Prolonged Lactations: A Strategy to Boost Milk Production in High-Yielding Cows

Inseminating dairy cows later to avoid disrupting their peak production phase could increase milk yield per calving by more than a third. This strategy contributes to higher productivity at the farm level.

Ángel Ávila, a nutrition specialist, spoke at a seminar organized by the National Association of Specialists in Bovine Medicine on utilizing prolonged lactations in high-yielding cows. Ávila recommends calculating the appropriate insemination time by multiplying the peak lactation days and milk yield, then adding the days taken to reach that peak. For example, a cow hitting peak at 60 days with 51 liters should be inseminated at 162 days.

Ávila stresses that extending lactation can lead to fewer replacements and a reduced carbon footprint. His findings are supported by the experience of farms like SAT As Pandas, which averages 1.9 doses per pregnant cow by inseminating when milk yield decreases.

The farm's first insemination is typically around 150 days postpartum, achieving extended lactations of 400 to 500 days that enhance yield per calving cycle.

The method is not universal, as Ávila cautions it's only viable for well-managed farms with high production standards. Additionally, Ávila advises on the importance of nutrition in automated milking systems to encourage cows to visit the robots voluntarily.

Lastly, Ávila identifies potential improvements in digestibility for forage, emphasizing that high-quality silos can elevate milk production significantly.