Dropping milk production when switch milkers?

[DJ in WA]

I went away for a few days a few weeks ago and had kids milking. Came back and production was down about a third. Figured they hadn't fed her enough, so upped the feed, but still not as much milk as before. Not a big deal since needed to dry her up within a week or two.

I remember hearing somewhere about the problems dairies can have when switching milkers the cows aren't use to. Are there significant drops in production?

[Ronney]

Yes there are. Cows get used to the same person, the same routine and when that changes they get upset and hold their milk back. That will start the drying off process particularly in the latter part of lactation which I assume yours are. Earlier in lactation, they usually come back on stream once their normal milker and routine are back in place.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[DJ in WA]

Thanks. So if you have multiple milkers perhaps want everyone using the same routine as much as possible. Or if only need one milker, maybe keep a backup in the mix?

[michiganfarmer]

Originally Posted by DJ in WA

Thanks. So if you have multiple milkers perhaps want everyone using the same routine as much as possible. Or if only need one milker, maybe keep a backup in the mix?

Yes. Same people. Same routine. Same milking times. MIlk cows dont like changes.

[Haggis]

My good son milks for me two or three times a week for just that reason; there is a need for the cow to be familiar with her milker. He has a big family and needs the milk, so it's a meat for manners deal. I'm here 99.9% of the time, but this way the cows know him, so if I have to be gone, they give him no mind at all.

[sammyd]

When I was a real little guy, my dads dad died so we all took off to Ohio for the funeral. When we came back after a few days my dad swore he would never let anyone else ever milk one of his cows. It was pretty bad.

After that mom and dad did the milking and they never went anywhere overnight together as long as we milked cows, one of them was always at home to milk.

[Ronney]

DJ, if you can keep a back up in the mix, so much the better. They don't even have to do the milking but just wander in a couple of times a week, maybe let the cows out and help bring new ones in, have a yarn to you and lean over the fence. The cows will get used to them and although they may not be entirely happy, they won't be as upset as somebody who is almost a total stranger.

Kevin milks my cows about once a year on average. No problem because they see him on a daily basis when he comes home from work and stops in at the shed for a natter. My stepson milked them even less frequently but also not a problem. Most of them were calves when he was a lad and he helped feed them and played with them so he is a known factor. It helps too that both men stick pretty much to the same routine that I have.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[michiganfarmer]

Originally Posted by sammyd

After that mom and dad did the milking and they never went anywhere overnight together as long as we milked cows, one of them was always at home to milk.

That is wonderfull. I just love a warm dairy barn. I sure miss it. I love your avatar.