Latest Blogs
See More
A recent study published in the Journal of Dairy Science investigates the impact of summer forage shortages on dairy systems, comparing traditional semi-mountainous grass-based systems with corn-based systems incorporating part-time grazing. The research involved a 19-week experiment with 40 cows divided into four balanced groups, assessing milk yield, feed efficiency, methane emissions, and cheese quality.
Key findings include:
Milk Production & Feed Efficiency: Reducing grazed grass in grass-based diets maintained milk yield and improved feed efficiency, while complete removal of grazed grass in corn-based systems impaired feed efficiency without affecting milk production.
Methane Emissions: Grass-based systems with reduced grazing showed lower methane emission intensity compared to corn-based systems.
Cheese Quality: Cheese from cows fed more grazed grass was softer, more yellow, and had pronounced flavors, attributed to higher levels of α<sub>S1</sub>-casein and β-casein breakdown, and increased counts of beneficial lactic acid bacteria.
The study concludes that maintaining fresh herbage in corn-based diets is crucial for preserving cheese quality without compromising animal performance. In grass-based systems, supplementing with indoor feeding can sustain animal performance with limited effects on product quality.
Industry Insight:
This research underscores the importance of adaptive feeding strategies in dairy farming, particularly in the face of climate-induced forage shortages. For Indian dairy stakeholders, integrating grass-based feeding practices could enhance sustainability, improve product quality, and reduce environmental impact.
Source : Dairynews7x7 MAy 12th 2025
