3X milking: its effects on production and profitability

M i l k i n g cows three times a day ( 3 x 1 to increase production is not a new idea. The practice has been confined mainly to purebred herds, but with rising costs for facility expansion, increases in labor efficiency through mechanization, and higher herd average production levels, 3X milking may be worth considering as a long-term strategy for many commercial herds. While it may seem inappropriate to consider increasing production when programs have been instituted to reduce milk output, the assessment program and the diversion program are both signs that individual dairy operators may have to become increasingly concerned with production efficiency in the future: 3X milking offers an additional option in this context. Those considering 3X milking need to know how it affects productivity, feed consumption, health, and fertility, and whether it is economically beneficial to switch from milking two times a day (2X) to 3X. Recent research provides some answers to these questions.