Efficiency and survival traits key to once-a-day herds
Once-a-day (OAD) dairy farming systems have been around for many years and have understandably increased in popularity in the last few years. The upshot of this has been an increase in demand for AB companies to undertake breeding programmes producing bulls with genetics tailored for OAD systems. CRV Ambreed’s genetic strategist Phil Beatson says this is nothing new to CRV Ambreed and the company has continued to market bulls with the attributes most suited to OAD farming. However, he says the specific requirements of the “OAD cow” and “OAD herd” are perhaps less understood. “It seems widely accepted that cows milked in OAD systems produce about 10% less milk solids per lactation than they would in traditional twice-a-day (TAD) regimes. On the other hand, they maintain better body condition and have better in-calf rates; they have fewer veterinary interventions; and less labour is required for the OAD system,” he says. “Compared to TAD cows, OAD cows are less likely to be culled as empty, but are more likely to be culled for high somatics or collapsed udders. Under OAD, high component – low volume cows tend to dry off earlier than desired. “The fact that OAD cows produce 10% less per lactation than under TAD farming in itself creates a problem which is likely to increase as environmental considerations receive more focus: without going into detail, the OAD cow producing 10% less per lactation is producing more methane per kilo of milk solids than her TAD contemporary.” But it’s not all bad for OAD. Beatson believes this is where the whole farm system needs to be considered. While the OAD cow might be lower producing, she is also likely to stay in the herd longer than the TAD cow, providing her udder and somatics are desirable. “The OAD herd with […]