Abstract
The aim of the present study was to estimate the labour input on dairy farms with loose and tie
stall housing in South Tyrol as a basis to improve production efficiency. The study was performed
on 102 dairy farms, half with tie stall and half with loose housing barns. A standardized
questionnaire was used to survey all daily and non-daily working activities, management
practices and facilities applied on farm level. To determine the exact working time of each single
activity and validate questionnaire data, 9 tie stall and 10 loose housing farms were selected for
on-site measurements. Average herd size was estimated at 16.3 and 23.2 cows for tie stall and
loose housing. Total working time requirement was 177 manpower hours per cow and year
(MPh/cow/year) for tie stall and 113 MPh/cow/year for loose housing. Time for milking was
estimated at 74 and 56 MPh/cow/year and feeding followed with 34 and 27 MPh/cow/year,
respectively. Labour costs per kg of milk were estimated at 32.6 and 16.9 Euro cents, while the
production per working hour was determined at 41.4 and 79.7 kg/MPh for tie stall and loose
housing accordingly. In both housing systems, the working time decreased with increasing herd
size. The comparison between questionnaire and on-site measurements showed that farmers
could precisely estimate total daily workload however, they faced difficulties to estimate single
activities. Moreover, the results reveal a limited use of facilities that improve productivity and
cost efficiency such as milking systems. A clear understanding of their working efficiency will
allow farmers to better understand the requirements for dairy farming and encourage them to
modify working procedures in a way so that sustainability of mountain dairy farming is improved