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Three Times a Day Milking during the First Half of Lactation¹

USDA, SEA-AR, ASI, Mastitis and Milk Secretion Laboratory, BARC, Beltsville, MD 20705

ABSTRACT

Three milking frequency treatments were compared: twice daily milking; thrice daily milking until milk dropped below 24 kg; thrice daily milking until milk dropped below 31 kg. Three time milking was at least 45 days but no more than 150 days. Cows (12 to 14 per group) were managed alike except for milking frequency.

In early lactation, increased milking had little effect. With time the superiority in yields increased such that cows on three times for 150 days were outproducing two time cows by 20%. Cumulative milk yields were greater for the thrice groups than for the twice group by 5% at 56 days, 11 and 8% at 154 days, 11 and 9% at 182 days, and 10% at 280 days. Fat percentage, adjusted for previous lactation fat percentage, averaged .2 to .3% lower Nfor the cows milked three times until 24 kgNbut only .1% lower for cows milked thrice until 31 kg. Increased yield was primarily from prolonged peak yield and less subsequent decline. Switching from three to two milkings decreased yield 6 to 8% in the 1st wk. However, three time milking had a positive carryover, apparently due to higher starting yield at the point at which they were switched.

¹ Part of regional project NC-119, Improving Large Herd Management Practices.

² Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.

² Dairy Equipment Company, P.O. Box 8050, Madison, WI 53708.

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