Brazilian farmer gains about three litres of milk with night grazing

Ederli adopted the grazing routine recently and says the cattle have also become calmer. The approach allows cows to feed in paddocks towards the end of the afternoon and overnight, while spending the hotter part of the day resting in shade.

Agronomist Wilson Antonio de Barros explains that cattle adjust quickly to grazing at night. He attributes this adaptation to natural habits inherited from the period when their ancestors lived in the wild.

In nearby Pirapozinho, dairy farmer Osmar Cardoso has followed the same system for 20 years. His property has 32 paddocks, which he opens to the herd only at dusk so that the animals avoid the high temperatures experienced during daylight hours.

Cardoso also highlights the use of smaller cows, including Jerseys, to make better use of the available space on his farm. His management combines this choice of cattle with evening access to the paddocks.

Resting in shaded areas reduces the animals’ energy expenditure, a factor identified in the report as important for milk production. The account, published by eDairyNews on November 2nd using information from G1, also links the night-grazing routine to improved welfare for the herd.