Effects of Three Times Milking on Milk Yield of Dairy Cows

Abstract

Thirty lactating holstein friesian cows were selected randomly at different stages of lactation (early, mid, and late). Cows were divided into two groups. The first group was milked twice a day (control) and the second group was milked three times a day.

The two groups were kept in a free stall area and were under the same feeding and management conditions for 45 days. Milk yield was recorded daily at each milking. Milk fat percentage was determined on milk samples collected once a week. At the early stage of lactation a significant increase (21%) in milk yield was observed for the three times milking group. However, milk yield of cows in mid and late stages of lactation was greater for the three times milking group by 4.5% and 7%, respectively, as compared to the two times milking group. The combined milk yield for the three stages of lactation showed that milk yield of the three times milking group was significantly higher by about 15% than the two times milking group. Fat% was 0.39% less in the three times milking group as compared to the two times milking group.

The results indicate a significant increase in milk yield when three times milking per day was performed on lactating cows. However, investigations are needed to determine the economic feasability of adopting such practice especially with large dairy herds.