Ergebnisse zur saisonalen Low-Input Vollweidehaltung von Milchkühen im österreichischen Berggebiet

Summary

In a research project six dairy farms (5 organic, 1 low input) in mountainous regions of
Austria were supervised in converting to a seasonal low-input dairy production system
based on grazing. Within an observation period of three years (October 1st, 2004 –
September 30th, 2007) a strict annual cycle in milk production and reproduction could
be implemented on two farms only. In average a pasture proportion of 42 % (26–61
%) of the total feeding ration per year could be determined, depending on the farm
specific conditions and the implementation level of this low input strategy. On four
farms, which fed low amounts of supplemental feeds, a pasture proportion of 50 % of
the total feeding ration was realized. With an input of only 470 kg DM concentrate (8
% of DM intake) per cow and year a milk performance of 5.837 kg with 4.1 % fat and
3.3 % protein was achieved. The results clearly indicate that the full grazing strategy
with seasonal calving is feasible in Austria for animal health reasons. The project
farms realized an average value of 0.29 Euro of payments free of direct charge per kg
milk and 1.640 Euro per cow.