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Associate Professor Yani Garcia

Agr. Eng (B.Ag.Sc), MSc (Universidad de Mar del Plata, Argentina), PhD (Massey University, NZ)
Director, Dairy Research Foundation  

C04B - M C Franklin - Laboratory Camden
The University of Sydney

Telephone +61 2 9351 1621
Fax +61 2 4655 2374

Biographical details

Assoc. Prof. Sergio (Yani) Garcia is an internationally recognised leader in the field of dairy production from pasture, particularly in relation to grazing, forage utilisation and management and the integration of pasture and crops for dairying.

Yani was closely linked to agriculture since childhood and through a crop and beef family farm. He completed bachelor studies in Agriculture and worked as a private consultant in beef and dairy pasture-based system in Argentina for several years, gaining invaluable practical experience in all aspects of farm planning and management. He obtained an MSc in ruminant nutrition whilst working with research position at the National Institute of Agricultural Research in Argentina, developing experience in research with fistulated ruminants and whole system studies of beef production from pasture and forages. Yani then obtained a scholarship awarded by the NZ government to complete a PhD in New Zealand comparing calving pasture-based dairy systems. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Dairy Science at the University of Buenos Aires in 2001 to develop full undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In 2003 he was offered a Post-doctoral position at the University of Sydney to develop a research program in dairy production systems and innovations. Since then, Yani has continued to develop his career at the University of Sydney and is currently Director of the Dairy Research Foundation and the Dairy Science Group at Camden. He is also Project Leader of FutureDairy, an industry driven national project investigating combinations of pasture and forages to boost productivity on farm and automatic milking for the future.

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Research interests

Yani is particularly interested in the integration of dynamic modelling and field experiments involving pasture, forage crops and animals to investigate the interactions of system components within the whole farm system of production. His research interest expands from the production and utilisation of forages to ruminant nutrition and feeding of the dairy cow. Currently he supervises several Masters and PhD students from Australia and overseas, including Latin American countries. Yani¿s work aims to develop sustainable pasture-based systems that will ensure the perpetuation of the Australian dairy industry and its international competitiveness.

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Themes

Animal Production; Animal Health

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Selected grants

2011

  • Future Dairy 3; Garcia S, Kerrisk (nee Davis) K; Dairy Australia/Research and Development Grants.

2010

  • Conducting a study to confirm the lactation performance and animal safety of dairy cows treated with a lactation enhancer; Ambikapathy J, Agnew K, Hacket K, Garcia S, House J; Eli Lilly Australia Pty Limited/Research Support.

2008

  • Investigation into forage, feeding and milking options for future dairy farm systems in Australia; Garcia S, Kerrisk (nee Davis) K; Dairy Australia/Research and Development Grants.

2004

  • Investigation into Forage, Feeding and Milking Options for Future Dairy Farm Systems in Australia; Bennetts K, O'Brien L, Greenall R, Fulkerson W, Garcia S; Dairy Research and Development Corporation (DRDC)/Research and Development Grants.
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Selected publications

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Journals

  • Farina, S., Alford, A., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2013). An integrated assessment of business risk for pasture-based dairy farm systems intensification. Agricultural Systems, 115, 10-20.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2013). Effects of bail activation sequence and feed availability on cow traffic and milk harvesting capacity in a robotic rotary dairy. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 1-10.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2013). Investigation into the effect of different bail activation sequences with a novel Robotic Rotary on throughput capacity and cow traffic. Journal of Dairy Science.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S. (2013). Short communication: The effect of premilking with a teat cup-like device, in a novel robotic rotary, on attachment accuracy and milk removal. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 360-365.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2012). Attachment accuracy of a novel prototype robotic rotary and investigation of two management strategies for incomlete milked quarters. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 88, 120-124.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A. (2012). Effects of irrigation and rates and timing of nitrogen fertilizer on dry matter yield, proportions of plant fractions of maize and nutritive value and in vitro gas production characteristics of whole crop maize silage. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 172(3-4), 125-135.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A. (2012). Effects of residual nitrogen, nitrogen fertilizer, sowing date and harvest time on yield and nutritive value of forage rape. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 177, 52-64.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S. (2012). Effects of sowing date and nitrogen fertilizer on forage yield, nitrogen- and water- use efficiency and nutritive value of an annual triple-crop complementary forage rotation. Grass and Forage Science, 67(1), 96-110.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S. (2012). Rates and timing of nitrogen fertilizer application on yield, nutritive value and nutrient-use efficiency of early-and late-sown forage maize. Grass and Forage Science, 67(1), 24-33.
  • Farina, S., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2011). A complementary forage system whole-farm study: forage utilisation and milk production. Animal Production Science, 51, 460-470.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Barchia, I. (2011). Degradation kinetics of leaves, petioles and stems of forage rape (Brassica napus) as affected by maturity. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 168, 165-178.
  • Farina, S., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Barchia, I. (2011). Pasture- based dairy farm systems increasing milk production through stocking rate or milk yield per cow: pasture and animal responses. Grass and Forage Science, 66, 316-332.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Henry, D. (2011). Use of normalised difference vegetation index, nitrogen concentration, and total nitrogen content of whole maize plant and plant fractions to estimate yield and nutritive value of hybrid forage maize. Crop and Pasture Science, 62(5), 374-382.
  • Bryant, J., Ogle, G., Marshall, P., Glassey, C., Lancaster, J., Garcia, S., Holmes, C. (2010). Description and evaluation of the Farmax Dairy Pro decision support model. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 53(1), 13-28.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Celi, P., Garcia, S., Salvin, H., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2010). Effect of diet, energy balance and milk production on oxidative stress in early- lactating dairy cows grazing pasture. The Veterinary Journal, 186, 352-357.
  • Stefanski, E., Garcia, S., Farina, S., Tan, D., Tanner, D. (2010). Effects of sowing rate and grazing management of forage rape (Brassica napus) on grazing behaviour and utilisation by dairy cattle. Animal Production Science, 50(6), 560-567.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Fulkerson, W. (2010). Evaluation of rumen probe for continuous monitoring of rumen pH, temperature and pressure. Animal Production Science, 50, 98-104.
  • Donohue, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dickeson, D., Thomson, P. (2010). Evaluation of two training programs aimed to improve early lactation performance of heifers in a pasture-based automated milking system. Animal Production Science, 50, 939-945.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Barchia, I. (2010). Utilisation of forage rape (Brassica napus) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) diets by sheep: effects on whole tract digestability and rumen parameters. Animal Production Science, 50, 59-67.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2009). Feeding time and sequence of forage rape and maize silage does not affect digestibility and rumen parameters in sheep. Animal Production Science, 49(4), 318-325.
  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Brookes, S. (2008). Dry matter production, nutritive value and efficiency of nutrient utilization of a complementary forage rotation compared to a grass pasture system. Grass and Forage Science, 63(3), 284-300.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Nandra, K., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Horadagoda, A. (2008). Efficiency of utilisation of different diets with contrasting forages and concentrate when fed to sheep in a discontinuous feeding pattern. Livestock Science, 119, 77-86.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2008). Energy balance and reproduction on Dairy cows fed to achieve Low or High milk production on a Pasture - Based system. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(10), 3896-3907.
  • Fulkerson, W., Davison, T., Garcia, S., Hough, G., Goddard, M., Dobos, R., Blockey, M. (2008). Holstein-Friesian Dairy Cows Under a Predominantly Grazing System: Interaction Between Genotype and Environment. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(2), 826-839.
  • Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Fulkerson, W., Garcia, S., Dickeson, D., Barchia, I. (2008). Premilking Teat Preparation for Australian Pasture-Based Cows Milked by an Automated Milking System. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(7), 2604-2609.
  • Garcia, S., Pedernera-Romano, M., Fulkerson, W., Horadagoda, A., Nandra, K. (2007). Feeding concentrates based on individual cow requirements improves the yield of milk solids in dairy cows grazing restricted pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 47(5), 502-508.
  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Nettle, R., Kenny, S., Armstrong, D. (2007). FutureDairy: a national, multidisciplinary project to assist dairy farmers to manage future challenges - methods and early findings. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 47, 1025-1031.
  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2005). Opportunities for future Australian dairy systems : A review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 45, 1041-1055.
  • Garcia, S., Holmes, C. (2005). Seasonality of calving in pasture-based dairy systems: its effects on herbage production, utilization and dry matter intake. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 45, 1-9.
  • Garcia, S., Holmes, C. (2001). Lactation curves of autumn- and spring-calved cows in pasture-based dairy systems. Livestock Science, 68(2-3), 189-203.

Conferences

  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K. (2012). A modelling approach to screen grazeable forage options for automatic milking system herds. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Horadagoda, A., Garcia, S., Islam, M., Kaur Jhajj, R., Clark, C. (2012). Grazing preferences of forages by dairy cows in different seasons. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Lyons, N., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S. (2012). Impact of pre vs. post-milking supplementation on milking interval of cows milked in a pasture-based automatic milking system. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Talukder, S., Celi, P., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2012). Reproductive performance of dairy cows in a pasture based Automatic Milking System research farm: a retrospective analysis. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Talukder, S., Celi, P., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S. (2012). Use of Digital Infrared Thermography for Oestrus Detection in Dairy Cows. 15th AAAP Animal Science Congress, Bangkok: The Animal Husbandry Association of Thailand.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A. (2012). Yield and nutritive value of forage rape (Brassica napus L) for dairycows. 15th AAAP Animal Science Congress, Bangkok: The Animal Husbandry Association of Thailand.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S. (2009). Forage option to increase forage and water productivity in autumn-winter. 14th Dairy Research Symposium 2009, Sydney: University of Sydney.
  • Garcia, S., Jacobs, J., Woodward, S., Clark, D. (2007). Complementary Forage Rotations: a review. Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, Melbourne, Victoria: National Dairy Alliance.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Salvin, H., Celi, P., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Fulkerson, W. (2007). How oxidative stress affects your herd. Australian Dairy Conference 2007, Opportunities through adversity, Is this the climate for change?.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Garcia, S., Celi, P., Horadagoda, A., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2007). Is 6000 or 9000 L/cow.lactation the best option, what is the cow's perspective?. Current Topics in Dairy Production, Australia: Dairy Research Foundation.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Salvin, H., Celi, P., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2006). Oxidative stress in early lactating cows fed to produce 6000 or 9000L milk/lactation in pasture-based system: preliminary results. Dairy Research Foundation Symposium 2006, Australia: Sydney University Press.
  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Kenny, S., Nettle, R. (2006). Producing over 40 t dry matter/ha per year through a complementary forage rotation system. 68th Conference of New Zealand Grassland Association 2006, Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Grasslands Association (Incorporated).

2013

  • Farina, S., Alford, A., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2013). An integrated assessment of business risk for pasture-based dairy farm systems intensification. Agricultural Systems, 115, 10-20.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2013). Effects of bail activation sequence and feed availability on cow traffic and milk harvesting capacity in a robotic rotary dairy. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 1-10.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2013). Investigation into the effect of different bail activation sequences with a novel Robotic Rotary on throughput capacity and cow traffic. Journal of Dairy Science.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S. (2013). Short communication: The effect of premilking with a teat cup-like device, in a novel robotic rotary, on attachment accuracy and milk removal. Journal of Dairy Science, 96, 360-365.

2012

  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K. (2012). A modelling approach to screen grazeable forage options for automatic milking system herds. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Kolbach, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2012). Attachment accuracy of a novel prototype robotic rotary and investigation of two management strategies for incomlete milked quarters. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 88, 120-124.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A. (2012). Effects of irrigation and rates and timing of nitrogen fertilizer on dry matter yield, proportions of plant fractions of maize and nutritive value and in vitro gas production characteristics of whole crop maize silage. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 172(3-4), 125-135.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A. (2012). Effects of residual nitrogen, nitrogen fertilizer, sowing date and harvest time on yield and nutritive value of forage rape. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 177, 52-64.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S. (2012). Effects of sowing date and nitrogen fertilizer on forage yield, nitrogen- and water- use efficiency and nutritive value of an annual triple-crop complementary forage rotation. Grass and Forage Science, 67(1), 96-110.
  • Horadagoda, A., Garcia, S., Islam, M., Kaur Jhajj, R., Clark, C. (2012). Grazing preferences of forages by dairy cows in different seasons. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Lyons, N., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S. (2012). Impact of pre vs. post-milking supplementation on milking interval of cows milked in a pasture-based automatic milking system. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S. (2012). Rates and timing of nitrogen fertilizer application on yield, nutritive value and nutrient-use efficiency of early-and late-sown forage maize. Grass and Forage Science, 67(1), 24-33.
  • Talukder, S., Celi, P., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dhand, N. (2012). Reproductive performance of dairy cows in a pasture based Automatic Milking System research farm: a retrospective analysis. 5th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2012, Melbourne, Australia: Department of Primary Industries.
  • Talukder, S., Celi, P., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S. (2012). Use of Digital Infrared Thermography for Oestrus Detection in Dairy Cows. 15th AAAP Animal Science Congress, Bangkok: The Animal Husbandry Association of Thailand.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A. (2012). Yield and nutritive value of forage rape (Brassica napus L) for dairycows. 15th AAAP Animal Science Congress, Bangkok: The Animal Husbandry Association of Thailand.

2011

  • Farina, S., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2011). A complementary forage system whole-farm study: forage utilisation and milk production. Animal Production Science, 51, 460-470.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Barchia, I. (2011). Degradation kinetics of leaves, petioles and stems of forage rape (Brassica napus) as affected by maturity. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 168, 165-178.
  • Farina, S., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Barchia, I. (2011). Pasture- based dairy farm systems increasing milk production through stocking rate or milk yield per cow: pasture and animal responses. Grass and Forage Science, 66, 316-332.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S., Henry, D. (2011). Use of normalised difference vegetation index, nitrogen concentration, and total nitrogen content of whole maize plant and plant fractions to estimate yield and nutritive value of hybrid forage maize. Crop and Pasture Science, 62(5), 374-382.

2010

  • Bryant, J., Ogle, G., Marshall, P., Glassey, C., Lancaster, J., Garcia, S., Holmes, C. (2010). Description and evaluation of the Farmax Dairy Pro decision support model. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 53(1), 13-28.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Celi, P., Garcia, S., Salvin, H., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2010). Effect of diet, energy balance and milk production on oxidative stress in early- lactating dairy cows grazing pasture. The Veterinary Journal, 186, 352-357.
  • Stefanski, E., Garcia, S., Farina, S., Tan, D., Tanner, D. (2010). Effects of sowing rate and grazing management of forage rape (Brassica napus) on grazing behaviour and utilisation by dairy cattle. Animal Production Science, 50(6), 560-567.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Fulkerson, W. (2010). Evaluation of rumen probe for continuous monitoring of rumen pH, temperature and pressure. Animal Production Science, 50, 98-104.
  • Donohue, R., Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Garcia, S., Dickeson, D., Thomson, P. (2010). Evaluation of two training programs aimed to improve early lactation performance of heifers in a pasture-based automated milking system. Animal Production Science, 50, 939-945.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Barchia, I. (2010). Utilisation of forage rape (Brassica napus) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) diets by sheep: effects on whole tract digestability and rumen parameters. Animal Production Science, 50, 59-67.

2009

  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2009). Feeding time and sequence of forage rape and maize silage does not affect digestibility and rumen parameters in sheep. Animal Production Science, 49(4), 318-325.
  • Islam, M., Garcia, S. (2009). Forage option to increase forage and water productivity in autumn-winter. 14th Dairy Research Symposium 2009, Sydney: University of Sydney.

2008

  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Brookes, S. (2008). Dry matter production, nutritive value and efficiency of nutrient utilization of a complementary forage rotation compared to a grass pasture system. Grass and Forage Science, 63(3), 284-300.
  • Kaur Jhajj, R., Nandra, K., Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Horadagoda, A. (2008). Efficiency of utilisation of different diets with contrasting forages and concentrate when fed to sheep in a discontinuous feeding pattern. Livestock Science, 119, 77-86.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2008). Energy balance and reproduction on Dairy cows fed to achieve Low or High milk production on a Pasture - Based system. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(10), 3896-3907.
  • Fulkerson, W., Davison, T., Garcia, S., Hough, G., Goddard, M., Dobos, R., Blockey, M. (2008). Holstein-Friesian Dairy Cows Under a Predominantly Grazing System: Interaction Between Genotype and Environment. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(2), 826-839.
  • Kerrisk (nee Davis), K., Fulkerson, W., Garcia, S., Dickeson, D., Barchia, I. (2008). Premilking Teat Preparation for Australian Pasture-Based Cows Milked by an Automated Milking System. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(7), 2604-2609.

2007

  • Garcia, S., Jacobs, J., Woodward, S., Clark, D. (2007). Complementary Forage Rotations: a review. Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, Melbourne, Victoria: National Dairy Alliance.
  • Garcia, S., Pedernera-Romano, M., Fulkerson, W., Horadagoda, A., Nandra, K. (2007). Feeding concentrates based on individual cow requirements improves the yield of milk solids in dairy cows grazing restricted pasture. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 47(5), 502-508.
  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Nettle, R., Kenny, S., Armstrong, D. (2007). FutureDairy: a national, multidisciplinary project to assist dairy farmers to manage future challenges - methods and early findings. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 47, 1025-1031.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Salvin, H., Celi, P., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Fulkerson, W. (2007). How oxidative stress affects your herd. Australian Dairy Conference 2007, Opportunities through adversity, Is this the climate for change?.
  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Garcia, S., Celi, P., Horadagoda, A., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2007). Is 6000 or 9000 L/cow.lactation the best option, what is the cow's perspective?. Current Topics in Dairy Production, Australia: Dairy Research Foundation.

2006

  • Pedernera-Romano, M., Salvin, H., Celi, P., Garcia, S., Horadagoda, A., Barchia, I., Fulkerson, W. (2006). Oxidative stress in early lactating cows fed to produce 6000 or 9000L milk/lactation in pasture-based system: preliminary results. Dairy Research Foundation Symposium 2006, Australia: Sydney University Press.
  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W., Kenny, S., Nettle, R. (2006). Producing over 40 t dry matter/ha per year through a complementary forage rotation system. 68th Conference of New Zealand Grassland Association 2006, Dunedin, New Zealand: New Zealand Grasslands Association (Incorporated).

2005

  • Garcia, S., Fulkerson, W. (2005). Opportunities for future Australian dairy systems : A review. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 45, 1041-1055.
  • Garcia, S., Holmes, C. (2005). Seasonality of calving in pasture-based dairy systems: its effects on herbage production, utilization and dry matter intake. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ('09 renamed: Animal Production Science), 45, 1-9.

2001

  • Garcia, S., Holmes, C. (2001). Lactation curves of autumn- and spring-calved cows in pasture-based dairy systems. Livestock Science, 68(2-3), 189-203.
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