The implications of milking management strategies involving
variations of milking frequency in the immediate post-partum period
D.S.M. Phillips, M.W. Woolford, P.J.A. Copeman
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1980, 40: 166-174
Two experiments with identical-twin cows are described. The
first compared once-daily milking and concurrent continuous single
suckling for 4 days post partum with twice-daily machine milking
and twice-daily suckling. The two treatment groups showed a mean total
lactation gain of 4.8% (P<0.05) in milk and 4.6% (P<0.01) in milkfat.
The second compared twice-daily milking, for periods of 7 days and 8
weeks. Treatment period gains of 9.9% in milk and 16% in milkfat were
recorded for the 7-day x 3 group. The 8-week x 3 group showed a gain of
9.4% in milk and 12.2% in milkfat in the first 7 days, reducing to 6.0%
and 6.6% at the completion of the treatment phase.
Body-weight changes in early lactation appear to be implicated in
production responses.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
