HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-11-08, Page 12FARM 1IPI) A T F Times Advocate November 8 1995 Page 11
Milking more often favors farmer
Brenda Burke T -A stall[
KIRKTON - Joe Vink does
something he claims only a small
percentage of Ontario dairy farmers
do. He milks his cows three times a
day.
In March, 1994, he decided to try
a milking schedule of 5 a.m., 1 p.m.
and 9 p.m. instead of milking twice
a day at 6:00 in the morning and
6:00 at night.
Benefits he's gained include in-
creased milk production, less stress
on his cows and more time to spend
with his wife and four children.
He has since increased his milk
production by 20 per cent, and thus
his milk protein volume by 20 per
cent. As well, his milk's butterfat
content has dropped by .1 per cent.
His milk production increase was
gradual. He noticed an immediate
increase of five per cent. Two
months later there was a further in-
crease of five to seven per cent and
two to four months after that the in-
crease was an additional 10 per
cent.
Milking twice a day gave him an
average of 26 litres of milk per cow
while milking three times daily re-
sulted in about 31 litres from each
cow. His goal is to increase his pro-
duction further to achieve 35 litres
of milk per cow and to get higher
protein and lower butterfat levels.
But he stresses there is a very
wide range in the amount of pro-
duction for various farms.
"We've heard of guys that
haven't got high increases," said
Vink, referring to dairy operations
on the frequent milking schedule
that already produce at high levels.
"We did get a teal high increase
in production," he said, adding al-
though the average milk production
increase tends to be five to 12 per
cent due to milking three times a
day, potential in-
creases may be as
high as 25 per cent.
According to the
Ontario Dairy Herd
Improvement Cor-
poration's Herd
Management Report
dated Oct. 18, Vink's
Breed Class Average
score revealed his
herd raised $4,739 in
the last 10 -month pe-
riod while the On-
tario herd average
was $4,177. That means Vink was
getting paid an average of $15.80
per kilogram of milk, which is one
dollar more than what the average
dairy farmer was receiving.
"That's a big incentive to work
with," said Vink.
Because his milk's butterfat con-
tent is lower, it allows him to ship
more volume of milk in order to
meet quota requirements. Milk quo-
tas once measured in litres a few
yearsago are now determined by
the measurement of milk's butterfat
content. Vink suspects the quota
system will change further to in-
clude milk's protein content.
"The Milk Marketing Board has
finally given incentive to dairy
farmers to make more money," he
said.
Regardless of whether milking
mote often results in
"Most of the family higher milk pro-
time is (from) 4:00 duction and higher
to 8:00. With the profits for every
dairy farmer, Vink
two -times -a -day believes one sure
(schedule) you're benefit is that milk -
always milking thatinsss cowsstress. experience
le
time of day...Now -A cow that is un -
the day's only a 12- der Tess stress has
hour day instead of less problems," he
a 15 -hour da . said.
.y Milking more fre-
quently results in a
lower somatic cell count in cows. A
high somatic cell count may dam-
age the utter and result in less pro-
duction. Also, cows leak their milk
less when their utters are not as
full. Excessive leaking may lead to
mastitis, an infection caused by
bacteria buildup.
Some farmers prefer to alternate
between milking twice and three
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For more information, call
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Wildlife
ItJ Federation
Brussels livestock sales
BRUSSELS - Sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending November 3.
1995.
Fed cattle 821 Cows 326
Veal calves 274 Sheep & Goats 67
Stockers 2565 Pigs Light run
Fed steers and heifers at Brussels Livestock sold under
pressure at prices $1.00 lower. Cows sold at $1. - $2. low-
er. On Thursday veal sold $2 - $4 lower. lambs were selling on a stronger trade.
On Friday all classes of stockers sold steady.
There were 583 steers on offer selling from 84. to 89. to the high of 96.25.
Thirty-njne steers consigned by Orlan Martin, Mount Forest, averaging 1506
lbs. sold for an average of 84.27 with sales to 96.25.
Twenty steers consigned by Cunningham Farms, Lucan averaging 1393 lbs.
sold for an average of 8652 with sales to 94.00.
Thirty-seven steers consigned by Bill Haines, Wingham averaging 1402 lbs.
sold for an average of 85.88 with sales to 90.50.
Seven steers consigned by George Adams, Wroxeter averaging 1341 lbs. sold
for an average of 83.34 with sales to 90.00.
Forty steers consigned by W.B. Pletch Co. Ltd., Rockwood averaging 1344 lbs.
sold to a high of 89.25.
Forty-five steers consigned by Russel Halliday, Chesley averaging 1299 lbs.
sold for an average of 86.75 with sales to 88.85.
Sixteen steers consigned by Gord Brown. Shelburne averaging 1300 lbs. sold
for an average of 85.49 with sales to 88.50.
Two steers consigned by Allan Becker. Ayton averaging 1353 lbs. sold for an
average of 86.09 with sales to 88.50.
Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidtbrook Farms Inc. Woodstock averaging
1295 lbs. sold for an average of 83.75 with sales to 87.50.
Twenty steers consigned by Kada Farms, Bluevale averaging 1320 lbs. sold for
an average of 84.89 with sales to 87.35.
There were 215 heifers of offer selling from 84.00 to 87.00 to the high of
88.25.
Eighteen heifers consigned by Maurice Coe. Shelburne averaging 1 159 lbs.
sold for an average of 84.26 with sales to 88.25.
Four heifers consigned by David Proper, Wingham averaging 973 lbs. sold for
an average of 85.10 with sales to 87.25.
Two heifers consigned by Ron Gordon, Blyth averaging 1315 lbs. sold for an
average of 84.23 with sales to 85.75.
Seven heifers consigned by Gordon Dougherty, Goderich averaging 1209 lbs.
sold for an average of 82.25 with sales to 85.25.
Four heifers consigned by Les Brown, Shelburne averaging 1085 lbs. sold for
an average of 81.84 with sales to 85.25.
Three heifers consigned by Robert Weisher, Mildmay averaging 990 lbs. sold
for an average 80.53 with sales to 84.75.
Thirteen heifers consigned by Dennis Gutscher, Walkerton averaging 1Z92 lbs.
sold for an average of 80.88 with sales to 84.50.
Five heifers consigned by Weswill Holdings Inc., Kippen averaging 1079 lbs.
sold for an average of 83.41 with sales to 84.00.
Three heifers consigned by Harry Bouwman, Harriston averaging 1058 lbs.
sold for an average of 83.19 with sales to 83.75.
Five heifers consigned by Randy Pentland, Goderich averaging 1 123 lbs. sold
for an average of 82.55 with sales to 83.75.
There were 326 cows on offer selling from 35.00 to 45.00 to the high of 51.50.
One cow consigned by Jason Coutles, Wingham weighing 1035 lbs. sold for
51.50.
Two cows consigned by Dean McKee, Kincardine averaging 1 170 lbs. sold for
an average of 46.02 with sales to 50.25. •
Five cows consigned by Bill Van Nes, Ethel averaging 1303 lbs. sold for an av-
erage of 45.39 with sales to 50.00.
There were 22 bulls on offer selling from 39.00 to 49.25 to the high of 64.25.
One gold bull consigned by Fred McClure. Alton weighing 1765 lbs. sold for
64.25.
One Sim bull consigned by Peter J. Yoder. Chatsworth weighing 1860 lbs. sold
for 60.50.
There were 274 veal of offer selling . Hol. 70. to 85., beef 80. to 113.
Three veal consigned by Mike Smith, Brussels averaging 618 lbs. sold for an
average of 91.58 with sales to 113.00.
Five veal consigned by David Weber, Paisley averaging 635 lbs. sold for an av-
erage of 90.30 with sales 111.50.
Four veal consigned by George Ducharme. Dashwood averaging 651 lbs. sold
for an average of 88.46 with sales to 110.50.
Lambs:
50 - 80 lbs. 124.00 to 208.00
80 - 94 118.00 to 134.00
O.
Stockers
Steers:
400 - 499 lbs.
500 - 599
600.699
700 - 799
800 - 899
900 and over
Heifers:
300 - 399 lbs.
400 - 499
500 - 599
600 - 699
700 - 799
800 and over
80.00 to 119.50
80.00 to 108.00
75.50 to 102.50
78.00 to 105.00
79.25 to 97.50
82.25 to 100.50
74.25 to 108.50
72.50 to 118.00
67.00 to 92.00
70.50 to 94.50
68.73to91.30
72.00 to 89.00
times a day, depending on their la-
bor schedule, quota requirements
and overall business habits.
Although more farmers have
tried the frequent milking schedule,
many have discontinued it, ex-
plained Vink's brother, Lawrence,
who works with him.
"Depending on their setup and
their labor, it's difficult for them,"
he explained. "We were milking
twice a day and (with) the two of
us, we didn't have enough work in
the winter."
In order to fill their quota, the
Vink brothers faced the choice last
year of buying 10 additional cows
or milking three times daily. Vink
was milking 100 cows twice a day
in two and a half hour shifts. Now
he milks 125 cows three times a
day in two hour shifts.
Although he spends an hour more
per day milking due to his herd in-
crease, he feels one of the greatest
benefits of milking more frequently
is that he has more time to spend
with his family.
"Most of the family time is
(from) 4:00 to 8:00. With the two-
times -a -day (schedule) you're al-
ways milking that time of
day...Now the day's only a 12 -
hour day instead of a 15 -hour day."
"We're family-oriented," added
Lawrence. "We want to run our
farm not just like a business."
Denfield Livestock Sales
The market at Denfield met a good demand at
steady prices with the fancy fed cattle bringing a
premium. American orders were strong on the thick
American type cattle. Cows sold steady. Veal stronger on
the right kind. Pigs steady.
There were 510 cattle and 220 pigs on offer.
Elliott Langstaff. Tupperville sold 8 steers average weight 1353 lbs. average
price 87.30 with sales to 90.25 purchased by Dendekker Meats.
Frank Dolmage. Seaforth had the high sale for a steer 1230 lbs. at 93.25 pur-
chased by Norwich Packers.
Jim Thompson. Ailsa Craig sold 10 heifers average weight 1 125 lbs. average
price 86.28 sales to 90.25 purchased by Dendekker Meats.
Don Eedy and Mark Vanderploeg, Denfield sold 8 heifers average weight 1 208
average price 84.95 sales to 89.00 purchased by M.G.I. Packers.
Norman Hodgins, Parkhill sold 32 heavy steers average weight 1406. average
price 82.75 sales to 89.75 purchased by Holly Pack.
Morley Hodgins, Parkhill. sold 21 heavy steers average weight 1482. average
price 80.25.
Choice steers 86-90 sales to 93.25 Good steers 83-86
Heavy steers 75 - 82
Choice exotic cross heifers 85-90 sales to 93.00
Good heifers 80-84 Common and medium 60-75
DI and D2 cows 40-45 sales to 50 D3 and D4 cows 35-40
Shells 10-25
Good veal 75-85
Bulls 45-75
Yearling heifers 82-90
Heifer calves 80-1.05
Pigs 40-60 lbs. 60-75
Sows 35-40
Choice veal 90-1.00
Plain veal 50-65
Yearling steers 82-94
Steer calves 85-1.10
over 60 lbs. 50-64
Boars 34-38
Joe Vink, a Kirkton area dairy farmer, displays
equipment he uses three times a day.
the
milking
.lonsered 625
20 inch Bar 62 cc
Special
54900
Limited Quantity
ACt Alm
Supply
Sales & Service
Phone (519) 236-4934 Fax(519)2364330
22 Main Street, E., Zurich
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