ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science
A structured literature review into nine common extension methods, and evidence of their effect on the adoption process, found that group-learning and consultancy methods have greater effects on adoption, as did combinations of a range of methods. Case studies of two dairy projects applying combinations of methods found that scientists have a role in addressing the human and social dimensions of adoption through collaborating with the private sector, being directly involved with on-farm demonstrations, and supporting group-learning.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
Changing climate is predicted to result in higher temperatures, changes to annual rainfall patterns and more extreme weather events. The health and welfare of dairy cattle will be affected directly due to the changing climate and indirectly from responses to climate change. Strategies to minimise impacts require a multi-disciplinary approach, should take account of the animals’ physical and psychological needs, the complexity of farming systems, animal welfare expectations of public and consumers, and be underpinned by surveillance and monitoring.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
The aim of farm-systems research is to test concepts in a holistic context that enables results to be as applicable as possible to commercial farmers. Providing information to farmers in a credible, yet rapid, way is a challenge with long-term farm-systems studies. We analyse a case study of a project focused on capturing farm-systems data on the application of flexible milking strategies on New Zealand dairy farms. The engagement and communications approach of the 3-year project is reviewed, and a framework for communicating farm-systems research is presented.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
Data routinely captured during milk recording can be used for different management purposes, including predicting which cows are likely to be most fertile. We found that these predictions could be used to identify the most and least fertile cows on Australian dairy farms, which has practical applications such as allocating dairy sexed semen in breeding programs. A decision tool that reports fertility predictions derived from milk recording data alongside other measures of cow fertility can add value to breeding programs.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
A 3-year herd data were examined to evaluate the effect of temperature–humidity index on the yield parameters (daily milk yield, protein and fat concentration, somatic cell count in milk) and rumination. Milk yield pattern showed a plateau between THImax 60 and 65 and then declined after 65. Rumination was maximum at mid-range THImax and declined for high and low values, cell count in milk declined with an increasing THImax. Management strategies are needed to minimise heat stress and attain optimal animal productivity.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
Enteric methane represents a major source of energy loss from the dairy cows, contributing to global warming. By using a case-study approach, this study estimated lactating cows’ enteric-methane emissions and emissions per unit of milk. Findings suggest that if the goal is to reduce emissions per unit of milk, it requires more intensive systems that have higher absolute emissions than do pasture-based systems. However, pasture-based systems may have an advantage over intensive systems in the future, as these farms can have lower emissions.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
Fodder beet is low in protein, phosphorus, and fibre, but high in sugar; therefore, if not balanced with other feeds, can cause animal performance issues. Although first-lactation milk production was not affected, heifers wintered on fodder beet, whose mother ate fodder beet while pregnant, had lower liveweights and an indication of poorer reproduction than heifers in comparable kale systems. Understanding dietary nutrient intake is important to ensure that animal requirements are met considering a long-term view of performance and welfare.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
Changing the number of times a cow is milked, and the time they are milked is becoming increasingly popular to attract more workers to dairy farming; however, the impact on cow behaviour has had little research. The number and timing of milkings affected cow activity, both when walking to the dairy was included and excluded from the data. Farmers should limit the time away from the paddock to keep changes to natural behaviour to a minimum.
This article belongs to the collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
In pasture-based dairy systems little is understood regarding production responses or pasture substitution with different amounts of concentrates fed. Cohorts of cows were selected on contrasting differences for three parameters and fed concentrate at two flat-rate levels, while milk yield and feeding time were monitored. Contrasting responses were found between cross-breed and Friesian cows. Differences between cohorts demonstrated potential for targeted concentrate feeding to contrasting cohorts of cows, and the need to consider both marginal milk response and pasture intake.
This article belongs to the Collection ADSS 2022: A Changing Climate for Dairy Science.
