THE EFFECT OF MILKING FREQUENCY ON THE PERFORMANCE, HEALTH AND METABOLIC STATUS OF DAIRY COWS
Keywords:
Lactation, milking frequency, dairy cows, metabolic health, milk production, milking technologies, ketosis, mastitis, dairy farming, animal welfare
Abstract
This review article examines lactation management in dairy farming, focusing on milking frequency and its impact on the performance, health and metabolic status of dairy cows. Lactation is a key part of milk production, ensuring the profitability of dairy farms. Over the decades, advances in milking technology – from manual to robotic systems – have transformed the industry, increasing milk yields and milk quality. However, achieving a balance between maximizing milk production and maintaining cow health remains a significant challenge, as metabolic disorders such as ketosis often arise from the stress associated with lactation. In modern dairy complexes and farms, cows are often milked three times a day, but current research suggests that increasing or decreasing milking frequency can have a significant impact on milk yield, quality and cow health. Increasing milking intervals significantly affects milk production, metabolic processes and dairy cow health. To achieve optimal performance and maintain cow health, it is necessary to carefully control milking frequency and consider the length of milking intervals, especially in automated milking systems. Insufficient adaptation of dairy cows to the period of negative energy balance during the transition from late dry period to early lactation significantly affects animal health and performance. Reducing milking frequency in early lactation can positively affect the metabolic status of cows, in particular, blood calcium levels. At the same time, these cows had increased levels of somatic cells in milk and cortisol, which indicates reduced udder health and increased stress. Reduced mobilization of body reserves and improved immune response during single milking indicate benefits for energy balance, but possible risks for udder health. The article reviews modern milking technologies, their application and impact on the metabolic health of cows, focusing on the importance of monitoring systems for disease prevention. The article offers recommendations on optimal milking strategies and preventive measures to maintain animal health and improve dairy farm efficiency.
References
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20. Friggens, N. C. & Rasmussen, M. D. (2001) 'Milk quality assessment in automatic milking systems: accounting for the effects of variable intervals between milkings on milk composition', Livestock Production Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-6226(01)00228-7.
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22. Grala, T. M. et al. (2014) 'Gene expression in liver and adipose tissue is altered during and after temporary changes to postpartum milking frequency', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.2013-7024.
23. Gross, J. J. et al. (2013) 'Milk fatty acid profile in dairy cows during a negative energy balance in early lactation and feed-restriction in mid-lactation'. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-781-3_125.
24. Guinard-Flament, J., Gallard, Y. & Larroque, H. (2011) 'Lactose in blood plasma and the ability of dairy cows to tolerate once-daily milking in terms of milk loss and milk recovery', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.2010-4081.
25. Ha, T. (1979) 'Endocrinology of lactation', Seminars in Perinatology.
26. Harmon, R. (1995) 'Mastitis and milk quality'. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2195-2_3.
27. Hart, K. D., McBride, B. W., Duffield, T. F. & DeVries, T. J. (2013) 'Effect of milking frequency on the behavior and productivity of lactating dairy cows', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.2013-6764.
28. Hillerton, J. E. et al. (1990) 'Milk yield and mammary function in dairy cows milked four times daily', Journal of Dairy Research. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029900026935.
29. Horst, R. L., Goff, J. P. & Reinhardt, T. A. (1994) 'Calcium and Vitamin D Metabolism in the Dairy Cow', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.S0022-0302(94)77140-X.
30. Hullár, I. & Brand, A. (1993) 'Nutritional factors affecting milk quality, with special regard to milk protein: a review', Acta Veterinaria Hungarica.
31. Iest, R. V. D. & Hillerton, J. E. (1989) 'Short-term effects of frequent milking of dairy cows', Journal of Dairy Research. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029900029101.
32. Kay, J. K. et al. (2013) 'Once-daily milking during a feed deficit decreases milk production but improves energy status in early lactating grazing dairy cows', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.2012-6167.
33. Kennedy, E. et al. (2021) 'Effects of short-term once-a-day milking in early lactation on dairy cow performance when managed in a seasonal-calving pasture-based system', Livestock Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LIVSCI.2021.104648.
34. Krug, C. et al. (2017) 'Incomplete milking in early lactation does not affect dairy cows resting behaviors: Results from a randomized controlled trial', Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3389/FVETS.2017.00066.
35. Krug, C. et al. (2018) 'Effect of incomplete milking during the first 5 days in milk on udder and reproductive tract health: Results from a randomized controlled trial', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.2018-14713.
36. Lacasse, P. & Ollier, S. (2014) 'Effect of premilking stimulation and milking frequency on milking-induced prolactin release in lactating dairy cows', Domestic Animal Endocrinology. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.DOMANIEND.2013.11.007.
37. Lehmann, J. O., Kristensen, T. & Mogensen, L. (2023) 'Reducing milking frequency from 3 to 2 times daily in early lactation: effects on milk production, health and body condition', Journal of Dairy Research. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029923000031.
38. Llamas Moya, S. et al. (2008) 'Effects of milking frequency on phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of phagocytes from primiparous and multiparous dairy cows during early lactation', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.2007-0379.
39. Loiselle, M. C. et al. (2009) 'Impact of postpartum milking frequency on the immune system and the blood metabolite concentration of dairy cows', Journal of Dairy Science. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3168/JDS.2008-1399.
40. McArt, J. A. A. et al. (2013) 'Elevated non-esterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate and their association with transition dairy cow performance', Veterinary Journal. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TVJL.2013.08.011.
41. McGuffey, R. K. & Shirley, J. E. (2011) 'Introduction | History of Dairy Farming'. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-374407-4.00540-9.
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Published
2025-03-14
How to Cite
Ovcharenko, O., & Opara, V. (2025). THE EFFECT OF MILKING FREQUENCY ON THE PERFORMANCE, HEALTH AND METABOLIC STATUS OF DAIRY COWS. Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University. The Series: Livestock, (1), 37-45. https://doi.org/10.32782/bsnau.lvst.2025.1.6
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