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• Economic and management considerations in two dairy systems grazed and arable crops based

  47-52

  Andras Vantus

  Janos Felfoldi

  Géza Nagy

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  109

  On the Hungarian dairy farms grazing is not a common practice presently. What are the reasons for this situation? Necessary conditions are not available for grazing, or the technical considerations about grazing are not favourable in practice. These questions were investigated on two dairy farms with methods of farm visits and technical interviews. Farm 1 still has grazing, Farm 2 used to graze its animals, presently it does not graze its animals, but it plans to establish pasture for grazing. Summarizing results of the investigations:

  - Non of the farm has got enough pasture/land area to meet the requirements of grazing. This situation fits to the national situation known from literature and statistics.
  - The time of substantial herbage allowance is relatively short, it is maximum 2 month in the season.
  - The nutritive value of grass decreases sharply in Spring. It is the reason why only animals requiring less intensive feeding can be grazed (first of all dry cows, than heifers and perhaps low yield cows).
  - Grazing can result in remarkable savings regarding inputs and costs.
  - Grazing does not need specific labour, present staff of the farms. Can manage grazing at the necessary technical level.
  - Asset security of outdoor animals we not considered as a real obstacle against grazing on the farms. This situation is different of that reported about the national situation.