A DairyNZ scientist says three seasons of a farm trial calving cows every 24 months suggest it is a potentially viable system.

Paul Edwards, project sponsor and principal scientist at DairyNZ, says the aim is to flatten the spring labour peak by calving and mating half the herd each year, in exchange for milking the other half through winter.

He says modelling favours North Island farms with more winter pasture growth.

“It’s not going to suit everyone,” he says.

Edwards says most Friesians in the trial averaged 600 days in milk, while 16% of Jerseys dried off before Christmas in their first year.

A new trial near Dargaville, started on 1 June, includes extended lactation under once-a-day milking.

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