Assessing forage research and education needs of organic dairy farms in the United States

Authors: HATUNGIMANA, ERIC - University Of Vermont; DARBY, HEATHER - University Of Vermont; Soder, Kathy; ZIEGLER, SARA - University Of Vermont; BRITO, ANDRE - University Of New Hampshire; Kissing Kucek, Lisa; Riday, Heathcliffe; BRUMMER, CHARLES - University Of California, Davis

Submitted to: Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/14/2023
Publication Date: 3/22/2024
Citation: Hatungimana, E., Darby, H.M., Soder, K.J., Ziegler, S.E., Brito, A.F., Kucek, L.K., Riday, H., Brummer, C. 2024. Assessing forage research and education needs of organic dairy farms in the United States. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems. 39:1-10. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170523000455.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170523000455

Interpretive Summary: Forage management is critical to organic dairy systems, particularly during times of changing climates. However, dairy farmers need better information, education and forage management strategies to improve forage quality and production to reduce feed costs, increase milk production and thereby increasing farm profitability. A survey of organic dairy farmers across the US was conducted to assess current forage production practices, farmer knowledge gaps, and identify emerging forage research and educational needs of these farmers. Results of this survey show that forage research and educational activities should foster climate change resilience, improve forage quality, and identify soil fertility amendments and pasture renovation strategies that meet animal, agronomic, and environmental priorities for optimal production. These findings provide a solid foundation for developing cutting-edge forage research and educational opportunities to improve the economic and environmental sustainability of organic dairy farms across the US.

Technical Abstract: The viability of organic dairy operations in the United States (US) relies on forage production. The production of high-quality, high-yielding forage crops depends on optimal forage management and resilience to increasingly unpredictable extreme weather events. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess producer and farm information regarding current forage production practices and producer knowledge gaps and (2) identify forage research and educational needs of organic dairy producers across the US. A survey collecting information on current organic forage production practices, weather impacts, and needs for research, information, education, and outreach was developed. The survey was distributed to 643 organic dairy producers across the US, with 165 respondents (25.7% response rate). Information responses about farmer satisfaction on forage system, impacts of forage system on animal performance, weather-related impacts on forage system, and farmer self-perceived knowledge to meet farm goals were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Most producers (51%) were somewhat satisfied with their forage production systems which viewed as somewhat or strongly enhancing milk production, animal health and reproduction, quality of young stock, and farm income. However, 26% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with their irrigation systems. Grass-legume mixtures for pasture forages were utilized by most producers (80%). Most respondents sometimes experienced negative weather-related impacts on forage yield (77%) and quality (82%), pasture availability challenges (70%), unexpected changes in harvest timing (74%), winter kill (62%), and weed pressure (64%), all of which are concerns that are likely to increase as climate change accelerates. These impacts led producers to purchase more forage than usual (46%), increase irrigation use (47%), and increase the grazing acreage (43%). Knowledge to meet farm goals was adequate for most producers (64%) but they reported a lack of resources to implement this knowledge especially for balancing high-forage diets (15%) and selecting soil amendments (21%). This study revealed that most producers rely on peer experiences (54%) and their own grazing plans (54%) as information resources to make decisions on forage programs. Producer knowledge gaps included pasture renovation with reduced or no-tillage, forage mixtures that match their needs, and forage management practices aiming for high quality forage. Based on the survey results, forage research and educational activities should foster climate change resilience regarding forage diversity adapted to local and regional climatic conditions, improve forage quality, enhance economic returns from soil fertility amendments and pasture renovation, and introduce new forages and forage mixtures that suit economical, agronomical, and environmental needs.