Evaluating the economic and production benefit of removing dairy cows from pastures in response to wet soil conditions

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis study used the DairyNZ Whole Farm Model to assess the cost–benefit of duration-controlled grazing (DCG) to reduce the time dairy cows spend on pastures with high soil water content. Within the model, grazing duration was reduced from 21 hours down to 17, 13 or 0 hours when soil moisture was above a critical water content. Scenario farms encompassed four climatic regions of New Zealand and two soil types. Regardless of region, soil type or grazing duration, implementation of DCG was not profitable except in one single instance. Furthermore, increased pasture production in response to DCG was minimal due to poor pasture management. Farms located on poorly drained soils experienced more wet days per year, thereby increasing the frequency of standoff pad use and higher operational costs. Results indicate that any financial benefit that was gained from protecting imperfectly drained and poorly drained soils through DCG was diminished by a high capital repayment and operational cost associated with the off-paddock facility.