L8 - Dairy Housing System

Dairy Housing Systems

Different methods for housing dairy cows.

Continuous Housing System

Cows kept indoors year-round with no grazing.

Pasture-Based System

Cows graze outdoors for at least 6 months.

Zero-Grazing System

Cattle fed indoors with no outdoor access.

Supplementary Concentrate Feed

Additional feed to enhance nutrition indoors.

All Year-Round Housing (AYR)

System intensifying dairy production throughout the year.

Somatic Cell Count (SCC)

Measure of cell count in milk indicating health.

SCC Thresholds

100,000/ml indicates uninfected; 200,000/ml infected.

Lameness in Cows

Increased hoof issues due to limited pasture access.

Metritis

Inflammation of the uterus affecting dairy cow health.

Calving Intervals

Time between calving events, affected by housing.

Market Pressures

Economic factors influencing dairy production viability.

UK Milk Production

Over 40 million litres produced daily in the UK.

Commodity Prices

Fluctuating prices impacting dairy farm income.

EU Milk Quota Abolition

2015 policy change affecting milk production limits.

Plant-Based Milk Alternatives

Growing market segment competing with dairy products.

Consumer Trends

Shift towards lactose-free and plant-based products.

Farm Size Impact

Smaller farms more likely to use AYR systems.

Animal Health Considerations

Health impacts from different housing systems.

Environmental Factors

Climate considerations affecting housing system choice.

Labour Requirements

Staffing needs vary by housing system type.

Dairy Market Outlook

Current economic conditions affecting dairy farming.

Cattle Farm Practices Survey

DEFRA report on dairy farming practices.

Dairy Cow Behavior

Improved behavior in pasture-based systems.

Housing System Mix

Combination of housed and grazing systems used.

Winter Housing

Cows housed indoors during winter months.