Abstract

Three treatments were initiated at approximately 15 days after calving and continued for 4 weeks: 1) cows were suckled ad libitum by their calves (calf present [CP]); 2) calves were present but nonsuckling 24 hr/day and cows were milked twice daily (CR+2xM); 3) or same as CR+2xM but cows were milked five times daily (CR+5xM). Interval to the first postpartum ovulation was similar between CR+2xM and CR+5xM cows but about 2 weeks less than that in cows suckled ad libitum by their own calves. Cows in the CR+5xM treatment produced more milk than cows in the CR+2xM treatment, whereas only slight differences occurred in the percentages of milk fat, protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat. Prior to initiation of treatments, CR+2x cows yielded more milk than either CR+5xM or CP cows, but by the end of 4 weeks of treatment, milk yields were similar among treatments. We conclude that mechanical milking either two or five times daily in the presence of a cow's own nonsuckling calf fails to prolong postpartum anovulation to the extent of ad libitum suckling. However, increasing milking frequency to 5x daily enhanced milk yield.

Keywords: Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution, no. 97-309-S, Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service), 804, Cattlemen's Day, 1998, Beef, Cows, Milking, Suckling, Calf presence, Anestrus

How to Cite:

Lamb, G., Thompson, K. E., Heldt, J., Löest, C. & Stevenson, J. S., (1998) “Milking two or five times daily in the presence of a cow’s own nonsuckling calf fails to prolong postpartum anovulation”, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports 1(1), 28-30. doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.1884