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GrazyDaiSy: Innovative and sustainable grazing-based systems integrating cows and youngstock

{Project} GrazyDaiSy: GrazyDaiSy: Innovative and sustainable grazing-based systems integrating cows and youngstock. Runs 2018 - 2012. Project Leader(s): Dickhoefer, Prof. Uta; Bokkers, Dr. Eddie; Bareille, Prof. Nathalie; Vaarst, Dr. Mette; Ak, Prof. Ibrahim; Sørheim, Dr. Kristin; Walczak, Dr. Jacek; Griese, Dr. Sigrid; Helms, Mr. Mads and Droscha, Dr. Anne, Aarhus University .

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Summary

Introduction
Organic animal rearing focuses on allowing animals to meet natural requirements, and considering a systems approach. There are still many knowledge gaps and areas – like separating cows and calves just after birth – where common practice do not match the organic principles fully. The project covers most European climate zones, from the coldest North to the hottest South.
GrazyDaiSy investigates how to manage mixed age groups of cows, including rearing calves with their dams, whilst maintaining a high level of health and a constant effort to minimize medication. Furthermore, we focus on implementing resilient grazing strategies to improve animal performance and decrease impacts on the ecosystem on and around the farm. However, we also address the special challenges of keeping older and younger animals together on grass.
The project aims to encourage grazing and improve grazing management, rearing cows and calves together, and minimizing medicine use.
Background
Specialized dairy production even on organic farms relies on imported concentrate feed and the possibility to use of antibiotics and anthelminthic. Most calves are removed from their dam within the first 24 hrs. after birth. All this happens despite emphasis on naturalness and letting animals meet their natural needs and become robust and resilient.
Main project activities
Identifying and improving relevant organic grazing strategies under different European conditions.
Researching on farm level, together with farmers, advisors and stakeholders.
Developing resilient animals and sustainable management systems to decrease medicine usage.
Aiming at considering animal rearing in a farming systems context and taking a holistic systems approach.
Exchanging knowledge and learning between European regions and countries.
Investigating the motivations and perceptions of farmers and their advisors.
Developing ways where cows and calves can bond, spend weeks of the milk-feeding period together, and de-bond gently afterwards.


EPrint Type:Project description
Location:Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, France, Norway, Estonia, Poland, Turkey
Keywords:Calf-dam rearing, medicine reduction, grazing strategies, youngstock
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
calf feeding
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_9bf4fb86
English
medicines -> drugs
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2395
English
grazing management -> grazing systems
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_3367
English
young animals
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_8489
Subjects: Animal husbandry > Production systems > Dairy cattle
Farming Systems > Farm economics
Values, standards and certification > Assessment of impacts and risks
Farming Systems > Social aspects
Environmental aspects > Air and water emissions
Animal husbandry > Health and welfare
Farming Systems > Buildings and machinery
Values, standards and certification > Consumer issues
Knowledge management > Education, extension and communication
Farming Systems > Farm nutrient management
Values, standards and certification > Regulation
Research affiliation: Denmark > AU - Aarhus University
Estonia > Estonian University of Life Sciences
European Union > CORE Organic > CORE Organic Cofund > GrazyDaiSy
Turkey > Uludag University
Netherlands > Louis Bolk Institute
Estonia
France
Norway > NORSØK - Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture
Poland
Germany > University of Hohenheim
Netherlands > Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
Denmark > Other organizations
Research funders: Denmark
Estonia
France
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Turkey
Germany > University of Hohenheim
Related Links:https://projects.au.dk/coreorganiccofund/core-organic-cofund-projects/grazydaisy
Acronym:GrazyDaiSy
Project ID:CORE Organic
Start Date:1 April 2018
End Date:31 March 2012
Deposited By: Vaarst, Dr. Mette
ID Code:33999
Deposited On:23 Oct 2018 04:46
Last Modified:25 Jan 2023 12:47

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