LABOUR UTILIZATION PATTERN ON A DAIRY FARM
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Date
2012
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AAU, Anand
Abstract
The study on ‘Labour Utilization Pattern on a Dairy Farm’ was undertaken at
Livestock Research Station, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,
AAU, Anand housing 225 dairy animals (199.84 animal units) comprising different
breeds (Gir, Kankrej and Crossbred) and categories (Calf, Heifer, Cow and Advanced
pregnant) during 21st November, 2011 to 31st March, 2012 for a period of 126 days to
study the time taken by the labour for various activities on the farm viz. milking,
feeding, cleaning of manger and alley, cleaning of shed and miscellaneous work.
Moreover, labour activities in the milking parlour were observed for a duration of 56
days for 35 milch cows (10 Kankrej,10 Gir and 15 Crossbred) both during morning
and evening sessions. The total working time and idle time in each shed of the animal
during morning and evening sessions was noted and analyzed with an aim to suggest
the time requirements for various dairy farm operations in three breeds studied.
Milking operation constituted the major item of work in milch cows Variations
in milking time were observed due to differences in milk yield and intrensic behavior
of breeds.
Significant (P < 0.01) difference in feeding time and time taken for cleaning of
sheds was observed between morning and evening sessions in all the sheds of
different categories of animals and also between different sheds studied.
The total working time (man minutes) taken for various activities and the idle
time observed in various sheds varied from 199.38±0.76 (Calving shed) to
557.94±0.88 (Calf shed) and from 44.18±0.15 (Gir shed) to 123.76±2.02 (Kankrej
shed), respectively. The overall total time (man minutes) was found to be the least in
calving shed (301.72±0.95) and maximum in calf shed (660.28±1.04). Further, the
man minutes/animal unit/day was derived for the total time in the sheds of different
categories of animals and was found to be lowest in heifer shed (28.16±0.16) and
highest in calf shed (48.94±1.25).
The time taken (seconds) for bringing the animal from animal shed to parlour,
and for tying the animal in milking parlour was noted to be least for Gir animals
during morning session and was found to be maximum during evening session in
Crossbred cows and Kankrej cows, respectively. The difference observed between
different sessions and between the three breeds studied for both the activities was
statistically significant (P<0.01). Similarly, the average time (seconds) taken for
releasing the animal after milking and the travel time taken by the animals to go back
to the animal shed was significantly (P<0.01) different between the three breeds
studied.
The time taken (seconds) for bringing and taking back the calf from the dam
and for the calf to suck milk from its dam differed significantly (P < 0.01) between
morning and evening sessions in Gir and Kankrej cows. The time taken (seconds) for
feeding concentrate to the milking animal and for carrying the empty milk pail from
recording room to animal was found to be minimum in Gir cows during morning
session and to be maximum in Crossbred cow during evening session with significant
(P<0.01) difference noted between the three breeds.
Significant (P<0.01) differences were found between Gir, Kankrej and
Crossbred cows for the time (seconds) taken for tying the milkman’s rope and for
cleaning the udder of milking cows. The average time (seconds) taken for attachment
and detachment of milking machine was 26.37±0.05 and 17.10±0.07, respectively.
The average time (seconds) taken for actually milking the Gir, Kankrej and Crossbred
cows was recorded to be 247.11±1.18, 263.84±1.36 and 277.49±1.24, respectively
and was significantly (P<0.01) different both during morning and evening sessions.
The minimum time (seconds) recorded for carrying milk from animal to
balance and for weighing and recording milk differed significantly (P<0.01) between
the three breeds. The total time (man minutes) spent by the labour in the milking
parlour for various activities other than that concerned with actual milking of the
cows, was found to be 376.32 min per day.
The total milk yield (Kg)/day in Gir, Kankrej and Crossbred cows was found
to be significantly (P<0.01) different and was recorded to be 5.19±0.04, 6.54±0.04
and 11.86±0.06, respectively. The total time (seconds) /labour unit/a.u/day was found
to be significantly (P<0.01) higher in Crossbred (1228.94±42.22) as compared to
Kankrej (1136.19±38.51) and Gir (1069.64±36.08) cows.
The average time taken for various activities on the farm viz. milking, feeding,
cleaning of manger and alley, cleaning of shed, miscellaneous work were 19.07,
10.74, 1.5, 10.75 and 2.59, min./labour unit/a.u./day, respectively. The average time
(min.) taken for various categories of animal viz. milch cow 40.76±0.10, heifer
28.16±0.16, calf 48.94±1.25 and advance pregnant cow 43.76±1.30 per labour
unit/a.u/day. Finally conclude that one labour can manage 11 a.u.
Description
Keywords
Veterinary science, LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION & MANAGEMENT, study