Comparing irrigated biodynamic and conventionally managed dairy farms. 2. Milk production and composition and animal health

Abstract

Ten paired irrigated dairy farms under biodynamic (BD) and conventional (CV) management were compared over a 3-year period (1991–93). The paired farms were located in the irrigation districts of northern Victoria and southern New South Wales and were matched for soil type, cattle breed and farm area. The BD farms practised BD principles for an average of 16 years before the study. The effects of farm management on milk yields and composition and animal health were examined by annually surveying farm managers regarding disease incidence and chemical treatment of animals, and by measuring milk yield and composition and faecal egg counts over the experimental period. The two hypotheses tested w..