LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky is home to nearly 30 organic dairy farms, and that is expected to double within the next 3-5 years. These producers, however, have expressed frustration over the lack of availability of research-based forage production information.

This lack of data may have led to decreased profitability for their dairy operations over the past few years. All of this could change soon, as the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, Food and Environment recently began a partnership with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture to clear up some of the uncertainty.

Thanks to a $1.8 million grant by the USDA, the two will collaborate to begin research focusing on forage production for organic dairy herds in the southeastern United States. UK will subcontract nearly $500,000 of the grant awarded to UT to begin multidisciplinary research in the departments of Animal and Food Science, Agricultural Economics and Plant and Soil Sciences.

"The organic industry represents a strong alternative market for dairy producers," said Dr. Gina Pighetti of UT, who will be leading the team of researchers from both universities. "To help producers, our research seeks to identify forage combinations in pastures to promote productivity, animal health, fertility and economic efficiency."

Dr. Ray Smith, a UK forage specialist, said organic producers from the southern United States face a number of challenges when it comes to forage production. "Kentucky organic dairy producers have some challenges finding a suitable forage combination that will work over an extended grazing season, and they have to be able to do it without using pesticides," he noted.

This forage must also be able to sustain a lactating animal, which requires high levels of energy and protein with a balancing amount of fiber.

The popularity of organic dairy products has been growing steadily the past few years. The USDA Economic Research Service recently reported the national sales of organic dairy products have increased from $2.14 billion in 2005 to $5.07 billion in 2014.

"The organic dairy industry is growing in our state, and we are excited to have this chance to do research that could boost their success," said Smith.

Although the study is specifically targeted to identify forage combinations in pastures for southern organic dairy producers, Smith says the benefits will go beyond that. "I think many of our results will be relevant to non-organic dairy systems as well. Dairy producers who use pasture as part of their traditional dairy management system will likely see a benefit from these studies, as well."

The project will span a period of four years and will also provide additional data for the Southeast Quality Milk Initiative study.