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Measuring labor input on pasture-based dairy farms using a smartphone
J Deming1, D Gleeson2, T O'Dwyer2
1Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C997 Ireland; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Co. Dublin, D07 YH5R Ireland.
Journal of Dairy Science
|July 23, 2018
Summary
Optimizing labor efficiency on pasture-based dairy farms is key, especially with increasing herd sizes. Larger herds (over 250 cows) showed improved labor efficiency, highlighting the benefits of scale in dairy farming.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Dairy Farming Systems
- Farm Management
Background:
- European Union milk quota cessation led to increased dairy herd sizes and labor demands.
- Labor is a significant cost on pasture-based dairy farms, second only to feed.
- Irish dairy farms historically exhibit lower milk production per labor unit compared to other EU countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify labor input and efficiency on commercial pasture-based dairy farms.
- To identify facilities and management practices linked to higher labor efficiency.
- To inform strategies for optimizing labor alongside herd expansion.
Main Methods:
- Data collected over 12 months from 38 diverse dairy farms using a smartphone application.
- Farms categorized into three herd size categories: <150 (HSC 1), 150-249 (HSC 2), and ≥250 cows (HSC 3).
- Labor efficiency calculated as total annual hours divided by herd size (h/cow/yr).
Main Results:
- Total labor input increased with herd size (3,015, 4,499, and 6,023 hours for HSC 1, 2, and 3, respectively).
- Labor efficiency improved significantly in herds ≥250 cows (17.3 h/cow/yr) compared to smaller herds (23.8 and 23.3 h/cow/yr for HSC 1 and 2).
- Labor requirements showed seasonal peaks in spring (calving, milking) and lows in winter (dry cows).
Conclusions:
- Larger herd sizes, particularly above 250 cows, are associated with enhanced labor efficiency in pasture-based dairy systems.
- Specific facilities and management practices, especially for milking and winter feeding, impact labor efficiency.
- Outsourcing machinery work to contractors correlates with higher farm efficiency.
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