1. Genetic Evaluation of Milking Speed for Brown Swiss Dairy Cattle

2. Introduction
International customers for Brown Swiss customers are interested in milking speed information
Slow milkers disrupt parlor flow and efficiency
Fast milkers may be at increased risk for mastitis

3. Scoring
Scored 1 to 8 (low to high)
Began in 2004

4. Data 6,483 records 6,017 cows 352 herds 19,209 ancestors born 1985+
7 unknown parent groups including 4 birth years

5. Model Fixed effects: Random effects: Herd appraisal date
Parity-stage of lactation (4 90-d stages)
Random effects:
Animal
Permanent environment
Residual

6. Variance Component Estimates
Heritability = 0.22
Repeatability = 0.41
Residual variance = 1.13

7. Solutions for stage of lactation (90-d period) by parity

8. Correlations of milking speed with production traits
P-value
Milk
0.22
0.0231
Fat
0.02
0.8440
Protein
0.03
0.7817
Productive Life
0.52
<0.0001
SCS
-0.37

9. Conclusions Faster Milking Speed not associated with Increase SCS
Evaluation for MSD released May 2006
Further research on stud supplied scores, or DHI supplied times