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Labour management for expansion
‘Efficient labour use on dairy farms’
Pat Clarke
Dairy KT Dept, Teagasc, Athenry
Why focus on labour efficiency ?
Farm goals
• Quality of life
• Family time
• Hobbies / Activities
• Attract next generation
Personal goals
• Increased herd size
• Efficient expansion
• Sustainable workload
• Sustainable system
Combination of both
Discussion Groups 2013/14
Groups
Average
Mostefficient
10%
NFS
Hours perlivestock unit
31 18 45
Livestock unitsper labour unit
58 100 40
1. Simple System
• Easy to operate e.g. parlour, paddocks, yard etc
• Fixed events e.g. breeding, milking, silage etc
• No unproductive stock – three groups only
• “ How easily can you be replaced on your farm?”
• Labour efficiency first, labour expansion second
2. Milking
• Seven rows per milking
• Shorter milking interval
• Earlier start time pm
• Rarely delay evening milking
• Once a day milking
3. Calving
• Cow
Cow condition
Easy calving sires
Animal health
• Facilities
Pre calving area
Mechanical cleaning
Location
4. Calf Rearing
• Group feeding
• OAD feeding
• Early to grass
Indoor
Outdoor
5. Breeding
• Shorter breeding season
• Drafting at parlour
• Heifers synchronised
6. Grassland
• Three grazings per paddock
• Topped once or never
• Good roadway surface
•Tunnels
7. Contracting
• Timely use
• Slurry
• Fertiliser
• Replacements
8. Young stock
• Reach target weights
• Adequate facilities
• Excess young stock
• Contract rearing option
9. Handling facilities
Herd handled many times e.g.vaccines, etc
Adequate handling facilities
Main herd
Out farms
10. Work Organisation
• Separate farm office (am)
• Farm map/written instructions
• Communication now vital
• People management skills
When is additional labour required?
Herd size Efficiency(hrs/LU)
Farmer(hrs/day)
Additionallabour units
0-80 44 8.9 0.5
81-120 31 8.8 0.9
121-160 27 8.9 1.4
191-600 21 8.5 2.3
Summary
• Labour efficiency before labour expansion
• Most efficient farms managing 100 LU per labour unit
Adopt labour saving technologies
Scale – increases efficiency but new skills required
Labour management for expansion
‘Efficient labour use on dairy farms’
Pat Clarke
Dairy KT Dept, Teagasc, Athenry