Hey Mike
6500 kg per cow is very high production compared to the levels in NZ.
Milk contains a natural substance that when present in high amounts
will inhibit milk production until it has been removed from the udder
(from milking). So during the night, your cows will reach their peak
capacity and cease producing more milk compared to cows milked at
closer intervals who tend to produce milk continuously. I guess it is
a matter of whether you want the extra cash, or the longer sleep-ins!!
My book "Milk Production from Pasture" suggests that intervals longer
than 16 hours cause reductions in milk yield.
Have you ever considered milking once a day? You increase your
stocking rate to compensate for reduced milk yields per cow, so that
milk yields per hectare remain similar. Jerseys are more suited for
this as they have better udder capacity. Cows are much healthier, get
in calf easier, less expenses, and you get to go fishing as soon as
you finish milking lol!!!
Cheers
Michelle
Kiwi in Missouri, USA
On 3/7/07, M�che�l � C�os�in <farmercash@eircom.net> wrote:
>
> William Burges wrote:
> > Aren't your milking intervals pushing the limits a bit Mike?
>
> We have a low input system in place so we'd only have a herd average of
> 6500kg which is small compared to what ye'd be doing in the americas,
> but a little more than the southern hemisphere. There isn't too much
> pressure on the cows which helps them stay healthy.
>
> Conor O'Brien wrote:
> > It takes a bit of self-discipline to go to 16:8 but the struggle is
> worth it.
>
> pst, it's not a struggle at all. I find that all my socializing,
> meetings, sports and general fun things take me up towards midnight, so
> i figure that trying to get out of bed at 6am leaves me too tired to do
> things properly.
>
> mikeC
