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The
Dairy Enterprise has a 20 unit sequential
bailing milking parlour, drafting facilities and a 160 cow
modern wintering unit.
These facilities have increased the profile of the College
among farmers and advisors.
The herd consists of 90 spring calving cows plus replacements. Average milk yield is 6,500 litres/cow. A programme to expand the herd
is well underway.
The overall dairy achievements and targets
are
- Product Quality Milk at Low Cost
- Increase Protein Content to 3.5%
- Increase EBI to 55
- Increase Milk Yields up to 1460 gals
Students are involved in all
aspects of the dairy enterprise. Advanced Dairy Herd Management
Students get maximum exposure to the decision making process and
this involves co-operating closely with Moorepark Research
Station. The research at present extends to examining the
advantages of Norwegian Reds and Jersey breed to the overall
profitability of the dairy herd.
|
|
|
Dairy Performance
| |
2003
actual |
2004
actual |
2005
actual |
2006
actual |
2007
actual |
2008
target |
| Quota
Gals. |
95,168 |
95,938 |
95,723 |
96,500 |
95,775 |
95,775 |
| No.
Cows |
75 |
84 |
81 |
80 |
92 |
90 |
| Milk
Yield |
1280 |
1450 |
1433 |
1450 |
1411 |
1420 |
| Milk
Protein |
3.36% |
3.41% |
3.37% |
3.40% |
3.43% |
3.45% |
| EBI |
29 |
28 |
34 |
36 |
49 |
54 |
| Grazing
Days |
305 |
328 |
312 |
300 |
303 |
300 |
| Meals/Cow
kgs |
700 |
794 |
860 |
800 |
1100 |
1000 |
| Submission
Rate |
85% |
81% |
81% |
90% |
84% |
90 |
| Solids
kg |
|
|
|
454 |
475 |
480 |
| Conception
Rate |
65% |
655% |
38% |
55% |
65 |
60 |
| Wt.0-1
Nov. 1st |
220kg |
|
240kg |
|
286 |
260 |
| Wt.0-1
April 1st |
380kg |
380kg |
357 |
350 |
385 |
360 |
| Wt.1-2
Nov 1st |
530kg |
530kg |
548 |
450 |
494 |
480 |
| Calf
Mortality |
6 |
|
7 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Common
Costs |
12.52c
/lit |
12.52c/
lit |
12.52c/
lit |
13.70c/
lit |
12.52c
/lit |
14.70c
/lit |
Student Involvement
Students are involved in all aspects of dairy enterprise. Advanced
Dairy herd Management Students get maximum exposure to the
decision making process.
Dairy Enterprise, November 2004
(Click for larger images)
The first cut silage pit, 2003 (Image: John Kehoe)
Maize silage pit, 2003 (Image: John Kehoe)
Maize silage pit, 2003 (Image: John Kehoe)
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