Dairy Up project 2b: Unlocking the potential of the cow - longevity: age and parity years 2 to 4

This project will build on earlier work investigating the risk factors for reduced longevity in Australian dairy cow herds. It will further investigate epidemiological and metabolomic markers that provide early identification of cows at risk of early loss from herds. In additon, it will identify differences in performance of cattle in intensive and extensive facilities. A compost barn allows cows more freedom of movement than conventional stalls. These barns may also provide a reduction in manure storage costs and needed space, and a savings in labour and manure handling, this project will also evaluate the factors essential to the efficient function of compost barns.