Dairy systems analysis – M5 Information Series
The Sustainable Dairy Farm Systems for Profit project, undertaken between 2001 and 2005, at Mutdapilly Research Station and on associated commercial farms, investigated the potential impact of intensification of five subtropical dairy farming systems on business productivity, on the social well being of farming families and on the farm environment. These documents form part of the M5 Project Information Series. Please note that due to the time lag since this research, many of the contact links will be irrelevant. Background to the “Sustainable dairy farm systems for profit” project .3mbFarm Systems
M1 Farmlet – Dairy farming in the subtropics with raingrown pastures and no irrigation .6mb
M2 Farmlet – Dairy farming in the subtropics with raingrown pastures and limited irrigation .5mb
M3 Farmlet – Dairy farming with annual crops and limited irrigation 1mb
M4 Farmlet – Dairy farming in the subtropics with high use of irrigation on crops and pastures .6mb
M5 Farmlet – Feedlot dairy farming in subtropical Australia .6mb
Production
Economics of concentrate feeding .2mb
Mixer wagons – some observations .2mb
Crossbreeding in dairy herds .2mb
Batch calving in dairy herds .1mb
Reducing the impact of hot weather .4mb
Water use
Steps to making efficient use of water .3mb
Water use efficiency of forages on subtropical dairy farms .3mb
Estimating annual irrigation water requirements .2mb
Environment
Environmental strengths and weaknesses of subtropical dairy farming systems .6mb
Managing weeds under reduced tillage .5mb
Managing the riparian zone on dairy farms 1mb
Soil Nutrients – the contribution made by purchased feeds .2mb
Social
The role & experience of M5 project ‘companion’ dairy farms .5mb
Social and family aspects of dairy farm expansion .3mb
Labour management checklist – a series of questions and answers .1mb
Business
Profitable dairying is possible .3mb
Tools and Models
Dairy Predict. A dairy feedbase and enterprise planning tool