Side preference of dairy cows in the milking parlour and its impact on daily milk yield

Abstract

Monitoring of the side preference of dairy cows in the milking parlour was performed in a group of 40 dairy cows (Czech spotted cattle). Twenty milking sessions were evaluated for each cow, and the composition of the monitored group of cows was kept constant. A significant side preference was found in 26 (65%) cows. The results show that in the dairy herd, a significant percentage of cows prefer one side of the milking parlour. Furthermore, in dairy cows with a significant side preference, their milk yield on the preferred and non-preferred side of milking parlour was compared and a statistically significant difference was found. When the dairy cows were milked on their preferred side of the milking parlour, higher milk yield was achieved (12.21 vs. 10.38 kg).

Keywords

• behaviour
• dairy cattle
• milking
• welfare