DARCOF · Research > Darcof I > Combinations of cattle and pigs

Combinations of cattle and pigs


The development of organic pig production has moved exceedingly slowly when compared to that for organic milk production. A principal reason for this is that in pig farming it is difficult to arrange a rotation which guar-antees an adequate supply of nitrogen to the fields, and thereby acceptable plant yields.

The objective of this project is therefore to examine the possibilities of achieving a better nutrient balance at the farm level by combining cattle and pigs. Such a system can include a rotation with a relatively large pro-portion of grass/clover, which is an effective nitrogen-fixing crop. The cattle can utilise most of the grass/clover and be held on a low intake of home-grown concentrates, such that the more concentrated feeds are reserved for the pigs.

This project describes the productivity, economy, nutrient management, and energy consumption in relation to feeding level, feed supply and stocking rate. The calculations are made on the basis of systems analyses relating to organic cattle and pig production. Through these analyses a computer model is being constructed which throws light on relationships in different systems, ranging from exclusively cattle herds to exclusively pig herds, as well as different combinations of the two species, with the corresponding variation in the pro-portion of grass/clover in the rotation. Existing simulations and planning models are used to reinforce the calculations. The model is based partly on experimental results from this project and partly on the results of farm studies and other research projects relating to organic farming. In addition, various experimental studies are being carried out which will help to throw light on important sub-elements of a combined system. These investigations, which are mainly being conducted at Rugballegaard, are focusing on:

  • the intake and utilisation of silage and fresh grass by sows

  • the influence on the production, reproduction, health and nutrient utilisation in cows, as well as milk qual-ity, of feeding without or with limited amounts of concentrates, compared to normal amounts of concen-trates fed together with fresh or ensiled grass/clover

  • grazing systems in which cattle and pigs graze separately or together, and the effect of these systems on pasture consumption, pasture growth, production and quality, as well as the impact of parasites in the cattle and pigs

  • the use of alkanes as markers to estimate the intake and selection of pasture plants, as well as the di-gestibility of the pasture consumed by cattle and pigs.

Summary
Publications


Project title
II.8 Combinations of cattle and pigs in organic animal production systems

Project leader
Verner Friis Kristensen, Danish Institute of Agricultural Science, Department of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Research Centre Foulum, P.O. Box 50, DK 8830 Tjele
Tel: +45 8999 1385, Fax: +45 8999 1919
E-mail: VernerFriis.Kristensen@agrsci.dk

Project participants
Viggo Danielsen, Jakob Sehested, Troels Kristensen and Karen Søegaard, Danish Institute of Agricultural Science
Peter Nansen and Allan Roepstorff, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University