Progress 09/01/24 to 08/31/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Project outreach goals include reaching and disseminating practical research-based information derived from the project to no fewer than 1000 organic dairy farmers, organic certifiers, technical service providers, and milk buyers across the United States. The expectation is that outreach efforts will ultimately serve to expand and enhance the ability of producers and the related support industry to grow and market high quality grass-fed milk. To reach our target audiences, we have beenreaching out to farmers and other stakeholders with whom we have established relationships through our previous OREI projects and ongoing Extension activities. In addition, press announcements have beendeveloped in advance of each outreach activity including the on-farm workshops, conferences, and webinars. These have been distributed through traditional media outlets, as well as project partner social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We also used popular agriculture communication channels, especially those that attract organic farmers and those who work with them, such as Odairy (an email listserv serving the organic dairy industry with a membership of more than 500 farmers and others) and organic and sustainable agriculture associations. Changes/Problems:Objective 3.3- Evaluate the interaction between forage quality and molasses supplementation level on ruminal fermentation and methane emissions. Government administrative barriers prevented progress on this objective across the reporting period due to the key personnel responsible (federal employees) having limited access to funds, equipment, or communications required to complete the objective. The project team is reevaluating options for completing this objective during the next reporting period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate students worked with the project team to develop abstracts and presentations for 3 professional society conferences. One graduate student worked with the project team to develop and submit a paper for peer-reviewed publication. The postdoctoral researchers worked with the project team to develop and submit two papers for peer-reviewed publication. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Objective 5.1- Strengthen our national network. To help advertise our work more widely, the following communications were distributed: Cost of Production on Grass-fed Dairy Farms in the Northeast in 2023. NODPA News, January 12, 2025.https://nodpa.com/n/8188/Cost-of-Production-on-Grass-fed-Dairy-Farms-in-the-Northeast-in-2023 Grass-fed Dairy Production Practices and Farmer Perceptions: Results from a survey of grass-fed dairy producers in the US. NODPA News, January 12, 2025.https://nodpa.com/n/8187/Grass-fed-Dairy-Production-Practices-and-Farmer-Perceptions-Results-from-a-survey-of-grass-fed-dairy-producers-in-the-US ?Emerging Trends and Success on Northeast Grass-fed Dairy Farms. NODPA News November, 15, 2025.https://nodpa.com/n/9228/Emerging-Trends-and-Success-on-Northeast-Grass-Fed-Dairy-Farms Objective 5.2- Building knowledge and skills. The following presentations and events were attended or hosted by project staff and attended by over 1400 stakeholders. Organic Valley Roundtable, January 29th, 2025. Virtual.Roy Desrochers provided a 3.5-hour interactive presentation on grass-fed dairy sensory research that included basic sensory analysis training, milk flavor quality instruction, and an update on the 2024 work on this grant. Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) Annual Meeting, February 7th, 2025. Virtual.Roy Desrochers provided a 4-hour interactive presentation at the VCC annual that included basic sensory analysis training, milk and cheese flavor quality instruction, and an update on the 2024 work on this grant and the potential impacts of grass-fed milk flavor on cheese. Prograssive Conference, February 18, 2025. Utica, NY.Sarah Flack and Sara Ziegler attended and had a table at conference sharing resources and conducting outreach to potential farmer participants. Sarah Flack gave a presentation titled "Lessons from Successful Grass-fed Dairy Farms" which utilized information and experiences generated by the project. Vermont Cheese Council (VCC) Technical Meeting, February 25th, 2025. Virtual.Roy Desrochers provided a 4-hour interactive presentation at the VCC technical meeting that included advanced sensory analysis training, milk and cheese flavor quality education, and a additional updates on the 2024 work on this grant and the potential impacts of grass-fed milk flavor on cheese. Organic Valley Annual Meeting, April 9th, 2025. La Crosse, WI.Roy Desrochers provided an interactive presentation on grass-fed dairy sensory research that included basic sensory analysis training, milk flavor quality instruction, and an update on the 2024 work on this grant to approximately 100 attendees. Organic Valley Quality Assurance Training, April 10th, 2025. La Crosse, WI.Roy Desrochers provided in depth training in descriptive sensory analysis (DSA) with a focus on 100% grass-fed milk, to a group of approximately 20 quality assurance staff at Organic Valley. In addition, he reviewed findings from the 2024 data of this grant. Billings Farm Descriptive Sensory Analysis (DSA) on Dairy Products, May 30th, 2025, Woodstock, VT.Roy Desrochers provided in depth training workshop in descriptive sensory analysis (DSA) with a focus on 100% grass-fed milk and cheese to a group of approximately 30 staff at Billings Farm in Woodstock, VT. Northeastern Agricultural Resource and Economic Association Conference, June 8-11, 2025. Burlington, VT.Avery Anderson presented results from a four-year analysis of cost of production data from grass-fed dairy farms at the Northeastern Agricultural Resource and Economic Association annual conference. Attendees were agricultural and resource economics professionals from around the region representing a diversity of industries. Pasture Walk with Sarah Flack: Transitioning to 100% Grass-Fed Dairy, June 18th, 2025. Penn Yan, NY.Sarah Flack led a pasture walk at Mahlon Fox's farm in Penn Yan NY on June 18th. The workshop focused on key strategies for success when transitioning a dairy herd to a 100% grass-fed system, along with practical pasture management techniques tailored for grass-fed dairies. UVM Crop and Soil Field Day, July 24th, 2025. Alburgh, VT.Roy Desrochers Facilitated a Descriptive Sensory Analysis (DSA) workshop with a focus on flavor quality using grass-fed milk and honey as examples. In addition, he reviewed top line results from 2024 and the first half of 2025 for this study. Grass-Fed Dairy Pasture Walk, July 28th, 2025. Mannsville, NY.Sara Flack and Sara Ziegler hosted an on-farm pasture walk at Doug Morses farm in Mannsville NY. Doug's farm has been organic since 2005, grass-fed since 2011 and added a pack barn in 2009. This workshop included interactive discussion on grazing management, soils, forage quality and key strategies for success for grass-fed dairy farms. Grass-Fed Dairy Pasture Walk, July 29th, 2025. Little Falls, NY.Project staff hosted a pasture walk at Dan and Jeremiah Casler's grass fed dairy farm in Little Falls NY. The workshop included interactive discussion on grazing management, weed management, soil fertility, soil health, forage quality and key strategies for success for grass-fed dairy farms. Grass-Fed Dairy Pasture Walk, August 5th, 2025. Morrisville, NY. On-farm pasture walk at Steven Weavers farm in Morrisville NY. The workshop included interactive discussion on grazing management, weed management, soil fertility, soil health, forage quality and key strategies for success for grass-fed dairy farms. Grass-Fed Dairy Pasture Walk, August 13th, 2025. Constable, NY.Project staff hosted an on-farm pasture walk at Lawrence Horst's Farm in Constable. The workshop included interactive discussion on stored feed management, grazing management, soil fertility, soil health, forage quality and key strategies for success for grass-fed dairy farms. Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance Field Days, September 25 and 26, 2025. Pompey, NY.Sarah Flack and Sara Ziegler attended both days of this event and had a table on the second day sharing resources and conducting outreach to current and potential farmer participants. Sarah Flack gave a presentation titled "Lessons from Successful Grass-fed Dairy Farms" which Sara Ziegler contributed discussion to and drew on information and experiences generated through the research projects. Grass-Fed Dairy Management Workshop: Fall feed inventory & forage quality, October 9th, 2025. Sprakers, NY.An on-farm workshop at Joeseph Kauffman's in Sprakers NY. The workshop focused on forage quality and how to manage winter feed inventories to maximize milk production and herd health. The workshop included interactive assessments of different forages on the farm as well as discussion of key strategies for success for grass-fed dairy farms. The following extension publications were developed through this project in 2025: Darby, Heather, Ziegler, Sara, Flack, Sarah. 2024 Cost of Production on Grass-fed Dairy Farms in the Northeast.https://www.uvm.edu/d10-files/documents/2025-11/2024-COP-article-Sep2025.pdf Evaluating Hay Crop Silage Inoculants for Use in Organic Systems. Blogpost. Outcroppings Blog.https://blog.uvm.edu/outcropn/2025/07/14/evaluating-hay-crop-silage-inoculants-for-use-in-organic-systems/ Darby, Heather and Ziegler, Sara, "2024 Fall Annual Forages Trial" (2025). Northwest Crops & Soils Program. 593.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/nwcsp/593/ Darby, Heather and Ziegler, Sara, "Influence of Cutting Height and Inoculant Use on Forage Productivity and Silage Productivity" (2025). Northwest Crops & Soils Program. 594. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/nwcsp/594 Darby, Heather and Ziegler, Sara, "2024 Perennial Grass Variety Trial" (2025). Northwest Crops & Soils Program. 595. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/nwcsp/595/ Darby, Heather and Ziegler, Sara, "2024 Summer Annual Variety Trial" (2025). Northwest Crops & Soils Program. 596. https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/nwcsp/596/ What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1.1- Expand the data collection and participants in the financial benchmarking program. In January-April 2026, financial data will again be collected from 32 grass-fed dairy producers across three states in the Northeast using the Dairy TRANS 20.20 analysis tool during in-person and phone interviews. An summary of the cost of production will be created and shared with the target audience. This will be the final year of benchmarking. Objective 1.2- Identifying strategies that support economic viability of grass-fed dairy farms. Publication summarizing the findings from these analyses have been submitted in 2025 and publication expected in 2026. Objective 2.1- Quantifying the impacts of grazing management on gastrointestinal parasite burden in organic grass-fed dairy cattle and identify impact on milk production. This objective is planned to start in Year 2. Initial planning amongst the research team was conducted at an annual team meeting in August, 2024. This objective will be reported on next year. Objective 2.3- Evaluate the interaction of forage quality and milk feeding duration on calf and heifer growth and markers of rumen development. This objective started in the spring of2025. The next phase of the study will focus on completing calf enrollment and continuing the 6-month follow-up period for performance, digestibility, and metabolic monitoring. Weekly body weight and skeletal measurements (heart girth, hip width, hip height, withers height, and body length) will continue for all calves through 9 months of age to assess growth and identify potential compensatory gain among calves weaned at 90 d compared with those weaned at 180 d. Digestibility results, blood metabolite profiles, and microbial protein synthesis estimates will be combined to provide a comprehensive assessment of rumen development across treatments, with a focus on comparing the 90-d and 180-d milk-feeding programs. In addition, an economic analysis will be performed to evaluate the cost implications of the different milk feeding durations and forage quality treatments. Objective 3.1- Identify management strategies that enhance forage productivity and quality. Variety evaluations will continue on perennail grasses and legumes for a third year of data collection. Two fertiliity trials will have data processed for the first two years and continuation of the trials will depend on this analysis. Forage and soil samples from 2025are in process of being analyzed in the laboratory for forage quality parameters and nitrogen content. Research for 2024 and 2025 will be summarized and shared with farming community. Objective 3.2- Characterize soil nutrient dynamics on grass-fed dairy farms. Eight dairy farms provided management data that was entered into the Cornell Whole Farm Mass Nutrient Balance calculator. We will collect more data sets in 2026and hope to align our cost of production questionnaire more with this data collection so that we can investigate the economic interpretation of these balances as well. In addition, the soil fertility survey will be completedwith the collection of soil cores at 0-15, 15-30, and 30-60cm depths on the final 6 fields on 3 farms.Farms were selected based on their acreage, stored forage production, and other management factors with the goal of obtaining a spread of management systems that would help elucidate trends in soil fertility and their connection to management practices. On each farm, up to two hay fields and two pastures were sampled. Fields were selected by the farmer through a conversation with technical staff who helped identify sites that were under relatively consistent management from year to year and the farmer possessed decent records for nutrient applications and forage harvests/grazings. In each field, a point was GPS located where a bulk density sample was collected at the three depths. Surrounding that point, a composite sample of 5 cores was collected at the three depths. The maximum depth achieved, if less than 60 cm, was noted along with the number of attempts out of 10 maximum attempts to obtain the 5 cores. Over the winter, participating farmers will be interviewed to obtain fertility and yield record information. The research team will finalize plans for additional sampling to be conducted in 2026. Objective 3.3- Evaluate the interaction between forage quality and molasses supplementation level on ruminal fermentation and methane emissions. This objective is not slated to start until 2026. Initial planning has been conducted. Objective 4.1- Expand understanding of grass-fed milk sensory quality's relation to farm management and processing. We are currently planning for the fourth quarter test to complete 2025 that will include: 6 production samples - three from FF and 3 from OV 16 raw milk farm samples from FF (approximate) 25 Market purchased samples (5 FF, 5 OV, 5 MH, 5 Organic/Pasteur raised, and 5 conventional) We will then complete the analysis of the 2024 and 2025 sensory data combined, with a focus on: The variation of flavor quality in the market for conventional, organic, and 100% grass-fed milk Differences in flavor quality between the major brands of 100% grass-fed milk including Family Farmstead, Organic Valley, and Maple Hill Differences in flavor quality between brands of organic milk including Rogers and Strafford organic milk Differences in flavor quality between local conventional milk including Sweet Rowen and Monument Farms Differences in the flavor quality of lots of milk produced at the participating dairies, Family Farmstead and Organic Valley, and identification of processing factors that may cause these differences Differences in the flavor quality of raw milk between farms that supply 100% grass-fed milk to FFD, and factors or farming practices that may be responsible, especially for off-flavors Seasonal differences in milk flavor quality that may be reflective of cow diet and eating habits Ultimately, we will be looking to identify factors at the farm, or in processing at the dairy, or in distribution, that affect the flavor quality of milk. Once identified, we will work with farmers, dairy producers, and retail, to adjust practices to produce the highest quality milk possible for customers. Objective 4.2- Identify the β-carotene content and fatty acid content and profile in grass-fed milk to assess their applicability as potential biomarkers of authentication of grass-fed milk as well as the nutritional quality of grass-fed milk. The next steps for this project include completion of sample processing and analyses, as well as dissemination of our findings. We plan to present two abstracts at scientific meetings (i.e., ASN and ADSA) and publish two manuscripts in 2026: one addressing the utility of milk fatty acid profiling for production system authentication, and another evaluating the sensory and nutritional implications of fatty acid variation in grass-fed and organic retail milk. Additionally, our findings will be communicated directly to producers through workshop presentations with the goal of strengthening knowledge about the relationships between management practices and product quality. This research will enhance consumer confidence in value-added dairy products by providing a foundation for the dairy industry to implement science-based verification programs, optimize product labeling, and improve transparency from on-farm practices to retail markets.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1.1- Expand the data collection and participants in the financial benchmarking program. In January-April 2025, financial data were collected from 32 grass-fed dairy producers across three states in the Northeast using the Dairy TRANS 20.20 analysis tool during in-person and phone interviews. The participating farms managed on average 65 crossbreed cows, 365 acres of crop land, purchased 30.3% of their herd's forage needs, and represented the two major grass-fed milk buyers in the region as well as some smaller local processors. Overall, the total cost of production on grass-fed dairy farms in the northeast averaged $51.47 which was approximately $2.00 higher than the previous year. Objective 1.2- Identifying strategies that support economic viability of grass-fed dairy farms. This objective assesses the correlation between COP and key production and management factors and examines how land, feed and labor efficiency and production scale may affect the COP. Data collected via annual surveys in the Northeastern United States from 2019 to 2022 were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, hypothesis tests, and regression analysis. At an average of $45.91 per hundred weight equivalent (cwt eq.) of milk, cows managed per full time equivalent labor (FTE) and milk sold per cow reduced COP by $0.016 and $0.002 per unit increase respectively. Conversely, production scale and crop acres per cow increased COP by $6.19 and $1.43 per unit increase respectively. the major factors for the significant variation in COP across farms include the crop acres per cow, cows managed per full time equivalent labor (FTE), milk sold per cow, and production scale. Objective 2.1- Quantifying the impacts of grazing management on gastrointestinal parasite burden in organic grass-fed dairy cattle and identify impact on milk production. Four grass-fed herds were enrolled in monthly milk testing services throughout the grazing season to track milk production. Each month at the time of testing, each herd was visited and fecal samples from individual animals collected. Pasture information, including the post-grazing sward height at the time of the visit, was also collected. Higher parasite incidence was observed in the spring compared to the fall and there was a positive linear relationship between the number of strongyle eggs in manure and date of pasture turnout. There was also a significant negative relationship between the number of strongyle eggs in manure and post-grazing sward height. Finally, there was a significant negative relationship between milk yield and parasite burden where cows that had more strongyle worm eggs in their feces produced less milk. Objective 2.2- Investigate impact of grazing management and calf milk feeding (quantity and duration) on youngstock resiliency to gastrointestinal parasites, breeding performance, and productivity in first lactation. Like the trend observed in the lactating herds, strongyle eggs were higher in youngstock feces during the spring months. Over the grazing season, youngstock grazed on the same pastures for extended periods and on pastures with the shortest recovery periods (35 d) had higher numbers of strongyle eggs in their manure. A similar trend was observed with coccidia oocysts. There was also a significant negative relationship between milk feeding duration and strongyle worm egg count in youngstock feces. Finally, there were significant differences in the number of coccidia oocysts in youngstock feces between rearing systems. Calves receiving milk through group feeder systems had significantly more coccidia oocysts in their feces than those reared in other systems. Objective 2.3- Evaluate the interaction of forage quality and milk feeding duration on calf and heifer growth and markers of rumen development. The study started in February 2025, and to date, 39 calves (n =19 crossbreds and n= 20 Jerseys) have been enrolled. Of these, 10 calves are no longer part of the study (>6 months) and are now fed a TMR containing 70% forage until they reach 9 months of age, and 24 calves have surpassed 3 months of age, at which the 3-month fecal and urine samples have been collected. Forage analyses revealed that the high- and low-quality hay contained, respectively, 20.3 and 12.9% crude protein, 50.7 and 58% neutral detergent fiber, and 32.2 and 40% acid detergent fiber. Calves in the HQ180 group exhibited the greatest average daily weigh gain (1.00 ± 0.14 kg/day), followed by LQ180 (0.95 ± 0.05 kg/d). Calves in the shorter milk-feeding duration showed lower gains, with HQ90 averaging 0.75 ± 0.08 kg/d and LQ90 averaging 0.63 ± 0.07 kg/d. These results demonstrate that both higher forage quality and extended milk feeding contributed to improved growth performance. Calves in the HQ180 group achieved the greatest total gain (177.4 ± 15.2 kg), followed by calves in the LQ180 group (168.4 ± 17.6 kg). Calves receiving shorter milk-feeding durations gained less overall. Objective 3.1- Identify management strategies that enhance forage productivity and quality. Four trials were initiated in 2024 to investigate forage management strategies that enhance productivity and quality. A perennial grass variety trial with 38 varieties of six perennial grass species was harvested three times assessing yield. Second, a trial investigating legume inclusion rates (0-50%) were hand harvested at 1st cut in May 2025 and the material sorted into grass and legume to determine plot composition. Plots were harvested to assess yield at three cuttings across the season. Third, a trial investigating fertility amendment efficacy for managing forages organically. Plots containing three species of grasses mixed with and without red clover and alfalfa were established. After each of three harvests plots were treated with Chilean nitrate, liquid dairy manure, poultry manure, or no fertility source. Fourth, a trial investigating the efficacy of five organically approved silage inoculants was conducted in 2025. Materials were applied at harvest just prior to windrows being chopped. Forage from each treatment was sealed in vacuum seal bags and allowed to ferment for 24h, 48h, 72h, 7d, 14d, and 28d. Samples for all trials are in process of being analyzed in the laboratory for forage quality parameters. Objective 3.2- Characterize soil nutrient dynamics on grass-fed dairy farms. In the fall 2025, soil cores at 0-15, 15-30, and 30-60cm depths were collected on 19 fields on 6 farms in NY. Farms were selected based on their acreage, stored forage production, and other management factors with the goal of obtaining a spread of management systems that would help elucidate trends in soil fertility and their connection to management practices. Objective 4.1- Expand understanding of grass-fed milk sensory quality's relation to farm management and processing. The UVM trained Descriptive Sensory Analysis (DSA) taste panel completed its sensory evaluation on a total of 132 milk samples, which included all the milk samples in the planned 2025 DSA sample design for the first three quarters of 2025. Objective 4.2- Identify the β-carotene content and fatty acid content and profile in grass-fed milk. In 2025, a total of 278 retail milk samples (60 grass-fed, 109 organic, and 109 conventional) and 284 individual samples from grass-fed producers were collected. Across 2024-2025, approximately 500 samples have been fully processed and their fatty acid profiles analyzed, an additional 200 samples have been fully processed but not yet analyzed, and 500 are partially processed. Statistical analysis revealed distinct differences in the fatty acid profiles of 100% grass-fed, organic, and conventional milk, and several fatty acids were identified as candidate biomarkers for production system authentication.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2025 Citation: Wang, Q., Ziegler, S., Flack, S., Anderson, A., Unveren, H. and Darby, H. Factors of grass-fed organic milk production costs in the Northeastern United States: Empirical results from survey data. Selected paper presented at the Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association (NAREA) 2025 Annual Meeting and Workshop, Burlington, Vermont, June 8-11, 2025.

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Project outreach goals include reaching and disseminating practical research-based information derived from the project to no fewer than 1000 organic dairy farmers, organic certifiers, technical service providers, and milk buyers across the United States. The expectation is that outreach efforts will ultimately serve to expand and enhance the ability of producers and the related support industry to grow and market high quality grass-fed milk. To reach our target audiences, we will reach out to farmers and other stakeholders with whom we have established relationships through our previous OREI projects and ongoing Extension activities. In addition, press announcements will be developed in advance of each outreach activity including the on-farm workshops, conferences, and webinars. These will be distributed through traditional media outlets, as well as project partner social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We will also use popular agriculture communication channels, especially those that attract organic farmers and those who work with them, such as Odairy (an email listserv serving the organic dairy industry with a membership of more than 500 farmers and others) and organic and sustainable agriculture associations. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One graduate student and one technial received training to develop sensory techniques and basic skillls. This was a 6-part training for a total 18 hours education. Students and technical support learned theDescriptive Sensory Analysis (DSA) how to use the Profile Attribute Analysis (PAA) that could then be used to relate to farm-level variables. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Objective 5.1- Strengthen our national network. In 2024, 452 copies of A Farmer's Guide to Grass-fed Dairy Production developed under our last research project were distributed to farmers and partnering organizations across nine states: IA, IL, IN, MA, MD, NY, PA, WI, and WY. In addition, to help advertise our work more widely, the following communications were distributed: Flyer for April 3 event sent to Organic Valley, Maple Hill Creamery, Family Farmstead, NY Grazette newsletter, NOFA-NY, and NODPA (online and March newsletter). Elam Stolzfus (PA farmer) wrote something about the grass-fed guide in Topsoil Magazine and put our phone number with it, prompting farmers to call requesting a copy. August 2024 Flyer for October 31 event sent to Organic Valley, Maple Hill Creamery, Family Farmstead, and mailed to list of farmers who had attended events and signed our mailing list who were within 2.5 hours of the location. Objective 5.2- Building knowledge and skills. The following presentations and events were hosted by project staff: Desrochers, R. and S. Ziegler. Dairy and Beef Sensory Session. Northeast Grazing & Livestock Conference, January 25th-27th, 2024. Amherst, MA.Roy Desrochers and Sara Ziegler attended and provided a 2.5-hour presentation on grass-fed beef and dairy sensory research. They also provided outreach to attendees providing information on the new project and opportunities for farmer participation. Flack, S. and S. Ziegler. Developing the Grass-Fed Organic Milk Market. Prograssive Conference, February 20, 2024. Utica, NY.. Sarah Flack and Sara Ziegler attended and had a table at conference sharing resources and conducting outreach to potential farmer participants. Healthy Soil, Pasture & Forage, April 3, 2024. Fort Plain, NY.Heather Darby, Sarah Flack, and Sara Ziegler hosted an all-day workshop focused on soil health and fertility, grazing and forage management for grass-fed dairy operations. They also provided information on past, current, and upcoming research opportunities through this project. Sensory Basics Workshop at the UVM Ext. NWCS Annual Field Day, July 25, 2024, Alburgh, VT.Roy Desrochers facilitated a 2-hour workshop on the basics of objective sensory analysis with a focus on 100% grass-fed milk, craft beer, local hops, and maple syrup. He also provided outreach to attendees providing information on this research project. Milk Sensory workshop for Family Farmstead farms, August 1, 2024. Worchester, NY.Roy Desrochers, Heather Darby, and Sara Ziegler supported Tom McGrath in an all-day workshop focused on milk sensory evaluation and management at the farm and processor level that can help contribute to the production of high-quality grass-fed dairy products. Sensory Basics Workshop at the UVM CALS Annual Retreat, August 21, 2024, South Burlington, VT. Roy Desrochers facilitated a 1.5-hour workshop on the basics of objective sensory analysis with a focus on 100% grass-fed milk, 100% grass-fed beef, and locally produced honey. He also provided outreach to attendees providing information on this research project as well as active UVM projects with other grass-fed products. Pasture Walk, September 19, 2024, Schenevus, NY. Sarah Flack, Kurt Cotanch, and Sara Ziegler hosted a pasture walk for 100% grassfed dairy farmers interested in discussing and learning more about grazing management to improve pasture forage quality, pasture plant species, plant diversity and soil health. Also discussed was how milk production, quality and flavor can be changed as forage species and quality changes. Introduction to Sensory Science presentation for UVM Science Café, September 21, 2024, Burlington, VT. Roy Desrochers facilitated a 2-hour workshop on the basics of objective sensory analysis with a focus on 100% grass-fed milk and maple syrup to a group of high school students from across Vermont. He also provided outreach to attendees providing information on this research project, as well as other active UVM projects using sensory to help local farmers and producers. Nutrition for the Grass-fed Dairy Cow: How forage quality and management impact milk production and quality, October 31, 2024. Fort Plain, NY. Kurt Cotanch, Sarah Flack, Heather Darby, and Sara Ziegler hosted an all-day workshop focused on dairy cow nutrition and forage quality. They discussed forage quality analysis and how farmers can interpret the test results as well as how forage quality and the resulting nutritional quality and milk production potential are impacted by management factors such as harvest timing and storage. They also discussed creating a forage inventory for the farm to plan out how to feed the various quantities and qualities of forage on the farm through the winter to optimize milk production and milk quality. Sensory Analysis Workshop for the Association of Africans Living (AALV) in Vermont, November 6, 2024, Burlington, VT. Roy Desrochers facilitated a 2-hour workshop on the basics of objective sensory analysis with a focus on 100% grass-fed milk to a group representing the AALV. This is a group of young adults learning about food systems in Vermont including dairy. He also provided outreach to attendees providing information on the this research project as well as other active UVM projects using sensory to help local farmers and producers. The following outreach materialswere developed through this project in 2024: Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Association Newsletter. November 2023 issue. Managing Soil Fertility and Other Lessons on Grass-fed Dairies.https://nodpa.com/files/2023_11_November_NODPA_News.pdf Graze Magazine. December 2023 issue. Looking at grassfed's nutrient challenges. https://www.grazeonline.com/digital-back-issues 2023 Cost of Production on Grass-fed Dairy Farms in the Northeast.https://uvmd10.drup2.uvm.edu/d10-files/documents/2024-12/2023-CostOfProduction-Article.pdf Grass-fed Dairy Production Practices and Farmer Perceptions: Results from a survey of grass-fed dairy producers in the US.https://uvmd10.drup2.uvm.edu/d10-files/documents/2024-12/2024-GF-Survey-Results-Article.pdf A Guide to Assessing Forage Quality for the Dairy.https://uvmd10.drup2.uvm.edu/d10-files/documents/2024-12/A-Guide-to-Assessing-Forage-Quality-for-the-Dairy.pdf What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1.1- Expand the data collection and participants in the financial benchmarking program. In January-April 2025, financial data will again be collected from 32 grass-fed dairy producers across three states in the Northeast using the Dairy TRANS 20.20 analysis tool during in-person and phone interviews. An summary of the cost of production will be created and shared with the target audience. Objective 1.2- Identifying strategies that support economic viability of grass-fed dairy farms. Publicationsummarizing the findings from these analyses are in process and will be published in 2025. Objective 2.1- Quantifying the impacts of grazing management on gastrointestinal parasite burden in organic grass-fed dairy cattle and identify impact on milk production. This objective is planned to start in Year 2. Initial planning amongst the research team was conducted at an annual team meeting in August, 2024. This objective will be reported on next year. The remaining activities for this objective are not slated to start until 2025. Initial planning discussions were held at the annual team meeting in August 2024. Objective 2.3-Evaluate the interaction of forage quality and milk feeding duration on calf and heifer growth and markers of rumen development. This objective is not slated to start until 2025. Initial planning discussions were held at the annual team meeting in August 2024. Objective 3.1- Identify management strategies that enhance forage productivity and quality. Four trials will be continued in 2025 to investigate forage management strategies that enhance productivity and quality. Forage and soil samples from 2024 are in process of being analyzed in the laboratory for forage quality parameters and when complete will be summarized in a research report in early 2025. Objective 3.2-Characterize soil nutrient dynamics on grass-fed dairy farms. Eight dairy farms provided management data that was entered into the Cornell Whole Farm Mass Nutrient Balance calculator. We will collect more data sets in 2025 and hope to align our cost of production questionnaire more with this data collection so that we can investigate the economic interpretation of these balances as well. In addition, the soil fertility survey was started with the collection of soil cores at 0-15, 15-30, and 30-60cm depths on 22 fields on 6 farms across two states. Farms were selected based on their acreage, stored forage production, and other management factors with the goal of obtaining a spread of management systems that would help elucidate trends in soil fertility and their connection to management practices. On each farm, up to two hay fields and two pastures were sampled. Fields were selected by the farmer through a conversation with technical staff who helped identify sites that were under relatively consistent management from year to year and the farmer possessed decent records for nutrient applications and forage harvests/grazings. In each field, a point was GPS located where a bulk density sample was collected at the three depths. Surrounding that point, a composite sample of 5 cores was collected at the three depths. The maximum depth achieved, if less than 60 cm, was noted along with the number of attempts out of 10 maximum attempts to obtain the 5 cores. Over the winter, participating farmers will be interviewed to obtain fertility and yield record information. The research team will finalize plans for additional sampling to be conducted in 2025. Objective 3.3-Evaluate the interaction between forage quality and molasses supplementation level on ruminal fermentation and methane emissions. This objective is not slated to start until 2025. Initial planning has been conducted. ?Objective 4.1- Expand understanding of grass-fed milk sensory quality's relation to farm management and processing. The UVM trained Descriptive Sensory Analysis (DSA) taste panel will complete a second year of sensory to replicate 2024 data collection. We are currently completing the analysis of the full year's sensory data, with a focus on: The variation of flavor quality in the market for conventional, organic, and 100% grass-fed milk Differences in flavor quality between the major brands of 100% grass-fed milk. Differences in flavor quality between brands of organic milk. Differences in flavor quality between local conventional milk. Differences in the flavor quality of lots of milk produced at the participating dairies, processors, and identification of processing factors that may cause these differences Differences in the flavor quality of raw milk between farms that supply 100% grass-fed milk, and factors or farming practices that may be responsible, especially for off-flavors Seasonal differences in milk flavor quality that may be reflective of cow diet and eating habits Ultimately, we will be looking to identify factors at the farm, or in processing at the dairy, that affect the flavor quality of milk. Once identified, we will work with farmers, and dairy producers, to adjust practices to produce the highest quality milk possible, leading to increased sales and sustained market success. Objective 4.2-Identify the β-carotene content and fatty acid content and profile in grass-fed milk to assess their applicability as potential biomarkers of authentication of grass-fed milk as well as the nutritional quality of grass-fed milk. In 2025 the team will continue analyzing the remaining samples collected in 2024 on the GC. We will also assess collected data more deeply for potential biomarker applicability and will assess the influence of pasteurization on fatty acid composition in grass-fed milks. We will also compare fatty acid composition data with the sensory data described in objective 4.1 to investigate potential correlations. Further, a second year of milk samples will be collected and analyzed as in 2024. We will also finalize a methodology for the β-carotene quantification and begin measurements. Finally, a literature review will be completed and published and an abstract submitted to the American Dairy Science Association.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1.1- Expand the data collection and participants in the financial benchmarking program. In January-April 2024, financial data were collected from 32 grass-fed dairy producers across three states in the Northeast using the Dairy TRANS 20.20 analysis tool during in-person and phone interviews. The participating farms managed on average 60 crossbreed cows, 295 acres of crop land, purchased 34.2% of their herd's forage needs. Overall, the total cost of production on grass-fed dairy farms in the northeast averaged $49.63 which was similar to what was found in previous years. Objective 1.2- Identifying strategies that support economic viability of grass-fed dairy farms. Eleven top-performing farms were selected from a group of approximately 49 organic grass-fed dairy farms across the northeast that participated in a cost of production study between 2018-2023. The farms were selected due to their higher levels of profitability defined by their 1) return on assets (ROA) 2) return per unpaid labor hour and 3) cost of production per hundredweight equivalent. The farms were visited in the spring of 2024 and asked a list of 24 questions relating to their management, perspectives, and farming philosophies. In addition, the financial data from 2019-2022 were utilized in statistical analyses to investigate correlations between the cost of production and key production and management factors. The top-performing farms identified feed quality and quantity, genetics, and labor efficiency as the three most important practices impacting their profitability. Similarly, these in addition to facilities and infrastructure were identified as the biggest challenges to maintaining profitability. Objective 2.2- Investigate impact of grazing management and calf milk feeding (quantity and duration) on youngstock resiliency to gastrointestinal parasites, breeding performance, and productivity in first lactation. A national survey was developed and distributed to 509 grass-fed dairy farms nationally in early 2024. The survey included some similar questions as the 2019 survey regarding farm characteristics, farmer demographics, and perceptions, but included more detailed questions regarding youngstock rearing, herd health, and grazing management. One hundred forty-four farmers returned the survey for a response rate of 28.3%. Responses were collected from nine states with most farms located in NY, OH, IN, and PA and most (75%) identified as belonging to a Plain sect community. Average herd size was similar to the previous survey at 48 milking cows, predominantly crossbreeds, milked year-round producing 10,599 lbs milk per cow annually at 4.4% butterfat and 3.4% protein contents. Farms reported producing forage on 4.1 acres per mature cow, however, 72.3% reported they still needed to purchase 36.4% of their herd's stored forage needs. In youngstock management the survey identified that calves are fed an average of 1.75 gallons of milk per calf per day for 5.1 months. In addition, breeding age averaged 16.5 months but ranged from 11 to 30 months. Additionally, calf health issues were influenced by calf rearing system with more contact-heavy group systems seeing respiratory diseases for example, more than individual rearing system. While calf mortality was most commonly associated with scours, dystocia, and respiratory disease, 71.5% did not administer any vaccinations to calves. ?Objective 3.1- Identify management strategies that enhance forage productivity and quality. Four trials were initiated in 2024 to investigate forage management strategies that enhance productivity and quality. Firstly, a perennial grass variety trial with 38 varieties of six perennial grass species replicated five times was established in the late summer of 2023. In 2024 this trial was harvested four times assessing yield at each harvest. A representative sample was collected at the first harvest and is currently in process of being analyzed in the laboratory for forage quality parameters. Secondly, a trial investigating legume inclusion rates (0-50%) was established in the late summer of 2023. Plots were also mechanically harvested to assess yield at four cuttings across the season. After each cutting, nitrogen treatment rates (0-50 lbs N/ac) were applied via Chilean nitrate. At the beginning and end of the season soil samples were collected to be analyzed for ammonium and nitrate nitrogen content. Third, a trial investigating fertility amendment efficacy for managing forages organically was established late summer 2023. Plots containing three species of grasses mixed with and without red clover and alfalfa were established. Plots were mechanically harvested four times throughout the season to measure yield. After each harvest plots were treated with Chilean nitrate, liquid dairy manure, poultry manure, or no additional fertility source. At the beginning and end of the season soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil ammonium and nitrate nitrogen content. Objective 3.2- Characterize soil nutrient dynamics on grass-fed dairy farms. Eight dairy farms provided management data that was entered into the Cornell Whole Farm Mass Nutrient Balance calculator. The farms ranged in size, milk production, and management.Most farms fell within feasible ranges for N and P balance per acre but due to low production fell outside feasible for N and P balance per hundredweight. All were considered outside the "optimal zone". In terms of K balance, most farms were outside the feasible range per acre and all were outside on a per hundredweight basis. However, farms that made their own forages were inside the feasible range per acre and close to zero. ?Objective 4.1- Expand understanding of grass-fed milk sensory quality's relation to farm management and processing. The UVM trained Descriptive Sensory Analysis (DSA) taste panel completed its sensory evaluation on a total of 168 milk samples.The samples that were assessed included: 35 - 100% grass-fed milk samples shipped directly from the manufacturer to UVM, every other month, starting in Feb. 2024. (February, April, June, August, October, and December.) 30 - raw 100% grass-fed milk samples provided by individual grass-fed farms supplying the processors above. 103 - Market purchased milk samples which included 25 samples each quarter representing grass-fed milk from various processors. The raw milk that was collected each quarter from participating farms was pasteurized using a Kleen-Flo® 2 Gallon Benchtop Pasteurizer prior to tasting. All samples were presented blind and in random order to the trained UVM DSA panel. In addition, all samples were replicated resulting in a total of 336 evaluations by the trained UVM DSA panel. The UVM DSA panel used Profile Attribute Analysis (PAA), a standard modification of the Flavor Profile Method of Sensory Analysis, to assess each sample. Objective 4.2- Identify the β-carotene content and fatty acid content and profile in grass-fed milk to assess their applicability as potential biomarkers of authentication of grass-fed milk as well as the nutritional quality of grass-fed milk. In 2024, the research team separated cream from over 600 milk samples. Over 300 of these samples had lipids extracted and were prepared for gas-liquid chromatography analysis. Two large batch runs on the GC were performed which processed 226 samples which included all market samples, direct-from-manufacturer samples, quarterly individual farm samples, and a subset of the weekly farm samples. Fatty acid composition analysis was started on the samples. This analysis compares the output from the GC to 98 identified fatty acids to identify and quantify the fatty acid profile of each sample. Several initial compositional trends noted differentiating grass-fed and conventional milk samples that may serve as potential grass-fed biomarkers upon further detailed analysis.

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