This book is the first detailed and comprehensive guide to the use of feedpads in the dairy industry, from planning and construction to day-to-day management, written especially for farmers. With ongoing droughts and access to water driving up the cost of conserved forages and feeding concentrates, feedpads offer flexible and efficient systems to maximise returns on feeding expensive supplements to grazing dairy cows, and form part of the risk management strategy for dairy farms.
Feedpads for Grazing Dairy Cows covers all the aspects of animal husbandry involved in running a successful system and addresses key issues such as formulating rations to balance grazed pasture, management of farm labour and effluent management. The key principles of dairy nutrition are explained along with the concept of partial mixed rations and the range of potential ingredients. The authors also cover the physical features of feedpad design and construction and provide a checklist for planning a feedpad. They discuss important issues such as cow welfare, animal health and the management of effluent, including cleaning the pad, storing and recycling these solids and liquids on farm while minimising feedpad odours, flies and vermin.
This book demonstrates a wide range of long-term economic benefits and will play an important role in helping dairy farmers achieve higher farm profitability.
Explains the role of feedpads in pasture based dairy farming
Physical aspects of feedpad design including effluent management
Key principles of dairy nutrition and animal health issues related to feedpads
Guidelines, legislation and the future role of feedpads in the dairy industry
Addresses key issues such as formulating rations to balance grazed pasture, management of farm labour and the long-term economic benefits of constructing feedpads
1 Introduction
2 An overview of Australia’s dairy industry
3 The role of feedpads in pasture-based dairy farming
4 Physical aspects of feedpad design
5 Managing feedpad effluent
6 Key principles of dairy nutrition
7 Partial mixed rations
8 Feeding management of partial mixed rations
9 Cow management
10 Farm management
11 Economics of feedpad technology
12 Guidelines and legislation
13 The future role for feedpads in Australia’s dairy industry
Abbreviations and conversions
Glossary
References and further reading
Index
Dairy farmers
Government advisers
Consultants
Agribusiness and university students
John Moran is a Senior Research and Advisory Scientist from Victoria's Department of Primary Industries, located at Tatura in northern Victoria. He spends half his time advising farmers in southern Australia and half his time working with dairy farmers and advisers in South and East Asia. His specialist fields include dairy production, ruminant nutrition, calf and heifer rearing, forage conservation and whole farm business management.
Scott McDonald is a Senior Dairy Extension Officer with Victoria’s Department of Primary Industries, located at Echuca in northern Victoria. Scott’s role as the Statewide Dairy Nutrients Manager involves the technical design and management of dairy effluent systems and intensive animal facilities as a professional trainer. He is also an industry technical adviser for extension principles and agricultural nutrient related activities.
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