Farmers revelling in once-a-day milking

Most dairy farmers using a once-a-day milking regime are finding it very positive, according to a Livestock Improvement survey.

The number of herds using the system had increased to 350.

Livestock Improvement's genetics general manager, Peter Gatley, said that besides lifestyle and labour-savings benefits, once-a-day milking was leading to improvements in cow condition, health and reproductive performance, and staff morale.

"Cost-savings offset lost production ... over half the farmers claim they have not reduced their profit at all and 28 per cent believe it has actually improved."