Publication Date
1997
Description
Milk production from grazed irrigated pasture is an important industry in south eastern Australia. Irrigation water is essential for perennial pastures, but the efficiency with which the irrigation water is used to produce milk varies widely between farms. As irrigation water is a limiting resource, future productivity increases will depend on increasing the amount of milk produced per unit of water applied. This research project estimates metabolisable energy utilised from grazed pasture, using energy values for animal requirements, products and feedstuffs. Efficiency criteria, in terms of production per hectare of irrigated pasture, per megalitre of irrigation water, and per cow were calculated. Data were obtained from a large random sample of farms by personal interview. Production benchmarks were established, and best management practices for water-use efficiency were derived from analyses of farm practices, especially irrigation, pasture and grazing management.
Citation
Pritchard, K E.; Gyles, O A.; Armstrong, D P.; and Spiteri, S L., "Production Efficiency Benchmarks for Irrigated Dairying in South Eastern Australia" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 39.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/39
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Production Efficiency Benchmarks for Irrigated Dairying in South Eastern Australia
Milk production from grazed irrigated pasture is an important industry in south eastern Australia. Irrigation water is essential for perennial pastures, but the efficiency with which the irrigation water is used to produce milk varies widely between farms. As irrigation water is a limiting resource, future productivity increases will depend on increasing the amount of milk produced per unit of water applied. This research project estimates metabolisable energy utilised from grazed pasture, using energy values for animal requirements, products and feedstuffs. Efficiency criteria, in terms of production per hectare of irrigated pasture, per megalitre of irrigation water, and per cow were calculated. Data were obtained from a large random sample of farms by personal interview. Production benchmarks were established, and best management practices for water-use efficiency were derived from analyses of farm practices, especially irrigation, pasture and grazing management.
