Systemic enablers and barriers to extending the productive life of dairy cows in Switzerland

Abstract

Research has shown that the economic and ecological optimum productive life of dairy cows is between six and seven lactations, but the current average length in Switzerland, and many other countries, is approximately half that figure. Reasons for culling can be unplanned, such as illness, or planned, such as to achieve breeding goals, but the reasons for the sub-optimal length of productive life are not fully understood. The aim of this study is to investigate systemic barriers to, and enablers of, the extension of the length of productive life of dairy cows in Switzerland. To address this aim, we focused on the power of actor groups in the incumbent system to induce change. We analysed the content of 29 interviews with industry experts, including practising vets, agricultural advisors, breeders' organisations, farmers' organisations, dairies and retailers, government officials, and agricultural educators. The results indicate that vets, advisors, and breeders' organisations have key resources, which could potentially be mobilized to achieve an optimal length of productive life. These resources include their relationships to farmers (human resource), their knowledge, information/data, and strategy (mental resources), and the breeding value (artefactual resource). However, the incumbent system is inflexible, which hinders individual industry actors to facilitate change. Collaborative reflection at industry level, led by breeders' associations, vets, and advisors, may create the conditions to create change and enable an optimization of the productive life of dairy cows in Switzerland.