Stall- und weidebasierte Milchproduktionssysteme Analysen zur Lebensmittelkonversionseffizienz

Reducing the amount of human-edible feed in livestock diets is a key factor towards more sustainable livestock systems. Based on results from a conventional wholesystem study comparing performance, efficiency, land productivity, and profitability of an indoor-feeding system (SH) and a pasture-based dairy production system (VW) in lowlands of Central Switzerland, the net contribution of these systems to human food protein and energy supply was analysed. Depending on the presumed human-edible fraction, the system VW produced between 6.6 and 11.2 times more human-edible protein and 3.5 to 6.6 times more human-edible energy via animal products than the animals consumed via feeds. For the group SH, these factors were clearly lower but still in a positive range (1.0 to 2.5 and 0.9 and 1.9 for protein and energy respectively). In addition, protein quality in the animal products was considerable higher than protein quality in the potentially human-edible feed components

Perceived challenges in business development of smallholder dairy farmers in three Malawian regions

Dairy farmers face various challenges in developing their businesses. The current literature identifies several constraints towards a more efficient dairy sector that relate mostly to on-farm management practices. The available studies analyze constraints mostly from the objective viewpoint of the researcher, whereas very little is known about what farmers themselves perceive to be challenging. To better understand the farmers’ perspective and what they perceive to be challenging, and how these challenges differ across regions, this paper builds on a survey of 529 dairy farmers in Malawi. In the survey, respondents were asked in an open question to name their three main challenges. Based on the responses, a three-level coding scheme was elaborated. Data were then coded by two researchers to ensure reliability of coding. Codes were then used to calculate relative frequencies for the different challenges and to perform chi-square tests to check for regional differences in frequencies. Results suggest that farmers perceive low milk price and milk yield, animal health, availability of feedstock, and the costs for drugs as the main challenges. The analysis also revealed that the challenges vary strongly between the three main regions in the country – Blantyre (south), Lilongwe (central), and Mzuzu (north). The perceived challenges reflect the different production systems in the regions. In Blantyre, dairy farming is low in intensity, and farmers thus perceive inputs, in particular the availability of fodder, as well as outputs, in particular milk yields more frequently as a challenge than farmers in Lilongwe and Mzuzu. In contrast, dairy farming in Lilongwe is the most intense. Accordingly, farmers in Lilongwe perceive costs, in particular for inputs such as mash and concentrates as major constraints. Farmers in Mzuzu, which is a rather remote region, consider a lack of assistance, in particular concerning extension services significantly more challenging than the farmers in the other two regions do. Considering these insights, development work and extensions services may be able to increase outcomes in the dairy sector by targeting the regional challenges.Keywords: Challenges, dairy production, smallholders, Malawi, qualitative study, region

Stall- und weidebasierte Milchproduktionssysteme Modellbetriebsanalysen zur Wirtschaftlichkeit unter österreichischen Produktionsbedingungen

In a whole-system study in lowland of Central Switzerland from 2007 - 2010 compared the performance, efficiency, land productivity and profitability of indoor-feeding (SH) dairy production with that of pasture-based feeding (VW) dairy production. In the present study these experimental results were economically evaluated under Austrian market und production conditions. Therefore conventional and organic model farms were created and analyzed using full cost accounting. In comparison to the barn feeding strategy a higher farm income, income per labor unit were achieved with the pasture-based feeding strategy. These economic differences were more pronounced under organic than conventional conditions

Dairy farming: indoor v. pasture-based feeding

The current situation of volatile milk prices and rising costs of, e.g. grain and labour, suggests that it is worth studying productivity and efficiency in dairy farming. The objective of the current whole-system study, carried out in lowland Central Switzerland from 2007 to 2010, was to compare the performance, efficiency, land productivity and profitability of indoor-feeding (IF) dairy production with that of pasture-based feeding (PF) dairy production. An IF herd consisting of 11 Holstein-Friesian (HF) and 13 Brown Swiss (BS) cows was kept in a free-stall barn and fed a part-mixed ration (PMR) of maize silage, grass silage and protein concentrate. The cows were allocated 15·8ha of agricultural land (AL). In the PMR, an average per lactation of 443kg protein concentrate and 651kg compound feed was fed by a concentrate dispenser according to the requirements of each cow. The PF herd comprised 14 Swiss Fleckvieh (SF) and 14 BS cows, which were kept in a free-stall barn throughout the winter; barn-ventilated hay was offered ad libitum during the lactation period. This herd was allocated 15·7ha of AL. After calving in spring, the PF cows grazed on semi-continuous pastures; they consumed an average of 285kg of concentrate per lactation. The IF cows of the BS breed produced significantly more energy-corrected milk (ECM) per standard lactation compared with PF cows (8750 v. 5610kg), more milk fat (350 v. 213kg) and more milk protein (306 v. 203kg). However, the milk of PF cows had higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (1·9 v. 0·6g/100g fat) and ω−3 fatty acids (1·7 v. 0·9g/100g fat) than the milk of the IF cows. The calving interval (378 v. 405 days) and the empty time (87 v. 118 days) of the BS breed were significantly shorter in the PF in comparison with that of the IF production system. The IF herd yielded significantly higher ECM/ha AL and year (12716 v. 10307kg), and showed a higher feed efficiency (1·3 v. 1·1kg ECM/kg of total dry matter intake (DMI)). The productivity per hour was roughly similar in the two systems (IF: 76 v. PF: 73kg milk/h). The PF system resulted in higher labour income compared with the IF system (20·7 v. 13·4 €/h), but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, land productivity and efficiency were higher with the IF herd than the PF herd due to the higher energy intake per kg feed. However, within the given conditions, the more interesting case, economically, might be the reduced costs and improved milk quality of the PF system rather than the increased milk yield of the IF cow

Dairy farming: indoor v. pasture-based feeding

SUMMARYThe current situation of volatile milk prices and rising costs of, e.g. grain and labour, suggests that it is worth studying productivity and efficiency in dairy farming. The objective of the current whole-system study, carried out in lowland Central Switzerland from 2007 to 2010, was to compare the performance, efficiency, land productivity and profitability of indoor-feeding (IF) dairy production with that of pasture-based feeding (PF) dairy production. An IF herd consisting of 11 Holstein–Friesian (HF) and 13 Brown Swiss (BS) cows was kept in a free-stall barn and fed a part-mixed ration (PMR) of maize silage, grass silage and protein concentrate. The cows were allocated 15·8 ha of agricultural land (AL). In the PMR, an average per lactation of 443 kg protein concentrate and 651 kg compound feed was fed by a concentrate dispenser according to the requirements of each cow. The PF herd comprised 14 Swiss Fleckvieh (SF) and 14 BS cows, which were kept in a free-stall barn throughout the winter; barn-ventilated hay was offered ad libitum during the lactation period. This herd was allocated 15·7 ha of AL. After calving in spring, the PF cows grazed on semi-continuous pastures; they consumed an average of 285 kg of concentrate per lactation. The IF cows of the BS breed produced significantly more energy-corrected milk (ECM) per standard lactation compared with PF cows (8750 v. 5610 kg), more milk fat (350 v. 213 kg) and more milk protein (306 v. 203 kg). However, the milk of PF cows had higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (1·9 v. 0·6 g/100 g fat) and ω−3 fatty acids (1·7 v. 0·9 g/100 g fat) than the milk of the IF cows. The calving interval (378 v. 405 days) and the empty time (87 v. 118 days) of the BS breed were significantly shorter in the PF in comparison with that of the IF production system. The IF herd yielded significantly higher ECM/ha AL and year (12 716 v. 10 307 kg), and showed a higher feed efficiency (1·3 v. 1·1 kg ECM/kg of total dry matter intake (DMI)). The productivity per hour was roughly similar in the two systems (IF: 76 v. PF: 73 kg milk/h). The PF system resulted in higher labour income compared with the IF system (20·7 v. 13·4 €/h), but the difference was not significant. In conclusion, land productivity and efficiency were higher with the IF herd than the PF herd due to the higher energy intake per kg feed. However, within the given conditions, the more interesting case, economically, might be the reduced costs and improved milk quality of the PF system rather than the increased milk yield of the IF cows.</jats:p

Projet "Quelle vache pour la pâture?": Synthèse et perspectives

L'essai visait à comparer les performances de vaches de races suisses Holstein, Swiss Fleckvieh et Brown Swiss à des Holstein-Friesian néo-zélandaises, sur des exploitations pratiquant la pâture intégrale avec vêlages saisonniers de fin d'hiver. Les deux types Holstein ont présenté les meilleures performances laitières et les Swiss Fleckvieh de l'essai une reproduction optimale. Laitières efficaces, même en systèmes bas-intrants, les Holstein suisses devraient présenter de meilleures performances de reproduction pour des vêlages groupés, même si nos simulations suggèrent que la production laitière a plus d'influence que la reproduction ou la performance carnée sur les performances économiques, ce qui confère un avantage aux deux types Holstein, les plus laitiers. Nos références économiques restent cependant à affiner pour ces systèmes spécifiques. Le choix des systèmes de production et le choix d'animaux efficaces dans ces systèmes reste un vaste domaine de recherche, en évolution constante. L'efficacité d'un animal dépend du système dans lequel il se trouve et la définition même de «l'efficacité d'utilisation des ressources» évolue avec nos connaissances en biologie, nutrition humaine, climatologie ou écologie

Projekt "Weidekuh-Genetik": Produktion, Zusammenfassung und Perspektiven

Der Versuch hatte zum Ziel, die Schweizer Rassen Holstein, Fleckvieh und Brown Swiss mit derjenigen neuseeländischer Holstein- Friesian auf Vollweidebetrieben mit saisonaler Abkalbung Ende Winter zu vergleichen. Die zwei Holsteintypen wiesen die besseren Milchleistungen auf, die Schweizer Fleckvieh des Versuchs dagegen eine optimale Fruchtbarkeit. Die Schweizer Holstein ist auch in Low-Input-Systemen eine effiziente Milchkuh, sie müsste jedoch für Blockabkalbung bessere Fruchtbarkeitsleistungen aufweisen, obwohl unsere Modellrechnungen allerdings darauf hin deuten, dass die Milchproduktion einen grösseren Einfluss als die Fruchtbarkeit oder die Fleischleistung hat, was hier den zwei milchbetonteren Holsteintypen einen wirtschaftlichen Vorteil verschafft. Die erhobenen Datensätze für diese spezifische Systeme müssen jedoch vervollständigt werden. Die Wahl von Produktionssystemen und effizienten Tieren für diese Systeme bleibt ein grosses und sich weiter entwickelndes Forschungsfeld. Die Effizienz eines Tieres hängt vom System ab und die Definition t der «Ressourcen- Effizienz» selbst entwickelt sich mit den wissenschaftlichen Fortschritten in der Tierproduktion, der menschlichen Ernährung, der Klimatologie und Ökologie weiter