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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

  Views:

  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. 

• Some new aspects in the evaluation of grazing animal production

  41-46

  Geza Nagy

  Views:

  96

  The first part of this review papers presents the history of tall fescue endophyte toxicosis, which used to be a real constraint on grazing beef industry in southern US. The second part reviews some up-dated scientific publications, dealing with vitamins, fats and fatty acids in grass, grass products as well as in animal products produced on these feedstuffs. The papers cited prove that inclusion of grass or conserved (hay, silage) grass in the diets for cattles (beef and dairy) pigs or poultry (broiler chicken and leying han):

  - reduces the fat content of the body
  - improves some vitamin contents of animal products (milk, butter, meat, eggs)
  - improves the unsaturated fatty acid contents of the same animal products.

  The consumption of these high quality animal products consequently may contribute to better human health status of consumers. 

• Animal welfare issues in grazing

  31-39

  Richard Gudaj

  Istvan Komlosi

  Endre Brydl

  Views:

  92

  From the very beginning cattle was linked to the pastures and countryside. Development of the animal production and limited land resources pushed producers to keep cattle in places where they would be collected together. That solution helps to run breeding and husbandry procedures more efficiently. However, even with the support of genetics and management, modern agriculture faces problems related to indoor system. There is a dilemma among farmers to keep animals indoor or outdoor. In the following material attempt will be taken to analyse factors related to grazing and cattle welfare issues. This work will not only focus on Hungarian or European agriculture issues. Experiences and animal policies related to grazing cattle from different countries and regions of the world were also collected. Actions taken in one part of the world might be not applicable in another. However, it is still interesting to see how agricultural production affects nature resources and communities. There is the same background off all stories related to grazing cattle - sustainable development and particular lobby behind. Whether there is a farmer, holding, enterprise or animal welfare organisation. There is only a question if this is going to be more economical or ethical approach.