Effect of milking pre-partum training on behaviour and milk production of buffalo heifers

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of milking pre-partum training on behaviour, milk production and milk flow profile of buffalo heifers. The study was conducted in the Improsta farm of Campania Region. Fifteen animals aged 30 to 44 months were divided in two groups. Eight animals served as control (group C), whereas 7 animals received in the morning a pre-partum training for at least 7 days (group T). During the pre-partum training sessions, an animal was moved to the milking parlour (tandem 3x3) and left for 10 min in the milking stall, where the udder was thoroughly washed and massaged for 1 min. The massage included the stripping of the teats. Once calved, all the heifers were observed in the parlour for their first milking then on 7 occasions (3, 7,14, 28, 42, 56 days after calving) during afternoon milking. The behaviours, recorded from the entrance in the milking stall to the removal of milking cluster, were step (foot lifted less than 15 cm off of the ground) and kick (foot raised above 15 cm off of the ground, even if a clear kick was not visible). Milk flow profiles were measured with electronic mobile milk flow meters. Milk samples were also collected to assess milk quality (CFU, SCC, lactose, protein, and fat). All variables were analysed with a linear mixed model for repeated measures. Animals of group T performed a lower number of steps (0.08-0.03 vs 0.20-0.03 n/min) and kicks(0.13-0.04 vs 0.26-0.03 n/min) than C animals. A reduction of number of kicks was observed as the lactation proceeded. Milk quality, milk production and milk flow profile were not affected by treatment. It can be concluded that a milking pre-partum training would reduce the level of fear in buffalo heifers.