Once a Day Milking Conference
Teagasc are holding a ‘Once a Day Milking’ Conference at the Horse and Jockey Hotel, County Tipperary on Tuesday 15th January starting at 1.00pm. The event is of interest to dairy farmers and advisors interested in learning more about the Once a Day (OAD) Milking option.
Teagasc are holding a ‘Once a Day Milking’ Conference at the Horse and Jockey Hotel, County Tipperary on Tuesday 15th January starting at 1.00pm
This initiative is led by Brian Hilliard, a Teagasc dairy advisor based in Dungarvan who has a special interest in Once a Day milking and runs a once a day milking discussion group consisting of farmer members from the south of the country. Speaking in advance of the conference, Brian Hilliard said: “There is a growing level of interest in the OAD system. Many farmers are looking at different options to keep the workload on farms manageable, especially on those farms that have expanded their dairy enterprise.”
Three experienced farmers, who milk their cows once a day, will share their experience with the conference attendees. Gillian O’Sullivan, a dairy farmer from Waterford, will talk about the ten seasons they have been milking cows once-a-day. Declan White, a Co. Cork dairy farmer, will outline how he manages milking a large dairy herd once-a-day.
The second session of the conference will focus in ‘Transitioning to once a day milking’. Ed Payne, a Co. Roscommon dairy farmer has successfully established a once-a-day dairy herd on a second dairy unit. George Ramsbottom, Teagasc Dairy Specialist, will provide an update on milk production and financials after one year of Once a Day Milking. George Ramsbottom said: “Reducing the milking frequency of a cow will reduce her daily milk yield, milk solids yield, will result in increased milk protein and milk fat composition and improve animal health and fertility.”
The final session will focus on nutrition, with Dr Joe Patton, Teagasc Dairy Specialist presenting nutrition guidelines for feeding the Once a Day herd.
The conference is free of charge and finishes at 4.30pm.