Definition of dairy livestock management systems
Jakob, P.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 124(10): 503-516
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 7178883 Document Number: 184601
Housing systems for dairy cows are described and discussed. In Switzerland less than 2% of cows, owned by about 0.5% of farmers, are kept in covered yards. The main conclusions from this paper are given. Group management is better than individual housing, both in terms of animal welfare and economics. Genotype and environment play an equal part in biological development, and thus for optimum animal production, animals must be kept in an environment suitable to its species, use and productivity. Construction of a covered yard is not economic unless the herd is at least 20 cows. Decisions on husbandry must take in to account many factors. The use of straw as litter always has beneficial effects on animals, and it is concluded that small amounts of straw can be used without having detrimental effects on waste disposal.