The trend of dairy farmers turning to housed systems for cow’s milk production is gaining momentum in Australia. Approximately 20% of the country’s cow’s milk now originates from intensive or housed systems, with expectations that this figure could double in the next two decades. Instead of traditional grazing paddocks, cows are now housed in large sheds or feed pads where they are provided with a high-nutrition diet comprising grains and hay.
One such example is Neil Jolliffe, a dairy farmer who invested $2.7 million in a large open shed to accommodate his 300 milking cows in southern New South Wales. This massive shed, equivalent to two-thirds the size of a rugby league football ground, offers a comfortable environment for cows to move freely, lounge on compost bedding, and access feed and water conveniently. Jolliffe highlights the positive impact on cow welfare and the significant increase in milk production since transitioning to this housed system.
The shift towards housed systems is not isolated but reflects an industry-wide trend. Dairy Australia’s Alicia Richters notes that factors like water scarcity and climate variability are driving farmers to adopt these systems, particularly in inland regions where water availability is a concern. However, she emphasizes that grazing pastures will remain a vital component of dairy production, especially in regions where grass growth is productive.
While housed systems offer benefits in terms of production efficiency, concerns about animal welfare have been raised. RSPCA Australia’s Natalie Roadknight advocates for cows to have access to pasture, emphasizing that confinement indoors could negatively impact their well-being. She points out potential challenges in housed systems such as higher rates of mastitis and lameness due to increased stocking densities and competition among cows.
Dr. Roadknight calls for legislation to regulate certain practices used in housed systems overseas, like tying cows up to stalls, to ensure better animal welfare standards in Australian dairy farming. Despite the growing popularity of housed systems, there remains a diversity of opinions within the industry, with some farmers opting to maintain traditional grazing practices due to the productivity of their grass-based systems.
The evolving landscape of dairy farming in Australia underscores the complex interplay between production efficiency, animal welfare considerations, and environmental factors. As the industry continues to adapt to changing conditions and consumer demands, dairy farmers are faced with the challenge of balancing modern production methods with ethical and sustainable practices to meet the needs of a dynamic market.
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