scholarly journals Genetic parameters for longitudinal behavior and health indicator traits generated in automatic milking systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Viviana Santos ◽  
Kerstin Brügemann ◽  
Asja Ebinghaus ◽  
Sven König
Keyword(s):  
Health Indicator ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Binary Traits ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Dairy Cattle Breeding ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Indicator Traits ◽  
Voluntary Basis

Abstract. Genetic (co)variance components were estimated for alternative functional traits generated by automatic milking systems (AMSs), and reflecting dairy cow behavior and health. Data recording spanned a period of 30 days and included 70 700 observations (visits to the AMS) from 922 Holstein cows kept in three German farms. The three selected farms used the same type of AMS and specific selection gates allowing “natural cow behavior on a voluntary basis”. AMS traits used as behavior indicator traits were AMS visits per cow and day as binary traits, with a threshold for equal to or greater than three visits (VIS3) and equal to or greater than four visits (VIS4), knocking off the milking device with a threshold of at least one udder quarter, also as a binary trait (KO), milking duration of each AMS visit in minutes (DUR), average milk flow in kg min−1 (AMF), and the interval between two consecutive milkings (INT). Electrical conductivity (EC) of milk from each udder quarter and in total was used as a health indicator trait. For genetic analyses, in univariate and bivariate models, linear and generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) with a logit link function were applied to Gaussian distributed and binary traits, respectively. The heritability was 0.08 ± 0.03 for VIS3, 0.05 ± 0.05 for VIS4, 0.03 ± 0.03 for KO, 0.19 ± 0.07 for DUR, 0.25 ± 0.07 for AMF, and 0.07 ± 0.03 for INT. Heritabilities for EC varied between 0.37 ± 0.08 and 0.46 ± 0.09, depending on the udder quarter. On the genetic scale, an increased number of AMS visits (VIS3 and VIS4) were associated with an increase of KO (rg= 0.24 and rg= 0.55, respectively). From a genetic perspective, high-milk-yielding cows visited the AMS more often (rg= 0.49 for VIS3 and rg= 0.80 for VIS4), had a faster AMF (rg= 0.40), and shorter INT (rg= −0.51). When considering these traits as behavior indicator traits, selection of cows with desired temperament simultaneously increases milk yield. An increase of automatically and objectively recorded AMS traits with moderate heritabilities justifies modifications of dairy cattle breeding goals towards higher emphasis on behavioral traits, especially when developing specific robot indices. Nevertheless, ongoing research in this regard with a larger data is suggested in order to validate the results from the present pilot study.

scholarly journals Increased take-off level in automatic milking systems – effects on milk flow, milk yield and milking efficiency at the quarter level

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Ferneborg ◽  
Måns Thulin ◽  
Sigrid Agenäs ◽  
Kerstin Svennersten-Sjaunja ◽  
Peter Krawczel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Decline Phase ◽  
Flow Profiles ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Time Required

AbstractThis research communication describes how different detachment levels (0.48, 0.3 and 0.06 kg milk/min) at the quarter-level affect milk flow profiles and overall milking efficiency in automatic milking systems. We hypothesized a higher detachment level would result in greater mean flow rates without affecting the volume of harvested milk per cow during 24 h compared to lower detachment levels. The data suggest milk flow decreased to a rate below the overmilking limit within the 6-s delay time required for termination in all treatments, but the duration of overmilking was shorter for the greatest detachment level compared to the other treatments. We conclude that setting a detachment level at a greater milk flow rate reduces the duration of overmilking without affecting the amount of milk harvested when applied to cows in mid-lactation during quarter-level milking. We also suggest that the steepness of the decline phase of the milk flow curve might have a larger effect than the actual detachment level on the duration of overmilking.

The effect of pulsation ratio on teat condition, milk somatic cell count and productivity in dairy cows in automatic milking

2015 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Ferneborg ◽  
Kerstin Svennersten-Sjaunja
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Design Experiment ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Commercial Farms ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Milking Machine

The pulsation ratio of a milking machine affects milk flow and milking time, and has also been reported to influence teat condition and milk somatic cell count (SCC). However, most studies comparing pulsation ratios have been performed on conventional cluster milking (whole-udder level), where effects such as deteriorated teat end condition and increased milk SCC are likely to be caused by over-milking on teats that are emptied faster than the other teats. When the teat cups are detached from each udder quarter separately which can be done in automatic milking systems (AMS), the risk of over-milking, especially in front teats, may be significantly reduced. This study investigated the effects of pulsation ratio on teat end condition, milk SCC, milk yield, milking time and milk flow in an automatic milking system where each udder quarter is milked separately. In total, 356 cows on five commercial farms were included in a split-udder design experiment comparing three pulsation ratios (60:40, 70:30 and 75:25) with the standard pulsation ratio (65:35) during 6 weeks. Pulsation rate was 60 cycles/min and vacuum level 46 kPa. The 70:30 and 75:25 ratios increased peak and average milk flow and the machine-on time was shorter with 75:25, while both peak and average milk flows were lower and machine-on time was longer with the 60:40 ratio. No negative effects on teat condition or milk SCC were observed with any of the pulsation ratios applied during the study. Thus it is possible that increased pulsation ratio can be used to increase milking efficiency in AMS where quarter milking is applied.

Monitoring Milk Flow as an Aid to Management in Automatic Milking Systems

1994 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 263-267
Author(s):  
T.T. Mottram ◽  
D.L.O. Smith ◽  
R.J. Godwin
Keyword(s):  
Milk Flow ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems

scholarly journals Association between Udder and Quarter Level Indicators and Milk Somatic Cell Count in Automatic Milking Systems

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3485
Author(s):  
Maddalena Zucali ◽  
Luciana Bava ◽  
Alberto Tamburini ◽  
Giulia Gislon ◽  
Anna Sandrucci
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Udder Health ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Over Time

Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) record a lot of information, at udder and quarter level, which can be useful for improving the early detection of altered udder health conditions. A total of 752,000 records from 1003 lactating cows milked with two types of AMS in four farms were processed with the aim of identifying new indicators, starting from the variables provided by the AMS, useful to predict the risk of high milk somatic cell count (SCC). Considering the temporal pattern, the quarter vs. udder percentage difference in milk electrical conductivity showed an increase in the fourteen days preceding an official milk control higher than 300,000 SCC/mL. Similarly, deviations over time in quarter vs. udder milk yield, average milk flow, and milking time emerged as potential indicators for high SCC. The Logistic Analysis showed that Milk Production Rate (kg/h) and the within-cow within-milking percentage variations of single quarter vs. udder milk electrical conductivity, milk yield, and average milk flow are all risk factors for high milk SCC. The result suggests that these variables, alone or in combination, and their progression over time could be used to improve the early prediction of risk situations for udder health in AMS milked herds.

Evaluation of automatic milking system variables in dairy cows with different levels of lactation stage and reproduction status

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 410-415
Author(s):  
Vida Juozaitiene ◽  
Arunas Juozaitis ◽  
Judita Zymantiene ◽  
Ugne Spancerniene ◽  
Ramunas Antanaitis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Lactation Stage ◽  
Automatic Milking System ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Group 1

AbstractIn this study, we hypothesized that differences of automatic milking systems (AMS) variables in dairy cows during estrus and through diverse stages of lactation can be suggested as alternative indicators to support the pregnancy in dairy farms using automatic milking systems. The key objectives were: (1) to determine the variation of automatic milking system indicators during lactation and to estimate the relationship with reproduction status in dairy cows; (2) to test the hypothesis that milking traits of cows can be influenced by estrus and conceiving, and can be used as a predictor of the likelihood of reproductive success in dairy herds. Estrus synchronization was performed in 368 healthy Lithuanian Black and White cows. All cows (n = 368) were synchronized and inseminated for the first time on the 91st day in milk (DIM). Cows not pregnant (17.39%) were synchronized and inseminated again at 132 DIM. After the first insemination pregnant (n = 304) cows were identified as group 1, after the second insemination pregnant (n = 58) cows – as group 2. Overall, 12 01 713 records of udder quarters in cows from 5 to 305 DIM were evaluated. The results revealed the reduction in milk yield during estrus 11.05% on 91 DIM and 13.89% on 132 DIM (P < 0.001) and an increment in milk flow traits in cows after 91 DIM (P < 0.05), also a slight decline in milk flow traits on 132 DIM. Furthermore, milking frequency (MF) of cows decreased significantly (P < 0.001) after conceiving. The interval between milkings (MI) increased (40.30%) during estrus of cows in group 1 (P < 0.001), and thereafter gradually increased, however in group 2 there was a temporary increment (6.06%) on the 91 DIM and steady rise (42.13%) on 132 DIM was noticed. The results highlight that changes in AMS indicators of cows may be considered as an additional tool for improvement of reproductive management in dairy herds, but further research-based studies are necessary before practical application.

scholarly journals The effect of milking frequency and intervals on milk production and functional properties of the cows’ udder in automatic milking systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 00036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delyus Sharipov ◽  
Rubin Kayumov ◽  
Takhir Akhmetov ◽  
Rustam Ravilov ◽  
Firaya Akhmetzyanova
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Functional Properties ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Latency Period ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Milking Frequency ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

The objective of this study was to describe the association between the milking frequency and milk production and to determine the effect of milking intervals on the functional properties of the udder of cows in automatic milking systems. Thousand eight milking recordings were enrolled in the study, in total, 106 Holstein cows were observed. The results of studies showed that at a daily milk yield per cow of 22.0 ± 0.6 (means ± SD) kg, the milking frequency was 2 times (13.5 % of the total number of milkings), 32.7 ± 0.4 kg – 3 times (57.2 %), 37.7 ± 0.6 kg – 4 times (28.0 %), 51.3 ± 4.1 kg – 5 times (1.3 %). An increase in the daily milk yield due to a reduction in the milking interval has been established (p<0.001). However, milk yield per milking has the opposite tendency (p<0.001). The average and maximum milk flow rates increased with an increase in the milking interval and reached the highest values in the interval of 7.50–8.99 hours – 2.36 and 3.36 kg/min, respectively (p<0.001). Cows with a low indicator of maximum milk flow rate (3.01 ± 0.06 kg/min) had greater milk production (36.6 ± 0.47 kg). With an increase in the milking interval from 4.50–5.99 to 7.50–8.99 hours, it was accompanied by a decrease in the latency period milk flow in the quarters of the udder, when the milking interval reached 9.00–10.49 and 10.50–11.99 hours, the latency period milk flow increased.

scholarly journals Development of automatic milking systems and their classification

2021 ◽  
Vol 659 (1) ◽  
pp. 012080
Author(s):  
D R Sharipov ◽  
O A Yakimov ◽  
M K Gainullina ◽  
A R Kashaeva ◽  
I N Kamaldinov
Keyword(s):  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems

scholarly journals Comparison of yield, composition and quality of milk of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows in conventional and automatic milking systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Kolenda ◽  
Dariusz Piwczyński ◽  
Marcin Brzozowski ◽  
Beata Sitkowska ◽  
Piotr Wójcik
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Urea Content ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Quality Of Milk ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
Friesian Cows

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in selected production and functional traits of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows after switching from a conventional (CMS) to an automatic milking system (AMS). The study consisted of 3398 Polish Holstein- Friesian dairy cows, from 16 herds in which CMS was changed to AMS. Cows were in their 1st (L1) or 2nd lactation (L2). The data consisted of milk yield [MY, kg], fat content [FC, %], protein content [PC, %], dry matter [DM, %], lactose content [LC, %], urea content [MU, mg/l], somatic cell count [SCC, thous./ml] and score [SCS, log]. The milking system had a significant impact on milk yield, fat, lactose, dry matter and urea contents. Regardless of lactation number, milk derived from CMS was characterised by higher values for FC, PC, DM SCC and SCS, while milk from AMS had higher MY, LC and MU. Multifactor analysis of variance also confirmed significant effect of herd, season, herd × milking system interaction on SCS in milk of cows in L1. In the studied herds change from CMS to AMS was evaluated separately for cows in L1 and L2. The transitioning from CMS to AMS resulted in the decrease of fat content in 6 L1 and 7 L2 herds, dry matter in 8 L1 and 5 L2 herds. SCS in milk also decreased in 4 L1 and 5 L2 herds. The change caused the increase of MY in 11 L1 and 9 L2 herds, lactose content in 6 L1 and 4 L2 herds and urea content in 9 L1 and 10 L2 herds. AMS may positively affect milk yield and health status, however, the change of milking system should be also accompanied by the change in herd management.

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