JDS communications最新文献

{"title":"In situ ruminal degradation kinetics of grass-legume mix baleage isoflavones in dairy cows fed diets with different forage:concentrate ratios","authors":"M.A. Arshad, M.G.M. Carvalho, R.A. Menezes, K.V. Almeida, O.R. Osuolale, M.M.H. Khandakar, W. Sims, M.A. Rahman, A.F. Brito","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0939","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0939","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Isoflavones are a class of phytoestrogens shown to have positive and negative effects on animal and human health. Red clover (RC) is a major source of isoflavones for dairy cows. We aimed to evaluate the in situ ruminal degradation kinetics of isoflavones from grass-legume (GR-LG) baleage composed of a mix of orchardgrass, white clover, and RC in lactating dairy cows fed diets with different forage:concentrate (F:C) ratios. Four ruminally cannulated multiparous Holstein cows averaging (mean ± SD) 214 ± 38.7 DIM, 741 ± 83.2 kg of BW, 23.1 ± 2.68 kg/d of DMI, and 35.7 ± 5.41 kg/d of milk yield in the beginning of the experiment were used in a crossover design study with 2 periods of 16 d each (14 d for diet adaptation and 2 d for sample incubation and collection). Cows were fed 2 experimental diets (DM basis): (1) low-forage (LF; 50:50 F:C ratio; 24.9% starch and 28.1% ash-free NDF), and (2) high-forage (HF; 70:30 F:C ratio; 20.8% starch and 33.4% ash-free NDF). Approximately 7 g of lyophilized and ground GR-LG baleage samples were weighed in triplicate nylon bags; sequentially incubated in the rumen of each cow in reverse order for 0 (not incubated in the rumen), 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 h; and simultaneously removed. The effective degradability (ED) of isoflavones in the rumen was calculated using the equation ED = <em>a</em> + <em>b</em> × [<em>K<sub>d</sub></em>/(<em>K<sub>d</sub></em> + <em>K<sub>p</sub></em>)], where <em>a</em> is the soluble fraction (%), <em>b</em> is the potentially degradable fraction (%), <em>K<sub>d</sub></em> is the rate of degradation of fraction <em>b</em> (%/h), and <em>K<sub>p</sub></em> is the ruminal passage rate (%/h; 4.59 and 4.73 for HF and LF, respectively). The ruminal degradation of isoflavones was fit to the model \u0000\t\t\t\t<span><math><mrow><mi>p</mi><mo>=</mo><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>b</mi><mo>×</mo><mfenced><mrow><mn>1</mn><mo>-</mo><msup><mi>e</mi><mfenced><mrow><mo>-</mo><msub><mi>K</mi><mi>d</mi></msub><mo>×</mo><mi>t</mi></mrow></mfenced></msup></mrow></mfenced><mo>,</mo></mrow></math></span> where <em>p</em> is the proportion (%) of isoflavones disappeared at time <em>t</em>, and <em>a</em>, <em>b</em>, and <em>K<sub>d</sub></em> are as specified in the previous equation. The ED of total (93.3% vs. 92.5%) and individual isoflavones was greater in the HF diet than the LF diet. However, fractions <em>a</em> (52.7%), <em>b</em> (46.6%), and <em>K<sub>d</sub></em> (30.4%/h) of total isoflavones were not affected by diets. Except for the ruminal disappearance (<em>p</em>) of genistein, which was greater in cows fed HF (85.5%) than those fed LF (81.1%), that of total isoflavones (87.1%), formononetin (87.4%), daidzein (80.6%), and biochanin A (86.5%) was not affected by treatments. In summary, our results showed that the ED of isoflavones from GR-LG baleage was greater when feeding HF compared with LF, but treatment differences were small and potentially not biologically meaningfu","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 138-143"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"When is too small, too small? Evaluating the trade-offs of smaller dairy cows in pasture-based systems","authors":"D.P. Berry,&nbsp;R.D. Evans","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0935","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0935","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Interest in dairy cow size as a determinant of overall production efficiency is intensifying globally across different production systems, particularly in pasture-based systems where energy intake is constrained. Smaller cows are theoretically more efficient, as a lower proportion of their energy intake is required for maintenance. However, concerns persist that reducing genetic merit for cow live weight may compromise productivity, both in terms of milk yield and progeny carcass weight. A key concern is that output could decrease rapidly if live weight drops below a critical threshold. The objective of the present study was to quantify the association between genetic merit for live weight and phenotypic performance for milk production and progeny carcass weight in Irish pasture-based Holstein-Friesian cows. Following all edits, phenotypic 305-d milk yield, fat yield, and protein yield were available on 831,307 lactations from 583,361 cows calving in 2023 and 2024, whereas live weight records were available for 27,600 cows, with carcass weight data available for 49,906 of their progeny. Cows were stratified into 20 groups based on live weight PTA, and associations with milk production traits and progeny carcass weight were quantified using linear mixed models. Phenotypic cow live weight increased almost linearly with genetic merit for live weight across all parities. Milk yield and milk solids yield also increased with live weight PTA, at rates of ~1.1%, 1.3%, and 1.3% per 10-kg increase in live weight PTA for parities 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Milk protein concentration did not change with cow live weight PTA but milk fat concentration reduced as cows got genetically heavier. Progeny carcass weight increased linearly with dam live weight PTA. In all, within the range of cow sizes typical of pasture-based systems, genetically lighter Holstein-Friesian cows produced marginally less milk and had lighter progeny, but no evidence of a threshold below which productivity declined rapidly was detected. These results suggest that moderate genetic reductions in cow live weight may improve herd efficiency without materially compromising milk solids or progeny carcass output. Therefore, given that the increase in output associated with genetically heavier cows was modest compared with the potential increased maintenance costs of heavier cows, the economic advantage of selecting for heavier cows in pasture-based systems may be limited.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 194-197"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing temperate pasture-based systems through strategic selection of forage plants","authors":"Daniel J. Donaghy,&nbsp;J. Eruera Tait-Jamieson,&nbsp;Keith G. Pembleton,&nbsp;Donita L. Cartmill,&nbsp;Samuel S. Wilson,&nbsp;Michael Egan,&nbsp;Varthani Susruthan,&nbsp;Rebekah L. Wood,&nbsp;Nerissa J. Edwards,&nbsp;Robert C. Southward,&nbsp;Mark A. Osborne,&nbsp;Andrew D. Cartmill","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2026-1028","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2026-1028","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This mini-review examines the history and evolution of temperate pasture forage plant selection, from the diverse meadow-inspired mixtures of the 17th century to the simplified perennial ryegrass-based pastures from the early 20th century onward. Climate change, environmental pressures, and market expectations have driven a renewed interest in diverse and alternative pasture systems as a means of enhancing pasture productivity and resilience. However, challenges persist regarding the scale, scope, and transferability of research findings to commercial grazing conditions. We propose a pragmatic, science-based framework that prioritizes functional trait diversity over species richness, guiding farmers to define clear objectives, identify constraints, and select a modest number of complementary species and cultivars based on site-specific conditions and management capacity. This approach recognizes that meaningful functional benefits arise from strategic species and cultivar selection rather than simply increasing species number. We review some existing forage selection tools, noting their value and highlighting their limitations in addressing diverse pastures and holistic environmental objectives. Future advances should integrate resilience traits, ecosystem services, and management considerations into decision-support tools that are co-developed with farmers, researchers, and rural professionals to ensure that biological complexity remains practical and economically viable within pastoral systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 18-26"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694718","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Calcium status of multiparous Holstein cows during early lactation and its association with the health and production of 3 grazing dairies in Antioquia, Colombia","authors":"Geneva M. Graef,&nbsp;Aura M. Valencia,&nbsp;Valeria R. Cardona,&nbsp;Eduardo J. Bernal,&nbsp;Alejandra Z. Salazar,&nbsp;Alejandro C. Marquez,&nbsp;Thomas R. Overton,&nbsp;Francisco A. Leal Yepes","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0945","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0945","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Periparturient hypocalcemia in dairy cows is known to negatively affect health and milk production. The grazing-based dairy industry of Colombia is the fourth largest milk producer in Latin America and is rapidly growing. However, with renewed commitments to sustainable intensification, Colombia may be disproportionately affected by poor forage quality and periparturient diseases due to limited access to technology and infrastructure. The primary objective was to assess the prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) across 3 commercial dairy farms in Antioquia, Colombia, and its association with milk production. Second, the study sought to evaluate associations of SCH with risk of disease and culling. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 136) were enrolled in a prospective cohort study design on 3 farms in Antioquia, Colombia, from July to December of 2023. Serum concentrations of total calcium were analyzed prepartum, between 1 and 10 d before expected calving, as well as postpartum at 1, 2, 4, and 7 DIM. Cows were assigned either as eucalcemic (EU) or SCH based on the mean total calcium serum concentration at 4 DIM in this study (EU &gt;2.40 mmol/L and SCH ≤2.40 mmol/L). Milk production was recorded daily. The SAS MIXED procedure with repeated measures was used to analyze differences between EU and SCH cows and respective milk production. The prevalence of SCH was 39%. Pre- and postpartum blood total calcium were greater in EU than SCH (differences prepartum = 0.23 mmol/L and postpartum = 0.37 mmol/L). Cows classified as EU had greater milk yield (difference 1.3 kg/d) and ECM (difference 1.0 kg/d) than SCH cows, without changes in risk to disease or culling. Overall, SCH is a relevant challenge in grazing systems in Colombian dairy herds and may affect the production and may unduly affect disease, culling, and reproduction outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 218-224"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694611","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predicting the number of grazing days from milk Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectral analysis","authors":"Killian Dichou,&nbsp;Didier Veselko,&nbsp;Antonino Marvuglia,&nbsp;Hélène Soyeurt","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0954","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0954","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grazing provides multiple benefits for dairy farming, including reduced feeding costs, improved animal welfare, environmental services, and enhanced milk composition. Current certification schemes often require a minimum number of grazing days, typically verified through grazing calendars, which are time consuming for farmers and costly for industry controls. This study evaluates Ind_Herbage, an indicator derived from bulk milk Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectra to predict the probability of herbage consumption, as a proxy for grazing activity in Wallonia, southern Belgium. The algorithm detects grazing periods by analyzing temporal changes in Ind_Herbage values using a smoothed derivative-based approach with a winter correction to avoid false positives from feed supplementation. Applied to 2 yr of data from 72 Walloon dairy farms (approximately 10,000 milk records per year), the method identified an average of 212 grazing days in 2023 and 221 in 2024, with 97% of farms exceeding the 120-d requirement. The number of grazing periods detected per farm (4–5 on average) was well aligned with regional climatic conditions. These results demonstrate the potential of Ind_Herbage to provide an automatic, large-scale assessment of grazing days, offering a practical alternative to traditional grazing calendars for both farmers and dairy industries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 108-111"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694650","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A higher-output grass-based spring-calving dairy production system in Ireland—Factors influencing performance variability over a 9-year period","authors":"K.M. Pierce,&nbsp;Z.C. McKay,&nbsp;K.M. McCarthy,&nbsp;A.G. Fahey,&nbsp;M. Wallace,&nbsp;M.B. Lynch,&nbsp;N.A. Walsh,&nbsp;N. Ryan,&nbsp;N. Dooley,&nbsp;F.J. Mulligan","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0967","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0967","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The competitiveness of the Irish dairy industry relies on the efficient utilization of grazed grass. Growth in milk output over the last decade was primarily achieved by increasing herd size rather than cow yield. However, limitations on land, labor, and environmental regulations restricting stocking rates mean higher concentrate input grazing systems, which focus on increased output per cow, merit consideration. From 2016, a multiyear study commenced at University College Dublin investigating a higher-output grazing system, characterized by increased milk solids (MSo; fat kg + protein kg) output and higher concentrate supplementation per cow, by integrating the most recent advances in grassland management, nutrition, and genetics. Approximately 57 spring-calving dairy cows were selected and managed as one herd. The 9-year average herbage yield was 12,560 kg DM/ha, and grass utilization (&gt;4 cm) was 88.4%. Annual grazed grass intake per cow averaged 2,931 kg DM. Interannual variability in daily grass growth and total DM grown led to a wide range in grazed grass consumed per cow (2,260–3,410 kg DM). On average, cows were allocated 1,906 kg DM of grass silage and 1,299 kg DM of concentrate. Farm-gate nitrogen (N) use efficiency, used to estimate the ratio of N input versus output in farm produce, averaged 35% but increased in years when fertilizer use was reduced. Average MSo production (583 kg/cow) and the 6-wk in-calf rate (76.4%) both exceeded national averages over the same period. This study highlights the potential of higher-output grass-based systems to achieve efficient grassland performance and high levels of MSo production per cow. Future research should focus on strategies to improve interyear performance consistency of milk production, fertility, and grassland management, particularly in managing the impacts of climatic variation affecting grass growth. This may include more flexible and responsive concentrate supplementation approaches to offset yield depressions during periods of reduced grass availability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 119-125"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Milk yield and grazing behavior are influenced by the amount of concentrate but not the pregrazing pasture height offered to late-lactation grazing dairy cows","authors":"Meaghan L. Douglas,&nbsp;Joanna W. Heard,&nbsp;Khageswor Giri,&nbsp;Greg L. Morris,&nbsp;Monique J. Berkhout,&nbsp;William J. Wales,&nbsp;Joseph L. Jacobs,&nbsp;Joanna E. Newton,&nbsp;Marlie M. Wright","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0944","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0944","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In temperate regions of the world, such as southeastern Australia, the majority of dairy farms are pasture-based, with supplementary concentrates fed to cows in the parlor during milking to varying degrees based on location, season, and stage of lactation. Therefore, there is considerable variation between farms in the amount of pasture and concentrate fed. This experiment aimed to investigate the milk production, DMI, and grazing behavior of dairy cows offered pasture at different pregrazing pasture heights coupled with different amounts of concentrate. Thirty-six Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in late lactation were used in the 25-d experiment, during which there were two 6-d measurement periods. Six cows were randomly allocated to each of the 6 treatment combinations using a completely randomized design, balanced for DIM, and both BW and milk production based on data from the 7 d before the beginning of the experiment. The treatment combinations consisted of offering cows one of 2 pasture heights (10 or 14 cm, measured to ground level) and one of 3 amounts of concentrate (3, 5, or 7 kg DM/d). Pasture height did not influence milk yield or composition, but cows offered a higher pregrazing pasture height had increased pasture DMI (estimated using the n-alkane technique). Cows offered 7 kg DM of concentrate/d produced the greatest yields of milk but averaged a 4 kg DM/cow per d lower pasture DMI compared with cows offered 3 or 5 kg DM of concentrate/d. There was no difference in total daily eating time between any of the treatment groups, whereas total daily ruminating time was lowest for cows offered 7 kg DM of concentrate/d compared with cows offered 3 or 5 kg DM of concentrate/d. As pasture is generally the lowest-cost feed source on pasture-based farms, substituting pasture consumption for concentrate can reduce profit while also increasing postgrazing residuals, which affects subsequent pasture regrowth. Balancing concentrate feeding and pasture utilization in grazing-based dairy systems is an important principle for pasture-based dairy farms in temperate regions of the world.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 171-177"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Minimizing nutrient losses to freshwater from pasture-based dairy systems","authors":"R.W. McDowell,&nbsp;K.A. Macintosh,&nbsp;J.R. Roche,&nbsp;O. Fenton,&nbsp;L. Delaby","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0934","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0934","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pasture-based dairy systems have expanded in regions with suitable climates, often driven by consumer demand for perceived environmental, animal welfare, and nutritional advantages. Expansion and intensification of such systems have increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) losses to water, contributing to eutrophication and groundwater contamination. To support sustainable milk production and reduce environmental impact, it is necessary to understand the transport pathways of nutrient losses and the actions that will mitigate the same. Nutrient losses arise from interactions between sources, mainly animal excreta, imported feed and fertilizer, soil, and pasture, and transport pathways such as runoff (surface or near surface in tile drainage) and leaching. Whereas urine patches dominate N loss in pasture-based systems, through nitrate (NO₃-N) leaching, dung and soil are key P sources, especially via surface runoff under wet or compacted soil conditions. Actions to mitigate losses must be tailored to N or P and range from farm system management practices, such as improved nutrient management, manure handling, and strategic grazing or housing/off-paddock infrastructure, to edge-of-field mitigations like appropriate placements of wetlands, riparian buffers, denitrification beds, and detainment bunds. Targeting actions to critical source areas can greatly enhance their cost-effectiveness. Successful implementation of actions depends on aligning environmental benefits with farm profitability, supported by policy instruments that blend voluntary and regulatory approaches.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 41-45"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of water-soluble carbohydrates from grasses on the nutrition of grazing ruminants","authors":"M.A. Porcu,&nbsp;A. Cannas","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0918","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grasses used for grazing, particularly modern ryegrass varieties and other C3 grasses, show high variability in water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations (5%–40% of DM) depending on species and varieties, environment, and management. High WSC concentrations, typical of high-latitude regions, have recently also been reported under Mediterranean conditions. In ruminants, pasture WSC may be positively associated with grazing time, DMI, animal performance, and pasture nutrient use efficiency. However, along with other nutritional factors, they can also be associated with rapid ruminal fermentation and low rumen pH, which may negatively affect milk fat synthesis under certain grazing conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 90-94"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leveraging dairy cattle dietary preference for pasture diversification to optimize marginal land recruitment into agroecosystems","authors":"Abigale H. Zoltick,&nbsp;Thomas D. Parsons","doi":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0958","DOIUrl":"10.3168/jdsc.2025-0958","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A growing global population and increasing demand for food necessitate the efficient use of agricultural land. Marginal land accounts for nearly one-quarter of the total land area worldwide. Cattle can contribute to food security and environmental sustainability by grazing this otherwise underutilized land, thereby conserving arable land for crop production. However, strategic pasture management is essential to ensure that the nutritional needs of higher-yielding dairy cattle are met. While it is well documented that pasture diversification can provide valuable ecosystem services, there is a scarcity of research exploring plant biodiversity in the context of dairy cattle dietary preferences during marginal land restoration. In reviewing these topics at the interface of dairy farming and agroecology, inclusion eligibility was limited to dietary preference studies conducted on pastured dairy heifers or cows in temperate geographic regions. Thus, here we first describe the available scientific literature investigating dietary preference in pastured dairy cattle and the impact of pasture diversification. We then identify key knowledge gaps that will inform future research targeting sustainable dairy farming on marginal land with the goal of leveraging dairy cattle dietary preferences to maximize the benefits of pasture diversification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":94061,"journal":{"name":"JDS communications","volume":"7 ","pages":"Pages 103-107"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148694655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}