Automatic, or robotic, milking systems have the potential to significantly change the way milk is produced on U.S. dairy farms. However, there is a high degree of uncertainty associated with adoption of this new technology. A real options approach is used to analyze the decision to replace an operational milking system with an automatic milking system. The most important source of uncertainty i...

A network simulation model of herringbone and parallel milking parlors was built. Parlor performance was predicted based on the number of cows milked per hour and the amount of milk harvested per shift. Modeled parlors operated using a task-oriented milking routine. The simulation also modeled milking personnel, milking system vacuum pressure and pulsation ratio, and milk yield per cow per milk...

The objective of this study was to investigate if a reduced milking frequency altered the effect of dietary energy restriction on the hepatic transcriptome of grazing dairy cows during early lactation. Multiparous Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian × Jersey cows (n = 120) were milked twice daily (2×) from calving until 34 ± 6 days in milk (mean ± SD). Cows were then allocated to one of fou...

“Gradual dryoff” is the practice of skipping some milkings before cessation of milking a cow at the end of lactation. I was taught in agricultural and vet school classes that this was to be avoided; abrupt dryoff no skipped milkings is physiologically superior for the cow. Nevertheless, like most dairy veterinarians, I experienced clients using gradual dryoff sometimes. When I was a resident at...

Mastitis is a mammary infection caused by the passage of pathogens into the mammary gland. Deteriorations in teat health are shown to be related to this type of infection [1]. Rough or cracked teats allow mastitis pathogens to colonize the udder. Roughness and cracking of the teat is related to hyperkeratosis, the condition of teat end callosity. Rough or cracked teats allow mastitis pathogens ...

Evolutionary biologists have long pondered the origin of lactation in mammals: converting food into milk is energetically expensive and can consume up to 25 per cent of the food's original value. But it is ubiquitous amongst mammals although absent in birds. A new study Proceedings of the Royal Society series B (published online), has modelled the potential benefits of lactation. They have cont...

Mastitis is a mammary infection caused by the passage of pathogens into the mammary gland. Deteriorations in teat health are shown to be related to this type of infection [1]. Rough or cracked teats allow mastitis pathogens to colonize the udder. Roughness and cracking of the teat is related to hyperkeratosis, the condition of teat end callosity. Rough or cracked teats allow mastitis pathogens ...

Mastitis is a mammary infection caused by the passage of pathogens into the mammary gland. Deteriorations in teat health are shown to be related to this type of infection [1]. Rough or cracked teats allow mastitis pathogens to colonize the udder. Roughness and cracking of the teat is related to hyperkeratosis, the condition of teat end callosity. Rough or cracked teats allow mastitis pathogens ...

Dairy farms are an essential component of livestock production in Türkiye. This article aims to show the current situation on these dairy and incredibly technical operational conditions milking technology. We researched 32 with 6 681 lactating cows. The technology corresponds usual structure equipment Turkish farms. It includes bucket milking, pipe-line systems, tandem parlour, herringbone parl...