The release by Agriculture Victoria and Dairy Australia of the ‘National Guidelines for Dairy Feedpads and Contained Housing’ provides great guidance on the design and management of feedpads and housing systems for dairy cattle.
These guidelines emphasise effective feed management, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.
An additional advantage of contained housing is the effective capture of manure, which can serve as a valuable feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AD). This approach not only helps in managing waste but also creates an additional revenue stream through renewable energy production. By utilising biogas, farmers can reduce their carbon footprint while generating income.