MILKING CONSIDERATIONS Careful budgeting and persistence are the key requirements to the success of once-aday milking systems. Wendy Short reports.
Weighing up once-aday milking
O
nce-a-day milking has the potential to achieve a yield average of 4,000kg/cow, with solids averaging 320kg/cow and peaking at 400kg for the top performers, according to LIC consultant Piers Badnell, speaking at an AHDB Dairy webinar. He said first lactation cows would show the most significant year one production decline of 21-25%, while the figure for mixed age animals was 16-21%. He estimated that milk yield and quality would return to close to former levels within three or four years. Producers considering a move to once-a-day milking should make
Piers Badnell
detailed projections, including a sensitivity analysis to show the financial effect of the initial production losses and milk price changes, for example. They must also be prepared to make a long-term commitment. Mr Badnell said: “Some produ-
cers who switch to once-a-day will underestimate first year losses and do not fully realise the cost savings which are required. They will suffer the first year ‘pain’ and pull out before production starts to climb in year two. They will fail to reap the benefits if they return to twice-a-day milking.” He pointed to a range of advantages offered by a switch to once-aday, although performance varied widely between farms. The benefits
In the field David Williams, Clwyd JFarm profitability has been maintained since the Williams family, of Clawdd Offa Farm, Mold, adopted once-a-day, with grazing access problems and the desire for a lifestyle change the two main factors which prompted the 2011 switch for the 275-strong Jersey cross black and white herd. The holding is split by a busy commuter road and it requires three people to safely move the spring-calving cows back to the parlour. David Williams, who farms
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with his wife Carol, daughter Vicky and his sister-in-law Sue Pope, said once-a-day allowed for a more relaxed lifestyle, as well as eliminating the need to employ outside help. Cost reduction and a good milk solids contract were the two elements he considered essential for success. He said twice-a-day milking produced an average 4,260kg yield, with milk solids at 8.5%. In the first once-a-day year, volume fell by 10% and milk solids by 4%. He added that production currently stood at 4,116kg/cow,
included a better work/lifestyle balance and a lower dependency on attracting or retaining staff. No capital investment was required, infrastructure would last longer and it could be an attractive option where herds were regularly grazed long distances from the parlour. Once-a-day could also help rectify cow fertility issues and offered savings on labour, electricity, general dairy expenses and vet and
In the field Keith Da vis, with a milk solids percentage of 9.25% on a grass-based system supplemented with palm kernel feed. Mr Williams said: “Once-a-day highlights poor performers and in year one 7% of cows were culled for unsuitability. They were taking too long to milk, going dry or laying down fat. “We no longer worry about yield volume and focus only on solids production. Once-a-day has taken pressure off the system and given us more time to look after the herd.”
JKeith Davis, of Lydney Park farm, switched to once-a-day for half of the herd in 2012, followed by a move to full once-a-day for the 860 cows in 2013. However, the loss of a profitable solids contract led to the farm reverting to twice-a-day last year. He explained the Jersey crosses calve in a 12-week block from mid-February, with the emphasis on milk from forage on a 299-hectare (738acre) grazing block which is part of a large estate.
NOVEMBER 2021 15/10/2021 11:48
