Introduction of heifers to an automatic milking system
Automatic milking systems (AMS) are part of a growing trend in Sweden and the number of milk-producing farms is decreasing rapidly. One main reason for the AMS is its ability to facilitate work for the farmer. The effects of introduction prior to calving have not been documented earlier and farmers are not in agreement, however they seldom see a problem with the introduction. The aim of this report is to find differences between two groups of heifers, where one group is trained i.e. introduced to the AMS before calving and the other group is introduced after calving. Collected data is from a period of four years.
Introducing a system to the heifer prior to calving, has in this study proved to have positive effects on milking intervals, visits to the feeding station and milk production.
The ranks in the herd prior to introduction were also compared to those after the admittance. The results indicated that an introduction had no larger effects on the cow?s rank in the herd. In summary, training results in a higher milk production, however an introduction during the late part of pregnancy should be avoided as it may have negative effects on the rank of the heifer. Another study shows that cows close to parturition avoid conflicts and can therefore lose their rank in the herd.