A comparison between manual prestimulation versus feeding stimulation during milking in dairy cows

Varying results regarding milking performance have been shown when cows hav e both been fed during milking and given manual udder stimulation shortly b efore milking. To study the effects of this on milking performance, 16 cows were subjected to four management routines: a) milking (M), b) feeding dur ing milking (MF), c) manual teat stimulation before milking (MS), and d) mi lking with feeding and prestimulation (MFS). In evening milkings, yields of protein and lactose were higher in MFS than in M, and lactose content was higher in MFS than in MF and MS. Fat content in the milk fraction taken aft er milkings was higher in MF than in MS, indicating a better milk removal f rom the udder. Machine-on time was shorter in MFS than in M, and in morning milkings, the average milk flow was higher in MFS than in M and MS. The tw o treatments with simultaneous feeding and milking (MF and MFS) gave the hi ghest individual plasma levels of oxytocin, when measured during both morni ng and evening milkings in two cows. A positive correlation between oxytoci n and HR was noted. This study indicates that a management routine with bot h feeding at onset of milking and prestimulation might be recommended in da iry production.