Risk Factors of Forced Take-Off in Dairy Cows Milked Three Times per Day in A Rotary Milking Parlor: A Case Control Study

The aims of the research were to: (1) describe a protocol for the identification of cows that are subjected repeatedly to a forced retraction event at the end of milking; (2) study risk factors of repeated forced take-off (RFTO); and (3) assess the average milk flow rate at which the forced retraction event occurred. In a retrospective study, we collected milk flow data over a 1-week period from a 4300-cow dairy with a rotary milking parlor and a thrice-daily milking schedule. We identified 109 cases of RFTO and 2467 controls. A multivariable logistic regression model revealed associations of parity, stage of lactation, average daily milk production, and milking speed with RFTO. Cows in parity 3 or greater, animals ≤100 days in milk, high-producing animals, and cows with low milking speed had higher odds of RFTO. The average (least squares means (95% CI)) milk flow rates at the time of removal of the milking unit were 2.1 (2.0–2.1) kg/min in milking observations that were terminated with the forced retract and 1.5 (1.4–1.5) kg/min when milking units were removed with the automatic cluster remover. Future research to better understand the effect of RFTO on milk production, udder health, and animal well-being is warranted.