Effects of grazing platform stocking rate on productivity and profitability of pasture-based dairying in a fragmented farm scenario.

Summary

This three-year whole-farm systems study examined how farm fragmentation affects pasture-based dairy production, comparing four spring-calving systems with identical overall stocking rates (2.5 cows/ha) but varying grazing platform areas and thus grazing platform stocking rates. Although milk production per cow and total herbage production remained similar across stocking rates, increased farm fragmentation raised production costs and reduced profitability, with higher GPSR requiring increased reliance on ensiled herbage from distant non-grazing platform areas. The findings suggest that on fragmented pasture-based dairy farms, the economic cost of fragmentation increases with stocking rate intensity on the grazing platform.

UK applicability

This research is directly applicable to United Kingdom pasture-based dairy farming, where farm fragmentation is common due to historical land tenure patterns and land availability constraints. The findings provide quantified evidence on the profitability trade-offs of intensifying grazing platform stocking rates on fragmented holdings, informing farm management and planning decisions for UK dairy producers.

Key measures

Grazing platform stocking rate (GPSR: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 cows/ha); annual herbage production; milk production per cow and per hectare; proportion of grazed herbage in diet; costs of production; profitability modelling

Outcomes reported

The study measured milk production per cow and per hectare, herbage production, diet composition (grazed versus ensiled herbage), and economic profitability across four systems with varying grazing platform stocking rates (GPSR) on fragmented farms. Results showed that higher GPSR reduced the proportion of grazed herbage in the diet and increased production costs, with farm fragmentation lowering overall profitability.

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