Herd it all before

Properly implemented grazing infrastructure increases productivity and sustainability in livestock enterprises, but research from Teagasc Moorepark shows that there are crucial hurdles to overcome first.

Photo: Andrew Downes, xposure.

Grazing infrastructure is a fundamental component of pasture-based dairy farming systems. It ensures that the grass grown on farms is used effectively by grazing animals, which is a key driver of both productivity and sustainability in livestock enterprises.

Two critical aspects of this infrastructure are paddock layouts and roadway network development. Establishing effective infrastructure requires significant initial investment, but such investment is essential, especially as herd sizes increase and farming practices evolve. Ensuring the maintenance and adaptation of paddock layouts and roadway conditions helps maintain optimal conditions for animal movement.

Since the abolition of milk quotas in 2015, many Irish dairy farms have expanded their herd sizes, either by increasing stocking rates, acquiring additional land, or both. This expansion has placed considerable pressure on existing grazing infrastructure. While many farms have focused on improving farmyard facilities, there is now a need to evaluate grazing infrastructure, especially as herd sizes have begun to stabilise.

Need for evaluation

Paul Maher, a Research Technologist at Teagasc Moorepark, explains that suboptimal infrastructure can negatively affect herd performance. For example, inadequate grass allocation can restrict animal intake, especially for first-lactation cows, leading to reduced milk production.

“Recent research has shown that increasing grass allocation frequency from every 36 hours to every 12 hours resulted in a 0.12kg/day reduction in milk solids for first-lactation animals,” Paul notes.

“This was attributed to increased competition for high-quality grass during 12-hour allocations. Dominant cows tend to access the best grazing areas first, leaving lower-quality grass for younger or less dominant animals.”

In contrast, 36-hour allocations reduce competition during the initial grazing bouts, allowing more uniform access to high-quality grass and improving overall milk solids production. Despite this, many farms have not adjusted their paddock sizes to accommodate 36-hour allocations.

A survey of 135 commercial Irish dairy farms revealed that farms with over 250 cows had an average of 33 paddocks, but 46% of these paddocks were only suitable for 12-hour allocations. On smaller farms (fewer than 100 cows), only 10% of paddocks were limited to 12-hour allocations.

“The solution is often straightforward: remove permanent fence lines to consolidate smaller paddocks into larger ones,” Paul adds.

“For a 100-cow herd, the ideal paddock size for a 36-hour allocation is approximately 2 hectares, assuming a dry matter intake of 18kg per cow per day and a pre-grazing yield of 1350kg DM/ha. This adjustment can significantly improve grazing efficiency and animal performance.”

Walking the walk

Given that dairy cows can spend up to 300 days per year at grass, roadway networks are essential for providing consistent access to grass throughout the year. The distance cows walk on farm roadways can be a factor influencing both milk yield and the incidence of lameness.

Researchers from Teagasc Moorepark undertook a study to assess the walking distances on 135 commercial dairy farms. On average, cows walked 548km per year, but this varied widely: from 196km on a farm with 86 cows, to 1,141km on a farm with 630 cows. There was a moderate correlation between herd size and walking distance
(R² = 0.45). The mean maximum distance walked to a paddock was 1,092m (ranging from 361 to 2,640m).

“However,” Paul notes, “the most influential factor impacting walking distance per year was the mean distance to a paddock, which accounted for 82% of the variability.”

This was largely influenced by the location of the milking parlour within the grazing platform (Figure 1).

“While it may not be feasible to reduce walking distances on many farms, other strategies can help mitigate the associated challenges,” Paul says. “These include breeding for improved health traits to reduce lameness and enhancing the surface condition of roadways to facilitate easier movement.”

Figure 1. Efficient (left) vs inefficient (right) farm roadway layouts. Image credit: Teagasc.

Suboptimal surfaces

Within the same study, it was demonstrated that wider roadways with better surface conditions increased cow throughput and reduced the labour required to move herds.

However, assessments of commercial farms revealed that larger herds often had roadways narrower than recommended for their herd size. In addition, the surface condition of many roadways was suboptimal: only 14% were classified as optimal, while 24% were classified as poor, with many of the poorest roads located on the periphery of the grazing platform.

On six case study farms, the economic viability of upgrading roadways was evaluated. Of 80 roadways examined, only one showed a positive return on investment over a 10-year period based solely on labour savings.

“Nevertheless, improving roadway conditions offers other benefits, such as better access to grass and potentially reduced risk of lameness,” Paul points out.

“A cost-effective first step is the installation of timed gates, such as the Batt-Latch system. This would allow cows to move at their own pace from paddocks to the milking parlour, reducing both labour and stress on the animals.”

Targeted improvements

Maintaining existing roadways is crucial for ensuring their longevity and effectiveness. The study identified several factors associated with optimal and suboptimal surface conditions. Wider roadways and limited verge widths (less than 0.5m) were linked to better surface quality.

The most influential factor, however, was surface drainage. Roadways that are capable of freely draining onto adjacent paddocks maintained better surface conditions. In cases where the roadway is lower than the surrounding land, it is advisable to raise the road height before resurfacing to facilitate proper drainage. Without adequate drainage, even well-constructed roadways can deteriorate rapidly.

While grazing infrastructure on Irish dairy farms has improved over time, many farms still face challenges that limit efficiency and animal performance. Key issues include outdated paddock layouts, inadequate roadway networks, and poor surface conditions. By reassessing paddock design, consolidating smaller paddocks, improving roadway surfaces, and adopting simple technologies like timed gates, farmers can significantly enhance both productivity and sustainability.

“Now is the time to invest in infrastructure that supports the long-term success of pasture-based dairy farming,” Paul concludes. “With thoughtful planning and targeted improvements, farms can better meet the demands of modern dairy production while promoting animal welfare and operational efficiency.”

Funding

This research was funded by the Dairy Levy Trust administered by Dairy Research Ireland and supported by the Teagasc Walsh Scholars Programme.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the farmers that participated in the studies.

Contributors

Paul Maher, Research Technologist, Teagasc Moorepark. paul.j.maher[at]teagasc.ie

Patrick Tuohy, Senior Research Officer, Teagasc Moorepark.

Michael Egan, Senior Research Officer, Teagasc Moorepark.

Michael Murphy, Lecturer, Department of Process, Energy and Transport Engineering, Munster Technological University.