Factors Associated with Milk Production on Automatic Milking System Farms

Abstract

The objective of this thesis was to investigate associations between milk production and two separate factors, feeding management practices and the variability of milking interval, on commercial automatic milking system (AMS) farms. Feeding management practices of 39 commercial AMS dairy farms in MN and WI were analyzed by mixed linear regression models, varying associations with milk production were found and further investigation is warranted. Variability of milking interval on 52 commercial AMS dairy farms in MN and WI was analyzed by mixed linear regression models. Results suggest a negative association between milking interval variability and milk production exists and depends upon failures, parity, and week in milk and warrants further investigation.