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Extended Lactation Field Day

Extending lactation involves milking cows for longer than 300 days.

By Department of Primary Industries - 12th April 2006 - Back to News

Extending lactation involves milking cows for longer than 300 days (calving cows less than once per year). The idea of milking cows beyond the traditional 300 days receives mixed reactions from people in the dairy industry and there is recognition that it is not the preferred strategy for everyone.

Research projects investigating using extended lactation with pasture-based dairy farming have been in progress at DPI Ellinbank for the past three years.

Production has been surprisingly good under extended lactation management systems and early indications are that this might be a viable alternative production system for some businesses.

The Ellinbank experiments have also revealed an unexpected bonus from systems that incorporate longer lactations – high milk protein concentrations and greater cheese yields.

Interim results of this work will be the topic of a seminar/field day being held at DPI Ellinbank on Friday 21^st April 2006 between 10.00am until 12.30pm.

Some of the topics to be covered include:

• The latest feeding and production trials - Martin Auldist
• Reproduction issues with extended lactation systems - Chris Grainger
• Implications for whole farm economics - Bill Malcolm
• Quality of extended lactation for processing ie cheese making - Martin Auldist
• A chance to view the current feeding trial - Greg O'Brien

The seminar is being held at DPI Ellinbank, Hazeldean Road, Ellinbank.

Further information is available from Greg O'Brien at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com