MILKING
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ONCE-A-DAY MILKING (OAD) IS A METHOD GROWING IN POPULARITY AMONG DAIRY FARMERS. TIERNAN CANNON SPEAKS WITH TEAGASC ADVISER BRIAN HILLIARD AND DUNGARVAN FARMER GILLIAN O’SULLIVAN TO DISCOVER ITS PROS AND CONS.
here has been a rise in the levels of interest in once-a-day milking (OAD) across Irish dairy farms. As the name suggests, OAD involves cows milked once every day as opposed to twice daily (TAD) as is the case on most farms throughout the country (and, indeed, the world). For some time now, OAD milking has been used on a temporary basis, usually in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as adverse weather conditions. But it can also be employed as a permanent alternative to TAD and should be food for thought for dairy farmers. But what’s involved in this process and, more importantly, is it beneficial? Teagasc adviser Brian Hilliard certainly sees advantages to OAD milking, but ultimately warns that the approach does not suit all situations. “I’m fully for once-a-day, but it’s not for everyone – it needs preparation,” he says. “[Those taking up OAD] would want to be good managers, have good quality grass, and put effort into breeding as well.” Considerable planning and preparation is required in the transition from the twice-a-day method to OAD, but should farmers decided to take on this challenge there are several benefits. An obvious one is that farmers will have more time for themselves and their own lifestyles (or elsewhere on the farm), given that they are spending half the amount of time milking than they otherwise would be. There are multiple benefits for the animals too. “Cows are healthier as there’s less stress on them,” Brian suggests. “Cows would have better body condition, which would lead to better fertility. There’s less lameness because they’re only walking to and from the yard once-a-day – there’s a lot less lameness compared to twice-a-day.” There are challenges to consider. OAD milking can take years of planning to implement and there will be a reduction in yields, particularly at the beginning. “The initial effect would be that there’s an approximately 25 per cent drop in milk yield, and a 20 per cent drop in milk solids,” says Brian. “It varies
with the breed as well – the more Frisian-type cows are affected more than, say, a more Holstein-Friesian type or a Jersey-cross cow. Also, cows in their first lactation are more affected than mature cows.” The reduction in yields can be manageable, particularly when given time to adjust to the new method, though generally speaking it is very difficult to return to TAD levels. But, with the right breed of cows and over enough time, the gap can close and yields recover, if not all the way then quite close. Moreover, the reduction in yield could see a higher fat content in the milk, which brings its own advantages. “The thing is, because of the reduction yields, the fat and protein content of the milk goes way up, which in turn can lead to 4c or 5c extra in the price per litre, because of the higher constituents,” says Brian. “That helps to compensate somewhat for a drop in yields.”
PRACTITIONERS OF THE METHOD
Ultimately, it’s down to the farmer to decide whether or not the advantages that come with OAD are worth the hit in yields. One proponent of this method is Gillian O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan and her husband Neil have been milking once-a-day on their farm in Dungarvan, Co Waterford since April 2009, making 2018 her tenth season using OAD. O’Sullivan maintains a herd of 110 cows on a 41-hectare milking platform, having taken control of the farm under tragic circumstances. She and her husband had initially trained as vets and were working in Dublin but, following the unexpected death of her brother Vincent in 2008, the two took over the management of the farm in order to help out Gillian’s father. Given these difficult circumstances, it was decided that OAD was the most appropriate method of milking available to them. “In our first year, our milk solids yield dropped by 20 per cent per cow and we came to the realisation that not all cows were suited to OAD,” Gillian recalls. “We sold unsuitable cows to TAD herds at the end of the year, and in the second year our yields jumped 15 per cent. By our third year in 2011, we were back at
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