Attention to detail drives Gauteng dairy to award-winning success

Strict recording of, and selection for, commercially important traits lie behind the success of Billy Hall’s award-winning, Gauteng-based dairy operation. Farm manager Shaun Spence, who runs the operation, spoke to Pieter Dempsey about the practicalities of running an efficient and profitable dairy.

- Pieter Dempsey

The dairy on Klipstapel Farm, situated on 954ha in Heidelberg, Gauteng, has been running since 1983. Owner Billy Hall started the business with only a few registered cows, and today the herd comprises 1 316 registered Holstein animals, of which approximately 600 are milked on a rotational basis. According to dairy manager Shaun Spence, the milking parlour runs 24 hours a day.

The dairy, which is registered with SA Holstein Cattle Breeders’ Society, has won a number of awards for the quality of its milk. Much of this success is due to meticulous management by Spence, who says that he knows every one of the cows on the farm. Records are kept for each cow with the aim of improving the overall efficiency of the herd. Individual milk samples are taken every month and analysed for butterfat, protein, lactose and somatic cell count.

The results of the tests indicate, among other things, whether any adjustments have to made to feeding or milking. They also assist with the early diagnosis and treatment of mastitis.

Spence aims to maintain a somatic cell count of about 200 000/mL milk, a butterfat content of 3,6%, and a protein content of 3,2%.

If the butterfat content is too high, fewer litres of milk will be produced.

This aspect has to be managed carefully, as high milk volumes are the goal.