Effect of Unequal Milking Intervals on Lactation Milk, Milk Fat, and Total Solids Production of Cows

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Abstract
Cows of three breeds were milked at 12- and 12-hr., 14- and 10-hr. and 16- and 8-hr. daily intervals for complete lactations to determine the effect of milking intervals on the milk, milk fat, and total solids production. Thirty-five trios were used over a 2-yr. period in the experiment. Mature equivalent milk and milk fat yields of cows milked at 12- and 12-hr., 14- and 10-hr., and 16- and 8-hr. intervals averaged 13,760 and 520, 13,716 and 536; and 13,582 and 524 lb., respectively. No significant differences occurred between any two groups in the milk fat and total solids percentages or yields. There was some indication that the 16-and 8-hr. intervals had a greater adverse effect on higher producing cows in comparison to lower producing cows, and on first-calf heifers in comparison to older cows; however, the evidence was not conclusive. Unequal intervals had no effect on udder health or incidence of ketosis.