Effects of frequency of milking and supplementary feeding on milk production of cows in early lactation

Abstract

Thirty-two Friesian and Australian Friesian Sahiwal cows in early to mid-lactation were used in two experiments, each of six weeks duration. The first compared the effects, in terms of milk yield and milk composition, of milking 14 or 13 times a week, combined with giving supplementary grain 7 or 6 times a week. The second assessed the effects on milk yields of milking unsupplemented cows 14 or 13 times a week.