Plan the management of dairy cow grazing

Grazing management in dairy cows with a focus on the dairy cows' grass intake throughout the season has been uncovered in a new questionnaire survey.

By Camilla Vestergaard Kramer, Irene Fisker, Torben Spanggaard Frandsen, Seges Innovation

Disclaimer: This article has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, errors or inaccuracies may occur, and some content (such as images, videos, PDF-files, etc.) has not been translated.

Achieving both a high milk yield per cow and a high grass yield per hectare when grazing can be challenging. The result is often that cows' grass intake decreases, especially in the latter half of the season, and more feed is needed in the parlour.

Two surveys were conducted. One with responses from farmers and one with responses from cattle advisors. This article is an extract of the experiences gathered in connection with the questionnaire survey.

Focus on dairy cows' grass intake, performance and consistent feeding over the grazing season

Most of the farmers answered in the questionnaire that the most important thing for them when grazing is that the grass intake is as high as possible. They then want stable and consistent feeding and the highest possible milk yield. However, the high grass intake also requires management, according to the responses. Several change paddocks every day. Others choose to keep the cows in the same paddock for 2-3 days, but give them a new strip of grass every day.

A high grass intake requires continuous management.

Lessons learnt in achieving high grass intake in dairy cows over the grazing season

Regulate the amount of concentrate fed according to grass supply and weather
Mowing should be done and preferably on all grazing areas
It's important to dethatch and rest the grass to make it attractive to eat
Keep an eye out for stem formation, which negatively affects the cows' appetite
Offer night grazing or grazing at dusk on hot summer days

The appetite for grass can quickly disappear over the season

Both advisors and farmers express in their questionnaire responses that cows' reduced appetite for grass can start early in the season. Some farmers have experienced reduced appetite as early as the end of June, and several, both advisors and farmers, describe a decline in appetite and thus grass intake from late July/August until binding.

However, the responses suggest that appetite can be increased in late summer by using new fields as grazing areas, by systematically trimming and cutting or alternating between these options. A new paddock every day and a minimum 15-day rest period before grazing again are also mentioned as management measures that can increase grass uptake. If the grass starts to slip, the appetite is reduced.

The weather on the grazing day is also mentioned by several as a factor that can affect appetite, as it is negatively affected by heavy rainfall or very hot days.

Dairy cows' grass supply on the land is assessed visually

The farmers who responded to the questionnaire primarily assess the grass supply visually. Few use a plate lifter or other tools. Several of the advisors who responded to the questionnaire would like to use frequent and reliable measurements via satellites or drones on customers' properties in their advisory services to increase grass utilisation in grazing fields.

Read an article on how measuring grass height can improve grazing (icoel.dk).

Managing grazing based on known biomass

The questionnaire survey was conducted as part of the project "Management of grazing based on known biomass" supported by the Milk Levy Fund. The purpose of the project is to test and implement a method for measuring biomass on areas included in the grazing system and is carried out in collaboration between the Innovation Centre for Organic Agriculture and SEGES Innovation P/S.