MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON VIRGINIA DAIRY FARMS



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1

Farm Characteristics...................................................................................................................................... 1

Number of Cows and Milk Production per Cow.............................................................................2

Number of cows per farm.....................................................................................................................2

Milk per cow.........................................................................................................................................3

Land Use..........................................................................................................................................3

Acres of corn per cow...........................................................................................................................3

Acres of hay per cow............................................................................................................................4

Acres of hay/pasture per cow...............................................................................................................4

Acres of permanent pasture per cow....................................................................................................4

Technology and Management Practices ..........................................................................................4

Milking parlor and automatic takeoffs use ..........................................................................................4

Use of total mixed rations (TMR)........................................................................................................5

DHIA records ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Bovine Somatotropin (BsT) use...........................................................................................................5

Written farm plans/goals......................................................................................................................5

Computer use........................................................................................................................................5

Nutrient management plans..................................................................................................................5

Farm Ownership AND Personal Characteristics .......................................................................................... 6

Farm ownership....................................................................................................................................6

Age of farmers......................................................................................................................................6

Experience as key decision maker........................................................................................................6

Education..............................................................................................................................................7

Farm debt.............................................................................................................................................. 8

Off-farm income................................................................................................................................... 8

Characteristics of Grazing-Only Farms........................................................................................................ 8

Daily Forage Requirements Provided by Pasture............................................................................ 8

Ration Adjustments during the Grazing Season ............................................................................. 9

Adjustments to energy..........................................................................................................................9

Adjustments to protein......................................................................................................................... 9

Adjustments to stored forages..............................................................................................................9

Experiences with Current Grazing System......................................................................................9

Satisfaction with Dairy Farming ................................................................................................................. 10

Satisfaction by group.......................................................................................................................... 10

Dairy Producers’ Plans................................................................................................................................ 11

Cows to be milked.............................................................................................................................. 11

Acres to be farmed ............................................................................................................................. 12

Reliance on grazing pastures.............................................................................................................. 12

Summary and Conclusions.......................................................................................................................... 12

References....................................................................................................................................................14

Appendix: Cover Letter and Survey Instrument........................................................................................ 15



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