Future outlook for the Irish dairy industry: a study of international competitiveness, influence of international trade reform and requirement for change

Dillon, P.; Hennessy, Thia; Shalloo, L.; Thorne, Fiona; Horan, B.

doi:10.1111/j.1471-0307.2008.00374.x

Cited by 135 publications

(116 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…While concentrate supplements are generally offered to pasture-fed dairy cows to alleviate shortfalls in pasture dry matter intake (Holmes et al, 2002), increased stocking rates post EU milk quota are likely to result in more frequent and prolonged periods of pasture deficit and a consequential requirement for more efficient concentrate supplementation strategies. The increase in variable and fixed costs per litre, as purchased feed quantity increases, has been widely reported (Dillon et al, 2008) and is explained by the competitive cost of grazed grass and lower mechanisation in grazing systems, compared with systems requiring increased purchased supplements (Dillon et al, 2005b). The current study also demonstrates that while increased purchased feed is associated with an increase in milk productivity per cow and per hectare, as reflected in gross revenue output, the non-linear relationship indicates that these productivity benefits are reduced as the level of purchased feed increases possibly due to high grass substitution rates and low milk production responses to supplementary feeding (Bargo et al, 2002;Holmes et al, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between dairy cow genetic merit and profit on commercial spring calving dairy farms

Ramsbottom

Cromie

Horan

et al. 2012

Animal

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Because not all animal factors influencing profitability can be included in total merit breeding indices for profitability, the association between animal total merit index and true profitability, taking cognisance of all factors associated with costs and revenues, is generally not known. One method to estimate such associations is at the herd level, associating herd average genetic merit with herd profitability. The objective of this study was to primarily relate herd average genetic merit for a range of traits, including the Irish total merit index, with indicators of performance, including profitability, using correlation and multiple regression analyses. Physical, genetic and financial performance data from 1131 Irish seasonal calving pasture-based dairy farms were available following edits; data on some herds were available for more than 1 year of the 3-year study period (2007 to 2009). Herd average economic breeding index (EBI) was associated with reduced herd average phenotypic milk yield but with greater milk composition, resulting in higher milk prices. Moderate positive correlations (0.26 to 0.61) existed between genetic merit for an individual trait and average herd performance for that trait (e.g. genetic merit for milk yield and average per cow milk yield). Following adjustment for year, stocking rate, herd size and quantity of purchased feed in the multiple regression analysis, average herd EBI was positively and linearly associated with net margin per cow and per litre as well as gross revenue output per cow and per litre. The change in net margin per cow per unit change in the total merit index was h1.94 (s.e. 5 0.42), which was not different from the expectation of h2. This study, based on a large data set of commercial herds with accurate information on profitability and genetic merit, confirms that, after accounting for confounding factors, the change in herd profitability per unit change in herd genetic merit for the total merit index is within expectations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship between dairy cow genetic merit and profit on commercial spring calving dairy farms

Ramsbottom

Cromie

Horan

et al. 2012

Animal

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“…The comparisons made at the world level show that the total cost of milk production decreases when the proportion of grass in the annual diets of the cows increases (Dillon et al, 2008). From an environmental point of view, several reports, directives, regulations and initiatives challenge high-input dairy systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing variations in dairy cow nutrient supply under grazing

Peyraud

Delagarde

2013

Animal

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Grazed pasture, which is the cheapest source of nutrients for dairy cows, should form the basis of profitable and low-input animal production systems. Management of high-producing dairy cows at pasture is thus a major challenge in most countries. The objective of the present paper is to review the factors that can affect nutrient supply for grazing dairy cows in order to point out areas with scope for improvement on managing variations in nutrient supply to achieve high animal performance while maintaining efficient pasture utilisation per hectare (ha). Reviewing the range in animal requirements, intake capacity and pasture nutritive values shows that high-producing cows cannot satisfy their energy requirements from grazing alone and favourable to unfavourable situations for grazing dairy cows may be classified according to pasture quality and availability. Predictive models also enable calculation of supplementation levels required to meet energy requirements in all situations. Solutions to maintain acceptable level of production per cow and high output per ha are discussed. Strategies of concentrate supplementation and increasing use of legumes in mixed swards are the most promising. It is concluded that although high-producing cow cannot express their potential milk production at grazing, there is scope to improve animal performance at grazing given recent developments in our understanding of factors influencing forage intake and digestion of grazed forages.

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“…On a world scale, Dillon et al [118] found a strong inverse relationship between costs of production and proportion of grazed forage in the cow's diet, and reported that Australia and New Zealand had the greatest proportion of the diet provided by grass (85%-90%) and the lowest cost of production of all the countries evaluated. Additionally, the authors noted that increasing the proportion of grazed grass in a system where pasture was already the predominant feed will reduce the cost of production.…”

Section: Economics Of Dairy Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, the authors noted that increasing the proportion of grazed grass in a system where pasture was already the predominant feed will reduce the cost of production. For example, extending the grazing season by 27 days in Irish systems reduced the cost of milk by 1 cent/L [118]. In Europe, pasture is generally accepted as the cheapest feed source for dairy cattle and forms the base for profitable low-input systems in this region [119].…”

Section: Economics Of Dairy Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability of US Organic Beef and Dairy Production Systems: Soil, Plant and Cattle Interactions

2013

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Abstract:In 2010, the National Organic Program implemented a rule for the US stating that pasture must be a significant source of feed in organic ruminant systems. This article will focus on how the pasture rule has impacted the management, economics and nutritional value of products derived from organic ruminant systems and the interactions of grazing cattle with pasture forages and soils. The use of synthetic fertilizers is prohibited in organic systems; therefore, producers must rely on animal manures, compost and cover crops to increase and maintain soil nitrogen content. Rotational and strip grazing are two of the most common grazing management practices utilized in grazing ruminant production systems; however, these practices are not exclusive to organic livestock producers. For dairy cattle, grazing reduces foot and leg problems common in confinement systems, but lowers milk production and exposes cows to parasites that can be difficult to treat without pharmaceuticals. Organic beef cattle may still be finished in feedlots for no more than 120 days in the US, but without growth hormones and antibiotics, gains may be reduced and illnesses increased. Grazing reduces the use of environmentally and economically costly concentrate feeds and recycles nutrients back to the soil efficiently, but lowers the rate of beef liveweight gain. Increased use of pasture can be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable if OPEN ACCESSSustainability 2013, 5 3010 forage use efficiency is high and US consumers continue to pay a premium for organic beef and dairy products.

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Future outlook for the Irish dairy industry: a study of international competitiveness, influence of international trade reform and requirement for change

Cited by 135 publications

References 13 publications

Relationship between dairy cow genetic merit and profit on commercial spring calving dairy farms

Relationship between dairy cow genetic merit and profit on commercial spring calving dairy farms

Managing variations in dairy cow nutrient supply under grazing

Sustainability of US Organic Beef and Dairy Production Systems: Soil, Plant and Cattle Interactions

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