Short communication: Effect of stocking rate on the economics of pasture-based dairy farms

Data from a multiyear farm systems study evaluating the effect of stocking rate (SR) on pasture production and utilization, milk production per cow and per hectare, reproduction, and cow health were used to determine the economic implications of altering SR. The effect of SR was also evaluated relative to cow size and total feed available (comparative stocking rate; CSR), to account for differences in cow size and feed supplement availability. Milk production, gross revenue, operating expenses, and operating profit per cow all declined with increasing SR and CSR. In comparison, milk production, gross revenue, and operating expenses per hectare increased with increasing SR and CSR. These effects were irrespective of milk price. The effect of SR on operating profit and return on assets, however, was dependent on milk payment system. When payment was based on the economic value of milk fat and protein, operating profit and return on assets were quadratically associated with both SR and CSR, declining at an SR greater or less than 3.3 cows/ha and a CSR greater or less than 77 kg of body weight/t of feed dry matter available. In comparison, when milk payment was based on a fluid milk pricing system, profit per hectare increased linearly with increasing SR and CSR, but return on assets was not affected by SR or CSR.