Farmer writes: Bovine psychology and 13-times-a-week milking

Harold Kingston finds that cows have a sharp sense of what goes on around them - and love their routine.

Cows are very smart animals. Sometimes too smart for their own good. Walking through the field with my hands hanging hardly gets a glance. If I’m carrying fencing posts and a reel, there could be a chance of fresh grass.

The most interesting thing is that they love routine. Cow No 860 is always first at the gate, while 210 is always last into the parlour. My milk recorder told me he can spot certain cows in every herd that tell him he’s nearly finished.

Cows will see instantly if there is anything like a gate or a bucket out of place. A different person, especially a vet, in the yard can generate a major bovine discussion.

To keep them happy, and for a quiet life, I try not to vary things too much. I know some farmers who can take it to extremes. One gradually adjusts the milking start time so as not to upset the cows when the clocks change an hour between winter and summer time. Another was heard telling all the neighbours how much less milk was in the tank when he employed a relief milker the day his daughter got married. I’m still not sure if that was pride in his work or worries about the hidden costs of the wedding.

Routine and grazing blocks

The fact is that the more routine cows get, the more they want. Spring and autumn grass has to be budgeted so there is no choice but to allocate 12-hour blocks. Once grass supply is available, I have found that the cows are far more relaxed to graze 36- or even 48-hour blocks. I try to keep reasonable hours for my own benefit, but workload or travelling to meetings or events can dictate a change in milking times. I know that once the cows have enough to eat they won’t be roaring at the gap.

Since July, I have been using the 13-times-a-week milking system. This means that I only milk once for one day a week. At this time of year it won’t affect yield once the cows are happy. A cow will continue to produce milk for 16 hours, so I milk later on Saturday, midday Sunday and earlier on Monday. The morning lie-in and relaxed evening is very welcome. This weekend, the midday milking is on Saturday as I’ll be at the Courtmacsherry Storytelling Festival during Sunday.

Several have told me it is a great idea but most are reluctant to try it. I’m not sure if upsetting the cows or their own routine poses the greatest fear.

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