Lactation activity of first-calf cow’s jersey cows in conditions of robotic milking

Kazan State Agrarian University, Kazan, 420012, Russia

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Abstract

The paper presents an assessment of the lactation activity of Jersey first-calf cows of three lines (Glenmore 157911 (n=9), Jester 534585 (n=30) and Observer 553236 (n=26)) to the conditions of robotic milking. Milk productivity, milking frequency, number of milking attempts, time spent in the milking box, milk flow rate, and uniformity of milk yield were evaluated. It was found that cows exhibit two peaks of milking activity: morning (6:00-8:00, 13% of milkings) and evening (18:00-20:00, 13.5% of milkings). As the interval between milkings increases, the rate of milk production decreases from 0.86 kg/h (with an interval of 240-360 minutes) to 0.66 kg/h (601-720 minutes). Daily milk yield ranged from 15.7 to 16.3 kg, with a milking frequency of 2.6-2.7 times per day. Cows of the Observer line outperformed their peers from other lines in terms of milk flow rate (2.79 kg/min vs. 2.50-2.62 kg/min), had the fewest unproductive milking attempts (6.1 vs. 6.7-8.5), and spent the least time in the milking box (5.1 min). Based on a set of criteria for suitability for robotic milking (number of voluntary milkings, milking efficiency, milking activity, and milk yield uniformity), the highest proportion of animals meeting the selection requirements was found in the Observer line (50.7%), and the lowest in the Glenmore line (40.3%).