Financial viability analyses of four milkings in the first 21 days of lactation in F1 crossbred Holstein-Zebu cows

Fifty-three F1 crossbred Holstein-Zebu cows were used to evaluate financially the effects of four daily milkings until lactation day 21, and after this day two milkings, with or without suckling by the calf in one teat during milking. Milk production and composition were measured each four days until lactation day 33, and then each 15 days until the end of lactation. The experiment followed a completely randomized design in a 2x2 factorial. To analyze the financial viability of the different groups, the gross margin was used, as financial indicator. Milk productions were 16.7, 17.2, 19.0, and 18.9kg/day (P<0.01) for cows milked twice or four times a day with or without suckling by the calf, respectively. The rise of milking frequency increased milk production in two liters per day, and in 17.3% of estimated gross margin from the sale of milk.