THE IMPACT OF MILKING FREQUENCY IN AUTOMATED MILKING STSYTEMS ON MILK PRODUCTION AND MILK REVENUE

Abstract

This research investigates three novel aspects of Automatic Milking Systems (AMS) to enhance understanding of how their management influences dairy productivity and revenue. The first objective is to identify key determinants of average milk yield per cow in AMS-operated herds, focusing on biological factors (e.g., lactation number, days in milk), behavioral patterns (e.g., milking frequency), and fixed farm-specific factors that may reflect management style, facility design, or herd genetics. The second objective explores the relationship between the early establishment of high milking frequency—specifically, achieving an average of three milkings per day by day 22 of lactation—and the production and value of milk and milk components such as butterfat and protein. The third objective examines how the quantity of pellets dispensed affects milk revenue and revenue less pellet cost. To address these objectives, data were obtained from five Wisconsin dairy farms using AMS systems during July to December 2024, combining information from the AMS milking records with farm-specific and secondary data on milk prices, component values, and pellet costs. These data were analyzed with ordinary least squares models and a series of Random Effects Models (REMs), which were chosen over Fixed Effects Models to allow for the inclusion of both within-farm variation and between-farm differences that may influence performance. Results show that milk yield is significantly influenced by milking frequency and days in milk, though additional milkings per day show diminishing returns. Cows that achieved an average of three milkings per day (3X) by day 22 of lactation produced about 6 pounds more milk per day from day 22 to 150—equating to a 5.4% increase in milk revenue compared to cows that did not reach this frequency. On the one farm with detailed component data, early 3X

cows also produced substantially more butterfat and protein, boosting daily milk value by approximately $1.40 per cow at the mean component price. At the herd level, a higher proportion of early 3X cows was associated with up to 11.8% more fat per day and 23.5% more protein per day. Pellet feeding was positively associated with milk production, but the revenue gains were partially offset by feed costs, especially under low milk price conditions. These findings highlight the economic advantage of achieving high milking frequency early in lactation and the importance of balancing feed input costs against milk revenue. The study’s results offer new insights into the optimization of AMS strategies by demonstrating the production and revenue implications of early-lactation milking behavior and targeted feeding practices.