Benchmarking of farms with automated milking systems in Canada and associations with milk production and quality

The objective of this study was to benchmark the herd-level housing and management strategies automated milking system (AMS) farms across Canada assess associations these factors practices with milk production quality. Canadian AMS (n = 197; Western Canada: n 50, Ontario: 77, Quebec: 59, Atlantic 11) were each visited once from April September 2019, details collected related barn design herd practices. Milk-recording data for 6 mo before farm visits collected. Farms averaged (± standard deviation) 110 ± 102 lactating cows, 2.4 1.9 units/farm, 47.5 14.9 cows/AMS, 36.7 5.0 kg/d milk, 4.13 0.34% fat, 3.40 0.16% protein, a herd-average somatic cell count 186,400 80,800 cells/mL. mainly used freestall systems (92.5%), organic bedding substrates (73.6%), free flow cow traffic (87.8%); predominantly milked Holsteins (90.4%). Multivariable regression models associate At level, feed push-up frequency (mean 12.8 8.3 times per day) bunk space 64 21.5 cm/cow) positively associated yield. Greater yield herds using inorganic (sand) versus bedding, non-Holsteins, form mechanical ventilation natural alone. Milk fat protein content only breed. Herds lower counts had more frequent alley cleaning 12.1 7.5 day), wider lying alleys 304.5 40.0 cm), sand bedding. results highlight importance ventilation, keeping pushed up, ensuring are clean, adequate at maintaining productivity quality in AMS.