Evaluation of Fodder Systems for Organic Dairy Cattle to Improve Livestock Efficiency
[no_toc]Investigator
Bradley Heins, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota
West Central Research and Outreach Center
46352 State Hwy 329
Morris, MN 56267
320-589-1711
[email protected]
Collaborators
James Paulson, M.S., University of Minnesota Extension, Rochester, MN
Project Period: 2013-2016
Report Submitted: January 2017
Problem addressed
The number of organic dairies has been steadily growing during the past decade in the United States and the Midwest. However, current research and extension programs do not adequately support the needs of the increasing number of organic dairies, and scientific research on feeding fodder to organic dairy cattle is lacking. There is renewed interest in fodder systems for dairy production systems. As organic grain prices have remained high and organic alfalfa hay in short supply because of drought conditions across the United States, producers are looking for information about fodder sprouting systems to supply essential nutrients to dairy cattle.
Project Objective
The overall objective of the project is to evaluate the milk production potential and economics of feeding fodder to organic lactating dairy cattle. We will deliver organic best management practices for fodder production systems to organic dairy cows through learning opportunities via workshops, field days, conferences, and scholarly articles.