Herd Homes: nutrient management and farmer perceptions of performance

Abstract

The recent invention of Herd Homes has presented NZ dairy farmers with a flexible facility for feeding and standing-off stock especially during wet periods. Herd Homes are a combination of feeding platform, stand-off facility and animal shelter comprising a "greenhouse" type roof over slatted concrete floors with an underfloor manure bunker. The prototype Herd Home built in Northland for 230 cows was closely monitored during its initial year (2002/03). Different bunker media were evaluated for their ability to absorb and retain manure nutrients. The media tested were natural materials (soil, wood shavings and a combination of soil/wood shavings) that were all effective at capturing nutrients (N and S) from the bunker manure. Benefits of media amendments are greater nutrient enrichment of the final bunker manure making it more useful for subsequent land application. Use of soil as a bunker medium appears to be the most viable and cost effective option. In early 2006, manure samples were collected from Herd Home bunkers from four geographically diverse areas of NZ and analysed for nutrient content. Nutrient concentrations found reflected variability in cow numbers, usage and feed inputs. In November 2004, 10 existing Herd Home owners were surveyed as to their reasons for purchase. The farmers reported ease of farm management, "on-off" grazing, reduced pugging damage, and improved stock condition and production were some of the beneficial effects of Herd Homes. Keywords: Herd Homes, winter management, wintering system, stand off, feed pad, manure management, bunker manure