Filling pasture gaps with forages possible but economics doubtful

摘要

The initial findings of a project aiming to help dairy farmers increase their home-grown forage consumption are both positive and negative. While filling pasture feed gaps with forages was achieved, the economics of doing so are not strong. Project 3030 is based on the concept that sustainable improvements in farm profitability in southern Australia can be achieved by increasing the amount of forage grown and consumed on-farm. Principal extension officer with Project 3030, Catherine Lescun, will tellthe annual Grasslands Society of Southern Australia conference that the project aimed to develop complementary forage systems for non-irrigated dairy farms in southern Australia capable of delivering a 30% improvement in return on assets through a 30% improvement in the consumption of home-grown forage.