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Increasing the productive lifespan of dairy cows is an important means to lowering the environmental impact of dairy production. Farm characteristics, such as location, production type and breed are fix characteristics for most farms. However, farm management strategies can influence the longevity of their dairy herds in the medium- and short term. Within the framework of the research project ‘Longevity of Swiss Dairy Cows’ (Nutzungsdauer Schweizer Milchkühe), we aimed at identifying management choices that affect the productive lifespan of dairy cows. Based on data from the Swiss census and the major breeding organizations, we built a database of 142 farms. We defined 15 farm types that best represent the diversity of Swiss dairy production with regard to geographic regions, production zone, breed and production type (organic vs conventional). We allocated 10 dairy farms per farm type. Five of the 10 farms were chosen for having a low average productive lifespan (APL) of their dairy herd. The other five farms were chosen for having a high APL. APL was defined as the average lactation number of all cows culled 5 years in retrospective. From the initial 142 farms, 68 farms participated in a survey to assess the differences in management practices. From these participating farms, 30 were further clustered into matched pairs and were visited on-farm. Farms with low APL did not differ from those with high APL regarding their milk production and average dairy herd size. However, they significantly differed with regard to their APL, thus confirming a successful selection strategy of matched pairs. On average, dairy cows from farms with low APL were culled 2 lactations earlier than cows from farms with comparable characteristics, but with a high APL. Compared to farms with low ALP, farms with high APL were characterized by a higher percentage of loose housing systems, a higher percentage of energy rich feed rations, better fertility and more animals being inseminated with

In many European countries, organic pigs are housed indoors with a concrete outdoor run. However, previous results have shown that combined systems with indoor housing and access to pasture have some advantages concerning animal welfare and environmental impact compared to sole indoor systems. These combined systems vary considerably across countries. Some farmers have only specific age categories on pasture, some provide limited access and others developed new approaches to management or infrastructure. The goal of this study, which is part of the CORE Organic Cofund POWER project, was to analyse specific innovations in combined systems for weaners, fatteners and sows in Denmark, Italy and Switzerland. For example, the selected innovations comprise a self-constructed mobile pen on a trailer, which is large enough to keep the pigs on the trailer if the weather does not allow them to use the pasture. Another example was a mobile pen that can be moved, including the attached fences. Moreover, farms with innovative management practices were included, like the alternating use of grassland, cropland and forest. The selected farms have been visited four times between summer 2019 and autumn 2020. Trained observers assessed individual animal health and welfare status according to a common protocol. Indicators were, for example, species-specific behaviour, lesions, lameness or body condition score. Farmers provided extensive data regarding farm management, feed production, housing etc., to analyse the different systems and identify their strength and weaknesses. The farmers' experiences, the collected data and analysis of the different innovative systems were summarised in factsheets to use this knowledge for advising other farms. These factsheets can help to diversify and improve such combined systems.