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Robotic Milking and Its Effect on Fertility and Cell Counts

T. A. M. Kruip^*, H. Morice^*, M. Robert^* and W. Ouweltjes

^* Institute of Animal Science and Health (ID-Lelystad), PO Box 65, 8200 AB Lelystad, Netherlands
Research Institute for Animal Husbandry, PO Box 2176, 8203 AD Lelystad, Netherlands

Corresponding author:
T. A. M. Kruip; e-mail:
T.a.m.kruip{at}id.wag-ur.nl.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of robotic milking (RM) on fertility and somatic cell counts (SCC) among dairy herds participating in the national Dutch milk recording system. It was hypothesized that RM, and a higher milking frequency in general, would have negative effects on fertility, due to expected and supposed deeper negative energy balance (NEB). Herds increasing milking frequency from two to three times daily consistently had increased production. Milk production during RM was intermediate between the amounts obtained by milking twice versus three times a day. Milking three times a day and the associated higher production had no significant effect on reproductive measures such as nonreturn rate at 56 d post insemination (NR56) or days to first service. Although RM did not affect NR56, use of the robot was associated with an increase in days to first service. An increase in milking frequency from two to three times daily did not affect SCC, but SCC were significantly increased after milking with the robot. Robotic milking has a significant positive effect on production and no negative effect on fertility as measured by NR56. The effect of RM in increasing days to first service appears due to reasons other than increased production and a more NEB. Increased SCC during RM is potentially of concern. From the data available, the relationship of RM to clinical mastitis could not be determined but this aspect needs further attention.

Key Words: robot • milking • fertility • cattle

Abbreviation key: RM = robotic milking, NEB= negative energy balance, NR-56 = nonreturn rate at 56 d after insemination, 2x, 3x = number of times cows were milked daily

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