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