Sustainability of concentrate use in dairy husbandry

Prices of animal feed play an important role for the use of concentrate and basic-ration feedstuffs in dairy husbandry. Calculations made with the SILAS model calculation system show that it is economically efficient to increase concentrate rations for dairy cows when feedstuff prices decrease. Sustainability analyses taking into account economic as well as social and ecological effects demonstrate that moderate price reductions (up to 65 Swiss francs per quintal of milk-performance feed) can increase the sustainability of dairy husbandry. Further price reductions however would lead to a considerable worsening of sustainability.