'Dairy farmers have no regrets about making the switch to once-a-day milking'

The majority of dairy farms who made the switch to once-a-day milking in recent years are very happy with this move, according to Vincent O’Dwyer.

O’Dwyer, a science teacher in Scoil Ruain in Co. Tipperary, highlighted the recent findings from a BT Young Scientist entry from Lisa Millerick, a fourth year student in the school.

As part of the project, the student surveyed over 45 farmers, who operate both a once-a-day (20) and twice-a-day (25) production system, he said.

From the results, he said, the majority of once-a-day farmers surveyed would not make the switch back to twice-a-day milking.

The results from farmers who operate a once-a-day system indicate that the majority of these farmers will not go back to twice-a-day milking.

However, the results indicate that there is a yield drop associated with the move to once-a-day milking, but the quantity of milk solids produced increases, he said.

Key findings from once-a-day farmers

Over half of farmers took a hit to their income when making the switch to once-a-day milking.
Cow numbers on once-a-day farms increased following making the switch from twice-a-day.
80% of the farmers surveyed indicated that the health of the herd increased since moving to once-a-day milking.
100% of farmers had no regrets about making the switch to once-a-day milking.
90% of farmers surveyed said they would not return to twice-a-day milking.

O’Dwyer also said that the project aimed to understand why more farmers in Ireland were not operating once-a-day milking systems.

To fully understand this, he said, that the student interviewed over 25 farmers who milk twice-a-day to see how they feel about milking once-a-day.

Key findings from twice-a-day milking farmers

The majority of farmers milking twice-a-day think once-a-milking is a great idea.
10% of these farmers viewed it as a lazy option.
60% of farmers said the main disadvantage from once-a-day milking would be the drop in income.
80% of the farmers surveyed viewed once-a-day milking as an opportunity to increase the amount of free time they have.
55% of farmers who operate a twice-a-day milking system say their system is financially rewarding.
55% of farmers also say that they are comfortable with milking 100-140 cows daily.

The BT Young Scientist Exhibition will take place on January 6-9.