Milking of 'empties' is better than culling

EXTENDING the lactation for 'empty' cows is more profitable than culling and replacing these cows, dairy farmers were told at last week's open days at the Teagasc Dairy Production Research Centre, Moorepark.

Dr Stephen Butler said high 'empty' rates of up to 40% at the end of the breeding season are prevalent on many Irish spring-calving dairy herds, representing a major source of financial loss.

Dr Butler said milking these non-pregnant cows for an extended lactation, and re-breeding them, was the more profitable option.