Invited review: Sustainable forage and grain crop production for the US dairy industry

Abstract

A resilient US dairy industry will be underpinned by forage and crop production systems that are economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable. Land use for production of perennial and annual forages and grains for dairy cattle must evolve in response to multiple food security and environmental sustainability issues. These include increasing global populations; higher incomes and demand for dairy and other animal products; climate change with associated temperature and moisture changes; necessary reductions in carbon and water footprints; maintenance of soil quality and soil nutrient concerns; and competition for land. Likewise, maintaining producer profitability and utilizing practices accepted by consumers and society generally must also be considered. Predicted changes in climate and water availability will likely challenge current feed and dairy production systems and their national spatial distribution, particularly the western migration of dairy production in the late 20th century. To maintain and stabilize profitability while reducing carbon footprint, particularly reductions in methane emission and enhancements in soil carbon sequestration, dairy production will need to capitalize on genetic and management innovations that enhance forage and grain production and nutritive value. Improved regional and on-farm integration of feed production and manure utilization is needed to reduce environmental nitrogen and phosphorus losses and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Resilient and flexible feed production strategies are needed to address each of these challenges and opportunities to ensure profitable feeding of dairy cattle and a sustainable dairy industry.

Dynamic changes and characterization of the protein and carbohydrate fractions of native grass grown in Inner Mongolia during ensiling and the aerobic stage

“…Native grasses do not grow on the Inner Mongolian Plateau during winter due to the extreme cold; the resulting feed shortages restrict livestock production. Methods for preparing and storing silage from Inner Mongolian native grasses have been developed to address this problem, to produce silage with high nutritive value for increased animal production [19]. Silage is the most effective type of feed available in winter.…”

Forage Yield and Quality Indices of Silage-Corn Following Organic and Inorganic Phosphorus Amendments in Podzol Soil under Boreal Climate

“…Consequently, dairy farmers need a sustainable supply of high-quality forage which can only be achieved through adaptations of sustainable agricultural practices that make use of local resources to enhance forage production and quality and diversify the forage production systems. Enhancing milk production and quality in response to ever-increasing demands for dairy products requires more sustainable, economically viable, and environmentally beneficial forage cropping systems [11].…”

Characteristics of small-scale dairy farms in Lembang, West-Java

“…In Indonesian dairy farms, efficiency gains can be mainly achieved through improved feeding, improved nutrient recycling (manure management and fertilization), and animal health. To improve feed and nutrient use efficiency, regional and on-farm integration of feed production and manure utilization are key (Martin et al, 2017).…”