7 Milking Management 3

Question 1

What is the dry period

Answer 1

Period between two lactations: resting period for mammary gland

Question 2

What happens if no dry period is provided?

Answer 2

20-30% reductions in milk production
Higher producing mature cows will be less impacted by shorter dry periods

Question 3

Slide 6

Answer 3

Actual dry period & subsequent milk yield

Question 4

What factors affect annual milk yield

Answer 4

• peak yield
• lactation persistency

Question 5

What factors affect lactation persistency

Answer 5

• genetics
• photoperiod
• milking frequency (3x vs 3x a day)

Question 6

Why might longer persistency be better than high peak yield?

Answer 6

High peak yield cows need different energy diets at different stages of lactation, and higher energy feed at peak = $$$

Question 7

Why does increased milking frequency increase persistency

Answer 7

Feedback system
If calf is drinking less milk signal is sent to slow down milk production
Less accumulation of milk between milking times increases milk production

Question 8

Slide 13

Answer 8

Important

Question 9

Slides 14-16

Answer 9

Frequent milking

Question 10

Average calving interval, lactation period and dry period in months

Answer 10

12.5-15 months calving interval
10.5-12 months lactation
2 months dry period

Question 11

What are the problems with annual calving? (why might we extend lactation)

Answer 11

• cows need to be pregnant at peak lactation (low BCS, poor estrus & conception rates)
• high milk yield at dry off (risk mastitis)

Question 12

Calving interval, months of lactation & dry period of a potential extended lactation

Answer 12

18 month calving interval
16 month lactation
2 month dry period

Question 13

Pros of an extended lactation

Answer 13

• greater milk production per lactation
• less calving per life (less metabolic disorders)
• greater conception rate

Question 14

Cons of extended lactation

Answer 14

• less milk production per month (extended late lactation)
• less calving per life (less calf production)
• risk of too long calving interval (in case of abortion)

Question 15

Types of milking systems

Answer 15

• pipeline/tie-stall
• parallel (rapid-exit parlor)
• herringbone parlor
• rotary parlor
• robots (automated, volutnary)

Question 16

Pros of herringbone parlor

Answer 16

Diagonal cows so milking unit attachment from the side (better visibility of udders, access)

Question 17

Milking frequencies with robotic milking systems

Answer 17

<6h = 11%
6-12h = 67%
>12h = 22%

Question 18

How do milking frequencies vary from animal to animal

Answer 18

Early lactation (higher producing) cows will visit the milking machine more times a day
Late lactation cows have less desire to be milked, will not come often = longer milking intervals

Question 19

Most common grouping strategies of dairy producers who own multiple AMS

Answer 19

• Fresh, primiparous and multiparous group 50%
• Separate problem cows/old cows 19%
• By body size of age 13%
• By milking speed or frequency 13%
• By genetics 6%

Question 20

Common changes needed to transition to AMS

Answer 20

• 55% build a new barn
• 45% renovate an existing barn
• 47% change facility type (tie-stall to free stall most common)

Question 21

What percent of producers thought identifying sick/problem cows became easier with AMS

Answer 21

80%

Question 22

Why would identifying sick/problem cows become easier with AMS? Why would it become more challengin?

Answer 22

Easier:
- utilization of data collected by AMS
- alarm from AMS

Harder:
- cannot observe all cows twice a day at milking
- rely on tech to collect data

Question 23

Why is there less clinical mastitis with AMS?

Answer 23

It is easier to detect abnormal milk

Question 24

What happens to occurrence of lameness when switching to AMS

Answer 24

Increases, dairies that switched from tie stall to free stall experience more lame problems

Question 25

Why is there increased conception rates when using AMS

Answer 25

Estrus detection became easier in free stall barns and precision for AI timing improved

Question 26

Pros of robotic milking systems (4)

Answer 26

• increased milking frequency, greater milk yield
• work time flexibility
• increased conception rate (compared w tie stall)
• easier to identify sick animals?

Question 27

Cons of robotic milking systems (5)

Answer 27

• on call 24/7
• need to fetch animals
• need to cull animals that do not fit
• decreased milking freq in late lactation
• greater feet/leg problems

Question 28

Different types of AMS facilities

Answer 28

• free-flow traffic: free access to stall, feed bunk, robot
• guided traffic

Question 29

Two types of guided traffic systems

Answer 29

1. Milk first: may be milked before visiting feed bunk
2. Feed first: may be milked after visiting feed bunk

Question 30

Pros and cons of free-flow traffic

Answer 30

Pros:
- increased eating frequency; smaller meal size
- easier to find sick cows

Cons:
- decreased milking frequency
- greater need to fetch cows

Question 31

Pros and cons of guided traffic facility

Answer 31

Pros:
- increased milking frequency (motivate)
- less need to fetch cows

Cons:
- greater waiting time before milking (traffic)
- decreased eating frequency, greater meal size
- decreased resting time
- possibly delay in finding sick animals

Question 32

What kind of feeding occurs in AMS

Answer 32

PMR (partial mixed ration + pellets

Question 33

Why are pellets used in AMS

Answer 33

Fed in robot to attract cow
Can be programmed for individual cows

Question 34

Greater pellet intake means…

Answer 34

Decrease PMR intake, and possibly total DMI

Question 35

Key to nutritional management in AMS

Answer 35

Better to minimize pellet allowance in the robot; maximizing PMR consumption is key