EVALUATION AND SELECTION OF COWS BY THE INTENSITY OF THE MILKING PROCESS FOR ROBOTIC MILKING SYSTEMS
The objects of the study were first-calf cows of the Kholmogorsky breed of the Tatarstan type. The proposed method of evaluation and selection of cows is aimed at increasing the intensity of the milking process and, thereby, the productivity of the milking robot. As a selection criterion, such an indicator as the intensity of the milking process is proposed. It is determined by dividing the one-time milk yield by the time the cows stay in the milking box. Next, the value of this indicator is compared with the average for the entire group of cows. Animals with a value above the average by one sigma will be assigned to the selection group. Of the 10 evaluated first-calf cows, 3 were assigned to the selection group. Their one-time milk yield was 18.2 % higher, the time spent in the milking box was 14.5 % less. The proposed method will contribute to the formation of production groups of animals with an intensive milking process.