A - Papers appearing in refereed journals
Wilkinson, J. M., Lee, M. R. F., Rivero, M. J. and Chamberlain, T. 2019. Some challenges and opportunities for grazing dairy cows on temperate pastures. Grass and Forage Science. 75, pp. 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12458
Authors | Wilkinson, J. M., Lee, M. R. F., Rivero, M. J. and Chamberlain, T. |
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Abstract | Grazing plays an important role in milk production in most regions of the world. In this review, some challenges to the grazing cow are discussed together with opportunities for future improvement. We focus on daily feed intake, efficiency of pasture utilisation, output of milk per head, environmental impact of grazing and the nutritional quality to humans of milk produced from dairy cows in contrasting production systems. Challenges are discussed in the context of a trend towards increased size of individual herds, and include limited and variable levels of daily herbage consumption, lower levels of milk output per cow, excessive excretion of nitrogenous compounds and requirements for minimal periods of grazing regardless of production system. A major challenge is to engage more farmers in making appropriate adjustments to their grazing management. In relation to product quality, the main challenge is to demonstrate enhanced nutritional/processing benefits of milk from grazed cows. Opportunities include more accurate diet formulations, supplementation of grazed pasture to match macro- and micro-nutrient supply with animal requirement, and plant breeding. The application of robotics and artificial intelligence to pasture management will assist in matching daily supply to animal requirement. Wider consumer recognition of the perceived enhanced nutritional value of milk from grazed cows, together with greater appreciation of the animal health, welfare and behavioural benefits of grazing should contribute to the future sustainability of demand for milk from dairy cows on pasture. |
Keywords | Grazed pasture; Grazing management; Herbage intake; Nitrogen use efficiency; Milk production; Milk quality |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Journal | Grass and Forage Science |
Journal citation | 75, pp. 1-17 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12458 |
Open access | Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access |
Funder | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council |
Natural Environment Research Council | |
Innovate UK | |
Funder project or code | S2N - Soil to Nutrition - Work package 2 (WP2) - Adaptive management systems for improved efficiency and nutritional quality |
ASSIST - Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Systems | |
The North Wyke Farm Platform- National Capability [2017-22] | |
Publisher's version | |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 02 Dec 2019 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 01 Nov 2019 |
Publisher | Wiley |
ISSN | 0142-5242 |
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