Research Accomplishment Reports 2010

Management Systems to Improve the Economic and Environmental Sustainability of Dairy Enterprises (Rev. NC-1119)

J.M. Bewley
Department of Animal and Food Sciences

 

Non-Technical Summary

Outputs:

Provide producers with an understanding of the risk factors that affect the costs of raising dairy heifers such that the cost of raising heifers is reduced

Precise description of the biological processes to reduce calf morbidity and mortality to improve longevity, performance and profitability of the enterprise

Decision aids for prescribed feeding and growth systems for dairy heifers

Unique N and P nutritional regimens for dairy heifers incorporated into prediction equations (NRC)

Enterprise-level economic analyses of alternative management, nutrition (e.g., dietary supplements and byproduct feeds) and feeding systems

Provide management and nutritional recommendations for transition and lactating cows to be integrated into whole-herd analyses and decision support models;

Develop decision support systems for dairy producers and their advisors to aid in making profitable and environmentally sustainable on-farm decisions;

Improve understanding of events leading to lameness with the goal of preventing a portion of lameness in cows and heifers

Outcomes or projected Impacts:

Producer adoption of project outcomes and best management practices related to the dairy heifer and cow enterprise to yield more profit and reduce nutrient excretion to the environment

2010 Project Description

Main objective: To evaluate and develop sustainable management systems for dairy herds that address critical quality and variance control factors with implications to economic efficiencies and environmental impacts.

1) To analyze management and nutrition strategies for replacement heifers as they pertain to production and profitability (heifers)

2) To optimize lactating and dry cow decision-making as it relates to animal health, nutrient utilization, milk production, reproduction, and profitability (cows)

3) To evaluate system components and integration of information into decision-support tools and whole farm analyses to improve efficiency, control variation, and enhance profitability, and environmental sustainability (whole farm).

Understanding dairy cattle lying behavior provides previously unavailable information to use in improving dairy cow comfort in freestall or compost bedded pack facilities.

The results of recent survey work focused on milk production can provide valuable information for extension professionals to utilize in efforts to increase milk production in Kentucky by demonstrating actual practices employed by top dairy producers.

2010 Impact

New Precision Dairy Farming technologies, such as the IceTag accelerometers employed in these studies, can provide invaluable information for understanding cow behavior and the impact of facilities in cow lying behavior. Results of recent studies provide us new insight into lying behavior that can be utilized by other dairy producers to improve cow environments and comfort.

The results of recent survey work focused on milk production can provide valuable information for extension professionals to utilize in efforts to increase milk production in Kentucky by demonstrating actual practices employed by top dairy producers.

2010 Publications

Bewley, J.M., M.D. Boehlje, A.W. Gray, H. Hogeveen, S.J. Kenyon. S.D. Eicher, M.A. Russell, and M.M. Schutz. 2010. Stochastic simulation using @Risk for dairy business investment decisions. Agricultural Finance Review. 70:97-125.

Bewley, J.M., M.D. Boehlje, A.W. Gray, H. Hogeveen, S.J. Kenyon. S.D. Eicher, M.A. Russell, and M.M. Schutz. 2010. Assessing the potential value for an automated dairy cattle body condition scoring system through stochastic simulation. Agricultural Finance Review. 70:126-150.

Bewley, J.M., R.E. Boyce, D.J. Roberts, M.P. Coffey, and M.M. Schutz. 2010. Comparison of two methods of assessing dairy cow body condition score. J. Dairy Res. 77:95-98.

Bewley, J.M., R.E. Boyce, J. Hockin, L. Munksgaard, S.D. Eicher, M.E. Einstein, and M.M. Schutz. 2010. The influence of milk yield, stage of lactation, and body condition on dairy cattle lying behavior using an automated activity monitoring sensor. J. Dairy Res. 77:1-6.

Bewley, J.M. 2010. Opportunities for Improved Cow Comfort through Freestall Barn Renovations. University of Kentucky Extension Fact Sheet ASC-178.

Bewley, J.M., R.J. Harmon, and S. Locke. 2010. Collection and Preparation of Milk Samples for Microbiological Culturing. University of Kentucky Extension Fact ID-180.

Sheaffer, C.M. and J.M. Bewley. 2010. Compost Bedded Pack Barns: Opportunities, Challenges, and Management Considerations. Abstract 242. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado.

Gravatte, C.N., C.O. Coombs, and J.M. Bewley. 2010. Evaluation of dairy cattle lying behavior in commercial freestall barns. Abstract 248. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado.

Coombs, C.O. and J.M. Bewley. 2010. Management practices utilized by high-producing Kentucky dairy herds. Abstract W88. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado.

Gravatte, C.N., C.O. Coombs, and J.M. Bewley. 2010. Case Study: Characterization of lying behavior in dairy cows transitioning from a freestall barn to a compost bedded pack barn. Abstract W96. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado.

Bewley, J.M. and M.M. Schutz. 2010. Recent studies using a reticular bolus system for monitoring dairy cattle core body temperature. The First North American Conference on Precision Dairy Management. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Bewley, J.M. and R.A. Russell. 2010. Reasons for slow adoption rates of precision dairy farming technologies: evidence from a producer survey. The First North American Conference on Precision Dairy Management. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Schutz, M.M., J.M. Bewley, and H.D. Norman. 2010. Derivation of factors to estimate daily milk yield from one milking of cows milked three times daily. Abstract W32. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting. Denver, Colorado.

Bewley, J.M. and M.M. Schutz. 2009. Pictures, not pencils, could record body condition scores. Hoard's Dairyman. (July): 443.

Bewley, J.M. 2010. 5 Common Parlor Mistakes You Should Avoid to Keep Somatic Cell Counts Low. Kentucky Dairy Notes (September).

Bewley, J.M. 2010. Strategies for Dealing with New Somatic Cell Count (SCC) Requirements. Kentucky Dairy Notes (July).

Bewley, J.M. 2010. Ventilation and Heat Stress. Kentucky Dairy Notes (June).

Bewley, J.M. 2010. Observing Dairy Cows in Freestalls: Stop, Watch, Listen, Think, Change. Kentucky Dairy Notes (April).

Bewley, J.M. and R.A. Russell. 2010. Dairy farming 3.0. Hoard's Dairyman (May 25): 377.

Bewley, J.M. 2010. Minimizing Emergency Calls from Freestall Housed Cows by Providing Adequate Lunge Space. Kentucky Dairy Notes (February).

Bewley, J.M. 2009. Do Your Cows Have a Comfortable Place to Rest? Kentucky Dairy Notes (December).

Bewley, J.M. 2009. When Using Green Sawdust, Take These Precautions to Minimize Risk. Kentucky Dairy Notes (November).