Robot milking and effect on reproduction in dairy cows: a preliminary study

• Published in: Animal reproduction science Vol. 60; pp. 443 - 447
• Main Authors: Kruip, T.A.M, Stefanowska, J, Ouweltjes, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 02.07.2000
• Subjects: Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; AUTOMATION; AUTOMATISATION; AUTOMATIZACION; BALANCE DE ENERGIA; BILAN ENERGETIQUE; BOVIN; CATTLE; Cattle - physiology; CATTLE FEEDING; Dairy cow; DAIRY COWS; Dairying - methods; ENERGY BALANCE; Energy Metabolism; Estrus - physiology; Female; FERTILIDAD; FERTILITE; FERTILITY; GANADO BOVINO; ID Lelystad, Institute for Animal Science and Health; ID-Lelystad, Instituut voor Dierhouderij en Diergezondheid; Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering; Instituut voor Mechanisatie, Arbeid en Gebouwen; LACTACION; LACTATION; MACHINE A TRAIRE; MAQUINAS DE ORDENO; MILKING; MILKING MACHINES; NETHERLANDS; ORDENO; PAISES BAJOS; PAYS BAS; Random Allocation; REPRODUCCION; REPRODUCTION; Reproduction - physiology; Robot milking; Robotics; TRAITE; VACAS LECHERAS; VACHE LAITIERE; Dairy cow; Fertility; Robot milking
• ISSN: 0378-4320; 1873-2232
• DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00143-3

The aim of this study was to analyse whether automatic milking has an effect on reproduction in dairy cows. Probably the most important consequence of automatic milking is an increased milking frequency. More frequent milking means more production and thereby an extra threat for the energy balance during the first months of lactation. A deep negative energy balance (NEB) is often followed by negative effects on fertility. However, tested under experimental circumstances, automatic milking with a frequency not higher than 3 times/day and with an individual management and feeding system has benefits for production and very little negative effects on reproduction. Experimental farms with automatic milking systems have fertility figures that do not differ from experimental farms with conventional milking systems. Additional and more data of automatic milking under farm conditions has to be collected and evaluated before the effect on fertility can be assessed with more certainty.