Analysis of the effect of different organic dairy farming systems in Bavaria on standardized values of milk yield, fertility and metabolic health

The aim of this study was to examine standardized milk yield, metabolism and fertility parameters in organic dairy farming for correlations to different husbandry systems. For this purpose, data related to milk yielding provided eleven times a year by the Landeskuratorium der Erzeugerringe fur tierische Veredelung in Bayern e. V. (LKV) for the period 2015-2017 were available. Fifty-six organic dairy farms of the Naturland association in the Bavarian Alpine foothills [31 Tie-stall farms with grazing (AH+W), 18 free stall housing systems with grazing (LS+W), 7 free stall housing systems with free-range area (LS+A)] were analysed. Herd size, milk yield and milk constituents, non-return rate at 90 days, calving to first-service interval and calving interval, as well as the proportion of cows at risk of ketosis were compared. Focus of the study was the year 2017, as data of the staple feed was available for this year. The calculated energy density of the staple feed in summer was similar between the housing systems, but in winter it was lower for AH+W farms than for LS+W and LS+A. LS+A farms showed significantly higher milk yield (p < 0.001) and a lower proportion of cows at risk of ketosis in 2017. Compared to AH+W farms, cows in LS+W and LS+A farms had a shorter calving interval. It can be deduced that free stall housing systems without grazing are more intensive and thus achieve better performance than farms whose cows consume a major part of the ration grazing in summer. In conclusion, the present study was able to show correlations between different housing systems in or, ianic dairy farming and milk yield, ketosis risk and fertility.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the correlations between different husbandry systems in organic dairy farming and milk yield, ketosis risk, and fertility. The results showed that free stall housing systems with free-range area achieved the highest milk yield and lowest ketosis risk in 2017.