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Comparison of three gradients of grazed grass in dairy cows diet in terms of environmental and zootechnical performances
Lessire, Françoise; Dufrasne, Isabelle
2019In O'Brien, Bernadette; Henessy, Deirdre; Shalloo, Laurence et al. (Eds.) Precision Livestock Farming'19
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Keywords :
grazing; methane emissions; milk carbon footprint; grazing practices; dairy cows
Abstract :
[en] Climatic change induces challenges in grazing management, which could tempt farmers to keep their cows indoors. To assess the environmental and economic impact of diets with different percentages of grazed grass, thirty-three Holstein cows in early lactation were divided into three groups from 27 April to 7 July 2018. These groups were allocated an increasing proportion of grazed grass in their diet. No access to grazed grass was possible for Group 1 (0%), while Group 2 and 3 were granted access to pasture 21w. Group 2’s (100%) diet was composed of 100% grass. Group 3 (50%) received silage in the barn as well as grazed grass. The access to pasture was adapted to achieve a proportion of 50% grass in the diet. Sward height was measured every week with an electronic rising plate meter (EC 20®), and the nutritional composition of grazed grass was evaluated. All the groups’ diet was complemented with concentrates delivered by the automatic concentrate supplier, where the Guardian® was located in order to measure the methane emitted at each visit. Methane emissions were also assessed by predictions based on the mid infra-red (MIR) spectrum of milk samples. Animal performance was recorded and the milk carbon footprint was estimated by the Feedprint®. No difference in milk yield between the groups was recorded. Predictions based on the MIR spectra analysis showed a slight decrease in methane emission per cow and per day in the 100% group, but this decrease was not confirmed by the breath samples measurements. The feeding costs were in favour of the 100% group. The carbon-footprint of the milk produced with 100% or 50% of grazed grass was lower than for the zero-grazing cows.
Disciplines :
Animal production & animal husbandry
Author, co-author :
Lessire, Françoise  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Dpt. de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA) > LESNA
Dufrasne, Isabelle  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Dpt. de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA) > Nutrition des animaux domestiques
Language :
English
Title :
Comparison of three gradients of grazed grass in dairy cows diet in terms of environmental and zootechnical performances
Alternative titles :
[en] Comparaison des performances zootechniques et environnementales des 3 groupes de vaches laitières suite à l'introduction d'un gradient d'herbe pâturée
Publication date :
26 August 2019
Event name :
European Precision Livestock Farming
Event organizer :
Teagasc
Event place :
Cork, Ireland
Event date :
26-29 August 2019
Audience :
International
Main work title :
Precision Livestock Farming'19
Main work alternative title :
[en] Elevage de précision '19
Author, co-author :
O'Brien, Bernadette
Henessy, Deirdre
Shalloo, Laurence
Byrne, Thomas
Berckmans, Daniel
Publisher :
Fermoy Print and Design, Cork, Ireland
Pages :
613-618
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Name of the research project :
LIFE14 CCM/BE/001187 Life Dairyclim
Funders :
UE - Union Européenne [BE]
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since 13 September 2019

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