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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1964

Vol. 210 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milking Machines.

16.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to a recent issue of the Journal of An Foras Talúntais, which contains a report of a survey conducted on thirty-five farms on the operational capacity of varying types of milking machines; if he has noted that the report states that some machines were structurally defective, while all were operationally defective; if he will get from the Dairy Research Centre more detailed information on the types found to be structurally defective and have this information made available to dairy farmers through their creamery societies; and if, in the almost complete absence of any mechanical or advisory service by the manufacturers or their sales agents, he will ask the creamery societies to provide such a service.

17.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to a recent survey conducted by the Dairy Research Centre at Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork on thirty-five dairy farms in regard to different types of mechanical milkers; if he has noted in the report the widespread mechanical and operational defects discovered; if he is aware that such defects can cause serious diminution in milk yields and in addition cause widespread mastitis infection; and if he will ask the Research Centre to circulate to all dairy societies full details of the survey, as well as remedial recommendations to combat this serious menace to dairy herds.

I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.

The publication containing a report on the survey in question has, I understand, been circulated to all agricultural instructors and creamery managers. In addition An Foras Talúntais is holding "open days" at the Dairy Research Centre, Moorepark, this week, where advisers, creamery managers and others interested will have an opportunity to get first-hand information on the matters referred to in the report. Agricultural instructors are, of course, in a position to give advice on the use and maintenance of milking machines. The question of the provision of additional services by the creamery societies would be one for consideration by them in the light of local circumstances.

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