Advancing Grass-fed Dairy: A Whole-Systems Approach to Enhancing Productivity, Quality, and Farm Viability in the US
Project Director
Heather M. Darby
Year Funded
2018
Award Number
2018-51300-28515
Funded Institution
University of Vermont
Grant Program
OREI (Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative)
USDA NIFA Report
Project Overview
Soaring demand for organic 100% grass-fed (OGF) dairy products has impelled organic dairy farmers to attempt transition to OGF. Current and aspiring OGF producers face challenges in maintaining the quantity and quality of forage needed to sustain milk production and meet this demand while managing costs for economic viability.
This project aimed to identify critical OGF management practices to optimize herd and environmental health, economic viability, milk quality, and marketing success. Studies included:
(1) A survey of 167 OGF dairy farmers to identify current production practices, producer knowledge, and agronomic and socioeconomic factors impacting milk production.
(2) Production and economic benchmarking with about 30 farms.
(3) Whole-farm nutrient balancing and fertilizer trials on a few selected farms.
(4) Forage trials and rumen simulation studies to identify forages that enhance production and reduce environmental impacts.
(5) Milk quality evaluation by tasting panel.
Farmer Takeaways
(1) Healthy soil, sound grazing management, and high-quality mixed-species forages are critical for animal health, milk production and quality, and may reduce methane emissions.
(2) Organic grass-fed dairy operations have higher forage and pasture requirements (~7 acres/cow) than other systems that include feed grain or purchased forages.
(3) 100% grass-fed dairy operations may incur soil nutrient deficits over time unless nutrients (poultry litter, forage, etc.) are imported from off-farm sources.
(4) Annual crops like pearl millet, sorghum-sudan, and cool-season cereal grains can provide high biomass and high-quality forages during shoulder seasons and “summer slump.”
Project Outputs
Grass-Fed Dairy: Opportunities and Challenges in this Rapidly Growing Market | eOrganic Webinar
Grass-Fed Dairy Research Roundup | eOrganic Webinar
Organic Grass Fed Dairy: Demographics, Management, and Cost of Production | eOrganic Webinar
Grass-Fed Dairy Online Course | University of Vermont Extension
Snider, M. A., Ziegler, S. E., Darby, H. M., Soder, K. J., Brito, A. F., Beidler, B., Flack, S., Greenwood, S. L., & Niles, M. T. 2022. “An overview of organic, grassfed dairy farm management and factors related to higher milk production.” Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 37(6), 624–632.