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Evaluation of automatic milking system variables in dairy cows with different levels of lactation stage and reproduction status

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2019

Vida Juozaitiene ,
Arunas Juozaitis ,
Judita Zymantiene ,
Ugne Spancerniene ,
Ramunas Antanaitis ,
Vytuolis Zilaitis ,
Saulius Tusas  and
Ayhan Yilmaz
Vida Juozaitiene*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding
Arunas Juozaitis
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Breeding
Judita Zymantiene
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Physiology
Ugne Spancerniene
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Physiology
Ramunas Antanaitis
Affiliation:
Large Animal Clinics
Vytuolis Zilaitis
Affiliation:
Large Animal Clinics
Saulius Tusas
Affiliation:
Faculty of Animal Husbandry Technology, Institute of Animal Rearing Technologies, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
Ayhan Yilmaz
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences, Siirt University, Siirt, Turkey
*
Author for correspondence: Vida Juozaitiene, Email: vida.juozaitiene@lsmuni.lt
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Abstract

In this study, we hypothesized that differences of automatic milking systems (AMS) variables in dairy cows during estrus and through diverse stages of lactation can be suggested as alternative indicators to support the pregnancy in dairy farms using automatic milking systems. The key objectives were: (1) to determine the variation of automatic milking system indicators during lactation and to estimate the relationship with reproduction status in dairy cows; (2) to test the hypothesis that milking traits of cows can be influenced by estrus and conceiving, and can be used as a predictor of the likelihood of reproductive success in dairy herds. Estrus synchronization was performed in 368 healthy Lithuanian Black and White cows. All cows (n = 368) were synchronized and inseminated for the first time on the 91st day in milk (DIM). Cows not pregnant (17.39%) were synchronized and inseminated again at 132 DIM. After the first insemination pregnant (n = 304) cows were identified as group 1, after the second insemination pregnant (n = 58) cows – as group 2. Overall, 12 01 713 records of udder quarters in cows from 5 to 305 DIM were evaluated. The results revealed the reduction in milk yield during estrus 11.05% on 91 DIM and 13.89% on 132 DIM (P < 0.001) and an increment in milk flow traits in cows after 91 DIM (P < 0.05), also a slight decline in milk flow traits on 132 DIM. Furthermore, milking frequency (MF) of cows decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after conceiving. The interval between milkings (MI) increased (40.30%) during estrus of cows in group 1 (P < 0.001), and thereafter gradually increased, however in group 2 there was a temporary increment (6.06%) on the 91 DIM and steady rise (42.13%) on 132 DIM was noticed. The results highlight that changes in AMS indicators of cows may be considered as an additional tool for improvement of reproductive management in dairy herds, but further research-based studies are necessary before practical application.

Keywords

Automatic milkingcowsestrusmilking traitspregnancy
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Dairy Research , Volume 86 , Issue 4 , November 2019 , pp. 410 - 415
Copyright
Copyright © Hannah Dairy Research Foundation 2019

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