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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

By Department of Primary Industries - 12th June 2009 - Back to News

THE ANSWERS TO ONCE-A-DAY MILKING

CowTime ran a series of Shed Shake-ups called Milking Outside the Square with topics covering once-a-day milking and automatic milking.

The Shed Shake-ups provoked much lively discussion and farmer’s ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ about once-a-day milking are summarised below.

How do you manage the feeding?

CowTime suggests that you feed no more than 4 kilograms of grain in the dairy at the single milking. There are people feeding more but they need to be very careful of using buffers and need to be on top of the cows metabolic needs. Some give their cows 24 hours of grass at a time. Others will go and change paddocks in the afternoon. It depends a lot on how each farm wishes to use its labour and time.

What is the effect on cell count?

Going to once-a-day in the later part of the lactation will see cell counts rise. Many farmers report a doubling of cell count. Many farmers milking once-a-day herd test to know what cows have a high cell count and take steps to manage them. It is important to have a strategy to manage cell count. If you currently have a challenge with your cell count then going to once-a-day milking is not for you.

Will I get more clinical cases of mastitis by milking once-a-day?

Milking once-a-day should not give you more clinical cases. However clinical cases will be easier to detect when you are milking once-a-day.

What is the effect on production?

Going to once-a-day in the later part of the lactation generally results in a drop of production of about 2-3 litres if the feed is kept up and the change has happened before production dropped below 14 litres a day. If milking once-a-day for the whole lactation, research suggests about a 20 to 25 per cent drop in total litres for Jerseys, and 25 to 30 per cent for Friesians, with cross bred cows somewhere in-between.

Do you need to increase stocking rate?

In New Zealand, many once-a-day milkers have increased their stocking rate to reduce their loss of total litres of milk. CowTime would not suggest that for Australian farmers unless they knew they were going to have a dependable supply of grass through out the whole of the lactation.

Which breed is better?

The more important question is what cows are suitable. We know that Jerseys, cross-breeds and Friesians are all capable of producing milk in a once-a-day situation. A Gippsland farmer reported that his best once-a-day cows were Friesian and his worst once-a-day cows were Friesians. One farm in NZ reports that over 10 per cent of their herd (mostly Friesians) produce over 400 kilograms of milk solids with a few doing over 500 kilograms.

How many cows will not adapt or perform on a once-a-day system?

For most farms the number was small enough not to be a significant issue.

When milking for the entire lactation you might find that heifers will not perform as well as you might like.

Is the culling rate higher?

In the first year, you may cull more for cell count than normal. The longer you use once-a-day milking the more you will sort out what cows are bested suited in your herd.

Can once-a-day milking be used in a holiday period eg with a relief milker?

Research in several countries have shown that milking once-a-day for a period of up to two weeks and then going back to twice a day milking will not have a lasting impact on milk production.

Can you manage heat stress better?

Yes, because you can choose to milk in the cooler time of the day. Many once-a-day farmers have reported fewer issues with heat stress and have saved water as well.

Can you milk any time?

Yes

What do you do if you’re feeding in the bail?

You will need to make sure that you are not giving too much grain (not greater than 4 kg) in a single slug.

Will once-a-day milking reduce electricity/detergent costs?

Yes, but remember that these are small costs in the terms of all the farm expenses.

What is the affect on production/cell count with 18 hour milking?

Production loss is less that once-a-day milking and the cell count is not as greatly affected as milking once-a-day.

Are most people using once-a-day milking as part, or whole, of the lactation?

Most of the people CowTime has talked to in Australia are using once-a-day milking for part of the lactation.

How much production will I loose going to once-a-day milking for part of the lactation?

You will loose 2-3 litres per cow if the feed is not changed. More loss if feed is reduced - especially at the start of once-a-day milking.

How will cow condition change?

Generally it improves. This will depend on the duration of once-a-day milking and the feeding and the condition of the cows at the start.

For more information, Darold Klindworth at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222.

FARMING DIARY

Planning Profitable Dryland Dairy Forage Systems

As part of the DPI Ellinbank Seminar Series, Frank Mickan and Greg O’Brien will present a wealth of dairy industry information on agronomy and forage management from the 3030 project. Making efficient use of low-cost, home-grown feed remains the key driver of profit; and management and agronomy are the biggest drivers of forage yield and its relationship to feed cost.

When: Wednesday, June 10.

Where: DPI Ellinbank, Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank.

Time: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

BYO Lunch – all welcome.

For more information, please contact Sharon Aarons or Dan Armstrong on 5624 2222.

Fire Recovery Fencing Workshop

David Stewart from Department of Primary Industries will explain the design principles of fence construction for both conventional and electric fencing. Following practical demonstrations and using a local property as a venue, participants will be able to practice the necessary hands ‘on skills’ of tying fence knots and straining wires.
When: Saturday, June 13

Where: 36 School Rd, Labertouche.

Time: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Lunch included – all welcome.

To register or for more information, please contact Carolyn Ferguson on 5624 2409.

Special Focus Farm Open Day

The theme for this specially arranged Focus Farm open day is Physically and Financially Surviving 2009-10. Data from Matt and Robyn Colwill’s farm business will be made available to help other Gippsland dairy farming families gain another perspective on how to cope with the dilemmas arising from reduced milk prices.

When: Thursday, June 18.

Where: Mardan Focus Farm.

Time: 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.

BYO lunch – tea and coffee provided.

Contact John Mulvany on 0409 935 578 or John Gallienne on 0407 863 493

Irrigation for Dairy Pastures

This free farm based irrigation course has been tailored for dairy farmers who want to grow more grass; increase their irrigation skills; use their water better and find out about the latest irrigation technologies. The workshops will be presented by Gavan Lamb, DPI Maffra, and Frank Tyndall, National Centre for Dairy Education.

When: Wednesdays, June 10, 17, and July 1.

Where: Maffra

Time: 10.00 am to 2.30 pm.

Contact: Sarah Killury on 5148 0800.

Fertilising Dairy Pastures

This free program has been designed to help farmers make confident decisions about their fertiliser needs.

When: Wednesdays, June 17, 24 and July 1.

Where: Department of Primary Industries, Leongatha.

Time: 10.00 am to 2.30 pm.

Contact: David Shambrook on 5662 9913 or 0427 350 928.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com