By Dr Jolly Kabirizi
-Milking three times a day requires adequate milking facility capacity and may not be feasible if factors are present that may limit the ability of cows to respond with higher milk production (e.g. poor feed quality, limited feed bunk space, environmental stress, excessive wait time in holding pens, long travel distances to and from the milking facility, etc.).
-Milking three times a day requires an adequate supply of well-trained and motivated labour willing to milk cows at often undesirable times of the day.
-It requires an increased level of management to ensure cows are fed properly and that any less-than-favourable health issues (e.g. lameness, mastitis) are not exacerbated by the increased intensity of production.
-Cows will require more intensive management to ensure adequate feed intake and maintenance of proper body condition.
-It requires a commitment of at least six months and a monitoring program to determine if it is successful.
