Grazing: Exploring dairy feed systems for optimal cow nutrition

Research has shown that there are many advantages to allowing cows to graze grass freely, including improved health and welfare. Photo: Canva

Dairy farmers around the world know that feeding grass to cows is the cheapest form of fodder, particularly when offered in self-service pasture-based grazing systems. However, this management model does not suit every farm, so other viable systems include feeding cows indoors via zero grazing, or with total mixed rations. Getting the most out of grass grazing for cows depends on specific management decisions made by farmers, such as grazing dates, reseeding plans, field use and stocking dens