The effects of visiting parties on milk production in cows

Observations were made at the evening milkings on the day before and immediately after 131 cows housed and milked in cowsheds had been disturbed by parties of visitors. The cows were divided into three groups according to the extent of the reduction in milk yield following the visits. In the two groups showing the greatest differences the disturbances significantly reduced the fat and solids-not-fat (SNF) percentages and raised the milk cell counts.