Improved results with 3x milking

June 15 was an exciting day for Hoard's Dairyman. After months of discussion
and planning, the farm finally made the switch to 3x milking. Even though
the obvious reason for the change was to increase overall milk production,
there were other motives for moving to 3x milking.

"We wanted to show that Guernsey cows not only can perform, but also be
profitable in the modern dairy industry," said Jason Yurs, the farm manager.

Moving away from the previous 2x milking at 3 a.m. and 3 p.m., the milking
times at Hoard's Dairyman Farm are now at 4 a.m., 12 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. The
farm has already seen promising results. Of the 300 cows milking at Hoard's
Dairyman Farm, milk production increased an average 3 pounds/cow within a week
of the switch. Milk production continued to climb until the Wisconsin summer
weather moved in where there were a few days with a heat index above 100
degrees Fahrenheit.

There is a lot more planning when deciding to switch to 3x milking than one
might realize. The change has caused the farm to rearrange its entire daily
schedule. More employees are being trained to fill in the extra milking
times. Also the previous milkers and other farm employees have reorganized
their routine and working hours to fit around the new milking times. Calves
are now being fed earlier, and herd health check has moved to Monday afternoon
instead of Monday evening.

The farm will look for increased milk production throughout the summer.