Quiet approach pays off with cows

Press, 22 June 1979, Page 9

Quiet approach pays off with cows

It had been statistically proven that milk production could be increased by 30 per cent if cows were milked in a relaxed and quiet manner, dairyfarmers attending a seminar at Kaiapoi were told last week.

The seminar was one of three, held also at Temuka and Ellesmere, which were addressed by three dairy instructors of the Ministry of Agriculture, Messrs I. Thornton (Christchurch), P. Worsley (Paeroa) and M. McGee (Invercargill). .All of the advisers stressed the importance of the attitude of the farmer to his cows. Farmers who hit their cows, used dogs, and generally created tension in the milking shed could ex-

pect lower returns than the milker who had a more relaxed manner with his herd. Dairy farmers in some North ' Island areas had successfully milked their herds after dispensing with the washing of udders.

Mr Worsley said a group of Wairarapa dairyfarmers had been used as a test case.

Half washed udders before milking and the other half only washed selected

The unwashed cow sproduced milk just as good, and of a similar quality, to the washed cows. The incidence of mastitis and cracked teats was also less in the unwashed cows.

Mr Worsley said the

farmers milking the unwashed cows used washing facilities on their animals on a selective basis. The cows were not washed as of right but if they needed it, he said.

With the introduction of a new milk grading next year fanners who did not wash selectively could encounter problems, he said.

The seminar was also told that mastitis . was affecting a high percentage of the national herd and careful treatment W'as needed. Experience had shown that dry cows reacted to treatment best.

Farmers spending a dollar per animal on mastitis treatment would get an extra return from each of these animals of up to $5 three years later. Culling out cows that regularly contracted mastitis would eventually bring about a very healthy herd.

There could be only one cow which regularly infected others in the herd, the farmers were told. They were advised to inspect their herds at least three times a year; and especially before calving.