HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by DePeters, E. J. Articles by Acedo-Rico, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by DePeters, E. J. Articles by Acedo-Rico, J.

Three or Two Times Daily Milking of Older Cows, and First Lactation Cows for Entire Lactations

Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis 95616

ABSTRACT

Thirty-eight older (second and greater lactation) and 15 Holstein cows in first lactation were in a full lactation (44 wk) study to evaluate the effect of either twice or three times daily milking on yield of milk and milk components, milk composition, feed intake, and body weight change. All cows were managed alike and were fed diets of high, medium, and low energy concentration as lactation progressed from calving to 44 wk. First lactation cows were switched from diets of high energy to lower energy at the same milk production as lactation advanced. Dietary changes for older cows milked twice and three times (A) were at similar production, whereas three times (B) cows were switched to lower energy at higher milk production. Older cows milked three times daily (A and B) produced 17 and 13% more milk over the entire lactation than cows milked twice daily. Dry matter and energy intakes were not affected by three times milking, but gain of body weight was reduced. Cows milked three times daily during their first lactation produced 6% more milk than their twice counterparts, although this increase was not significant. Dry matter and energy intakes were not affected by three times daily milking, but three times milking of first lactation cows reduced weight gain over the lactation. Reproductive performance of cows milked three times daily was not significantly different from cows milked twice daily. Herds milking three times will require high management of nutrition and reproduction.

¹ Dairy Research Department, Ralston Purina Company, St. Louis, MO 63164.

² Nutrition Department, Guyomarch Co., Corazon DeMaria-9, Madrid-2, Spain.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. H. Wall and T. B. McFadden Use it or lose it: Enhancing milk production efficiency by frequent milking of dairy cows J Anim Sci, March 1, 2008; 86(13_suppl): 27 - 36. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. H. Wall and T. B. McFadden Optimal Timing and Duration of Unilateral Frequent Milking During Early Lactation of Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, November 1, 2007; 90(11): 5042 - 5048. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. R. Rastani, N. S. Del Rio, T. F. Gressley, G. E. Dahl, and R. R. Grummer Effects of Increasing Milking Frequency During the Last 28 Days of Gestation on Milk Production, Dry Matter Intake, and Energy Balance in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, April 1, 2007; 90(4): 1729 - 1739. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Delamaire and J. Guinard-Flament Longer milking intervals alter mammary epithelial permeability and the Udder's ability to extract nutrients. J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2006; 89(6): 2007 - 2016. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Ellis, F. Qiao, and J. P. Cant Evaluation of Net Energy Expenditures of Dairy Cows According to Body Weight Changes over a Full Lactation J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2006; 89(5): 1546 - 1557. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]