This project focuses on an integrated approach to reduce CH4 and NH3 on dairy farms, with changes in grassland management as a measure. For 12 pilot farms using with grazing cattle, the current efficiency and corresponding CH4 and NH3 emissions were calculated. This was done using Annual Nutrient Cycle Assessment (ANCA), applying adapted emission factors for CH4 (A), simulating single (B) and combined (C) effects of farm characteristics and management strategies on emissions. This overview shows that increasing grazing hours and increasing fresh grass intake can contribute to simultaneous reduction of CH4 and NH3 on dairy farms. The crude protein level of additional roughage feeding plays an important role in reducing NH3 emission. This effect depends on whether the farmer corrects for the protein content of other feed components. Also, when reducing crude protein level of additional roughage feeding, regular analysis of fresh grass can play an important role in reducing NH3 emission. To use ANCA as a simulating and predicting tool for CH4 emission, an updated and well substantiated emission factor is essential.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of two contrasting grazing systems, strip-grazing and kurzrasen, at a high stocking rate on herbage intake and milk production and quality on a peat meadow. Additionally, we assessed the effect of the level of crude protein (CP) fed in concentrate on milk production and N use efficiency. Even at the relatively high stocking rates, cows still achieved substantial fresh grass intake (on average >6 kg dry matter cow−1 day−1) from both systems. Despite the lower level of gross grass production under kurzrasen management, the difference in milk production between kurzrasen and strip-grazing was small and non-significant. Feeding concentrate with a lower CP level, had no negative impact on milk yield, provided that the CP content of the total ration remained above ~150 g kg−1 DM and milk urea content was above ~18 mg 100 g−1 milk. Reducing the CP content in the concentrate significantly increased the N use efficiency, and both were strongly related to the milk urea content. Therefore, optimising the use of milk urea as a management tool on dairy farms, also during the grazing season, could reduce N losses to the environment, while maintaining productivity.

Grass intake while grazing has been a large unknown factor in feeding strategy of dairy cows. Within the Amazing Grazing project, during the grazing season of 2019 grazing activity of the herd of 5 farms was recorded. Sensors were used to estimate daily grass intake per herd during the period cows were in the paddock. A pilot was performed to test (1) whether it was possible to collect all required data and calculate the estimated grass intake at herd level on a daily basis and (2) to find out how the farmers experienced this parameter in terms of reliability, accuracy, availability and added value in their management. Overall the added value was acknowledged by the farmers and further development was encouraged.

Due to the increased herd size in the Netherlands, there is need to assess the performance of different grazing systems at high stocking densities. The objective of the current experiment was to assess the effect of two extreme grazing systems, kurzrasen (continuous grazing at 3–5 cm sward height) and strip-grazing at a high stocking rate, on grass production and quality, grass morphology and sward density, root development and load bearing capacity on peat soil. To this end, a two-year grazing trial with four herds of 15 cows on 2 ha each was conducted. Kurzrasen showed 18% lower herbage dry matter production on average compared to strip-grazing. The yield penalty of using a shorter regrowth period under kurzrasen was limited due to the strong response in grass morphology, resulting in a dense and lamina-rich sward. There was a small decline in root density at 10 cm soil depth, but no evidence of a lower root density at 20 cm soil depth for kurzrasen compared to strip-grazing. Sward density was higher for kurzrasen compared to strip-grazing, which had a positive impact on load bearing capacity. This is an important feature on peat soils, where load bearing capacity is often limited.

Goed weiden verlaagt de productiekosten van melk en draagt bij aan het positieve imago van de melkveehouderij. Maar beweiden is wel een vak! Om dit vak beter uit te kunnen oefenen zet het Bouwstenenboek Beweiding nieuwe kennis uit Amazing Grazing op een rij.

In many intensive dairy regions in northwest Europe, a decline in grazing is observed. In the Netherlands, the proportion of dairy cows with access to pasture is declining, as well as the time spent grazing per cow. The decline in grazing is seen as an unwanted trend by many stakeholders and is, thus, under debate amongst dairy farmers, the dairy chain, and society. Therefore, a public–private partnership was initiated to encourage grazing by providing farmers with usable means of improving their grazing systems. The partnership involved stakeholders from the dairy farming community, dairy and feed industry, agrotechnical industries, advisory services, and research. The objective of this partnership was to develop and stimulate technological innovations and management measures that increase fresh grass intake at pasture. The innovation network combined an integrated research approach with farmer working groups and broader stakeholder interactive meetings. The project started with a comprehensive grass intake framework, which was the foundation for exploration of innovations. The framework consisted of six interlinked components: soil, grass growth, grass supply, grass intake, feed supplementation, and cow behavior. In a continuous interactive cycle, strategic choices were made to focus on potentially effective innovations. The use of a public–private partnership to develop usable innovations that encourage grazing practices proven to be a good approach to develop a shared vision among stakeholders. It provided a basis to work together toward innovative practices and to disseminate the outcomes to the foreseen users. The approach succeeded in design concepts for two specific innovations, i.e., weekly grass growth predictions and daily fresh grass intake tracking. We demonstrated that meaningful grazing and fresh grass intake are possible in intensive dairy systems with high stocking rates and high levels of supplementary feeding.

Na gras is snijmaïs het belangrijkste gewas voor de melkveehouderij. Dit handboek beschrijft de actuele stand van zaken over teelt, oogst, voeding en economie van snijmaïs.