Forage botanical and chemical composition on dairy farms with different grassland systems and production systems

Thirty-two dairy farms in Middle-Norway with different grassland systems (short-term (7 years) grassland (L)) and different production systems (organic (O) or conventional (C)) were compared in a field study in 2007. In a principal component analysis on variables including farm details, botanical composition and chemical forage composition, the farms were separated into organic and conventional farms with the exception of one farm. Amongst the organic farms most SO farms were distinguished from LO farms. Concentration of forage crude protein was positively correlated with proportion of grass. Concentration of non-fibrous carbohydrates, in vitro digestibility and net energy lactation was positively correlated with proportion of legumes. Species diversity and cutting time at first cut was positively correlated with proportion of non-legume herb

ProRefine: Valorisation of forage legumes for both monogastric animals and ruminants through fractionation

ProRefi ne aims to gain new knowledge about local food systems in organic farming based on fractionation of forage legumes, such as lucerne and red clover. We will compare fractionation at harvest (leaves and stems) and post-harvest (juice and pulp). We aim to develop protein feeds that are suitable for monogastric animals such as pigs and poultry and fi ber-rich feeds that can be used by ruminants such as dairy cows. We will develop integrated systems for animal production in organic farming that can be adapted to different regions in Europe and Turkey. Furthermore, we aim to assess the sustainability of such systems regarding economy, social aspects and environmental impact

The effect of preservation method of barley, maturity of grass silage, and type of protein supplementation on sensoric milk quality in organic farming

Three continuous production experiments and three short term cross over experiments were carried out in Northern Norway to investigate different feeding strategies for dairy cows in organic farming. This paper focuses on the effects on sensoric milk quality. Half of the 32 Norwegian red dairy cows in the production experiments were fed 40% (HC) concentrates (on energy basis per year) and the other half 10% (LC). Twelve cows (HC) participated in the short term cross over experiments. The experimental factors in the continuous production experiments were barley preservation method (P1), grass silage maturity (P2) and type of protein supplement (P3), and in the short term cross over experiments barley preservation method (C1), type of protein supplement (C2) and time for fishmeal feeding (C3). In all experiments the cows were offered grass silage ad libitum, restricted amounts of cereals and protein feeds, and mineral and vitamin supplements. The sensoric quality of milk was in general high. In the production experiments, milk from cows in HC had slightly higher quality than from cows in LC (significant in P2, p = 0.04). Neither the preservation method of barley (dried or ensiled with molasses), maturity of grass silage or type of protein supplement (fishmeal or peameal) influenced the sensoric milk quality significantly. Also in the cross over experiments no effect of the studied factors was found in milk flavour and odour. Early harvested grass silage gave significantly lower FFA contents than grass silage cut at normal time (P2) and FM gave significantly lower FFA concentrations than peameal (P3). These results indicate that organic farmers with different feeding regimes can produce milk of first class sensoric quality. Also the content of FFA has been low in all experiments (except C1). However, feeding regimes containing low levels of concentrates may reduce milk taste slightly

Effect of barley preservation method on milk production and milk quality in organic farming

The effect of dried vs. ensiled barley (cv. Arve) on feed intake, milk yield and quality in organic production was tested in two experiments in Northern Norway. In the first experiment, two groups were given either 40% or 10% concentrated feed (barley) per cow and year, calculated on energy basis. Grass silage was fed ad. lib. Both drying and ensiling preserved barley properly and resulted in approximately the same feed intake and milk production. Cows in the group with 10% barley had lower milk protein concentration than cows in the group with 40% barley. The palatability of barley was in general low, and several cows refused parts of their allowances throughout the experiment. The second experiment had a cross over design with three treatments. The trial was designed to evaluate the effect of preservation method for barley on sensoric milk quality. The cows were fed well-preserved grass silage ad lib. and supplemented with 5.8 kg DM of either dried barley, barley ensiled with molasses, or barley ensiled with a propionic acid-containing additive. All types of barley were well preserved and no negative effect of ensiled barley was observed

Early or Normal Cut Grass Silage for Dairy Cows in Organic Farming

Early cut organic grass silage (roundbales) was compared with silage harvested 17 days (180 daydegrees) later in a continuous production experiment with 32 Norwegian Red dairy cows in early lactation. The experiment was carried out in Bodø, Norway. A half of the cows received a feed ration with 40% concentrates (H), and the other half 10% (L) on an annual energy basis. Feeding early cut silage of an organic ley increased feed intake, milk yield and milk protein concentration compared with normal cut. Left-overs of concentrates were a problem in the experiment and ways to improve the palatability of on farm produced cereals have to be developed. Early cut crop yields were only about half of the crop yield at normal cut. Therefore early cut may only be recommended to farmers in northern Norway when acerage is not a limiting factor

The effect of fishmeal or peameal on milk fatty acid composition in organic farming

Feed fatty acid (FA) composition influences the FA composition of cow milk. In a continuous production experiment with 32 Norwegian red dairy cows fishmeal (FM) was compared to peameal (PM) as protein supplement to home-grown cereals and grass silage in organic farming. The protein supplements were together with cereals formulated to be isonitrogeneous and isoenergetic (NEL) and were compared at high (HC) and low concentrate (LC) level. The concentrate rations did not affect the intake of silage. Fishmeal resulted in significantly higher milk yield (kg) with a lower fat concentration (HC) compared to PM. Lower concentrations of urea and FFA were found in milk produced with FM compared to PM. Milk flavour and odour was equal or better when FM rather than PM was fed. Fishmeal diets increased significantly the proportions of several long-chain FAs: oleic acid (C18:1c9), vaccenic acid (C18:1c11), CLA (C18:2c9,t11, not significant at HC), C20:0, C18:1t10, and DHA (C22:6 n-3) in milk fat compared to PM. DHA, which is found in high concentrations in FM (14 g/100g FAME), had the most significant increase. The proportion of C18:3 n-3 (ALA) was significantly lower when FM was fed compared to PM. The percentage of saturated FA was significantly lower and the percentage of monounsaturated FA was higher when FM rather than PM was fed. For cows on HC the n-6/n-3 ratio was lower in the FM group than in the PM group, and the ratio was lower at LC than at HC (p = 0.006, interaction p = 0.02). Fishmeal diets included higher proportions of oats than PM diets. Oats have high content of oleic acid and may therefore have influenced the composition of FAs in milk fat as well as the protein supplements. Fishmeal increased the proportion of beneficial FAs without reducing the sensoric quality of milk. It remains unclear whether this is an effect of protein source or an effect of the higher oat proportions in FM diets

Learning our way towards a sustainable agri-food system Three cases from Sweden: Stockholm Farmers market, Ramsjö Community Supported Agriculture and Järna Initiative for Local Production

This research is based on case studies of the Stockholm Farmers Market, Ramsjö Community Supported Agriculture, and Järna Initiative for Local Production. These cases are examples of alternative consumerproducer links in the Swedish agri-food system. An adapted SWOT analysis highlights key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints in each case from the multiple perspectives of producers, consumers, the organization, as well as the environment and society. Diagrams show where learning opportunities exist in the three systems, and how the structure of the consumer-producer link influences learning processes. Implication assessments consider how each link may affect surrounding ecosystems and social aspects of the agri-food system. A framework for assessing a process of development identifies six components that contribute to agri-food system development. Four key issues are discussed in terms of their potential to significantly affect the development of the agri-food system: the length of the food chain linking producers and consumers, the definition of “local”, learning in the system, and what is really being sold – is it food, or values? Critical research questions are highlighted and recommended for future research

Refined forage legumes as local sources of protein feed for monogastrics and high quality fibre feed for ruminants in organic production

• Lack of local protein feed for monogastrics in organic farming Challenges addressed by the project • Protein-rich fractions of forage legumes are difficult to preserve • Little knowledge about feed value of fractionated forage legumes • Introducing local food systems requires knowledge about the actors attitudes, motivations and ability to deal with risk management • Food systems must be economically, socially and environmentally sustainabl

Produksjonssystemforsøk: Hvordan kommuniserer forsker, rådgiver og bonde?

En lang rekke langvarige forsøk på produksjonssystemer har blitt gjennomført i de nordiske land. Hovedparten av disse ble startet etter 1980 og forsøkene varierer sterkt i målsetning, utforming og varighet. Men hva kommer ut av disse forsøkene? Har man fått en bedre forståelse av økologiske landbruks- systemer? Har ny kunnskap nådd ut til bonden og forbruke- ren? Og hvordan skjer dette? Til tross for stor interesse for produksjonssystemforsøk finnes det så langt ingen undersøkelse i Norden som systematiserer forsknings- designet og utforsker de kvalitative aspektene av kommunikasjonen mellom forsker, rådgiver og bonde. Kanskje denne hovedoppgaven i agro- økologi kan være til inspirasjon for en ny vurdering av systemforsøk

Hvordan påvirker driftssystemet kvalitet på melk og kjøtt?

Effekten av ulike driftssystemer på kvalitetsegenskaper av kjøtt og melk ble belyst i fire forsøk. I en casestudie hos 34 melkeprodusenter i Midt-Norge i 2007 og 2008 ble driftssystemene økologisk drift med kortvarig eng (ØK), økologisk drift med langvarig eng (ØL), konvensjonell drift med kortvarig eng (KK) og konvensjonell drift med langvarig eng (KL) undersøkt. I et beiteforsøk sommeren 2008 ble økologisk rødkløvergrasbeite (RB) sammenlignet med økologisk beite med en botanisk allsidig sammensetning (AB). I et forsøk med diekalver i 2006 og 2007 i Gausdal, Lillehammer og Øyer, gikk diekalvene enten på innmarksbeite (IB) eller på utmarksbeite (UB) og effekten på kjøttkvalitet ble undersøkt. I et forsøk i 2008 ble effekten av IB på Ås eller UB i Grimsdalen på kjøttkvaliteten til diekalver av rasen Sidet Trønderfe og Nordlandsfe med eller uten sluttfôring på innmark undersøkt. I forsøkene var fokus rettet mot fettsyresammensetning i melk og kjøtt, innhold av vitaminer i melk, fytoøstrogener i melk og i det siste forsøket sensorisk profil i kjøtt. Driftssystemer med ulik fôrstyrke og tilskudd av fett kan ha stor innvirkning på kvalitetsegenskapene og spesielt fettsyresammensetning i drøvtyggerprodukter. Dette kan kamuflere effekter av botanisk sammensetning. Driftssystemer som inkluderer utmarksbeite er følsomme for værforhold som påvirker beiteplantenes utvikling og dermed energitilgangen i rasjonen gjennom beitesesongen. Driftssystemer med forskjellig botanisk sammensetning av enga kan ha stor betydning for innholdet av fytoøstrogener i drøvtyggerprodukter