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Contentious inputs are used by organic farmers to maintain production sustainability and high standards in animal health and welfare. Their implementation has detrimental impact on the environment and present a risk for the development of the organic sector. Information regarding the application of contentious inputs is not available at the European scale and it is a prerequisite to devise and implement roadmaps to phase them out. This work aimed to determine the extent to which antibiotics, anthelmintics and synthetic vitamins are currently used in organic livestock and to highlight differences in their controlled use. A multi-dimensional approach, incorporating: (1) literature reviews; (2) Europe-wide surveys or interviews of organic experts; (3) analysis of publicly available research data; and (4) national and international authorities (veterinary and agricultural organisations) was followed to quantify the current use and need of contentious inputs in European organic animal production. Overall, there was considerable variation in the use of anthelmintics and antibiotics reflecting country-specific differences in the level of pathogen threat and control. Estimates suggest that overall anthelmintic treatments do not exceed one treatment per animal per year in organic farms, although exceptions were noted. Extrapolated calculations indicate that on average 0.7 antibiotic treatments per animal per year are input in organic livestock systems. Dosages of synthetic vitamins are highly standardized, and decisions are made in the premix producing industry rather than on the farms. With few exceptions there are no differences between conventional and organic practice regarding dosage. Research-based background for organic-specific recommendations is therefore needed. The results provide the first benchmark on patterns of contentious input uses in organic livestock farming across Europe. Funded by EU H2020 No 773431 – RELACS.

The objective of this paper was to examine how cutting frequency, silage fermentation patterns and clover performance in grass–clover swards influence the use of inputs and profitability in an organic dairy system. A linear programming model was developed to compare a three-cut and a two-cut system for a model farm in Central Norway, either with restricted or extensive silage fermentation at low or high red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) proportion in the sward, giving 8 different silage types in all. Input-output relations incorporated into the model were derived from a meta-analysis of organic grassland field trials in Norway as well as a silage fermentation experiment, and with feed intakes and milk yields from simulations with the ‘TINE Optifôr’ feed ration planner in the Norfor feed evaluation system. The model maximized total gross margin of farms with 260,000 l milk quota and housing capacity for 45 cows, with separate model versions for each of the 8 silage types. Farmland availability varied from 30 to 70 ha with 40 ha as the basis. Our results suggested that farmland availability and marginal return of a competing barley crop profoundly influenced the profitability of the different silage types. A high clover proportion increased dry matter (DM) yields and was far more important for profitability than the score on the other factors considered at restricted land availabilities. Profits with the three-cut systems were always greater than those with the two-cut systems, the former being associated with greater silage intakes and improved dairy cow performances but lower DM forage yields. Three-cut systems were further favoured as land availability increased and also by a lower marginal return of barley. Although use of an acidifying silage additive improved feed intakes and milk production per cow, the practice reduced total milk production and depressed profit compared to untreated, extensively fermented silage at restrictive land availabilities. With more l

Ruminal biohydrogenation and transfer of fatty acids (FA) to milk were determined for 4 silages with different botanical compositions using 4 multiparous Norwegian Red dairy cows [(mean ± SD) 118 ± 40.9 d in milk, 22.5 ± 2.72 kg of milk/d, 631 ± 3.3 kg of body weight, 3.3 ± 0.40 points on body condition score at the start of the experiment] fitted with rumen cannulas. Treatments consisted of 4 experimental silages: a mix of the first and third cut of organically managed short-term grassland with timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; 2 yr old; ORG-SG); organically managed long-term grassland with a high proportion of unsown species (6 yr old; ORG-LG); conventionally managed ley with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.; CON-PR); and conventionally managed ley with timothy (CON-TI). The herbages were cut, wilted, and preserved with additive in round bales and fed at 0.90 of ad libitum intake. A barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) concentrate constituted 300 g/kg of dry matter of the total feed offered. A Latin square design (4 × 4) with 3-wk periods and the last week in each period used for sampling was implemented. Omasal flows of FA were measured using Yb acetate, Cr-EDTA, and the indigestible neutral detergent fiber fraction as indigestible markers. The composition of FA was analyzed in feed, omasal digesta, and milk. Compared with ORG-LG, ORG-SG had a higher herbage proportion of red clover (0.36 vs. 0.01) and lower proportions of timothy (0.42 vs. 0.18), smooth meadowgrass (Poa pratensis L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), white clover (Trifolium repens L.), dandelion (Taraxacum spp.), and creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens L.). The silages were well preserved. The concentration of neutral detergent fiber was higher and the concentration of Kjeldahl-N was lower for CON-TI than for the other silages. Silage type had no effect on dry matter intake, but milk yield was lower for CON-TI than for the other silages. Apparent biohydrog

Previous research has shown that grazing pastures compared to feeding preserved forages has large impact on milk fatty acid (FA) composition, but differences between grazing red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) or white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are small, whereas the herbage proportions of dicotyledon botanical families is positively correlated with the milk-fat proportions of total polyunsaturated FA when grazing pastures in the Alps. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of botanically different pastures on bovine milk composition and milk susceptibility to oxidation. Two groups of 8 multiparous Norwegian Red dairy cows [mean (standard deviation); 599 (45.1) kg body weight, 73 (15.0) d in milk, 29.9 (2.90) kg milk/d at experiment start] grazed either a short-term pasture (SP) or a long-term pasture (LP). Both pastures were organically managed, meaning that no artificial fertilizers or herbicides were applied. The SP was representative for pastures, which are frequently, i.e. at least every third year, renewed by soil tillage and seeding, whereas LP was representative for pastures, which are less frequently renewed. The SP contained mainly meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and red clover and LP contained smooth meadow grass (Poa pratensis L.), white clover and a variety of unsown species. Sixteen cows were blocked according to milk yield, days in milk and sire, and randomly within block allocated to the 2 dietary treatments with a daily pasture allowance of 15–20 kg dry matter per cow, supplemented with 3.0 kg barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) concentrate. Milk was sampled during the last week of 3 experimental periods and analysed for FA composition by gas chromatography, concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins by high performance liquid chromatography, and oxidative stability in a light-exposure experiment by measuring the formation of hydroperoxides and by front-face fluorescence spectroscopy. Pasture

The Norwegian government has since 2006 had a goal of 15 % organic food production and consumption, initially by 2015 and later adjusted to 2020. The goal has primarily been justified by consumer demands, and to some extent by environmental benefits. Organic farming is said to be a “spear point” in the development of a more environmental friendly and sustainable agriculture in Norway, but the government’s policy lacks thorough political support and the goal is far from achieved. In 2012, certified land and land area under conversion to organic farming comprised 5.6 % of the agricultural area (Debio 2013). The turnover of organic products was more than 1.1 billion NOK in 2012; an increase of 11 % from 2011 (NAA 2012). In 2009, organic food represented 1.3 % of total food turnover in Norway (Willer and Kilcher 2011). The share of grassland in organic managed land comprised 77 % in 2012 (Debio 2013). Strong efforts are needed to reach the official goal in 2020 and to diversify the organic production. The Action Plan for Organic Farming (MAF 2009) points out actions to reach the governmental goal, including research and dissemination of knowledge.

Utmarksbeite kan gi like bra tilvekst og slaktevekt som innmarksbeite hos diekalv, men det er avhengig av beitesesong og kvaliteten til utmarksbeitet. Det var liten verknad av utmarksbeite på feittsyresamansetjinga av feittet i ytrefileten

Diekalvproduksjon på utmarksbeite kan gi like stor tilvekst og slaktevekt som tilsvarende produksjon på innmarksbeite. Begge beitetypene gav meget god kjøttkvalitet med kun små forskjeller i kvalitet mellom kjøtt produsert på inn- og utmark. Prosjektet er gjennomført av Nortura og Bioforsk med besetninger av forskjellige storferaser fra Lillehammer, Gausdal, Øyer og Ås.

A continuous grazing experiment with three measurement periods, 3 weeks each, was conducted with 16 Norwegian Red dairy cows in mid lactation to compare milk quality when grazing red clover-grass (R) or botanical diverse pasture (D). The cows were offered either R or D from the start of grazing season in mid May until beginning of September 2008. Milk yield was measured and milk samples were collected in the last week in each period (end of June, beginning of August and end of August). Pasture type had no effect on milk yield and milk content of fat or protein. Cows grazing R had higher proportion of the fatty acids C18:0 (22.41 vs. 9.96, P<0.05) and C18:1t11 (0.58 vs. 0.44 g/100g FAME, P<0.05) and lower proportion of C16:0 (27.83 vs. 30.92, P<0.05) in their milk fat than the cows grazing D. The milk content of α-tocopherol was higher in milk from R than D (3.01 vs. 2.64 μg/ml,P<0.05). The oxidative stability of the milk lipids were only minor affected by pasture type

Relationships among commencement of luteal activity (C-LA), milk yield, and energy balance (EB) were investigated in 3 selection lines of Norwegian Red cows at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences from 1994 through 2001. The cows were selected for low genetic merit for milk yield (LMP), high genetic merit for milk yield (HMP), and a combination of high indices for milk yield and fertility (HI). Breeding values for fertility were based on 56-d nonreturn rate. The material included 268 lactations from 147 cows. Milk samples for progesterone analysis were drawn 3 times weekly from 1994 through 1998, and 2 times weekly from 1999 to 2001. Commencement of luteal activity was defined as the first 2 consecutive measurements of progesterone concentration >3 ng/mL not earlier than 10 d after calving. Selection line was significantly related to C-LA, so that the least squares mean days from calving to C-LA were 22.5, 30.4, and 27.2 d for LMP, HMP, and HI cows, respectively. The HMP cows produced more milk than the LMP cows. The average milk yield in the sixth week of lactation was 24.0, 27.1, and 25.3 kg for LMP, HMP, and HI cows, respectively. The interval to C-LA decreased for the HMP and HI cows after phenotypic adjustment for EB in the model. Least squares means for the interval to C-LA were 23.2, 29.7, and 25.6 d for the LMP, HMP, and HI cows, respectively, in a model that included parity, selection lines, and EB as covariates. Cumulated EB during the first 4 wk of lactation, which itself differed between selection lines, did not fully account for differences in interval to C-LA between selection lines. Thus, the results of the present investigation indicate that selection for milk yield negatively affects C-LA over and above the effects caused by concurrent changes in EB. The increase in days to C-LA caused by selection for high yields can be reduced if selection for milk yield is combined with fertility in the breeding program

Bulk-tank milk was collected every second month (in 2007) from 32 farms in Middle Norway to examine the effect of grassland management and farming system on milk composition. Sixteen farms with organic farming system were paired with 16 farms with conventional farming system. In both farming systems, 9 farms had short-term rotational grassland and 7 farms had long-term grassland. Milk fatty acid (FA) composition and milk concentration of α-tocopherol, β-carotene, retinol,phytoestrogens and selenium were analyzed. Only small differences were found in milk composition from farms with different grassland management, except for the concentration of phytoestrogens and selenium that were highest on farms with short-term grassland. Milk FA composition, milk concentration of phytoestrogens and selenium were strongly affected by farming system. Milk from organic farming had higher concentration of phytoestrogens, selenium and higher proportion of C18:3n-3, short-chain FA, long-chain FA, saturated FA and lower proportion of C18:0, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6 and lower n-6/n-3 FA ratio than milk from conventional farming.

Daglig opptak av surfôrtørrstoff, energi og protein var langt høgere hos NRF kyrne enn STN kyrne. NRF kyrne hadde også et påviselig høgere opptak av grovfôr og NDF enn STN kyrne uttrykt per 100 kg kroppsvekt.STN kyrne la mer på seg enn NRF kyrne, og kyrne som fikk kraftfôr la mer på seg enn kyr uten kraftfôr, men verken rase eller kraftfôrnivå hadde signifikant effekt på dyras vektendring. Det ble ikke påvist noen signifikante samspilleffekter mellom rase og kraftfôrnivå på noen av opptaksparametrene.Som forventet produserte NRF kyrne mer mjølk og EKM enn STN kyrne, men innholdet av fett og protein i mjølka var høgest hos STN kyrne. Daglig produksjon av fett og protein var imidlertid høgest hos NRF kyrne enn STN kyrne pga høgere mjølkeproduksjon. Hverken rase eller kraftfônivå viste signifikant forskjell på fôrutnytting, bruttoenergieffektivitet og partiell utnytting av fôrenergien til mjølkeproduksjon

Progesterone profiles in Norwegian Red cows were categorized, and associations between the occurrence of irregularities in the profiles and the commencement of luteal activity were investigated. The cows were managed in 3 feeding trials from 1994 to 2001 and from 2005 to 2008 at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. The cows were followed from calving, and the milk samples collected represented 502 lactations from 302 cows. Milk samples for progesterone analysis were taken 3 times weekly from 1994 throughout 1998 and from 2005 to 2008 and 2 times weekly from 1999 to 2001. Commencement of luteal activity was defined as the first day of 2 consecutive measurements of progesterone concentration ≥3 ng/mL not earlier than 10 d after calving. Delayed ovulation type I was defined as consistently low progesterone concentration, <3 ng/mL for ≥50 d postpartum. Delayed ovulation type II was defined as prolonged interluteal interval with milk progesterone measurements <3 ng/mL for ≥12 d between 2 luteal phases. Persistent corpus luteum (PCL) type I was defined as delayed luteolysis with milk progesterone ≥3 ng/mL for ≥19 d during the first estrous cycle postpartum. Persistent corpus luteum type II was defined as delayed luteolysis with milk progesterone ≥3 ng/mL for ≥19 d during subsequent estrous cycles before first artificial insemination.Delayed ovulation type I was present in 14.7%, delayed ovulation type II in 2.8%,PCL type I in 6.7%, and PCL type II in 3.3% of the profiles. Commencement of luteal activity was related to milk yield, parity, PCL type I, and the summated occurrence of PCL type I and II. The least squares means for the interval to commencement of luteal activity were 24.2 d when PCL type I and II were present and 29.5 d when PCL type I and II were absent. The likelihood of pregnancy to first service was not affected in cows with a history of PCL when artificial insemination was carried out at progesterone concentrations <3 ng/mL (i.e., during estrus); how

Produksjonssystem (økologisk eller konvensjonelt) og engdyrkingssystem (kortvarig eller langvarig eng) påvirker kvalitetsegenskapene hos melk. I en feltstudie i Midt-Norge var effekten av produksjonssystem størst.

Et kontinuerlig beiteforsøk med 3 perioder à 3 uker ble gjennomført med 16 NRF-kyr i midtlaktasjonen. Målsetningen var å sammenligne melkequalitet når kyrne beitet rødkløvergras (RB) eller botanisk allsidig beite (AB). beitetype hadde ingen effekt på ytelse, melkas fettinnhold eller proteininnhold. Kyr som beitet RB hadde en høyere andel av fettsyrene C18:0 (22.41 vs. 9.96, P<0.05) og C18:1t11 (0.58 vs. 0.44 g/100g FAME, P<0.05) og lavere andel C16:0 (27.83 vs. 30.92, P<0.05) i melkefettet sammenlignet med kyr som beitet AB. Innholdet av alfatokoferol var høyere i melk fra RB enn AB (3.01 vs. 2.64 µg/ml, P<0.05). Den oksidative stabiliteten av melkas lipider ble bare i mindre grad påvirket av beitetype.

2007-2008 ble det gjennomført et feltstudie med målsetningen å finne sammenheng mellom engdriftsystem, produksjonssystem og melkekvalitet. Ni gårder med økologisk melkeproduksjon basert på kortvarig eng (KØ) ble paret med 9 gårder med konvensjonell melkeproduksjon basert på kortvarig eng (KK) og 7 gårder med økologisk melkeproduksjon basert på langvarig eng (LØ) ble paret med 7 gårder med konvensjonell melkeproduksjon basert på langvarig eng (LK). Fôrprøver og melkeprøver ble samlet inn annenhver måned. Botanisk sammensetning ble estimert før første slått i 2007. I tillegg ble data fra kukontrollen analysert. Melkeprøvene ble blant annet analysert for fettsyresammensetning, innhold av vitaminer, innhold av selen og innhold av fytoøstrogener. På de konvensjonelle gårdene var det grasarter som dominerte. På de økologiske gårdene var det i tillegg til grasarter en betydelig andel belgvekster (KØ) og urter (LØ). Kvalitetsegenskapene hos melk ble i større grad påvirket av produksjonssystem (økologisk eller konvensjonelt) enn av engdyrkingssystem (kortvarig eller langvarig eng). Det antas at hovedfaktorene var kraftfôrmengde, kraftfôrets innhold av lipider og botanisk sammensetning av grovfôret

Beiteadferden på fjellbeite og innmarksbeite i lavlandet hos kyr av rasen Sidet trønder- og Nordlansfe (STN) med diekalver blei studert i tre perioder av beitesesongen. I de to første periodene, juni og juli, brukte dyra i fjellet mer tid på å gå enn de på innmarka. For de andre aktivitetene var det små forskjeller. Det var likevel en tendens til at dyra i fjellet brukte mindre tid på å beite og til å stå enn de som gikk på innmarksbeite.

Dei totale fôrkostnadane utgjer om lag 80% og grovfôrkostnadane 60% av dei variable kostnadane i sjølvrekrutterande storkjøttproduksjonen (Nortura). Det kan derfor være mye å hente økonomisk dersom det er mulig å betre effektiviteten i fôrutnyttinga.