• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2014

Automatic milking systems (AMS) have been increasingly introduced to Korean dairy farms. However, in comparison with conventional milking systems (CMS), some negative changes in milk quality are being observed. The use of AMS leads to an increase in milking frequency, which in turn might result in higher physical stress on the milk, possibly causing changes in the milk fat globule (MFG) membrane. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the different milking systems on the milk quality, with a focus on milk fat properties. At the same time, we studied the effect of feeding the dairy cows with protected fat. Raw milk samples were taken monthly from individual cows as well as from bulk tanks at four AMS and four CMS dairy farms. We measured quality-related parameters such as MFG size distribution, free fatty acid content and composition, and acid values. Although most results showed no significant differences with regard to the milking system, we found a relatively high positive correlation between MFG size and milk fat content. Moreover, larger MFG size was observed in the milk when cows had been fed protected fat. The significantly higher (P< 0.05) free fatty acid content of milk observed under this experimental condition could be attributed to higher milking frequency as a result of using AMS.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.49-52
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• 2014

This study was conducted to compare the patterns of mastitic pathogens and the antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus (S.) aureus from conventional milking (CM) and robotic milking (RM) dairy herds. To accomplish this, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of 14 antimicrobial agents were tested against S. aureus by the microdilution method. Regardless of the milking system, S. aureus, coagulase negative staphylococcus, and Streptococcus uberis were isolated. Additionally, significant differences in the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus isolates between RM and CM farms were only observed in response to tetracycline.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.587-591
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• 2014

Automatic milking systems (AMS) rely upon voluntary cow traffic (the voluntary movement of cattle around a farm) for milk harvesting and feed consumption. Previous research on conventional milking systems has shown differences between dairy cow breeds for intake and milk production, however, the ability to manipulate voluntary cow traffic and milking frequency on AMS farms through breed selection is unknown. This study investigated the effect of breed (Holstein Friesian versus Illawarra) on voluntary cow traffic as determined by gate passes at the Camden AMS research farm dairy facility. Daily data on days in milk, milk yield, gate passes and milking frequency for 158 Holstein Friesian cows and 24 Illawarra cows were collated by month for the 2007 and 2008 years. Illawarra cows had 9% more gate passes/day than Holstein cows over the duration of the study; however, the milking frequency and milk yield of both breeds were similar. Gate passes were greatest for both breeds in early lactation and in the winter (June to August) and summer (December to February) seasons. These findings highlight an opportunity to translate increased voluntary cow movement associated with breed selection into increased milking frequencies, milk production and overall pasture-based AMS performance.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.97-104
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• 2014

This study was conducted to examine the effect of different types of milking instrument and season on milk composition (fat, protein, non-fat milk solids, milk urea nitrogen and somatic cell count) on Holstein-Friesian lactating cows. Raw milk samples were collected from 20 automatic milking system (AMS) installed dairy farms and 85 conventional milking system (CMS) installed dairy farms. Milk fat, protein, NFMS and MUN contents did not changed between AMS and CMS and different seasons. On the other hand, the average SCC in AMS was $239{\times}10^3cells/mL$ which was lower than in CMS ($373{\times}10^3cells/mL$, (p<0.05). In conclusion, present results indicated that SCC in milk might be influenced by AMS. However, this area needed more study to confirm the reason of reducing SCC content from AMS.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.209-214
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different milking systems (AMS, automatic milking system and CMS, conventional milking system) and of supplemental fat feeding on milk composition and milk fat characteristics. The composition, MFG (milk fat globule) size, fatty acids (FAs), and free fatty acids (FFAs) of the milk from 4 AMS and 4 CMS dairy farms were analyzed on the basis of the milking system and feeding of protected fat. The milking system did not affect milk composition, MFG size, and milk FAs, but FFA content of AMS milk were significantly higher than that of CMS milk. Feeding of protected fat resulted in the production of milk much higher in LCFAs (long chain FAs); however, the milk composition was not affected by fat supplementation. Cows administered protected fat supplements produced milk containing MFGs with a large average diameter.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.245-254
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• 2016

This investigation was carried out to study effects of different milking systems on the characteristics of Gouda cheese produced at farmstead milk-processing plants. In the first study, raw milk was collected from automatic milking system and conventional milking system farms, and Gouda cheeses were prepared under the same conditions. After 6 months of aging, the chemical composition was analyzed and free fatty acid (FFA) analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out on the products. In the second study, Gouda cheese samples were collected from seven farmstead milk-processing plants and the chemical composition and texture profile analysis were evaluated. No significant differences were found in the chemical composition of Gouda cheese according to different milking systems or different farms except crude ash. FFA analysis showed significant differences among farms, but sensory evaluation showed no significant differences. No significant differences were observed in FFA content and sensory assessment of different milking systems. Texture profile analysis revealed that there were significant differences in each cheese made at different farm plants, but there were no differences when different milking systems were used.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.659-664
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• 2010

The present study was to investigate the effect of the transition from conventional to organic dairy farming on the antimicrobial resistant pattern of pathogens in milk. A farm with tie-stall management, with an average herd size of 20 milking cows, was selected based on the owner' willingness to accept, for at least 6 months, the highly restricted protocol developed in this study. Comparisons of bacterial isolates and antimicrobial susceptibilities before changing to an organic farm system (BEFORE) and for 6 months after (AFTER) operating the experimental organic farm system were performed by Fisher's Exact Chi-square tests. Significant levels were defined at p<0.05. During the AFTER period, average frequency of antibiotic treatment was decreased from more than 3 cases/month to less than 1 case/month during which the antibiotic use was authorized only by the veterinarian. In total, 92 and 70 quarter milk samples from 24 and 18 cows during BEFORE and AFTER, respectively, were included in the study. Overall, isolates ranged from a non-resistant level for cephazolin to a very high resistant level to streptomycin (64.71% to 95.45%). Percentages of antimicrobial resistant isolates during BEFORE were significantly higher than during AFTER for ampicillin (43.48% and 5.88%, respectively) and streptomycin (95.45% and 64.71%, respectively). In conclusion, percentages of antimicrobial resistant isolates were decreased after 6 months of operating as an organic farm system.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2011

The present study was conducted to investigate effects of auto milking system (AMS) on milk yield and milk composition in dairy cow using dairy herd improvement (DHI) record. DHI records for 147 cows were compared between a year before and after AMS use. AMS significantly increased daily milk yield compared with the conventional milking system (30.4kg vs 34.3 kg for CMS and AMS, respectively). There were no significant differences in the contents of milk fat (3.7% vs 3.8% for CMS and AMS) and milk protein (3.2% vs 3.2% for CMS and AMS) between CMS and AMS. But the yields of milk fat and milk protein were significantly higher for AMS than for CMS. Average somatic cell counts were 169,400/ml (1st grade) before AMS use but increased by 314,400/ml (2nd grade) after AMS use. Overall, AMS increased milk yield and the yields of milk fat and protein without affecting milk composition but also increased somatic cell count.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.255-262
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the difficulties of dairy farms in practicing 6th industrialization and methods for overcoming these difficulties. A qustionnaire survey was carried out to examine the present states of farms, recognition of the farmstead milk-processing market situation, possibility of farmstead milk processing for reducing the raw milk surplus, assessment of government policies, and difficulties dairy farmers confront in realizing the 6th industrialization. Farm sizes, types, and human resources organizations varied between farms. Most farmers were producing yogurt and/or fresh (string or barbecue) cheeses, which were marketed through 'Visit and Purchase' channel. Farmers who answered the questionnaire were relatively positive about the current situation of farmstead milk processing, expecting to be involved in the disposal of excess raw milk. Nevertheless, they responded negatively about current relevant policies, citing the main difficulties caused by 'excessive regulation'. Other barriers to successful '6th industrialization' are difficulties in marketing and lack of funds. Approximately 19% of dairy farms practicing the '6th industrialization' use automatic milking system (AMS) and 38.46% of dairy farmers whose milking depends on conventional milking system intend to introduce AMS in the future. Positive expectations of AMS adoption were mostly related to 'lack of time and labor', 'exhibiting for tourism', and 'succession of dairying'.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.773-782
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• 2004

The objective of this work was to establish an approaching method for TMR feeding system in the farm situation by testing the effects of herd-mix feeding system on the performance of lactating cows. Fifty six Holstein cows were fed for the experimental period of 16 months. Prior to test the herd-mix feeding system, animals were kept on conventional feeding system for 4 months, separate feeding of forage with concentrate, then provided 3 types of herd-mix rations formulated by mean level of energy concentration requirement of higher 1/2 ranker in each herd for remaining 12 months to compare the effect on milk yield performance of animals with conventional feeding system by using a switch-over method. The herd-mix feeding system influenced substantially upon the improvements of milk yield(P<0.01) and milk fat percentage(P<0.05). In all of lactational ages, milk yield and milk fat were enhanced by the herd-mix feeding system. Especially, actual milk yield(AMY) and milk fat in the 1st lactating cows, and AMY and 4.0% fat corrected milk yield(FCM) in the 2nd lactating cows were increased signiticantly by the herd-mix feeding system(P<0.05). In the early and mid-stage of lactation, the herd-mix feeding system showed higher AMY and FCM compared with the conventional feeding system although the milk fat was not different. AMY, milk fat and FCM in the late-stage of lactation were increased generally by the herd-mix feeding system. Especially, milk fat and FCM obtained by the herd-mix feeding system were significantly higher than those by the conventional feeding system(P<0.01). The herd-mix feeding system showed a good type of milking curve with a higher persistency of FCM(93.24%) than in conventional one(92.69%). The income over feed cost with the herd-mix feeding system was lA-fold higher than that with the conventional feeding method. In conclusion, the results of this work suggest that the herd-mix feeding system based on a correct level of energy concentration of TMR and well-determined feed ingredients increases not only milk yield of dairy herd by enhancing the performance of cows in early to mid stage of lactation with improved milk persistency but also gross income of dairy farm.