An economic comparison of pasture-based production systems differing in sward type and cow genotype

摘要

The objective of this study was to compare the economicperformance of 2 sward types [perennial ryegrass(PRG; Lolium perenne L.) sown with or without whiteclover (Trifolium repens L.)] grazed by 3 cow genotypes.Physical performance data were collected from a 4-yrsystems experiment based at Clonakilty AgriculturalCollege, Clonakilty, Co. Cork, Ireland. The experimentcompared 2 sward types (PRG-only swards andPRG–white clover swards), with each sward type beinggrazed by cows from 3 genotypes [Holstein-Friesian(HF), Jersey × HF (JEX), and Norwegian Red × JEX(3-way)]. All systems were stocked at 2.75 cows/hawith fixed fertilizer applications and concentrate supplementation.The data supplied 6 production systems(2 sward types × 3 cow genotypes). The productionsystems were modeled using the Moorepark Dairy SystemsModel (stochastic budgetary simulation model)under 2 scenarios, one in which land area was fixed andone in which cow numbers were fixed. The analysis wascompleted across a range of milk prices, calf prices, andreseeding programs. The analysis showed that in thefixed-land scenario with a milk price of €0.29/L, addingwhite clover to PRG swards increased profitability by€305/ha. In the same fixed-land scenario, JEX cowswere most profitable (€2,606/ha), followed by 3-way(€2,492/ha) and HF (€2,468/ha) cows. In the fixed-cowscenario, net profit per cow was €128 greater for PRG–white clover swards compared with PRG-only swards.In this scenario, JEX was the most profitable per cow(€877), followed by HF (€855) and 3-way (€831). Thesystem that produced the highest net profit was JEXcows grazing PRG–white clover swards (€2,751/ha).Regardless of reseeding frequency or variations in calfvalue, JEX cows grazing PRG–white clover swards consistentlyproduced the highest net profit per hectare.