Available at http://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/3241288/technical-series-december-2015.pdf [Verified 1 July 2016]
Eastwood CR, Chapman DF, Paine MS (2012) Networks of practice for co-construction of agricultural decision support systems: case studies of precision dairy farms in Australia. Agricultural Systems 108, 10–18.
| Networks of practice for co-construction of agricultural decision support systems: case studies of precision dairy farms in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eastwood CR, Jago JG, Edwards JP, Burke JK (2016) Getting the most out of advanced farm management technologies: roles of technology suppliers and dairy industry organisations in supporting precision dairy farmers. Animal Production Science 56, 1752–1760.
Edwards JP, Dela Rue BT, Jago JG (2015) Evaluating rates of technology adoption and milking practices on New Zealand dairy farms. Animal Production Science 55, 702–709.
| Evaluating rates of technology adoption and milking practices on New Zealand dairy farms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hills JL, Garcia SC, Dela Rue B, Clark CEF (2015a) Individualised feeding of concentrate supplements to pasture-based dairy cows. Animal Production Science 55, 922–930.
| Individualised feeding of concentrate supplements to pasture-based dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXhtVSjtLfL&md5=96ddb29500f3eb117b380496a4a92fbbCAS |
Hills JL, Wales WJ, Dunshea FR, Garcia SC, Roche JR (2015b) Invited review: an evaluation of the likely effects of individualized feeding of concentrate supplements to pasture-based dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 98, 1363–1401.
| Invited review: an evaluation of the likely effects of individualized feeding of concentrate supplements to pasture-based dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXnslyhtg%3D%3D&md5=43099e0679335245d595eb1af1fd2c4fCAS |
Kilpatrick SI, Johns SM (2003) How farmers learn: different approaches to change. Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension 9, 151–164.
| How farmers learn: different approaches to change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Klerkx L, Jansen J (2010) Building knowledge systems for sustainable agriculture: supporting private advisors to adequately address sustainable farm management in regular service contacts. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability 8, 148–163.
| Building knowledge systems for sustainable agriculture: supporting private advisors to adequately address sustainable farm management in regular service contacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kutter T, Tiemann S, Siebert R, Fountas S (2011) The role of communication and co-operation in the adoption of precision farming. Precision Agriculture 12, 2–17.
| The role of communication and co-operation in the adoption of precision farming.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lawrence DC, O’Donovan M, Boland TM, Lewis E, Kennedy E (2015) The effect of concentrate feeding amount and feeding strategy on milk production, dry matter intake, and energy partitioning of autumn-calving Holstein–Friesian cows. Journal of Dairy Science 98, 338–348.
| The effect of concentrate feeding amount and feeding strategy on milk production, dry matter intake, and energy partitioning of autumn-calving Holstein–Friesian cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhvFGitr7O&md5=47e9a164e7484c2da5c32efe6cd949a7CAS |
Little MW, O’Connell NE, Ferris CP (2016) A comparison of individual cow versus group concentrate allocation strategies on dry matter intake, milk production, tissue changes, and fertility of Holstein–Friesian cows offered a grass silage diet. Journal of Dairy Science 99, 4360–4373.
| A comparison of individual cow versus group concentrate allocation strategies on dry matter intake, milk production, tissue changes, and fertility of Holstein–Friesian cows offered a grass silage diet.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC28XksVKmt7g%3D&md5=3922a35d4037afc5a0e1ba26eded4f35CAS |
Pannell DJ, Marshall GR, Barr N, Curtis A, Vanclay F, Wilkinson R (2006) Understanding and promoting adoption of conservation practices by rural landholders. Animal Production Science 46, 1407–1424.
| Understanding and promoting adoption of conservation practices by rural landholders.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rogers E (2003) ‘Diffusion of innovations.’ 5th edn. (Free Press: New York)
Russell RA, Bewley JM (2013) Characterization of Kentucky dairy producer decision-making behavior. Journal of Dairy Science 96, 4751–4758.
| Characterization of Kentucky dairy producer decision-making behavior.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXmslehsb0%3D&md5=aff369a0207367a438c3a172c0a2cd7aCAS |
Stockdale CR (2000) Levels of pasture substitution when concentrate supplements are fed to grazing dairy cows in northern Victoria. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 40, 903–911.
| Levels of pasture substitution when concentrate supplements are fed to grazing dairy cows in northern Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXptVWqtL4%3D&md5=0f1d2f8576020a599d2e2fa62ebe84b6CAS |
