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 The 100 cow pedigree Holstein herd is at present yielding around 9700
litres, with 4.3% butterfat and 3.4% protein. The herd is at present
quite young, with 50 - 60% of the milking herd being in their first
lactation.
The cows are fully housed in freestall accommodation, and milked through
a double 6 milking parlour. All the livestock, except the young calves,
are housed in the main barn, with the youngest heifers being reared in
hutch accommodation.
 During the summer months the cows are exercised
2 - 3 times per week in a grass paddock. Milk is collected every other
day, by the Dairy Farmer's of Ontario. There is a quota system for milk
production in Canada, which is based on the daily production of butterfat.
The milk price is based on the amount of butterfat and protein produced,
as opposed to the volume based system in Northern Ireland. At present
milk price is around 70c/litre, which is equivalent to approximately
34p/litre. |
