Longitudinal measures of labour time-use on pasture-based dairy farms, incorporating the impact of specific facilities and technologies

Abstract

The seasonal workload on pasture-based dairy farms, combined with increased herd sizes, have led to an increased focus on farm labour time-use and techniques that can reduce farm labour demand. The objective of this study was to measure labour time-use over time on a sample of pasture-based dairy farms and examine the impact that specific facilities and technologies could have on labour demand in real farm situations. Fifty-seven farms completed two labour time-use studies in spring 2019 and 2021 (1st February to 30th April). Farm labour input was recorded on one day each week during the study period. Results showed that farm labour input increased by 3% (1364 to 1403h) between spring 2019 and 2021 and farm labour efficiency improved by 7% (10.7 to 10.0h/cow), while herd size increased by 10% (145 to 160 cows). Case study farms that made substantial changes to the milking and calf care facilities and practices (between 2019 and 2021) were selected to examine the impact of these changes on labour demand and efficiency. The four case study farms that implemented new milking parlours or added additional milking units improved their milking efficiency by 15% (2.89 to 2.45h/cow per farm) and reduced milking labour input by 15% (402 to 342h per farm). Seventeen farms made substantial calf care changes such as constructing a new calf shed, installing an automatic calf feeder, selling male calves and contract rearing heifer calves preweaning. These farms had on average 26 more cows per farm in 2021 than in 2019 (increasing from 137 to 163 cows), but calf care labour input declined by 5% (240 to 228h per farm) and calf care labour efficiency improved by 16% (1.83 to 1.53h/cow per farm). Of these farms, the largest improvement was observed on the eight farms that installed automatic calf feeders, where calf care labour efficiency improved by 23% (1.76to 1.36h/cow). Results of this study contribute to our understanding of labour use on pasture-based dairy farms and how it can change over time. The real-time on-farm case studies can reassure farmers of the positive benefits that the facilities and technologies outlined in this study can have on labour efficiency.