Milking 10 times per week - could it work for you?

Milking is the most labour demanding task on Irish dairy farms and sets the structure of the working day. Altering milking frequency could provide more flexibility for farmers and allow for a better work/life balance, potentially making dairy farms more attractive workplaces.

However, changes in milking frequency must consider a number of aspects before they can be recommended (e.g., milk production, cow health and welfare). Last year a new study was undertaken at Teagasc Moorepark, which investigated: i) milking 10 times in seven days for the full lactation; and, ii) milking twice-a-day (TAD) for the first half of lactation, switching to 10 in seven for the second half of lactation (i.e., from July 4; 20 weeks into lactation). Finally, the performance of these two frequencies was compared to a third option, where cows were milked TAD for the full lactation.

Initial results show that milking 10 in seven for the full lactation reduced milk yield by 10% and milk solids yield by 11%. Interestingly, when cows were switched from TAD to 10 in 7 halfway through the lactation, their production was the same as cows milked TAD for their full lactation. However, milking cows 10 in seven for the second half of lactation had positive effects in terms of labour saving, as well as savings in water and electricity usage. The table below outlines how a 10 in seven milking frequency schedule would be carried out at farm level. Milking frequency can be changed on farms to reduce labour input and improve work/life balance. However, before a change in milking frequency should be considered, herd somatic cell count (SCC) should be <120,000 consistently across the year in order to ensure a successful transition across from TAD milking.

Example of a 10 in seven milking schedule compared to TAD milking

Read the full Dairy Newsletter - September 2023