7 Milking Management 3 Flashcards
What is the dry period
Period between two lactations: resting period for mammary gland
What happens if no dry period is provided?
20-30% reductions in milk production
Higher producing mature cows will be less impacted by shorter dry periods
Slide 6
Actual dry period & subsequent milk yield
What factors affect annual milk yield
- peak yield
- lactation persistency
What factors affect lactation persistency
- genetics
- photoperiod
- milking frequency (3x vs 3x a day)
Why might longer persistency be better than high peak yield?
High peak yield cows need different energy diets at different stages of lactation, and higher energy feed at peak = $$$
Why does increased milking frequency increase persistency
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
Slide 13
Important
Slides 14-16
Frequent milking
Average calving interval, lactation period and dry period in months
12.5-15 months calving interval
10.5-12 months lactation
2 months dry period
What are the problems with annual calving? (why might we extend lactation)
- cows need to be pregnant at peak lactation (low BCS, poor estrus & conception rates)
- high milk yield at dry off (risk mastitis)
Calving interval, months of lactation & dry period of a potential extended lactation
18 month calving interval
16 month lactation
2 month dry period
Pros of an extended lactation
- greater milk production per lactation
- less calving per life (less metabolic disorders)
- greater conception rate
Cons of extended lactation
- 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)
Types of milking systems
- pipeline/tie-stall
- parallel (rapid-exit parlor)
- herringbone parlor
- rotary parlor
- robots (automated, volutnary)
Pros of herringbone parlor
Diagonal cows so milking unit attachment from the side (better visibility of udders, access)
Milking frequencies with robotic milking systems
<6h = 11%
6-12h = 67%
>12h = 22%
How do milking frequencies vary from animal to animal
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
Most common grouping strategies of dairy producers who own multiple AMS
- 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%
Common changes needed to transition to AMS
- 55% build a new barn
- 45% renovate an existing barn
- 47% change facility type (tie-stall to free stall most common)
What percent of producers thought identifying sick/problem cows became easier with AMS
80%
Why would identifying sick/problem cows become easier with AMS? Why would it become more challengin?
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
Why is there less clinical mastitis with AMS?
It is easier to detect abnormal milk
What happens to occurrence of lameness when switching to AMS
Increases, dairies that switched from tie stall to free stall experience more lame problems
