Abstract

Extended lactation systems where cows are milked for longer than 300 days, provide an opportunity for farmers to use the lactation potential of genetically superior cows, reduce calving and mating costs, even-out labour requirements, and/or build herd size by retaining non-pregnant cows. However, depending upon cow genetic strain and nutrition, milk production can be reduced in an extended lactation system relative to a 'normal' lactation of 260 to 300 days (Kolver et al., 2007; Grainger et al., 2009). Winter-feeding levels are potentially important... Continued

CVC, Phyn, JK Kay, CG Roach, and ES Kolver

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 69, Christchurch, 43-45, 2009