Management Options for Dairy Farmers - Teagasc
11 January 2006
At Open Days in Moorepark on Wednesday and Thursday (January 11th and 12th 2006) dairy farmers had an opportunity to see and discuss new developments in milk production technology with Teagasc Research and Advisory staff. Speaking at the opening of the 2 day event, Dr. Pat Dillon, Head, Teagasc Dairy Production Research Centre, Moorepark said that new research information relating to innovations in winter and early spring grazing management, use of forage crops to reduce winter feed costs, latest results from once daily milking research and use of extended lactation to reduce the cost of infertility on dairy farms.
Reducing Winter Feed Costs
Dr. Padraig French outlined an evaluation of alternative feeds to grass-silage for winter feeding of spring-calving dairy cows which potentially reduce both variable (feed) and fixed costs (housing, labour and machinery). He said that one strategy is to utilize forage crops in-situ such as brassicas. These crops grow at lower temperatures than perennial ryegrass and can accumulate higher yields without a decline in feeding value. Crops of fodder beet, kale and swedes sown in late April to early-July have the potential to produce between 10 and 20 t DM/ha, while crops like stubble turnips and rape sown in late July to mid-August have the potential to produce between 3.5 and 5 t DM/ha.
The economic benefit of growing alternative forages is very much dependant on the farm circumstances. When housing costs are included for the indoor systems the benefit to the outdoor systems is up to 37% reduction in wintering costs, said Dr. French.
Dr. Deirdre Hennessy told dairy farmers, “another strategy to reduce winter feed costs is to defer some of the grass grown in the autumn for grazing during late autumn and winter (November to February) and this could be especially relevant on dairy farms with low stocking rates”. Dr. Hennessy outlined how this is achieved by increase rotation length in late summer and autumn, when herbage availability is likely to exceed demand, and defer the grazing of this grass until the winter. Deferred grass is economically the most attractive winter feed if the land is available at relatively low cost” said Dr. Hennessy.
Innovation in Spring Grazing
Dr. Michael O’Donovan outlined new research information relating to innovation in spring grazing management which showed that on a whole farm basis, early grazing will generate an increased profitability of €2.70 cow/day for each extra day at grass in Spring. Spring calving cows should be turned out to pasture immediately post calving and the available grass supply should be budgeted with the first grazing rotation finishing between the 10th and 20th April. Similarly, research has shown early grazed swards have similar grass growth potential compared to later grazed swards, but are capable of sustaining higher milk yields and grass intake in subsequent grazing rotations due to higher sward quality, said Dr. Donovan.
Once Daily Milking
Latest results on the sustainability of once daily compared to twice daily milking over the entire lactation were also presented by Teagasc researcher Dr. Bernie O’Brien. The analysis showed that compared to twice daily milking once daily reduced milk production by 24%. Fat and protein content by 0.38% and 0.26% respectively, thus yield of milk solids was reduced by just 17% per cow. Once daily milking had a positive effect on reproductive performance and resulted in a 4% reduction in overall intake. The results demonstrated that in certain circumstances once daily milking may provide a viable management option to improve labour efficiency within a dairy enterprise.
Breeding Season
High empty rate (up to 40%) at the end of the breeding season is prevalent on many Irish spring calving dairy herds, representing a major source of financial loss due to the large disparity between the value of a cull cow and the cost of either rearing or purchasing a replacement heifer. Dr. Stephen Butler told dairy farmers one of the strategies that may be adopted at farm level to minimize this large financial loss would be to milk these non-pregnant cows for an extended lactation and re-breed them. “Results from Moorepark showed that milk fat and protein yield in the extended lactation period was approximately 85% of that produced in the normal lactation period. Financial analysis indicated that the extended lactation period was not as profitable as the normal lactation period. Extended lactation was however, more profitable than culling and replacing these empty cows,” said Dr. Butler.
Dr. Pat Dillon also gratefully acknowledged the financial support for the research programme from state grants and dairy levy research funds.
