other options, including piping

water from over 3 km to the

dairy.

‘We don’t have very hot and

humid summers, but ‘Cool Cows’

strategies are still relevant,’ said

David, ‘if heat stress is well

managed we don’t have many

problems.’

Milk Production

Currently 400 cows are managed

in one herd to achieve a

relatively flat production of

around 28 l/cow/day with 3.5%

butterfat and 3.25% protein.

‘There is little incentive to

increase these components with

the current payment system,’

said David, ‘but this is likely to

change with future contracts.’

Feeding and Nutrition

‘Managing nutrition has the

biggest impact on late summer

and autumn milk production,’

David Kucks feeds 400 cows on a simple but effective 110m x 9.2m

feedpad

David and Robyn Kucks

Quinalow, Queensland

Production Challenges

Historically dry seasons and

fluctuating feed supplies have

been one of the greatest

challenges for David and Robyn

Kucks, but ironically adversity has

led to a complete change in

feeding systems, increased herd

numbers and a more sustainable

business. ‘There’s been too many

dry spells,’ said David, ‘but this

has taught us how to feed cows,

and now we are more

sustainable than ever.’

A reliable supply of stock water,

particularly in droughts, is a

concern. Water is sourced from

dams and bores, but both

supplies are limited in drier

seasons. David is considering

The Farm

Herd: 400 Holsteins

Farm Size: 490 ha, lease

additional 170 ha

Dairy: 25 aside swing over

herringbone

Production: 3.8 million litres

8700+ L rolling herd average

Feeding System: Hybrid – (TMR

+ few months forage)

Calving pattern: Year round

Irrigation: Nil

Soil type: Brigalow and Poplar

Box flats to scrub hills

Pastures: Oats, barley (W)

Forage sorghum (S)

Business Snapshot

� Change from pasture base

to a hybrid TMR feeding

system

� Focus on good nutrition

� A nutritionist is consulted

� Year round even calving

pattern

� Ensure cows are in good

condition before calving

� Heat stress is managed with

sprinkler and milking times

� Cows have access to natural

shade

� A shade shed is planned

Key Strategies

Sustainable Autumn Milk Production

said David, ‘when we started

feeding mixed rations we spent a

lot of time talking to the Parmalat

nutritionist, Iain Hannah, but now

this is down to a few times per

year,’ said David, ‘We have also

learned a lot about feeding from

the Nutrition in Action group and

would like to continue this in the

future.’

David said ‘Balancing the ration

and maintaining milk yields can

be challenging in a hybrid feeding

system. It takes time for cows to

adjust to a change in diet.

Recently one third of the mixed

ration was substituted by grazing

a lush green Sudan forage crop,

but this instantly reduced the milk

yield.’ said David. ‘This usually

levels out over time.’

‘It’s also important that fresh

cows start out with good body

condition,’ said David, ‘During the

first 14 – 21 days they can’t eat

enough to compensate the

amount of milk produced.’

David said ‘To be sustainable you

also need to source forage,

protein and grain at reasonable

prices. Most of the silage is

produced on farm from forage

sorghum, and grain is bought in,’

said David. To keep costs down,

by-products including potato

chips, and syrup from the Dalby

ethanol plant are used.

Reproduction

‘To achieve a flatter milk

production throughout the year

you need a consistent supply of

fresh cows,’ said David ‘and by

managing the calving pattern we

are consistently milking around

400 cows.’

Heat Stress

Heat stress is not a major

problem for the Kucks, but there

are already a number of ‘Cool

Cows’ strategies in place. During

the hottest months the morning

milking starts earlier, and the

afternoon milking starts later.

Sprinklers are used to wet down

the cows in the holding yards.

‘The sprinklers not only reduce

body temperature, but also help

to keep the flies down,’ said

David.

To manage dry matter intake

David ensures there is plenty of

feed available after milking and

during the night. ‘We don’t

adjust the ration much and don’t

have a problem with dry matter

intake,’ said David.

Future Plans

A second feed pad and a shade

shed is planned next year for the

fresh cows. David hopes that

splitting the herd will improve

milk yield, and reduce feed costs

by around $5000 per month.

David intends to place the

second feedpad further up the

hill where it will catch more

easterly breezes during summer

and keep the cows cooler.

Monthly milk production

The feed shed has capacity for future expansion if required

% Fa

t/Pro

tein

Litr

es

Volume

Fat

Protein