Chapter
The on-farm development of feedpad technology
Physical aspects of feedpad design
Effluent and manure management
Surface construction material
Specifications for concrete
Feedpad sizing and layout
Access for stock and vehicles
Constructing and maintaining laneways
Free stall cubicles and sheds
Other aspects of feedpad design
Air pollution: odours and dust
The role of a stand off pad
Considerations with stand off pads
A checklist for planning a feedpad
Managing feedpad effluent
What is feedpad effluent?
Pad-cleaning systems to remove effluent and manure
Handling and storing feedpad effluent
Taking rainfall runoff into account
Solid separation prior to pondage
Using the existing effluent system
Recycling effluent water for feedpad cleaning
Minimising flies and vermin
Recycling feedpad effluent
Triggers to address effluent management
Key principles of dairy nutrition
The digestive system of the dairy cow
Microbes of the rumen and reticulum
The small and large intestines
Nutrients supplied by feeds
Predicting cow performance from nutrient intakes
Nutrient requirements of different classes of dairy stock
From calving to peak lactation
Peak lactation to peak intake
Persistency of milk production throughout lactation
How cows respond to supplements
Substitution for basal forage
Decreasing marginal responses
An example of marginal milk responses
Feeding formulated supplements
Immediate and delayed milk responses
Formulating rations for dairy stock on a feedpad
Total and partial mixed rations
The principles of formulating feedpad rations
Nutritive value of ration ingredients
Agro-industrial by-products
Troubleshooting potential feeding problems
The effects of mould on animal health
Changes in milk composition
Monitoring manure consistency
Maintaining normal rumen metabolism
Mineral buffers and feed additives
Feeding management of partial mixed rations
Feeding out conserved forages
Removing the forage from storage
Feeding the forage to stock
Design of water and feed troughs and feeding strips
Feed troughs and feeding strips
Keeping cows out of the feed
Other aspects of feedbunk management
Integrating feedpads with grazed pastures
Principles of effective grazing management
Using computers to aid feeding decisions
Checklists for feeding management
Sourcing feed ingredients
Measuring and mixing feed
Feeding management during periods of heat stress
Physical attributes of healthy and sick cows
Symptoms of health problems
Other tools to diagnose health problems
Monitoring stock in free stall sheds
Identifying, treating and preventing lameness
Multiple causes of bruised soles
Preventing other physical trauma injuries
Minimising heat stress in dairy herds
How cattle lose body heat
The Temperature Humidity Index
Monitoring respiration rates
Clinical signs of heat stress
Feeding management during heat stress
Developing a heat stress management program
Designing feedpads to minimise heat stress
Installing sprinklers and fans
Minimising cold stress in dairy herds
The effects of severe cold stress
Management strategies to combat cold weather
Occupational health and safety issues
Understanding how confined cattle react to people
Safety issues with effluent systems
Contingency plans for emergencies
Machinery for mixing and feed out
Economics of feedpad technology
Milk income less feed costs
Calculating feeding profit
Examples of calculating feeding profit
The high costs of feed wastage
Estimates of losses from inefficient feed out systems
Calculations of financial losses and investment payback periods
Computer software to assist with making feedpad investment decisions
The value of feedpad effluent
Using partial budgets to plan farm development
Steps for a partial budget
Example of a partial budget
Guidelines and legislation
Guidelines for feedpad development
Legislation and planning requirements
Concerns of government agencies in Victoria
The future role for feedpads in Australia’s dairy industry
Major concerns from DPIV effluent management advisers
Mixer wagon survey of Queensland dairy farmers
The potential for feedpads to improve feed conversion efficiency
A scenario of irrigated dairy farming in 10 years’ time
Modelling different dairy feeding systems
Future R & D needs for feedpad production technology
Abbreviations and conversions
References and further reading
Feedpads for Grazing Dairy Cows
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