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

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Abstract
Thirty-eight older (2nd and greater lactation) and 15 Holstein cows in 1st lactation were in a full lactation (44 wk) study to evaluate the effect of either twice or 3 times daily milking on yield of milk and milk components, milk composition, feed intake and body wt 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 3 times (A) were at similar production; 3 times (B) cows were switched to lower energy at higher milk production. Older cows milked 3 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 3 times milking, but gain of body wt was reduced. Cows milked 3 times daily during their 1st lactation produced 6% more milk than their twice counterparts, although this increase was not significant. Dry matter and energy intakes were not affected by 3 times daily milking, but 3 times milking of 1st lactation cows reduced wt gain over the lactation. Reproductive performance of cows milked 3 times daily was not significantly different from cows milked twice daily. Herds milking 3 times will require high management of nutrition and reproduction.

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