Over the last two years, a study looking at the differences being once-a-day (OAD) milking and twice-a-day (TAD) milking has been taking place at Teagasc Moorepark.
At the Teagasc OAD milking conference, which took place on Thursday, January 14, Emer Kennedy, a researcher at Teagasc Moorepark, gave an update on the findings between the two herds.
Emer outlined that in 2020, the OAD herd produced 409kg of milk solids, while the TAD herd have produced 19% more with 505kg of milk solids.
Fertility
One of the major advantages of OAD milking is the improved condition of cows. On average the OAD herd was 50kg heavier than the TAD herd, with a 70kg difference at the end of lactation.
This means a better body conditioning score (BCS) was seen in the OAD herd, with one major benefit of this being a quicker return to cyclicity in early lactation.
The level of fertility in both herds was quite good with the OAD herd having an 88% conception to first service, compared to 69% for the TAD herd.
At the end of the breeding season only 4% of OAD cows where empty, while 9% of the TAD herd was not in-calf.
Cell Count
Somatic cell count (SCC) is a concern for many farmers considering switching to a OAD system, with this concern being somewhat realised at Teagasc Moorepark, in the OAD herd.
The OAD herd had an average SCC in 2020 of 344,000, compared to 147,000 in the TAD herd; 2019 saw very little difference in SCC between the two herds.
Emer did highlight that an issue with the milking parlour in early lactation may have caused the increase, but that they could not be certain, with further investigation being required.
Closing points
This system of production is not going to suit everyone, it will depend on circumstances such as herd size, farm layout and family situation.
A medium level of production is achievable with reduced levels of concentrates, but you need to be technically efficient and be good at managing cows and grass.