1X milking reduces milk yield

If you’re thinking about milking cows just once per day during early lactation, you may want to reconsider.

Research from Ireland and the United Kingdom shows that spring-calving Holstein-Friesian cows that were milked just once a day for the first four weeks of lactation gave nearly 20 percent less milk than cows milked 3X. This negative effect persisted through the first half of lactation.

However, energy balance tended to be less negative for the 1X cows than the 3X cows. Less-frequent milking also had reproductive benefits. First ovulation occurred about 10 days earlier in the 1X cows than the 3X cows (18.3 days versus 28.6 days, respectively).

The research appeared in the May Journal of Dairy Science.

May 2006 Journal of Dairy Science

1. Ag markets diverge just before the long holiday weekend
2. Study suggests dairy herd water quality linked to milk production
3. Wis. lawmakers question challenges to large wells
4. Traders evening up positions ahead of the weekend Friday
5. Bio-Vet and Keller break ground on new facility
6. NOAA: Get ready for a busy hurricane season

1. Commentary: Milk faces branding dilemma
2. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
3. Chocolate milk a top post-workout food
4. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
5. Salma Hayek: Milk part of 'perfect' breakfast
6. What do dairy exports mean for Minnesota?

1. Seven jobs more dangerous than farming
2. White House urges Senate to cut crop insurance in farm bill
3. Class III futures close out quietly last week
4. 4 rules for growing a business or industry
5. Drop in U.S. underground water levels has accelerated
6. Ongoing wave of Calif. metal theft prompts further legislation