Effect of milking routine performance and turnover of personnel on milk losses in dairy herds

Authors

  • G. M. Schuenemann Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
  • A. A. Barragon Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
  • S. Bas Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
  • J. D. Workman Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20143738

Keywords:

milking personnel performance, turnover, TO, dairy personnel, training, milk losses

Abstract

It is common to observe large within-herd variation in milking personnel performance (MPP) and turnover (TO) over time. Assessing team performance, resolution of conflicts, and comprehensive training of dairy personnel are critical tasks to achieve consistent performance of dairy herds. One of the positive aspects about TO is that it provides opportunities for remaining team members to increase or change responsibilities. Some herds keep a multi skilled person(s) who serves as the trainer and is readily available, but not allocated to any specific mandatory daily role on the farm, to plug the gaps caused by absentees with the goal of maintaining productivity levels. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of MPP (95% versus 85%) and TO of personnel (5% versus 30%) on milk losses of dairy herds.

Cover image of the 47th Conference Proceedings: An image of a herd of cattle in a field at dusk. Three cows are standing in the foreground, looking adorable. Yellow background.

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Published

2014-09-18

Issue

2014

Section

Research Summaries 4

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