Maximising labour productivity and minimising labour demand on Irish dairy farms: Achieving the best balance

The aim of this thesis was to develop a framework to better understand farm labour situations; providing strategies for farmers to achieve a balance between maximising their labour productivity and minimising their labour demand. Informed by the literature, five key areas of study were identified. Firstly, measurements of peak labour time-use and efficiency were required. The four subsequent areas of study comprised of developing a better understanding of certain labour saving techniques, namely: work organisation, technologies, work practices and farm facilities. Data were collected through a labour time-use study on 82 spring-calving Irish dairy farms from 1st February to 30th June 2019. This study found that labour efficiency improved as herd size increased, though there were large variations present among farms; highlighting highly efficient farms and farms with scope for improvement. The farmer worked 60 h/week from February to June, while milking (31%) and calf care (14%) were the two most time-consuming tasks. Using data from this time-use study, a framework was developed to measure farm work organisation effectiveness, in-turn highlighting efficient strategies of task organisation that could be implemented on farms. Farms achieving effective work organisation had a labour efficient system with relatively low farmer working hours and high farm profitability. Information regarding work practices and technology implementation was acquired through a survey and identified 59 work practices and technologies associated with farm labour efficiency. Scenario modelling estimated that labour efficiency would improve by 0.6 h/cow for each additional work practice or technology implemented. An additional time-use study was conducted in spring (February, March and April) 2021 on 57 farms. Using this longitudinal data, the positive effects of implementing new facilities and technologies, such as milking parlours and automatic calf feeders, on labour efficiency were observed using real-time data. This thesis highlighted the seasonal workload situation on farms, while emphasising the positive effect that certain labour saving techniques can have on labour demand. Adoption of the techniques highlighted through this study can enhance the social sustainability of Irish dairy farms.