120. There is renewed interest in housing dairy cows throughout the year, where conserved feed and/or zero grazed forages are offered throughout. Cows may have access to an outdoor loafing area which may be a field but no attempt is made to provide grass for grazing.
121. The system was adopted on some farms in the UK in the late 1970s and early 1980s, based on the success of similar systems in North America and Israel. However, uptake was limited because of increased costs, additional demands on labour and equipment and the introduction of milk quotas. Both trial and practical experience abroad indicated no significant additional health problems, although lameness and environmental mastitis were shown to be higher in an ADAS study 3 under UK conditions.
3. Marsh, S P (1982). Storage Feeding of Dairy Cattle.
122. With increasing yields per cow and increased genetic potential for higher milk output, there are instances when grazing alone cannot satisfy the cows' requirements. All-year housing and feeding is therefore again being used by some farmers who maintain that it allows for more controlled nutrient intake and improved cow observation. However, it is questionable if this system allows cows to exhibit normal behaviour. We are not aware of any research into the effects on cow welfare and would like to see this undertaken to determine whether this type of husbandry is acceptable from an animal welfare viewpoint.
123. When cows are housed throughout the year, it is imperative that housing design, maintenance, nutrition and stockmanship are of the highest standard to ensure that health and welfare are safeguarded.
124. Free access must be provided to an exercise field adjacent to the housing area.
125. A study of behavioural needs of cows under systems of all-year housing is needed to assess the effects on their welfare.