Co-design of intensive and ecological dairy farming systems

Task 3 will focus on co-design and implementation of technical innovations at the farm level aimed at the ecological intensification of milk production. In order to address the constraints of productivity and sustainability identified in Task 1, this will concern in particular, cow feeding systems using local resources, and simple practices to improve milk hygiene.

Sub-Task 3.1. “Co-design and simulation workshops for technical innovations” will use existing modeling tools to simulate and to assess scenarios for ecological intensification of milk production based on different feeding strategies. Two kinds of tools will be used: for optimizing feed rationing of dairy cows (4); and for exploring innovative configurations of crop-livestock integration at farm level (10).

Sub-Task 3.2. “Implementation of technical innovations” will focus on on-farm experiments in order to adapt promising innovations to local conditions regarding forage production, and feeding cows with fodder and local feeds. Producer support will be provided at farm level for sizing the forage system and herd according to the milk production objective (10).

Sub-Task 3.3. “Training sessions and scaling out” will be conducted to strengthen the skills of local producer organizations. Sessions will be based on the results from the DIPs and the four countries, in order to strengthen skills of those stakeholders on how to increase milk production and milk quality with sustainable practices.