Grassland Management and Milk Production at the Hannah Institute, 1958–62

Abstract

Details are given of the system of grassland management used on the farm of the Hannah Dairy Research Institute in the 5‐year period 1958–62, when the aim was to inerease production economically by achieving a balance between the use of grass, grassland conservation products, home‐grown cereals and the minimum amount of purchased feeds. Over the period the number of cows and lst‐calf heifers increased from 50 to 53, while the total annual milk production increased from 41,000 to 50,000 gal. The yield of milk increased from 820 to 945 gal. per cow, and from 300 to 380 gal. per acre. Concentrate usage declined from 2.5 to 1.8 lb per gal. The margin of milk sales less purchased feed rose from £111 to £129 per cow in the 5 years and the net output averaged £59 per acre. The health of the stock was excellent.

Some Factors Affecting Milk Production From Grassland at the Hannah Institute, 1951–70

“…The soils on the farm are light and free draining and the climate Is generally temperate. Details of the farm in the period 1958-62 and the system of collecting the farm records have already been given (7); the present study is based on similar records collected over the period 1951-70.…”