The adoption potential of extended lactation as a strategy to reduce excess calf numbers in dairy farming

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dc.contributor.authorGresham, Josephine
dc.contributor.authorReiber, Christoph
dc.contributor.authorChagunda, Mizeck G. G.
dc.date.accessioned2024-11-13T11:17:29Z
dc.date.available2024-11-13T11:17:29Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractDairy production relies predominantly on a few, selectively bred, high-yielding dairy breeds, resulting in a surplus of low-value male offspring. This situation leads to a conflict between a growing demand for milk and low appreciation for dairy calves. Extending lactation could reduce the number of calves born. This study aimed to assess the current use of extended lactation in dairy production in Southern Germany, identify the perceived potential, and determine the biological potential extended lactation has to reduce calf numbers. A survey from 2020 with 310 farmers was analysed. A total of 145 (46.8%) farmers used extended lactation. The use of extended lactation on farms correlated significantly with breed, milk yield, interest in continuing or implementing the use of extended lactation, and the indicated feasibility of extended lactation. The perceived potential was assessed by 39.8% of farmers as “high” to “very high”. A total of 17 (12.8%) farmers currently not using extended lactation were identified as potential adopters. Together with existing adopters, this could result in 52.3% of farms using extended lactation, which could biologically reduce calf numbers by 7.3% or 14.1% p.a., when extended by three or six months, respectively. This adoption potential shows that extended lactation can reduce calf numbers considerably, addressing both ethical and economic concerns in dairy farming and benefiting farmers as well as society.en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hohpublica.uni-hohenheim.de/handle/123456789/16902
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213115
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rights.licensecc_by
dc.sourceAnimals; Vol. 14, No. 21 (2024) 3115
dc.source2076-2615
dc.subjectDairy cow
dc.subjectDairy calf
dc.subjectOrganic dairy production
dc.subjectExtended lactation
dc.subjectCalving interval
dc.subjectMilk production
dc.subjectSurplus dairy calves
dc.subject.ddc630
dc.titleThe adoption potential of extended lactation as a strategy to reduce excess calf numbers in dairy farmingen
dc.type.diniArticle
dcterms.bibliographicCitationAnimals; Vol. 14, No. 21 (2024) 3115. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213115. ISSN: 2076-2615
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.articlenumber3115
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.issn2076-2615
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.issue21
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.journaltitleAnimals
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublishernameMDPI
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublisherplaceBasel
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.volume14
local.export.bibtex@article{Gresham2024, url = {https://hohpublica.uni-hohenheim.de/handle/123456789/16902}, doi = {10.3390/ani14213115}, author = {Gresham, Josephine and Reiber, Christoph and Chagunda, Mizeck G. G. et al.}, title = {The adoption potential of extended lactation as a strategy to reduce excess calf numbers in dairy farming}, journal = {Animals}, year = {2024}, volume = {14}, number = {21}, }
local.export.bibtexAuthorGresham, Josephine and Reiber, Christoph and Chagunda, Mizeck G. G. et al.
local.export.bibtexKeyGresham2024
local.export.bibtexType@article

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Institut für Tropische Agrarwissenschaften (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institut)
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