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The economic effects of suckling and milk feeding to calves in dual purpose dairy and beef farming

Author

Listed:
  • Leif Jarle Asheim

    (Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research)

  • Julie Føske Johnsen

    (Norwegian Veterinary Institute)

  • Øystein Havrevoll

    (Nortura Rudshøgda)

  • Cecilie Marie Mejdell

    (Norwegian Veterinary Institute)

  • Ann Margaret Grøndahl

    (Norwegian Veterinary Institute
    Norwegian University of Life Sciences)

Abstract

The study examines the economics of different calf rearing systems and considers effects of suckling and milk feeding on production, health and welfare of dairy cows and growth, milk and feed use, health and welfare of calves. The economics of (i) no suckling, (ii) suckling for 3 days, (iii) suckling for 7 weeks, all assuming milk or milk replacer fed until weaning at 13 weeks, was compared with (iv) suckling for 13 weeks and no milk feeding. A linear programming (LP) model, maximizing profit on a dual purpose dairy-beef farm in lowland eastern Norway, was used for the comparison. Details on calf rearing methods, labor, weaning age, intake of milk, and solid feed were gathered for a sample of organic farms and grouped according to the length of the suckling period. The data were coupled with the National Dairy Herd Recording System (NDHRS) using cross-sectional data for the years 2008–2013. The results of the model study showed that suckling up to at least 7 weeks and longer than on most farms in the survey, had a positive influence on the farm economics. This was due to the positive influence on calf growth and health as well as lowered costs. Consequently, dual purpose dairy-beef farmers should be careful to sacrifice calf suckling and restrict calf milk feeding. Long suckling until weaning at 13 weeks was, however, unprofitable.

Suggested Citation

  • Leif Jarle Asheim & Julie Føske Johnsen & Øystein Havrevoll & Cecilie Marie Mejdell & Ann Margaret Grøndahl, 2016. "The economic effects of suckling and milk feeding to calves in dual purpose dairy and beef farming," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 97(4), pages 225-236, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:roafes:v:97:y:2016:i:4:d:10.1007_s41130-016-0023-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s41130-016-0023-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Asheim, Leif Jarle & Lunnan, Tor & Sickel, Hanne, 2014. "The Profitability of Seasonal Mountain Dairy farming in Norway," Journal of International Agricultural Trade and Development, Journal of International Agricultural Trade and Development, vol. 63(2).
    2. Asheim, Leif Jarle & Lunnan, Tor & Sickel, Hanne, 2014. "The Profitability of Seasonal Mountain Dairy farming in Norway," German Journal of Agricultural Economics, Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, Department for Agricultural Economics, vol. 63(02), pages 1-15, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jan Broucek & Michal Uhrincat & Peter Kisac & Anton Hanus, 2020. "Effect of Different Rearing during the Milk-Feeding Period on Growth of Dairy Calves," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-13, August.
    2. Michal Uhrincat & Jan Broucek & Anton Hanus & Peter Kisac, 2021. "Effect of Raising Dairy Heifers on Their Performance and Reproduction after 12 Months," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-14, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Calf growth; Nursing; Milk ration; Profitability; Health; Animal welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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