Once-a-day milking saves £s
Once-a-day milking saves £s
TO combat low milk prices, one Wilts-based farming couple have introduced once a day milking and in turn increased their stocking rate to 3.5 cows/ha. This has increased farm profits by reducing costs and allowed more time to be spent developing the business.
Jonny and Rachael Rider, who run 550 cows on their 150ha (360 acre) tenanted farm in the Vale of Pewsey, told delegates that once a day milking is a valuable part of their low cost system.
"Labour has been dramatically reduced and in the summer a 40% saving on time spent milking has been achieved when compared with twice a day systems," said Mrs Rider.
Apart from saving labour and depreciation/repair costs, once a day milking has resulted in lower vet and med bills, added Mr Rider.
"Cows experience less metabolic stress after calving because they are in higher energy balance, which has resulted in the virtual elimination of non-cyclic cows.
"Lower levels of mastitis have been recorded due to less cow-to-cow contamination and because there is less walking involved with once a day milking, there is almost no lameness. These factors have helped cut replacement rates to 20%."
Once a day milking has led to lower feed demand in spring and autumn when pasture cover is most likely to be in short supply, allowing higher stocking rates and grass to be grazed more tightly, improving quality of re-growth, said Mr Rider.
Cows have adapted well to the milking routine and show no anxiety to be milked, however the Riders believe Jerseys are more suited to the system than Friesians or Holsteins. "Jersey milk increases income due to its constituents and cows have the ability to store milk well compared with their body size," said Mrs Rider.
She added that the once a day milking system would particularly suit small farmers who have another job or those that are dairying in harsh conditions, where moving cows only once a day would benefit the system.
Once a day milking has become a valuable part of Jonny and Rachael Riders low-cost dairy system.