Dairy NZ

OAD milking is the practice of milking cows only once during a 24 hour period. This differs from the traditional twice a day (TAD) milking regime.

Farmers use OAD milking in the following ways:

• Whole herd - full season
• Part herd - full season
• Whole herd - short periods
• Whole herd - part season
• Individual cows - short periods

Key reasons why farmers consider OAD milking:

• Less time spent milking cows
• Reduce staff pressure
• Feed shortage
• Stock health (lame cows, light cows, heifers, milk-fever prone cows)
• Reproduction (non-cyclers, heifers or whole herd in a feed shortage)
• Small dairy shed for herd size
• Farm layout (walking distance to shed)

Full season OAD

Full season OAD with the herd is an option that require the most planning, as it involves a change to the overall farm system - see DairyNZ Farmfacts milking section (4.0) or the Great Farming Guide to Once-a-day Milking for more information.

Strategic use of OAD

The strategic use of OAD milking is an option to reduce pressure on the staff and animals and to help manage feed demand, but it comes at a cost in reducing the potential milk production for the season.

OAD in early lactation

Consider the costs and benefits carefully before deciding to milk once-a-day (OAD) in early lactation. Recent research undertaken by DairyNZ has challenged views that short periods of OAD milking in early lactation have little effect on milksolids yield while improving cow reproduction...Read More

OAD in a dry summer

Once a day (OAD) milking is an excellent option to help manage cow demand for feed during dry summer conditions when pasture quality and quantity often limit cow performance....Read More