Effects of suckling on milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows in cow–calf contact systems

Barth, Kerstin

doi:10.1017/s0022029920000515

Cited by 44 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In the separation phase, the machine milk yield increased to 25.0 ± 10.37 kg/d, with only subtle differences between the groups. After separation, machine milk yields of CCC cows were comparable to those recorded for non-nursing cows (Meagher et al ., 2019), although no direct comparison was made and is quite possible that the suckling system may affect post-separation yields (Barth, 2020). The increased AMS milk yield is also in line with the estimated amount of milk drunk by suckling calves (Johnsen et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating cow−calf contact in a cow-driven system: performance of cow and calf

Johnsen

Kischel

Rognskog

et al. 2021

Journal of Dairy Research

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In this research communication we describe the performance of dairy cow−calf pairs in two cow-driven CCC-systems differing in cows' access to the calves through computer-controlled access gates (smart gates, SG). We investigated cows' machine milk yield in the automatic milking system (AMS), calf growth, and intake of supplemental milk and concentrate. Two groups each with four cow-calf pairs were housed in a system with a cow area, a calf creep and a meeting area. SG's controlled cow traffic between the meeting area and the cow area where cows could obtain feed, cubicles and the AMS. Calves had ad libitum access to supplemental milk and concentrate. During the suckling phase of 31 d, cow access to the meeting area was free 24 h/d (group 1) or restricted (group 2) based on milking permission. Following the suckling phase, cow access was gradually decreased over 9 d (separation phase). During the suckling phase, cows' machine milk yield (mean ± sd) in the AMS was 11.4 ± 6.38 kg/d. In the separation phase, the yield increased to 25.0 ± 10.37 kg/d. Calf average daily gain (ADG) was high during the suckling phase: 1.2 ± 0.74 kg. During the separation phase, ADG decreased to 0.4 ± 0.72 kg which may be related to a low intake of supplemental milk. Calves' concentrate intake increased with age, and all calves consumed >1 kg/d after separation. We conclude that cows nurse the calf in a cow-directed CCC system well resulting in high ADG, and AMS milk yields were, at least, partially maintained during the suckling phase. Although the AMS yields increased in response to separation, calf ADG was decreased. A low sample size limits interpretation beyond description but provides a basis for hypotheses regarding future research into CCC-systems.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating cow−calf contact in a cow-driven system: performance of cow and calf

Johnsen

Kischel

Rognskog

et al. 2021

Journal of Dairy Research

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“…Conversely, the overall incidence of mastitis was comparatively high in both groups and probably due to deficiencies in husbandry and milking hygiene. Other authors either detected no influence of suckling on the SCC [4] or a slight increase [41]. The latter may be a consequence of the combination of both milking and suckling, which places more stress on the teats.…”

Section: Bacteriological and Cytological Cure Ratementioning

confidence: 91%

Effects of Suckling on the Udder Health of Foster Cows

et al. 2021

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In a foster cow system, one or more calves are reared by a foster cow. With regard to the growing rejection towards the early separation of cow and calf after calving, such alternative rearing methods with prolonged cow–calf contact are coming more into focus. Nevertheless, there is a lack of recent studies investigating the effects of suckling multiple calves on the udder health of a foster cow. The present study aimed to initially describe the status and development of the udder condition and the microbial colonisation during the foster period. Thereby, the objectives were to determine whether suckling multiple calves was associated with an increase in intramammary infections (IMI) and a deterioration of udder constitution. A total of 99 Holstein Friesian foster cows from a large organic dairy farm in eastern Germany were included in this pilot study. Each foster cow was suckled by 3–4 calves and not additionally milked. Quarter milk samples were taken for cytomicrobiological examination at the beginning and end of the approximately 3.5 months suckling period. At the same time, the udders of 91 of these foster cows were clinically examined by visual assessment and manual palpation. In both the first and second examination (E1 and E2, respectively), Corynebacterium ssp. and non-aureus staphylococci (NaS) constituted the most frequently detected pathogen species in the 385 examined udder quarters. Classifying the quarters into mastitis categories was significantly different between the two examinations (p = 0.001). The number of quarters considered as healthy increased from E1 to E2 by 8.5%. At the same time, the number of quarters with mastitis decreased by 2.6%, the number of quarters with non-specific mastitis by 11.4% and the number of quarters with a latent infection increased by 5.4%. In total, 69.4% of the 121 infected udder quarters in E1 were bacteriologically cured in E2. A cytological cure was achieved in 28.1% of the 385 quarters. Both the bacteriological and cytological cure rate were spontaneous. A new infection occurred in 23.1% of the 385 examined udder quarters and was mainly attributable to infections with Corynebacterium spp. and NaS. During the suckling period, mainly new infections occurred and amounted to 73% in relation to presumed persistent infections (18.9%). The new infections were mainly attributable to infections with Corynebacterium spp. and NaS. Pasteurella spp. were also found in high percentages. A total of 10.1% of the quarters showed an increase in somatic cell count (SCC) above the threshold of 100,000 cells/mL from E1 to E2, indicating a new subclinical mastitis. Regarding udder condition, significant changes during the foster period were an increase in udder skin and teat lesions, a decrease in udder oedema, an increased amount of udder quarters with a consistency considered as normal and an increase in the number of udders showing no sign of udder cleft dermatitis. Moreover, teat length, circumference, and diameter increased significantly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, there is a possibility that suckling multiple calves improves udder health in terms of mastitis but leads to an increased pathogen transmission at the same time, resulting in an increase in latent infections. Additionally, pathogens as Pasteurella spp., which are usually located in the upper respiratory system, could be detected in the mammary gland. The changes concerning the udder condition were manifold. However, it has not yet been conclusively clarified whether all these changes are exclusively due to calf suckling. Further investigations with a non-suckled control group are required.

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“…However, farmers have concerns with the amount of milk returned to the milking parlor by the cows (Ventura et al, 2013). Studies have shown higher variation in milk yield among cows that are suckled by calves in a cow-calf contact system compared with those in a conventional milking parlor system (Bar-Peled et al, 1995;Barth, 2020). A Scottish farmer practicing the cow-calf contact system has also observed a wide variation in milk yield to the parlor by cows in his farm, with some cows giving as little as 1 L/d and some as much as 15 L/d (D. Finlay, Rainton Farm, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland; personal communication).…”

Section: Jdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors contributing to milk yield variation among cows in a cow–calf contact system in early lactation

Mutua

Haskell

2022

JDS Communications

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Effects of suckling on milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows in cow–calf contact systems

Cited by 44 publications

References 17 publications

Investigating cow−calf contact in a cow-driven system: performance of cow and calf

Investigating cow−calf contact in a cow-driven system: performance of cow and calf

Effects of Suckling on the Udder Health of Foster Cows

Factors contributing to milk yield variation among cows in a cow–calf contact system in early lactation

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