Preference of side and standing in relationship with milking characteristics and temperament score of crossbred dairy cows in an 8 × 2 herringbone milking parlour

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the preference of side and standing in relationship with milking characteristics ofcrossbred cows in a double-sided herringbone milking parlour. Seventy-two crossbred cows were milked in an 8 × 2 low-line automatedherringbone milking parlour having automatic cluster removal settings for 45 milking sessions. There was considerable variation amongindividuals in the consistency of side choice (χ 2= 1.414, P = 0.234). The consistency score of crossbred cows showed that many cows hada strong tendency to enter the parlour on the same side during consecutive milkings. The side preference was found to have significant(P < 0.01) effect on milk yield. The milk flow rate was affected significantly (P < 0.01) with increased machine-on time in consistent cowson the nonpreferred side. The temperament score was significantly higher on the nonpreferred side with a lower flow rate. Similarly,there was consistency for occupying the position on the milking platform based on milk yield and flow characteristics (P < 0.05). Thestudy concluded that cows having consistency of side should be identified as any management practices that disturb the milking routinecreates possible stress in these cows, leading to production losses.