Night Housing Of Cows

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 15059, 20 August 1949, Page 5

Night Housing Of Cows

Kaitokc Farmer Rewarded Increased Yield Within Few Days Not unique, but still novel in New Zealand, is the practice of housing cattle at night in districts with more rigorous' climates than the average. An excellent example is to be seen on the Kaitoke farm of Mr L. Andrew, where after six weeks in operation, the experiment is paying dividends. When he took up the land 15 years ago in its virgin state it appeared to Mr Andrews that ". new approach to milk production was needed to combat the disadvantages of the prolific rainfall experienced in the ranges. Seldom arc three consecutive fine days experienced. Winter feed was , stacked cincl roofed so that stock could feed at night. As against the usual practice of distributing feed throughout the night paddocks, this move gave good results, both in increased yield of milk and elimination of bovine ailments. From this was born the idea of stall feeding in, the hours of darkness, but for some time lack of materials for building caused delay. Six weeks ago a shed, built to English specifications, was completed to accommodate 65 cows. Increased Yteld Mr Andrews culled out 15 of the low producers of the herd at the cost of 17 gallons of milk daily. Within a few days the remaining 65 cows had increased their yield to make up the deficiency. The cows leave the bails after the evening milking and make their way into the adjacent byre, where they remain in comfort until morning. Each is yoked into its stall, but in such a manner that it has complete freedom to feed or lie and sleep. The yokes are so swivelled that the cow may turn its head in any direction. Concrete Moors are adequately drained for cleanliness. The benefit to night paddock pastures have been widely marked and many troubles which previously affected the stock are not now ex- i perienced. In charge of the sheds is Mr An- \ drewV brother, Mr H. L. Andrews. ] a former wing commander in the I Air Force. His cows are well trained and give their milk to the machines I without any form of roping in the bails. I , "We get an occasional fall of snow ; here and I have seen the ground covered for up to a week. That is I when the sheds will be invaluable, j However, it is the constant protection from the biting routherlies that is I paying us dividends,'' said Mr An- j drews. "Fifteen years ago this land was completely unproductive: now it yields 140 gallons of milk daily. I