Drying off

Drying off cows is a difficult, time consuming and hazardous job. Key advice is not to rush the job and do no more than 20 cows per person in any one session. Factor in the time taken to do it properly. Best policy is to do it in the morning – after milking and having breakfast so you’re not hungry or rushing. Keep recently dried-off cows on a restricted diet for a week or two after drying off and make sure housing is kept spotlessly clean.

UCD have been in touch to say that they resumed Selective Dry Cow Therapy (SDCT) in 2019 and plan to do so again in 2020, contrary to the impression given in a recent article on SDCT (31 October). The Department of Agriculture has also been in touch to say that any supply or use of dry cow tubes is determined by a veterinary practitioner and not at the discretion of the farmer. Indeed, free vet consultations for those considering SDCT can be arranged through the Animal Health Ireland website.

Hot water

The transition to chlorine-free detergents continues to be a problem on many farms. It usually takes months of using chlorine-free products before an issue will emerge. If using liquid products, the quantity and temperature of hot water is critical. Electric water heaters need to be appropriately sized to provide sufficient water. Some farmers with a large requirement for water are moving towards heat exchange units, where heat generated from cooling the milk in the bulk tank is used to pre-heat the water before it enters the heater. Others are using gas or oil-powered burners to heat water. When assessing a hot water system, make sure there is sufficient flow rate. This is as important as the temperature, because if the flow rate is low, it will take too long to fill the wash trough and as a result, the temperature of the water already in the trough will start to decrease. Remember, caustic-based powder products are chlorine free and are very effective at cleaning. The wash can be used more than once and less hot washes are required. The simplest protocols I have seen include using caustic powder in the milking machine and an acid wash once or twice a week with an “all-in-one” product used on the bulk tank. These “all-in-one” products include acid and detergent, so no other product is required on the bulk tank. Both suction tubes can be inserted into the one drum.

Dairy Day 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that crowded events are no longer possible. Ordinarily, the dairy industry would be busy preparing for the annual Dairy Day event in late November. Instead of a physical event, the Irish Farmers Journal are bringing a series of television show-style productions to the public on 24 November. These productions will feature farmers, researchers and industry personnel covering topics such as farmyard design, grassland management, multi-species swards, milk processing, the environment, efficient calf housing and calf feeding, among others. See ad on page 25 for details.