Milk yield and milking station visits of primiparous versus multiparous cows on automatic milking system farms in the Upper Midwest United States.

The objective of this study was to investigate milk yield and frequency of visits to the milking station of primiparous versus multiparous cows at different stages of lactation on farms with automatic milking systems (AMS) in the Upper Midwest United States. Forty farms were included in the study, and daily AMS software data were collected for 18 mo. For the investigation of milk yield and milking visits, stage of lactation was categorized into 14 periods, 7 d in length for the first 28 d in milk (DIM) and 30 d in length thereafter until 328 DIM.

Housing, management characteristics, and factors associated with lameness, hock lesion, and hygiene of lactating dairy cattle on Upper Midwest United States dairy farms using automatic milking systems.

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to describe housing and management practices on farms using automatic milking systems (AMS) in 2 states of the upper Midwest and to evaluate the association of various housing and management factors with 3 measures of animal welfare: prevalence of lameness, severe hock lesions, and dirty cows. Fifty-four farms were visited once to collect facility measurements and observations, interview the dairy producer, and score cows for locomotion, hock lesions, and hygiene. Median number of AMS units/farm was 2 (interquartile range = 1; range = 1 to 8).

Factors associated with productivity on automatic milking system dairy farms in the Upper Midwest United States.

The objective of this study was to identify housing and management factors associated with productivity on automatic milking system (AMS) dairy farms measured as daily milk yield/AMS and daily milk yield/cow. Management, housing, and lameness prevalence data were collected from 33 AMS farms in Minnesota and Wisconsin during a farm visit. All farms in the study used free-flow cow traffic.

Housing and management characteristics of calf automated feeding systems in the Upper Midwest of the United States.

Automated milk feeders are used by dairy producers to manage preweaned calves in group housing, but little is known about how these feeding systems are being used in the United States. To better understand how US dairy producers are operating these systems, this study investigated characteristics of barn design, environment, and management practices on 38 farms in the Upper Midwest of the United States via a questionnaire and on-farm measurements. Farms using automated feeders ranged in size from 7 to 300 calves on site.

Mortality and health treatment rates of dairy calves in automated milk feeding systems in the Upper Midwest of the United States.

Automated calf feeding systems are increasing in use across the United States, yet information regarding health and mortality outcomes of animals in these systems is limited. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between farm management practices, housing, and environmental factors with mortality and health treatment rates of preweaned dairy calves housed in groups with automated feeding systems. Farm records were collected for health treatments and mortality on 26 farms in the Upper Midwest of the United States.

Finances and returns for robotic dairies.

Automatic milking systems (AMS) became commercially available in the early 1990s. These systems provide flexibility and improve the lifestyle of farmers installing them. Because of the larger capital cost per kilogram of milk produced, observational studies in Europe and simulation studies have shown AMS to be less profitable than milking parlor systems, although previous findings are somewhat mixed.

Management and characteristics of recycled manure solids used for bedding in Midwest freestall dairy herds.

Interest in using recycled manure solids (RMS) as a bedding material for dairy cows has grown in the US Midwest. Cost of common bedding materials has increased in recent years and availability has decreased. Information regarding the composition of RMS and its use as a bedding material for dairy cows in the Midwest is very limited.

Performance and welfare of dairy cows in an alternative housing system in Minnesota.

The compost bedded pack dairy barn is an alternative housing system for lactating cows that has received increased attention in the last 2 yr. No descriptive data were available about this housing system. Therefore, a study of 12 compost dairy barns in Minnesota was conducted between late June 2005 and September 2005.

Prevalence of lameness in high-producing holstein cows housed in freestall barns in Minnesota.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of clinical lameness in high-producing Holstein cows housed in 50 freestall barns in Minnesota during summer. Locomotion and body condition scoring were performed on a total of 5,626 cows in 53 high-production groups. Cow records were collected from the nearest Dairy Herd Improvement Association test date, and herd characteristics were collected at the time of the visit.

Early lactation responses of Holstein cows fed a rumen-inert fat prepartum, postpartum, or both.

Primiparous (n = 22) and multiparous (n = 41) cows were randomly assigned by calving date and parity to one of four dietary sequences of supplemental fat from 14 d prepartum to 151 d postpartum. Partially hydrogenated tallow was added to diets at 0% prepartum and postpartum (control); 1% prepartum and 2% postpartum; 0% prepartum and 2% postpartum; and 0% prepartum, 0% from 1 to 34 d postpartum, and 2% from 35 to 151 d postpartum. Inclusion of partially hydrogenated tallow did not influence yields of milk or 3.

Effects of calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids added to a diet containing choice white grease on lactation performance.

We studied the effect of increased energy density of diets during early lactation on lactational performance of cows injected with bST. Total mixed rations contained 50% forage (DM) and 2.5% choice white grease during the first 14 wk of lactation.