Do baleage wintering systems improve cow comfort compared with fodder beet wintering? Soil conditions and behavioural responses of non-lactating dairy cows in Southland, New Zealand

Abstract

Winter grazing systems in southern New Zealand can create wet, disturbed soil conditions that may restrict lying opportunities for non-lactating dairy cows. This observational study examined whether wintering practice influenced soil conditions and cow behaviour, with a focus on area allocation, baleage allocation frequency, and feed type (pasture baleage vs fodder beet). It was hypothesised that a larger area or reduced frequency of baleage allocation would
reduce soil damage and improve lying times. Six groups of approximately 73 pregnant cows each were managed on six paddocks over 30 days (12 Jun –11 Jul, 2024). Five groups received pasture and baleage, under differing baleage allocation frequencies (daily or 3-day) or area allocation (6.7, 7.5 and 8.6 m2/cow/day), while one group grazed fodder beet supplemented with baleage. Soil conditions (dry, wet, sodden) and behavioural measures (lying and rumination time)
were recorded. There were no significant differences between treatments in soil wetness or lying time, with cows averaging 9.4–10.3 h/day lying. However, cows grazing fodder beet had 26–30% lower rumination than all other treatments viz, 420 vs 572-600 min/day. These findings suggest that, under the conditions studied, baleage wintering did not provide superior lying conditions compared with fodder beet. Reduced rumination with fodder beet feeding may have
implications for animal health and subsequent milk production, warranting further investigation.