Relationship between frequent milking or suckling in early lactation and milk production of high producing dairy cows

Groups of 9 or 10 cows were assigned to one of three treatments 1) machine-milking three times daily, 2) machine-milking six times daily, and 3) suckling three times daily in addition to machine-milking three times daily. Treatments were conducted during the first 6 wk postpartum; thereafter, all cows were milked three times daily. During treatment, milk production was highest for suckled cows and lowest for cows milked three times daily. The DMI were similar for suckled cows and cows milked three times daily but higher for those milked six times daily. Body weight loss was greatest for suckled cows and least for cows milked three times daily. During wk 7 to 18 postpartum, cows milked six times daily exhibited a carry-over effect on milk production that was greater than that of other groups. During treatment, plasma growth hormone and IGF-I concentrations were elevated for suckled cows and, to a lesser extent, for cows milked six times daily. Prolactin and oxytocin similarly increased, but insulin decreased in suckled cows and, to a lesser extent, in cows milked six times daily. Posttreatment differences persisted for insulin and IGF-I, but not for the other hormones. Increased frequency of udder emptying increased milk production, and suckling was superior to machine-milking. High milk production was associated with elevated growth hormone, IGF-I, prolactin, and oxytocin, although cause and effect could not be established. The failure of suckled cows to increase feed intake to match output requires further investigation.