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Drying-off practices on Swiss dairy farms: Status quo and adoption potential of integrating incomplete milking.
- Source :
-
Journal of Dairy Science . Oct2022, Vol. 105 Issue 10, p8342-8353. 12p. - Publication Year :
- 2022
-
Abstract
- Drying-off practices to reduce milk production before dry-off are gaining attention because high milk yields at dry-off are becoming more common and increase the risk to cow health and welfare during the dry period. Incomplete milking for the last days before dry-off is one approach for reducing milk production. We conducted an online survey to determine the currently used drying-off practices on Swiss dairy farms and to identify the adoption potential of integrating incomplete milking before dry-off. In March 2021, the online survey was sent to a representative sample of 1,974 Swiss dairy farmers. A total of 518 completed questionnaires were analyzed. The mean number of dairy cows per farm was 39 (range: 11–140 cows). Thirty-five percent of cows produced considerable quantities of milk (>15 kg/d) at dry-off, and milk yield at dry-off increased with increasing annual milk yield. Abrupt dry-off was applied on 45% of the farms. The participants reported observing behavioral changes of cows such as increased vocalizations and decreased lying time associated with dry-off. Selective dry cow therapy was applied on 74% of the farms, and 44% of the participants indicated the use of antibiotics at dry-off as being "rather often," "often," or "always." Correlation analysis revealed that with increasing annual milk yields, the frequency of observed behavioral changes and antibiotic use at dry-off increased as well. Therefore, drying-off approaches that reduce milk production while supporting cow welfare are needed. We found that farmers showed an interest in testing the presented drying-off approach of incomplete milking. In addition, the farmers indicated that they would be more willing to test incomplete milking before dry-off if it became available for automated use in milking parlors or robots. Uncertainties regarding udder health appeared to be the main barrier for the adoption potential of this approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *DAIRY farms
*DAIRY farm management
*MILK yield
*DAIRY farmers
*DAIRY cattle
*MILK
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00220302
- Volume :
- 105
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Dairy Science
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 159140882
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2021-21735