Robot milking and effect on reproduction in dairy cows: a preliminary study

The aim of this study was to analyse whether automatic milking has an effect on reproduction in dairy cows. Probably the mast important consequence of automatic milking is an increased milking frequency. More frequent milking means more production and thereby an extra threat for the energy balance during the first months of lactation. A deep negative energy balance (NEB) is often followed by negative effects on fertility. However, tested under experimental circumstances, automatic milking with a frequency not higher than 3 times/day and with an individual management and feeding system has benefits for production and very little negative effects on reproduction. Experimental farms with automatic milking systems have fertility figures that do not differ from experimental farms with conventional milking systems. Additional and more data of automatic milking under farm conditions has to be collected and evaluated before the effect on fertility can be assessed with more certainty. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.