Newsletter grab from
Dairy Australia’s InCalf program
16 December 2011 (375 words)
Head: Batch joining offers a way
around hot months
Increasing numbers of dairy farmers in hot regions are using batch joining as a way to achieve year
round milk supply while avoiding joining over the hot, humid months when pregnancy rates are
lower.
In summer, dairy cows can be at risk of heat stress, caused by either high temperatures or a
combination of heat and humidity. Heat stress complicates reproductive management: cows in the
first three weeks of pregnancy may abort; cows are more likely to have silent heats, shortened heats
or reduced in-calf rates.
Dr Barry Zimmermann who manages Dairy Australia’s InCalf project said that while batch joining
had very good benefits for the faming system, the lifestyle benefits were also attractive.
“Farmers can achieve year round milk supply by joining the herd to calve in one, two or more
batches. Regardless of the number of batches, the key is to avoid joining over the hot humid
months, particularly in January and February,” Dr Zimmermann said.
In terms of labour and lifestyle, the batch joining system with a break over the summer makes
January a fairly easy month as there’s no calving, calf rearing or joining.
“You can arrange your system so that January is a family-friendly month to match the school
holidays while still achieving year round milk supply, and winter price incentives.”
There are also benefits for the herd. Better in-calf rates are achieved by avoiding joining in the
hot/humid months, and calf health and welfare are improved by having them weaned before they
are at risk of heat stress.
Batch joining also allows for more focussed management and streamlined labour demands.
“With a true year round calving herd, managers juggle a wide range of tasks on any given day –
heat detection, calving, calf rearing, transition feeding, joining on top of the daily routine of milking
and feeding the herd,” he said.
Daily activities are more focussed with a batch system: a block of heat detection and joining,
followed by a break; and this translates to blocks of calving and calf rearing later in the year.
Regardless of your herd’s calving pattern, be sure to use the Cool Cows resources to find ways to
reduce the impact of heat stress on herd fertility, available at www.coolcows.com.au.
For more information, visit http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Animals-feed-andenvironment/Fertility or contact InCalf email: enquiries@incalf.com.au or ph (03) 9620-7283.
InCalf is an example of your levy at work. For more information on this and other examples of your levy at work
visit www.dairyaustralia.com.au
ENDS
Photo: A batch of calves. Click here to receive high res file by
automatic email: ic-BatchCalving@monkscom.com.au
Caption: Batch calving can achieve year round milk supply while
avoiding joining over the hot, humid months when pregnancy rates
are lower.
Media Enquiries: Lee-Ann Monks, Monks
Communication: 07 5450 0946, email:
media_releases@monkscom.com.au