Southwest Research CenterPasture-Based Seasonal Dairy

Joint effort of MU, allied industries andcommercial producers

“Insanity: Doing the same thing the same way over

and over again,and expecting to get

different results”

- Albert Einstein

The Situation

Permits Issued to Grade A and

Manufacturing Dairies in Missouri

The Reasons

SocialEconomic

Environmental

Dairying is 24/7/365

Dairying is 24/7/365

Is seasonal dairying forYOU?

Standard Lactation Curve

Non-Seasonal Dairy

Seasonal Dairy

Pros and Cons of Seasonal Dairying

Some of the “Pros” are also “Cons” and some of the “Cons” are “Pros”

Concentration of:CalvingCalf RearingBreeding

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Grouping of calves calving concentrated to 2 mo period

Cons Grouping of calves many calves in short time period

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Grouping of calves calving concentrated to 2 mo period no year-round bottle feeding

Cons Grouping of calves many calves in short time period feeding many more at a time

Mob Fed

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Grouping of calves calving concentrated to 2 mo period no year-round bottle feeding can group bull calves

Cons Grouping of calves many calves in short time period feeding many more at a time need more facilities

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Grouping of calves calving concentrated to 2 mo period no year-round bottle feeding can group bull calves replacements all similar size and age

Cons Grouping of calves many calves in short time period feeding many more at a time need more facilities need larger facilities

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Group breeding no year-round heat detection and breeding

Cons Group breeding very intensive heat detection and breeding

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Group breeding no year-round heat detection and breeding bull needed only 45-60 days

Cons Group breeding very intensive heat detection and breeding maintaining “idle” bull for 10 mo

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Group breeding no year-round heat detection and breeding bull needed only 45-60 days

Cons Group breeding very intensive heat detection and breeding maintaining “idle” bull for 10 mo late breeders must be culled

Timely, efficient breeding isessential to the success of a

seasonal dairy

Timely, efficient breeding isessential to the success of a

seasonal dairy

Synchronization and AI

Timely, efficient breeding isessential to the success of a

seasonal dairy

Synchronization and AI“Clean-up” bull

Timely, efficient breeding isessential to the success of a

seasonal dairy

Synchronization and AI“Clean-up” bull

HEAT DETECTION

Heat Detection Aids

Heat Detection Aids

Heat Detection Aids

Heat Detection Aids

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Cows all dry for 2 mo

Cons No milk check for 2 mo

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Cows all dry for 2 mo Time for repairs/ renovations

Cons No milk check for 2 mo Milk permit may need renewal or re-inspection

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Cows all dry for 2 mo Time for repairs/ renovations Time for vacation

Cons No milk check for 2 mo Milk permit may need renewal or re-inspection

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Cows all dry for 2 mo Time for repairs/ renovations Time for vacation Time off to think and plan for the future

Cons No milk check for 2 mo Milk permit may need renewal or re-inspection

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Herd health needs are more uniform

Cons

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Herd health needs are more uniform Forage availability more uniform to cows at similar stage of lactation

Cons

Seasonal Dairying

Pros Herd health needs are more uniform Forage availability more uniform to cows at similar stage of lactation Decreased wear-and- tear on equipment

Cons

“When should I calve?”

Spring vs Fall calving

Fall calving

Advantages: Milk prices historically higher

Fall calving

Advantages: Milk prices historically higher Cows dry during hot summer months (also when kids out of school)

Fall calving

Advantages: Milk prices historically higher Cows dry during hot summer months (also when kids out of school) Breeding during cooler weather

Fall calving

Disadvantages: Cow’s nutritional requirements are highest at time when forage availability and quality is at its lowest

Fall calving

Disadvantages: Cow’s nutritional requirements are highest at time when forage availability and quality is at its lowest Milking through coldest months

Spring calving

Advantages: Peak forage availability and quality coincides with peak milk production and nutritional requirements

Spring calving

Advantages: Peak forage availability and quality coincides with peak milk production and nutritional requirements Cows are dry when forage is low

Spring calving

Advantages: Peak forage availability and quality coincides with peak milk production and nutritional requirements Cows are dry when forage is low Not milking during coldest months

February 22, 2001

Spring calving

Advantages: Peak forage availability and quality coincides with peak milk production and nutritional requirements Cows are dry when forage is low Not milking during coldest months Can have Christmas and New Years off, take a winter vacation to warmer climates

Spring calving

Disadvantages: Breeding as weather starts to turn hot

Spring calving

Disadvantages: Breeding as weather starts to turn hot Lower milk price in spring

“But what will happen to ournation’s milk supply if everyone

goes seasonal?”

“But what will happen to ournation’s milk supply if everyone

goes seasonal?”

Beef is seasonalNot everyone who goes seasonal will choose the same season

Two critical factors:

Financial planning declining milk check after peak, then NO milk check for 2 months some lenders are willing to pro-rate payments based on milk check

Must get cows bred in “window”

So…

Is seasonal dairying for you?

Double 10 Modified New Zealand Parabone

Why Choose a NZ Style Parabone Milking Parlor

Milk in 1.5 hours or lessHigh through-put

3-4 turns per hour 1 person per 14 milking clusters

Low maintenanceLow-cost, readily available used equipment

Double 10 parabone

Double 27 parabone

Capital Investments

1.11 tractor/loader .61 tractor 1.08 brush hog .22 skidsteer 1.05 truck .64 manure spreader .28 blade .25 post hole digger .58 mower/haybine

.5 rake .38 baler .64 ATV .25 seeder .08 bale wrapper .47 wagon .42 trailer .22 bale grabber .33 tillage equipment

Investment less than $50,000

Water Available in Each Paddock

$250 Portable Shade

Portable Shade

Doubles as Windbreak!

Winter Position