Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > AN > EA06085
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 47(5)

Comparing irrigated biodynamic and conventionally managed dairy farms. 2. Milk production and composition and animal health

L. L. Burkitt A , W. J. Wales B E , J. W. McDonald C , D. R. Small D and M. L. Jenkin D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, PO Box 3523, Burnie, Tas. 3720, Australia.

B Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), 120 Cooma Road, Kyabram, Vic. 3620, Australia.

C Veterinary & Nutrition Consultant, 82 Monds Avenue, Benalla, Vic. 3672, Australia.

D Environmental & Agricultural Consulting Pty Ltd, 68 Saunders Street, Kyabram, Vic. 3620, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: bill.wales@dpi.vic.gov.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(5) 489-494 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA06085
Submitted: 14 July 2005  Accepted: 27 July 2006   Published: 13 April 2007

Abstract

Ten paired irrigated dairy farms under biodynamic (BD) and conventional (CV) management were compared over a 3-year period (1991–93). The paired farms were located in the irrigation districts of northern Victoria and southern New South Wales and were matched for soil type, cattle breed and farm area. The BD farms practised BD principles for an average of 16 years before the study. The effects of farm management on milk yields and composition and animal health were examined by annually surveying farm managers regarding disease incidence and chemical treatment of animals, and by measuring milk yield and composition and faecal egg counts over the experimental period. The two hypotheses tested were that (1) milk volume and milk solids per cow would be lower under BD management, and (2) the incidence of internal parasitic infection and disease would be lower under CV management.

Milk production and milk components produced, both on a per hectare and per cow basis, were 24–36% higher (P < 0.01) under CV management, due to significantly higher pasture intakes (P < 0.001). Although the incidence of parasitic infection was similar for mature cows, CV farms consistently used a greater number of chemical treatments (P < 0.05). Although BD heifer calves <8 months in age had significantly (P < 0.05) higher faecal egg counts, the results highlight the risk of reduced growth rates in calves due to high rates of parasite infection, under both management systems. Somatic cell counts were higher (P < 0.05) under BD management, with this being consistent with the use of significantly less chemical treatments under this management system. The implications of these findings for both CV and BD management for milk production and animal health are discussed.

Additional keywords: bloat, mastitis, reproduction.


Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dairy Australia (formerly the Dairy Research and Development Corporation) and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries for funding this project. We sincerely thank the 20 dairy farmers who participated in this project and recognise that without their support, the project would not have been possible. We also acknowledge the biometric advice provided by Leigh Callinan and Jim Madden from DPI. We recognise the contribution of data from local milk processing companies, namely Sandhurst Foods Pty Ltd, Bonlac Foods Pty Ltd, Kraft Foods Pty Ltd, Murray Goulburn Cooperative, Nestle Australia Ltd, Tatura Milk Ltd and herd improvement companies; Nu Genes, Northern Herd and Consolidated Herd Improvement Services.


References


Anderson BH, Magdoff FR (2000) Dairy farm characteristics and managed flows of phosphorus. American Journal of Alternative Agriculture 15, 19–25. open url image1

Bauer P (1981) Affinity and stoichiometry of calcium binding by asenazo III. Analytical Biochemistry 110, 61–72.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | PubMed | open url image1

Burkitt LL, Small DR, McDonald JW, Wales WJ, Jenkin ML (2007) Comparing irrigated biodynamic and conventionally managed dairy farms. 1. Soil and pasture properties. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, 479–488.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Bystrom S, Jonsson S, Martinsson K (2002) Organic versus conventional dairy farming – studies from the Ojebyn project. In ‘Proceedings of the UK organic research 2002 conference, Aberystwyth, UK’. (Ed. J Powell) pp. 179–184. (University of Wales: Aberystwyth, UK)

Daly J, Ertingshausen G (1972) Direct method for determining inorganic phosphate in serum with the CentrifiChem. Clinical Chemistry 18, 263.
| PubMed |
open url image1

Dornom H, Tribe DE (1976) Energetics of dairying in Gippsland. Search 7, 431–433. open url image1

Ebbesvik M, Loes AK (1994) Organic dairy production in Norway – feeding, health, fodder production, nutrient balance and economy – results from the 30 farm project, 1989–1992. In ‘Converting to organic agriculture’. (Ed. R Koistinen) pp. 35–42. (Scandinavian Association of Agricultural Scientists: St Michel, Finland)

Frost AJ (1985) What’s new in mastitis. In ‘Dairy cattle production post graduate committee in veterinary science’. (University of Sydney: Sydney)

Fulkerson WJ, McKean K, Nandra KS, Barchia IM (2005) Benefits of accurately allocating feed on a daily basis to dairy cows grazing pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45, 331–336.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Hamilton C (2000) Animal health in organic dairy products. International Dairy Federation, Report No. 347. Athens, Greece.

Hardeng F, Edge VL (2001) Mastitis, ketosis and milk fever in 31 organic and 93 conventional Norwegian dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science 84, 2673–2679.
| PubMed |
open url image1

Hovi M, Roderick S (1999) ‘An investigation for the incidence, treatment strategies and financial implications of mastitis in organic and conventionally managed UK dairy herds.’ (Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food: London)

Kinnear S (2000) State of the Australian organic food industry. In ‘Opportunities in organics’. (Ed. V Burnett) pp. 3–7. (Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Rutherglen, Vic.)

Koepf HH (1981) The principles and practice of biodynamic agriculture. In ‘Biological husbandry.’ (Ed. B Stonehouse) pp. 237–250. (Butterworths: London)

Koepf HH, Pettersson BD, Schaumann W (1976) ‘Bio-dynamic agriculture.’ (The Anthroposophic Press: Spring Valley, NY)

Koh TS, Benson TH (1983) Critical appraisal of flourometric methods for determination of selenium in biological materials. Journal 66, 918–926. open url image1

Kouba M (2003) Quality of organic animal products. Livestock Production Sciences 80, 33–40.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Kristensen T, Kristensen ES (1998) Analysis and simulation modelling of the production in Danish organic and conventional dairy herds. Livestock Production Science 54, 55–65.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Lund V, Algers B (2003) Research on animal health and welfare in organic farming – a literature review. Livestock Production Sciences 80, 55–68.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

McClymont GL (1973) The ecology of bloat – a summary of present knowledge. In ‘Bloat’. (Eds RA Leng, JR McWilliam) pp. 3–4. (University of New England: Armidale, NSW)

Organic Produce Export Committee (2002) ‘National standard for organic and bio-dynamic produce.’ (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service: Canberra, ACT)

Roderick S, Hovi M (1999) ‘Animal health and welfare in organic livestock systems: identification of constraints and priorities.’ (Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry: London)

Roderick S, Short N, Hovi M (1996) ‘Organic livestock production-animal health and welfare research priorities.’ (University of Reading: Reading, UK)

Roesch M, Doherr MG, Blum JW (2005) Performance of dairy cows on Swiss farms with organic and integrated production. Journal of Dairy Science 88, 2462–2475.
| PubMed |
open url image1

Sato K, Bartlett PC, Erskine RJ, Kaneene JB (2005) A comparison of production and management between Wisconsin organic and conventional dairy herds. Livestock Production Science 93, 105–115. open url image1

Saul GR, Cayley JWD (1992) Appropriate animal stocking regimes for pasture comparisons. In ‘Proceedings of the Australian Society of Animal Production’. (Ed. JZ Foot) p. 235. (Australian Society of Animal Production: Melbourne)

Smeyers-Verbeke J, Massart D, Versieck J, Speecke A (1973) The determination of copper and zinc in biological materials. A comparison of atomic absorption with spectrophotometry and neutron activation. International Journal of Clinical Chemistry 44, 243–248.
| PubMed |
open url image1

Smoulders GA (2001) Preventative measures for animal health and practical means for management support on organic dairy farms in the Netherlands. In ‘Proceedings of the 5th network for animal health and welfare in organic agriculture workshop, Rodding’. (Eds M Hovi, M Vaarst) pp. 113–125. (NAHWOA: Denmark)

Soulsby EJL (1982) ‘Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals.’ (Baillière Tindall: London)

Standing Committee on Agriculture (1990) ‘Feeding standards for Australian Livestock: ruminants.’ (CSIRO: East Melbourne, Vic.)

Stanhill G (1990) The comparative productivity of organic agriculture. Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment 30, 1–26.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Steiner R (1924) ‘Agriculture.’ 3rd edn. (Rudolf Steiner Press: London)

Svensson C, Hessle A, Höglund J (2000) Parasite control methods in organic and conventional dairy herds in Sweden. Livestock Production Sciences 66, 57–69.
| Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | open url image1

Thomson NA, Roberts AHC, McCallum DA, Judd TG, Johnson RJ (1993) How much phosphorus is enough? In ‘Proceedings of the Ruakura farmers conference’. pp. 30–35. (New Zealand Society of Animal Production: Hamilton, New Zealand)

Vaarst M, Enevoldsen C (1994) Disease control and health in Danish organic dairy herds. In ‘Proceedings of the 4th zodiac symposium, biological basis of sustainable animal production’. Wageningen, Netherlands. (Ed. EA Hiusman) pp. 211–217. (EAAP: Wageningen, Netherlands)