Economic modelling of an integrated grazed and conserved perennial ryegrass forage production system

Abstract

The Grange Feed Costing Model was modified to simulate the economic implications of grassland management strategies for a grass-based suckler beef calf-toweanling system at the whole-farm level. The modified model enabled costing of annual grass consumed as grazed grass and silage when the farm grazing and conservation areas are integrated. Grass growth data from sites in the south, east and north of Ireland were used. Sixty-three scenarios were simulated, enabling analysis of site, stocking rate and silage strategy effects on total annual feed cost for the grass forage production system. Total annual feed cost (of grazed grass and grass silage) ranged from €96 to €111 per 1000 UFL (Unité Fourragè re Lait) and €411 to €456 per beef cow unit (CU). The silage strategy with respect to the number of harvests and whether the silage area was grazed in the spring had negligible impact on annual total feed cost per CU. However, a tendency towards reduced annual feed cost under a two harvest, relative to a one harvest, silage strategy was observed. The lowest cost stocking rate was 2 CU ha )1 . Site-specific differences such as seasonal growth distribution and nitrogen fertilizer response rate had the greatest influence on the annual cost of the grass-based feeding system.

Effect of different feeding strategies in intensive dairy farming systems on milk fatty acid profiles, and implications on feeding costs in Italy

“…Fresh herbage implies lower costs than conserved forages. However, herbage production is seasonal and its nutritive quality is difficult to manage for farmers (Finneran et al, 2011). Furthermore, alternative feed sources have to be used in the G system during the winter season, and this can lead to increased feeding costs.…”

Grazed grass herbage intake and performance of beef heifers with predetermined phenotypic residual feed intake classification

“…In particular, winter feed costs represent a substantial proportion of the annual feed budget as the cost of grass silage and concentrates is generally greater than that of grazed grass (Finneran et al, 2010). Depending on site location, soil type and grass growth potential the grazing period typically consists of 232 days and a housing period of 133 days (Finneran et al, 2011). According to Finneran et al (2011 and2012), the average cost, in Ireland, of providing grazed grass, grass silage and concentrates was h74, h158 and h217 per tonne DM, respectively.…”

“…Depending on site location, soil type and grass growth potential the grazing period typically consists of 232 days and a housing period of 133 days (Finneran et al, 2011). According to Finneran et al (2011 and2012), the average cost, in Ireland, of providing grazed grass, grass silage and concentrates was h74, h158 and h217 per tonne DM, respectively. Calculations based on these data and DMI values from this study resulted in a feed cost difference between the high and low Lawrence, Kenny, Earley and McGee RFI groups of heifers of , h0.12 or h17 (h146 v. h129) for the indoor winter period.…”

Economic impacts of nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency on nineteen intensive grass-based dairy farms in the South of Ireland

“…Grazed grass-based dairy systems offer opportunities to reduce these expenditures during the grazing season (MacDonald et al, 2008;Soder and Rotz, 2001). These strategies include increasing resource use efficiency (Finneran et al, 2011;Kelly et al, 2013;Patton et al, 2012;Ridler, 2008), nutrient use efficiency , and N-eco-efficiency (the amount of milk produced per kilogram of N balance; Beukes et al, 2012), as well as accounting for chemical N fertiliser replacement value (NFRV) of organic N contained in slurry (Lalor, 2008) or fixed by white clover in pastures (Humphreys et al, 2012).…”