This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an extended voluntary waiting period (VWP) on SCC, SCC elevations and clinical mastitis incidence during the complete lactation and the first 6 weeks of the next lactation. Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (N = 154) were blocked for parity, expected milk yield, calving season and breeding value for persistency and were randomly distributed across 3 VWP (50, 125, or 200 d: VWP-50, VWP-125, VWP-200). Cows were monitored from calving until 6 weeks into the next lactation, or until culling. An elevation of SCC in milk was defined as SCC in milk ≥200 000 cells/ml after two previous weeks with SCC < 200 000 cells/ml. Over the complete lactation, extending the VWP did not affect SCC elevations and the occurrence of clinical mastitis per lactation or per cow per year. There was no clear effect of VWP length on SCC in the complete lactation, except that multiparous cows in VWP-125 had a higher SCC compared with multiparous cows in VWP-50. Dry-off antibiotic usage per cow per year was lower in VWP-200 compared with VWP-50 for multiparous cows. In the first 6 weeks of the next lactation, cows in VWP-200 had a higher SCC compared with cows in VWP-50, with no effect of VWP on the number of elevations of SCC or the occurrence of clinical mastitis. Extending the VWP may therefore be used to reduce the frequency of transition periods and the associated use of dry-cow antibiotics, with limited impact on udder health, and a similar occurrence of SCC elevations and clinical mastitis per year.

In order to describe the temporal evolution of milk yield (MY) and composition in extended lactations, 21 658 lactations of Italian Holstein cows were analyzed. Six empirical mathematical models currently used to fit 305 standard lactations (Wood, Wilmink, Legendre, Ali and Schaeffer, quadratic and cubic splines) and one function developed specifically for extended lactations (a modification of the Dijkstra model) were tested to identify a suitable function for describing patterns until 1000 days in milk (DIM). Comparison was performed on individual patterns and on average curves grouped according to parity (primiparous and multiparous) and lactation length (standard ⩽305 days, and extended from 600 to 1000 days). For average patterns, polynomial models showed better fitting performances when compared with the three or four parameters models. However, LEG and spline regression, showed poor prediction ability at the extremes of the lactation trajectory. The Ali and Schaeffer polynomial and Dijkstra function were effective in modelling average curves for MY and protein percentage, whereas a reduced fitting ability was observed for fat percentage and somatic cell score. When individual patterns were fitted, polynomial models outperformed nonlinear functions. No detectable differences were observed between standard and extended patterns in the initial phase of lactation, with similar values of peak production and time at peak. A considerable difference in persistency was observed between 200 and 305 DIM. Such a difference resulted in an estimated difference between standard and extended cycle of about 7 and 9 kg/day for daily yield at 305 DIM and of 463 and 677 kg of cumulated milk production at 305 DIM for the first- and second-parity groups, respectively. For first and later lactation animals, peak yield estimates were nearly 31 and 38 kg, respectively, and occurred at around 65 and 40 days. The asymptotic level of production was around 9 kg for multiparous cows, whereas the estimate was negative for first parity.

Twelve spring-calving and twelve winter-calving cows were managed for extended lactation cycles of 18-months duration, with the former group then completing a second extended lactation. Half of the cows were fed according to standard management practice for the herd; the other half received supplementary concentrate from week 9 of lactation onwards. Commencing at the same time, half of the udder of each cow was subjected to increased milking frequency (thrice daily rather than twice daily). Lactation persistency (and hence total milk yield) was significantly increased by frequent milking. Winter calving cows and supplemented cows also exhibited better persistency, but this was only evident up until the point of re-breeding, at around lactation week 33. Milk composition was measured in the spring-calving cows in both their first and second extended lactations. Composition altered during the course of the lactation, protein and fat percentages increasing and lactose percentage decreasing, irrespective of treatment. The quality of the milk for processing into cheese, fermented products, heat-treated products and cream liqueurs was assessed by calculation of casein number (casein protein as a proportion of total protein). Processing quality declined across the course of lactation in those groups that showed poor persistency but not in those that maintained a persistent lactation. Milk hygienic quality (somatic cell counts) showed parallel changes. Body condition score increased during the course of lactation but was not affected by supplementation; none of the cows became excessively fat. All cows remained healthy throughout the extended lactations and the majority (33/36) re-bred successfully. By demonstrating that lactation persistency is plastic and can be improved by simple management interventions, the results lend support to the economic arguments in favour of extended lactation cycles. The likely welfare benefits of extended lactation are also discussed.