A whole-farm investment analysis of a partial mixed ration feeding system for dairy cows

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 444
Author(s):  
S. Henty ◽  
C. K. M. Ho ◽  
M. J. Auldist ◽  
W. J. Wales ◽  
B. Malcolm
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
The Impact

Aim A dairy farm in south-west Victoria was analysed to discern the impact on profit and risk of changing from a feeding system in the base case where grain was fed in the dairy and forage in the paddock, to a partial mixed ration (PMR) or a formulated grain mix (FGM) feeding system. Context A PMR feeding system involves feeding a well formulated mixed ration to a grazing dairy herd and typically requires the use of specialised machinery to mix and feed out the forage and grain components of the ration together onto a feed pad. In a FGM feeding system, the same formulated ration fed in the PMR system is used, but the grain component of the ration is fed using the existing feeding system in the dairy with the hay component fed in the paddock. Method The analysis used data from experiments recently performed to establish milk responses to mixed ration feeding under Australian conditions. The case study farm comprised 244 ha and a herd of 420 self-replacing Holstein-Friesian cows that calved from May to July. The herd feeding system was based on grazed pasture, grain fed in the dairy at milking and hay fed in the paddock. Supplementary feed comprised ~50% of metabolisable energy in the diet of the milking cows. The pre-existing feeding system was altered to incorporate either a PMR system or a FGM system. An increased herd size of an extra 100 cows, plus the PMR or FGM systems, was also tested. Key results All systems analysed were more profitable than the base case. Increasing the herd by 100 cows was the most profitable option for both the PMR and FGM systems, but intensifying the system by increasing cow numbers also had the most variability in profit. Conclusions and implications The FGM system was the most profitable system because milk production could be increased without the costs of extra labour, depreciation and repairs and maintenance associated with using a mixer wagon to feed the ration. The FGM system presents an option for farmers to expand or intensify their systems without needing to construct a feed pad or invest in extra machinery and equipment.

The impact of system changes to a dairy farm in south-west Victoria: risk and increasing profitability

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 557 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Heard ◽  
C. M. Leddin ◽  
D. P. Armstrong ◽  
C. K. M. Ho ◽  
K. A. Tarrant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Export Market ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
South West ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Face ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
The Impact

A case study modelling approach was used to examine changes to a dairy farm in south-west Victoria to maintain or increase profit in the future 5–10 years in the face of some ‘cost-price squeeze’, emphasising impacts on both returns and risk. Five changes to the status quo system were analysed. Each involved increasing pasture consumption on the milking area and non-milking leased area (where appropriate). The five changes were: (1) reducing leased non-milking area by 100 ha; (2) converting 60 ha of non-milking leased area to milking area, reducing leased non-milking area by 100 ha and reducing stocking rate on the milking area; (3) converting 187 ha of leased non-milking area to milking area, increasing herd size to 800 cows and reducing stocking rate on the milking area; (4) discarding all leased area, reducing herd size to 370 cows and reducing stocking rate; and (5) converting 127 ha of non-milking leased area to milking area, discarding all other lease arrangements and reducing stocking rate. Mean ± standard deviation of nominal owner’s equity at the end of Year 10 was $2.59M ± $1.33M, $5.42M ± $1.26M, $5.76M ± $1.21M, $7.47M ± $1.64M, $6.01M ± $0.78M and $6.10M ± $1.19M for the status quo and development options 1–5, respectively. For most but not all of the development options, the risk associated with the profit, cash and equity as measured by a range of indicators improved markedly over the performance of the farm system under the status quo. Both substantial increases and decreases in herd size were attractive. Irrespective of the direction of change in herd size, the most profitable options involved reducing stocking rate per ha and reducing purchased supplementary feed compared with the status quo. Significantly, changing to increase productivity greatly reduced the risk of having less equity at the end of Year 10 than the starting equity. Optimising the amount of home-grown grazed feed, and using purchased supplements efficiently are important, particularly if the milk being sold is subject to export market prices and variation. The most appropriate changes to dairy farm businesses in response to changes in the operating environment will vary from farm to farm – but maintaining the status quo in the face of change is not an option that meets farm family goals.

scholarly journals Efficiency of pasture and supplement management in high producing dairy herds

2003 ◽  
pp. 105-110
Author(s):  
P.V. Salles ◽  
J. Hodgson ◽  
P.N.P. Matthews ◽  
C.W. Holmes ◽  
N.M. Shadbolt
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Feeding Management ◽  
Dairy Systems ◽  
Supplementary Feed

In 1998 a three-year dairy farm monitoring programme funded by AGMARDT (Agricultural Marketing and Research Development Trust) was established on twelve dairy farms in the southern North Island of New Zealand where policy had changed from a focus on high production per ha through high stocking rate to a management based on reduced stocking rate and strategic use of supplements to enhance both production per cow and per ha. The project involved a detailed three-year data collection which included measurements of the quantity and composition of pasture and supplements consumed as well as animal performance. Analysis of the results of the third year (2000/2001) on nine of these farms with complete data sets identified a range of metabolisable energy (ME) intake (50669 - 70135 MJ ME/cow/yr). Supplementary feed represented on average 24% (21 - 27 %) of the total intake of ME, the main supplements being pasture silage (summer to winter), turnips (summer) and maize silage (autumn and winter) consumed by lactating cows, and grazing off by dry stock. There was a range of milksolids (MS) production per cow (372 - 424 kg/year) and per hectare (921 - 1264 kg/year). The average economic farm surplus per hectare of NZ$3077 (NZ$2425 - NZ$3867) for the case-study farms was approximately 43% higher than the top 25% farms in the Manawatu region. Mean values of return on assets for the case-study farms (12.9%) and top 25% farms in Manawatu (13.0%) were similar. Good pasture management based on controlled preand post-grazing herbage mass targets (mean 2650 and 1900 kg DM/ha, respectively), strategic use of supplementary feed to control pasture deficits, and moderate stocking rates (overall mean 2.7 cows/ha), provided high allowances of high quality herbage (organic matter digestibility ranging from 742 to 845 g/kg DM) and maintained high levels of milk production (411 kg MS/cow and 1100kg MS/ha). The comparison with industry data showed that the casestudy farms were highly productive and profitable dairy systems, at least under the conditions of the 2000/2001 season. However, the result indicated the need to improve management skills to limit feed wastage under generous feeding management, and also the limitation of conventional procedures for monitoring pasture consumption in farming systems. Keywords: animal performance, dairy systems, energy intak e, herbage quality, pasture management, profitability

Probability of Uncontrolled External Leakage During the Production Phase of a Subsea Well

2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
André L. R. Alves ◽  
T. A. Netto
Keyword(s):  
Failure Modes ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Component Reliability ◽  
Production Phase ◽  
Distribution Parameters ◽  
Common Cause Failures ◽  
Integrity Management ◽  
Closed Position ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This work presents a methodology for evaluating the uncontrolled external leakage probability of a subsea well during the production phase. Based on a barrier diagram, an algorithm for possible leak path identification is proposed, considering different operation modes: gas lift operation, free-flowing, or well closed at the subsea Christmas tree. Considering the equivalency between these paths and the minimum cut sets from a fault tree modeling, the uncontrolled external leakage probability is calculated using the upper bound approximation. The effect of common cause failures is considered for the failure mode fail-to-close-valve. The instantaneous availability function of each component is considered. Non-repairable, repairable, and periodically tested items are used. Probability distribution parameters are estimated in order to make a case study. The failure rate functions determined are used as input for the proposed model, regarding the following failure modes: fail-to-close, external-leakage, and internal-leakage at the closed position. Finally, failure probability results and sensitivity analysis are demonstrated for a base case study. Parameters like time between tests, inspections, and component reliability are varied in order to identify the impact on the uncontrolled external leakage probability. The main objective of the proposed methodology is to support decision-making on the well integrity management system during the production phase of a subsea well. To this end, actual and reliable input data should be considered.

scholarly journals Prospects of Forage Production in Northern Regions under Climate and Land-Use Changes: A Case-Study of a Dairy Farm in Newfoundland, Canada

Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Cordeiro ◽  
Alan Rotz ◽  
Roland Kroebel ◽  
Karen Beauchemin ◽  
Derek Hunt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Total Production ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cropland Area ◽  
The Impact

Forage production in northern latitudes is challenging and uncertain in the future. In this case-study, the integrated farm system model (IFSM) was used to assess the impact of climate change and cropland expansion scenarios on forage production in a dairy farm in Newfoundland, Canada. Climatic projections indicated increases in temperature in the recent past (1990–2016) and under any future climate (2020–2079), thus enhancing agronomic performance. Temperature increases ranged from 2.8 °C to 5.4 °C in winter and from 3.2 °C to 6.4 °C in spring. Small precipitation increases (<10%) create narrower time windows to perform farm operations in the already stringent condition of excess moisture in the region. Results of land use scenarios including expansions of 20, 30, and 40% in cropland area, out of which 5% was dedicated to corn silage and the remainder to grass-legume mixtures, indicated increased yield and total production. Improvements in grass-legume yield ranged from 8% to 52%. The full range of production increases ranged from 11% to 105%. Increments in corn silage yield ranged from 28% to 69%. Total farm corn silage production increases ranged from 29% to 77%. An attainable cropland expansion of 20% would enable the farm to become self-sufficient in forage production under any climate scenario.

Instantaneous Probability of Uncontrolled External Leakage During the Production Phase of a Subsea Well

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre L. R. Alves ◽  
Theodoro A. Netto
Keyword(s):  
Failure Rate ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Probability Distributions ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Component Reliability ◽  
Production Phase ◽  
Common Cause Failures ◽  
Closed Position ◽  
The Impact

This work develops a methodology for evaluating the uncontrolled external leakage probability of a subsea well during the production phase. Based on a barrier diagram, an algorithm for possible leak paths identification is proposed, considering different operation modes: gas lift operation, free flowing or well closed at the subsea Xmas Tree. Considering the equivalency between these paths and the minimum cut sets from a fault tree modeling, the uncontrolled external leakage probability is calculated using the upper bound approximation. The effect of common cause failures is considered for the failure mode fail-to-close-valve. The instantaneous availability function of each component is modeled to represent the maintenance strategy applied. Non repairable, repairable and periodically tested items are used. For the latter, a nomenclature to distinguish two subtypes is introduced: the PT-R and PT-NR models, respectively Periodically Tested Repairable, and Periodically Tested Non Repairable. Probability distributions parameters are roughly estimated in order to make a case study. The failure rate functions determined are used as input for the proposed model, regarding the following failure modes: fail-to-close, external-leakage, and internal-leakage at the closed position. The objective of this section is to adjust a Weibull distribution, eliminate the usual assumption of constant failure rate and account for eventual wear-out effects. Finally, instantaneous probability results and sensitivity analysis are demonstrated for a base case study. Parameters like time between tests, inspections, and component reliability are varied in order to identify the impact on the uncontrolled external leakage probability. Therefore, the main objective is to propose a model that could support decision making on the well integrity management system during the production phase of a subsea well. To make this possible, reliable input data should be further considered.

scholarly journals Importance of the Farm Environment and Wildlife for Transmission of Campylobacter jejuni in A Pasture-Based Dairy Herd

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1877
Author(s):  
Delphine Rapp ◽  
Colleen Ross ◽  
Shen-Yan Hea ◽  
Gale Brightwell
Keyword(s):  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Horizontal Transmission ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Bird Droppings ◽  
Important Pathway ◽  
Supplementary Feed

Cattle are an established reservoir of the foodborne bacterial pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. Our six-month study aimed to evaluate sources and pathways governing long-term presence of C. jejuni in a pasture-based dairy herd. C. jejuni was detected in all sample types (soil, pasture, stock drinking water, bird, rodents and cow faeces). It was persistently detected from cow (54%; 49/90 samples) and bird (36%; 77/211) faeces. Genetic comparison of 252 C. jejuni isolates identified 30 Multi-Locus Sequence Types (ST). ST-61 and ST-42 were persistent in the herd and accounted for 43% of the cow isolates. They were also detected on pasture collected from fields both recently and not recently grazed, indicating that grazed pasture is an important pathway and reservoir for horizontal transmission among cows. ST-61 accounted for 9% of the bird isolates and was detected at four of the six sampling events, suggesting that bird populations might contribute to the cycling of ruminant-adapted genotypes on-farm. Overall, the results indicated that management of grazed pasture and supplementary feed contaminated by bird droppings could be targeted to effectively reduce transmission of C. jejuni to dairy herds, the farm environment and ultimately to humans.

scholarly journals Sire Effects on Birth Weight, Gestation Length, and Pre-Weaning Growth of Beef-Cross-Dairy Calves: A Case Study in New Zealand

Dairy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-395
Author(s):  
Lucy Coleman ◽  
Penny Back ◽  
Hugh Blair ◽  
Nicolas López-Villalobos ◽  
Rebecca Hickson
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Beef Breed

Production of beef-cross-dairy calves from dairy cows increases the value of non-replacement calves born to the dairy herd. The use of beef-breed sires may impact on calf birth weight, gestation length and pre-weaning growth rate of calves, which in turn influences the profitability of the dairy farm. The aim of this case study was to compare the birth weight, gestation length, and pre-weaning growth of progeny born to mixed-aged dairy cows on a single farm which were artificially bred to a selection of Angus and Hereford bulls, typical of those used over dairy herds in New Zealand. The birth weight, gestation length and pre-weaning growth of 980 calves sired by 65 sires were compared. Mean progeny birth weight (range 33.3–41.4 kg), gestation length (range 276.1–288.6 days), age at weaning (range 70.3–88.3 days) and pre-weaning ADG (range 0.63–0.76 kg/d) differed among sires (p < 0.001). There was a negative genetic correlation (−0.31) and positive phenotypic correlation (0.36) between gestation length and birth weight. Age at weaning was negatively correlated with birth weight (genetic: −0.56, phenotypic: −0.57). Bulls used in this study, and other bulls with similar genetic merit for birth weight and gestation length would be suitable for mating mixed-aged dairy cows in New Zealand.

Optimizing Tubing and Liner Completion Design to Improve Gas Production from Existing Wells: Case Study for ADNOC Onshore Field Abu Dhabi, UAE

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdy Farouk Fathalla ◽  
Mariam Ahmed Al Hosani ◽  
Ihab Nabil Mohamed ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Al Bairaq ◽  
Djamal Kherroubi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Production ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Gas Wells ◽  
Production Rates ◽  
Liquid Loading ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Well Production ◽  
Well Completion ◽  
The Impact

Abstract An onshore gas field contains several gas wells which have low–intermittent production rates. The poor production has been attributed to liquid loading issue in the wellbore. This study will investigate the impact of optimizing the tubing and liner completion design to improve the gas production rates from the wells. Numerous sensitivity runs are carried out with varying tubing and liner dimensions, to identity optimal downhole completions design. The study begins by identifying weak wells having severe gas production problems. Once the weak wells have been identified, wellbore schematics for those wells are studied. Simulation runs are performed with the current downhole completion design and this will be used as the base case. Several completion designs are considered to minimize the effect of liquid loading in the wells; these include reducing the tubing diameter but keeping the existing liner diameter the same, keeping the original tubing diameter the same but only reducing the liner diameter, extending the tubing to the Total Depth (TD) while keeping the original tubing diameter, and extending a reduced diameter tubing string to the TD. The primary cause of the liquid loading seems to be the reduced velocity of the incoming gas from the reservoir as it flows through the wellbore. A simulation study was performed using the various completion designs to optimize the well completion and achieve higher gas velocities in the weak wells. The results of the study showed significant improvement in gas production rates when the tubing diameter and liner diameter were reduced, providing further evidence that increased velocity of the incoming fluids due to restricted flow led to less liquid loading. The paper demonstrates the impact of downhole completion design on the productivity of the gas wells. The study shows that revisiting the existing completion designs and optimizing them using commercial simulators can lead to significant improvement in well production rates. It is also noted that restricting the flow near the sand face increases the velocity of the incoming fluid and reduces liquid loading in the wells.

scholarly journals Sustainable Water Use Considering Three Hungarian Dairy Farms

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 3145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virág Nagypál ◽  
Edit Mikó ◽  
Cecilia Hodúr
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Productivity Level ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
The Impact

Sustainable water management is one of the biggest challenges in the 21st century as availability of fresh water resources is under depletion. Growing population, extreme weather conditions (drought, fire, flood), and increasing global food demand all result in higher water consumption by humans. Assessing qualitative and quantitative deterioration of fresh water supplies is crucial in water scarcity areas. By identifying blue, green and grey water components, water use can be assessed in a more comprehensive way. Water use assessment on a dairy farm is influenced by several factors such as chosen breed, herd size, keeping, feeding and milking technology. Productivity level of milking cows, amount of daily milking and type of litter (straw or liquid manure) have impact on water use by technology and cattle. If these factors are assessed and their proportion within the total water use is identified or calculated, dairy farmers are able to analyze water management precisely and shift to more sustainable solutions. The aim of this research is to analyze and to compare the impact of different keeping systems, i.e., traditional and modern, and milking technologies, i.e., robotic milking system, parallel and polygon parlors, on the water use of dairy farms to give a guide to dairy experts and to find opportunities where water recycling/reuse might be applicable.

scholarly journals A Retrospective Case Study into the Effect of Hoof Lesions on the Lying Behaviour of Holstein–Friesian in a Loose-Housed System

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1120
Author(s):  
Karen Jiewei Ji ◽  
Richard E. Booth ◽  
Nicola Blackie
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farm ◽  
The Other ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Hoof Lesions ◽  
Retrospective Case Study ◽  
Lying Down ◽  
Mobility Score

The association between hoof lesions and lying behaviour was assessed on a Holstein–Friesian dairy farm in England. Twenty-nine cows were included in the study. Cows with claw horn disruption lesions (CHDL, n = 8), soft tissue lesions (STL, n = 6), and no lesions (NL, n = 15) were assessed. Data were collected on parity, days in milk (DIM), and mobility scores. Cows were trimmed and treated, and lesions were recorded by a professional foot trimmer. Lying behaviour was assessed before and after claw trimming. The milking herd (n = 96) prevalence of lameness was 32.3%. Mobility was scored using the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Mobility Scoring system. Mobility scores were significantly different across lesions groups (p = 0.022). CHDL cows had a mean mobility score of 2.0 ± 0.9 (mean ± SD), STL were scored 1.2 ± 1.3, and NL cows were 0.9 ± 0.7. CHDL were associated with longer lying times (15.00 ± 1.04 h/d; p = 0.0006) and shorter standing times (9.68 ± 2.38 h/d; p = 0.0351) compared with NL lying times (11.77 ± 1.67 h/d) and standing times (12.21 ± 1.67 h/d). STL cows spent significantly less time lying (11.30 ± 2.44; p = 0.0013) than CHDL but not NL cows. No significant differences were found with any of the other lying behaviours. After trimming, CHDL cows spent significantly less time lying down than before trimming (13.66 ± 0.98; p = 0.0125). Cows with NL spent significantly more time lying down (12.57 ± 1.90; p = 0.0398) and had a shorter minimum lying bout duration (0.17 ± 0.09; p = 0.0236) after trimming. In conclusion, lying behaviour in dairy cattle was impacted by type of hoof lesions and hoof trimming.

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