Increasing benefit

More Service Options for Farmer

We trialled the Tru Test Electronic Meter in 2004 and 2005. This recording and sampling system is operated by the farmer (DIY), so no third party labour is required in the parlour. It features electronic transfer of data (no writing or keying) and automated sampling into bar-coded vials. The trials were a success and farmers liked it. As a result we invested capital to purchase some 800 meters and targeted non recording commercial farmers, offering them the service in 2006 as an alternative to the recorded based model.

We offered a reduced number of visits per year. We offered a scheme of minimum 4 visits for spring (compact calving) herds and minimum of 6 visits for year round herds as qualified by  Berry et al (2005). We also changed from a per cow charge system to a per visit charge system, which gives the farmer more flexibility on number of visits he wants in the year.

For farmers on the electronic DIY we also qualified the prediction of daily protein and fat yield from one milk sample (volumes taken at both PM and AM milking).This was detailed in a report to ICBF by Burke et al (2004) titled “Prediction of daily yield from part-day samples on do-it-yourself electronic milk recording”. Because the electronic meter has 24hr clock we now know the exact time interval between PM and AM. This means that the sample is only taken in one of the two periods. This has been very well received by the farmer as it makes the “non” sampling milking very easy and time efficient.

Increase Usefulness of Data

Throughout 2004 and 2005, ICBF and the national farmer advisory body (Teagasc) held nationwide workshops, farm walks and seminars to educate farmers on the Economic Breeding Index (EBI). The Irish EBI is a profit based index which tells farmers which cows will leave more profit per lactation. It was designed with a commercial focus to help farmers breed profit into their herd. Specific cow EBI reports were developed and released in conjunction with the ICBF active bull list to help farmers identify the profitable cows to breed from and the non profitable ones to cull. Our approach was to move away from just sending back cow data and to move our focus to help the farmer make better management and breeding decisions. As examples of this we released the following two “decision support” reports in 2006;

• Milk Quality Report

  Report on herd SCC, giving % cows recently infected, and whether chronically infected, their lactation group and days in milk, all compared to national averages. The report contains a specific “Action list” of cows needing corrective action by the farmer.

• Sire Advice Report

  We ask farmer to input what type of bull he wants (e.g. breeding for protein or fertility) and ICBF will send him 3 recommended bulls for each cow in his herd.

The format and mechanism of getting back the information to the farmer was also revamped. As well as the conventional hard copies by post, herd info/reports are also made available on the internet via www.icbf.com  (farmer gets own password). We also email results and SMS text worst 5 SCC cows as soon as lab results are processed.