It is a challenge to supplement this forage diet for optimal milk production and profitability. Some graziers are taking the next step to seasonal dairying. They choose to dry off the whole herd at once, thus earning a vacation from all milking. However, management is even more difficult in such a system. Certain breeds or individual cows are more adapted to a seasonal grass-based system.
Many graziers report improved health when cows are on pasture most of the year.
Special equipment for fencing and water systems has been developed and is increasingly available. Additional resources are listed. Go To Top Introduction Grass-based dairies differ from confinement dairies because cows harvest their own feed, reducing the need for costly supplemental feed and other purchased supplies. However, they require considerably more management skill. Seasonal operations have increased challenges in breeding all cows in a short period and in planning for loss of income during the off season.