Open AccessModelling the impact of surplus pasture management techniques on production and profit in a pasture-based dairy system
Author(s) -
Kate Wynn,
P.C. Beukes,
Álvaro J. Romera
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
proceedings of the new zealand grassland association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1179-4577
pISSN - 0369-3902
DOI - 10.33584/jnzg.2012.74.2864
Subject(s) - pasture , silage , dry matter , profit (economics) , grazing , environmental science , milk production , agricultural engineering , mathematics , agricultural science , zoology , agronomy , economics , biology , microeconomics , engineering
Three options for controlling surplus pasture on Northland dairy farms were modelled to determine the impact of each on production and operating profit. The three options were a) Light cut, fixed break size (LCFB): Paddock cut for silage as soon as surplus was identified. No effect on rotation length. b) Bulk cut, fixed break size (BCFB): Paddock closed until cover of 4000 kg dry matter (DM)/ha was reached then cut for silage. Rotation length was shortened. c) Bulk cut, variable break size (BCVB): Paddock closed until cover of 4000 kg DM/ha was reached then cut for silage. Rotation length was maintained thus reducing available grazing area. The hypothesis was that LCFB would translate into the most profitable option as pasture is being cut as soon as a genuine surplus is realised, optimising silage feed quality. Results showed LCFB to be $100/ha more profitable (operating profit) compared with BCFB and BCVB at only one of the three sites investigated (P