Production and Health Management from Grazing to Confinement Systems of Largest Dairy Bovine Farms in Azores: A Farmers’ Perspective

Abstract

The intensification of bovine milk production in the Azores has led farmers to increase farm size and specialization in grasslands, implementing confined and semi-confined production systems. Fixed milking parlours (FMP) have progressively gained more popularity, at the expense of conventional mobile milking systems (MMS). The present study aimed to evaluate the associations between production and health management in dairy cattle farms, with FMP or MMS, in grasslands (São Miguel, Azores), according to the farmers’ perspective. A total of 102 questions about production and health management were surveyed in 105 farms with >30 dairy cows each. Farms with FMP were associated (p ≤ 0.05) with larger herd size, better facilities, and specialized management, however, the adoption of preventive and biosecurity measures should be improved by these farmers. MMS farms implemented a lower level of disease prevention or control programs, less frequent transhumance, and showed a wider vocation to dual-purpose (milk and cross beef) than FMP farms. In conclusion, MMS and FMP farms tried to optimize yield and economic viability in different ways using grasslands. Several biosecurity and health prevention constraints were identified for improvement.

A Longitudinal Study with a Laser Methane Detector (LMD) Highlighting Lactation Cycle-Related Differences in Methane Emissions from Dairy Cows

“…The end of European milk quotas, as well as the declining interest and lack of financial incentive for younger generations to invest in agriculture, forces bringing about change in the sector once marked by small-sized family-owned businesses, whose profitability was mainly due to low mechanization, labor, and infrastructures [ 20 ]. We are now witnessing a decrease in the number of farms offset by an increase in farm size, and a search for greater efficiency and productivity to cope with a competitive market [ 21 ]. Yet, shaping of the dairy farming sector can no longer be achieved without considering both economic and environmental sustainability, the latter being inherently linked to GHG emissions.…”

“…The seemingly greater digestibility of fibers by Jersey and the efficiency per kg of live weight reinforces their suitability for pasture-based systems. This is quite relevant for the Azorean dairy industry, which still benefits from production systems closely linked to the natural environment and its resources [ 21 ], although the way subsidies are applied still benefits milk yield, rendering Holstein breeding higher profitability for farmers.…”

Eukaryotic Infections in Dairy Calves: Impacts, Diagnosis, and Strategies for Prevention and Control

“…High stocking densities and poor manure management contribute to increased contamination of grazing areas. 93 Ostertagia nematodes have a complex life cycle involving both direct and indirect transmission. 94 Cattle become infected by ingesting infective larvae from contaminated pastures.…”

Developing ‘Smart’ Dairy Farming Responsive to Farmers and Consumer-Citizens: A Review

“…Initially AMS was more commonly operated in intensive indoor feeding barn systems where cows have limited access to grass but since 2001, they have been incorporated into pasture-based systems worldwide [101]. These systems were established as fixed milking parlors but mobile milking systems (MMS) are also available, enabling them to be used in free-range or rotational grassland systems [102]. In Europe and the US, the majority of AMS are used on small and mid-size farms (<500 cows) [103][104][105]), possibly to avoid or reduce the need to hire non-family labor and/or to increase productivity without increasing labor input [104].…”