Effects of postpartum milking strategy on plasma mineral concentrations and colostrum, transition milk, and milk yield and composition in multiparous dairy cows

The effects of postpartum milking strategy on plas-ma mineral concentrations, blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration, and colostrum, transition milk, and first monthly test milk yield and composition were evaluated in 90 multiparous Jersey and Jersey x Hol-stein crossbreed cows from a commercial farm. Before first postpartum milking, cows were randomly assigned to the following milking strategies, implemented dur -ing the first 2 d postpartum: twice-a-day milking (M2, standard industry practice, milking every 12 h; n = 22), once-a-day milking (M1, milking every 24 h; n = 24), restricted milking (MR, 3-L milking every 12 h; n = 21), and delayed milking (MD, no milking for the first 24 h, and milking every 12 h afterward; n = 23). Blood samples for total plasma Ca, P, and Mg deter-mination were collected from enrollment every 4 h up to 48 h, and at 3 d in milk. Blood BHB concentration was determined at 3 and 11 d in milk. Colostrum and transition milk yields were recorded, and samples were collected at each study milking for IgG and somatic cell count (SCC) determinations. Information for first monthly test milk yield and composition was obtained from the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Statisti-cal analyses were conducted using generalized multiple linear and Poisson regressions with Dunnett adjust-ment and M2 as reference group for mean comparisons. Overall, plasma Ca concentration within 48 h after enrollment was higher for MD (2.17 mmol/L), tended to be higher for MR (2.15 mmol/L), and was similar for M1 (2.09 mmol/L) compared with M2 cows (2.06 mmol/L). No statistically significant differences com-pared with M2 cows were observed for plasma P and Mg concentrations. Colostrum and transition milk and total Ca harvested within 48 h after enrollment were lower for M1, MR, and MD compared with M2 cows. The MD strategy prevented harvesting colostrum with >50 g of IgG/L. No statistically significant effects were detected on plasma mineral concentrations at 3 DIM, blood BHB concentration, colostrum and transition milk SCC within 48 h after enrollment, or milk yield, energy-corrected milk yield, and SCC at first monthly test. Our results suggest that postpartum plasma Ca concentration may be influenced by postpartum milking strategy, without interfering with future milk yield and udder health. Further studies should evaluate whether the proposed milking strategies in early postpartum af-fect production, reproduction, or health.

Automated summary

The postpartum milking strategy has an impact on plasma mineral concentrations, blood beta-hydroxybutyrate concentration, and the yield and composition of colostrum, transition milk, and first monthly test milk in multiparous Jersey and Jersey x Holstein cows. However, it does not affect future milk yield and udder health. Further studies are needed to assess the potential effects of early postpartum milking strategies on production, reproduction, and health.