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Study looks at Southland dairy wintering systems

Rural News
Study looks at Southland dairy wintering systems
<p>Indoor or outdoor wintering??</p>

The climate in the winter in Southland is a challenge for wintering dairy cows, and DairyNZ is studying this issue looking for better solutions.

Thin skinned dairy cows standing deep in mud, is not good for man, animal, or the environment.

And yet indoor housing is a sensitive subject, which seems to go against our low cost, all grass system, which has served NZ agriculture well.

An indepth whole farm study will be valuable for the whole industry.

The various types of dairy wintering systems in Southland will be put under the microscope during a three-and-a-half-year study to monitor the impacts they have on cows, farmers and the environment reports the Southland Times. DairyNZ regional scientist Dr Dawn Dalley said the aim was to measure all parts of the wintering systems, including the impact on feed supply, animal health, finances, and staff, as well as environmental monitoring.

"We want to look at a whole-farm system analysis and get a comprehensive data set on wintering systems."The goal was to produce "good robust data" so farmers considering a wintering system could make an informed decision.

Environment Southland representatives were also interested in the results in case there were issues that could be addressed in new plans and policies."What we're not trying to do is say one system is better than the other. "It's more about if you're choosing a system, these are the things you need to be thinking about and to get right to implement successfully."

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