Research and educational support for organic dairy farming in the South

Research and educational support for organic dairy farming in the South

Summary

Beginning in the fall of 2009, a number of practices related to organic dairying have been initiated as part of the overall project. At the research site at CEFS in NC, the fall calving herd of approximately 150 Holstein, Jersey, and crossbred cows has been split into herds with cows managed conventionally and with cows managed using organically compatible strategies. Although not certified as organic primarily because of supplemental feeds and transition of pastures, one group of cows receives alternative interventions for maintaining udder health and are pastured on fields managed using organic practices. A forage trial using alfalfa with and without prairiegrass was initiated in 2009 with a second replicate in 2010. These are managed both organically and conventionally as small plots managed as hay and larger plots managed for grazing. Alfalfa weevil control was by early grazing or harvest in organic plots and by use of insecticides in conventional plots. Weeds are controlled by grazing or clipping and/or by chemical control in conventional plots. Stands will be monitored for persistence as well as indicators of yield and quality. Alternative dry cow treatments were examined at dry off in both 2009 and 2010 and compared to conventional antibiotic intervention. Use of an herbal dry-off treatment was not as effective as a conventional treatment at curing existing infections and preventing dry period infections, but it was more effective than no treatment at preventing new infections during the dry period. A field study was conducted in summer of 2010 to document prevalence of various mastitic organisms in 14 pasture-based NC herds, 7 of which were certified organic (6) or managed organically (1). Despite differences in herd management, milk culture results and somatic cell scores (SCS) were remarkably similar between organic and conventional NC dairies compared for that study. In AR in 2010, three conventionally managed herds (2 dairy, 1 beef) were used to determine efficacy of a repellant to reduce horn fly populations. The dust formulation was not effective at reducing horn flies other than transiently. A follow-up study using two doses of the regular formulation was a formulation with low volatility did not reduce flies below an economic threshold. Information about these on-going studies was shared informally with a number of tour groups and at the 2010 meetings of the American Dairy Science Association (Denver, CO), the American Forage and Grassland Council (Springfield, MO), and the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference and Organic Dairy Field Day (Wytheville, VA).

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. Monitor 8 to 10 organic dairy herds total in Arkansas and North Carolina to document types, efficacy, and implications on profitability of changes in practices for organic forage production, feeding, animal health, and management.

This objective has been a challenge because of the loss of the organic milk market in AR. However, some work is being done with strategies to improve control of horn flies in both AR and NC. We are interacting with 6 organic dairy producers in NC on various management strategies.

2. Conduct a multi disciplinary systems-based research trial with allocations of pasture areas and cattle to be managed organically in comparison to comparable conventionally managed land and cattle at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in North Carolina. Various aspects of pasture management and animal management including production, reproduction, and herd health will be monitored within the two systems across the term of the project.

This objective is being implemented and data are being collected. An alfalfa-grass experiment using conventional and organic practices is being conducted by a Masters student under the guidance of two of the investigators. Pending loss of support for a position in forage agronomy may limit achievements in this area over a longer period.

3. Applied research to evaluate organic treatments for mastitis (NC) and alternative methods of parasite control (AR) will be conducted on cooperating organic dairy farms. Demonstrations to potentially improve organic pasture and forage production will be conducted on cooperating farms in both states.

Studies associated with this objective have been very active with one PhD student working on alternative udder health management strategies involving several organic and conventional pasture-based herds in NC.

4. Provide dairy advisors and organic dairy producers with management information, recommendations, and develop a resource network to support the emerging organic dairy industry in the South.

Interaction with extension agents, organic producers, and conventional dairy producers about concepts and issues involving organic dairy production at various educational events is being accomplished.

Accomplishments/Milestones

This R&E project has generated much interest within and beyond the region. Presentations have been made at the 2010 national meetings of ADSA and the American Forage and Grassland Council as well as at the 8th Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference and Organic Dairy Field Day in Wytheville, VA.

Mullen, K. A. E., K. L. Anderson, and S. P. Washburn. 2010. Effectiveness of an herbal remedy compared to control or traditional therapy in dry off treatments. J. Dairy Sci. 93: E Suppl 1. p 81
http://adsa.asas.org/meetings/2010/abstracts/0081.pdf

Balz, Eileen, Sue Ellen Johnson, and Steven Washburn. 2010. Binary Mixtures of Alfalfa and Prairiegrass under Conventional and Organic Management. (3 pp) in: Proceedings and Abstracts of the American Forage and Grassland Council, Springfield, MO, June 21-23, 2010.

Washburn, Steven P. 2010. Concepts in pasture-based dairy farming. (12pp) in: Proceedings for 8th Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference and Organic Dairy Field Day, Wytheville, VA. October 11-13, 2010.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This project is one of the first to deal with organic dairy farm systems in the South. The few organic producers that have become certified in the South have done so in the absence of regional research information to guide them. Investigators with this project are learning from and with current organic dairy producers as we accumulate information to those who will follow in organic dairy production. The involvement of the organic producers in NC has been critical in developing the project and they serve as field laboratories for continued investigation. Unfortunately, organic dairy producers in AR lost their market as this project commenced. However, using organic principles, studies are being conducted in both states that should lead to increased practical knowledge in organic dairy production systems applicable to the region.

Collaborators: