Med. Weter. 80
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| EWA JAKIMIUK |
| The importance of forage in dairy farming and milk production – selected aspects |
| Modern agriculture, especially animal production, is undergoing gradual transformation. In the European Union, this transformation is influenced by both legal regulations and principles of a free-market economy. The adverse impact of conventional animal production on the natural environment has prompted actions to protect natural resources and reduce the emission of harmful compounds into water, soil, and the atmosphere. Measures aimed at utilizing feed materials obtained from grasslands in animal nutrition and maximizing the use of rations by animals to limit the excretion of unused nutrients into the environment are particularly important in dairy cattle breeding. Dairy farming and milk production are closely linked to crop production. High-quality roughage is fundamental for meeting the physiological needs of cows. Feed materials obtained from grasslands (permanent and rotational), which influence the quality of the final product (e.g., chemical composition and content of bioactive ingredients in milk), may meet the expectations of processing technologists and consumers. The quality of roughage used to feed high-producing dairy cows can significantly impact the profitability of farms, affecting both the total cost of the feed ration and the health and productivity of animals. The aim of this study is to present the most important factors determining the role of roughage in dairy cattle breeding and milk production. |
| Key words: forage quality, dairy cow, nutrition |