Variable milking regimes are gaining popularity in the UK as an efficient way of managing seasonal conditions and resources.
Benefits include reduction of farm working expenses and improved animal health. Variable milking regimes cover everything from Once-a-day (OAD) to 16 hours and 10 in 7.
You may use the regimes exclusively as your overall farming system, or strategically for part of the herd or for shorter periods during the season.
What makes up the VMSI?
The graph below shows the weighting of the traits within the VMSI, in addition to eight of the existing traits of gBW.
How the VMSI works
Not all cows can cope with variable milking. The VMSI helps farmers across the world identify bulls that are more likely to breed cows that are suited to a flexible milking environment.
The index takes into account the traits farmers have identified as being important for successful variable milking:
- udder support
- front teat placement
- milking speed.
You can use the index to compare animals based on their suitability for variable milking systems.
Benefits of variable milking
More farmers internationally are switching to variable milking.
Some dairy farmers use the milking regimes for the whole season, others do it during dry periods or to take the pressure off cows during early lactation or before mating.
Milking your cows on a variable milking schedule can:
- save time — you’ll have more time for other jobs on the farm
- save money on labour and feed costs
- increase the number of days in milk
- increase your herd’s condition
- get more cows in calf
- reduce lameness due to less walking each day.
