Optimization of Milk Performance and Quality in Dairy Farms by using a Quarter individual Milking System “MultiLactor”

Abstract

Within the daily work on dairy farms milk harvesting is a crucial factor in optimizing milk performance and quality. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of optimizing the milking process by using a quarter individual milking system “MultiLactor” (ML) on milk performance and quality. 170 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were used on a farm in Switzerland.The cows were milked three times a day with an ML milking system. Recording of milk yield and collecting of milk sample were carried out monthly from each cow for one year. After that, the main milk parameters were analyzed by Association of Milk Records Switzerland. The primary milk data was processed with Excel program. Thereafter, analysiswas carried out using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). The average milk yield was 35.84±0.28 kg/cow/day. This corresponds to an annual milk yield of 12000 kg/cow. The mean values of milk composition were 4.36±0.02%, 3.28±0.01%, 4.75±0.01%, 20.65±0.20 mg/dl and 99.63±6.48 x 103 cells/ml for fat, protein, lactose, urea and somatic cell count (SCC) respectively. It was also shown that the cows remained healthy in the farm during the study period. In conclusion, the obtained results demonstrated that the cows produced a higher milk yield with good quality, since the milking system adapts the physiological requirements of dairy cows.