Brian Reidy: French milk production comes in many shapes and sizes

Independent ruminant nutritionist Brian Reidy reports on a recent trip to France — the systems were diverse, but each had a goal of optimum profitability

Cows on a four-robot dairy farm Irish Examiner columnist Brian Reidy visited in northwest France. Picture: Brian Reidy

I was lucky to spend four days in France last week and visited several excellent dairy producers. These producers ranged from a herd grazing Normandy cows day and night from mid-February to early December, averaging 24 litres per day to a full-time indoor herd of Holstein cows on four robots producing a rolling average of 44 litres per day, every day of the year. 

The systems were diverse, but each had a goal of optimum profitability.