Impact of Heat Stress on Selected Parameters of Robotic Milking

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to verify the effect of temperature stress on dairy cows milked in an automatic milking system in the temperate climate of central Europe. The study showed that there was not a decrease in the daily milk yield per milking if the temperature-humidity index value was lower than 68. This was accomplished with the dairy cows having an average daily milk yield of 29 kg to 31 kg. A decrease of the daily milk yield per cow was recorded if the temperature-humidity index value was greater than 72. A higher average milk speed, as well as a higher maximum milk speed, may occur with a temperature-humidity index value higher than 68. ABSTRACT: The values of the temperature-humidity index and its influence on the performance parameters of dairy cows were monitored on four farms located in the southern part of the central Slovakia during a period of three years. The observed parameters included: the milk yield per cow per day, average milk speed and maximum milk speed. The thermal-humidity index was calculated based on a formula. The individual periods were divided according to the achieved THI. The results of dairy cows with a milk yield of 29 kg to 31 kg show that there is not a decrease in the milk yield per milking if the THI value is lower than 68. It was also found that there was a decrease in the milk yield per dairy cow in the robotic milking parlor for a THI value greater than 72. The influence of a THI value higher than 68 in these dairy cows results in a higher average milk speed, as well as a higher maximum milk speed. These two parameters are not yet in the main area of research interest. This study enriches the area with new knowledge, according to which dairy cows can show thermal stress by increasing the milk speed as well as the maximum milk speed.