The aim of this study was to investigate whether social rank (SR) and stability in the order of entrance to the milking parlour are associated with production traits. The study was conducted on a dairy farm where cows (n = 215) were managed in three groups according to lactation stage (group 1: 78 cows, 0–100 days in milk (DIM); group 2: 65 cows, 101–200 DIM and group 3: 72 cows, >200 DIM). SR was calculated from observations made from agonistic behaviour performed at the water troughs and feed bunks of each pen (n = 3). The animals were classified into three levels of dominance based on at least five clear interactions, resulting in: 61 dominant, 75 intermediate and 69 subordinate cows based on SR. Stability in the order of entry was estimated as the standard deviation of the entry position. SR was weakly correlated with milk yield, urea and protein content in milk. The results showed that stable cows had higher milk production and entered the milking parlour after the non-stable animals. Stability in the order of entry to the milking parlour was not affected by SR. Overall, the use of milking facilities appears to be associated with production traits rather than SR.

中文翻译：

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生产性状、社会等级和奶牛进入挤奶厅的稳定性之间的相互作用

本研究的目的是调查社会等级 (SR) 和进入挤奶厅的顺序是否与生产特征相关。该研究是在奶牛场进行的（n= 215）根据泌乳阶段分为三组（第 1 组：78 头奶牛，0-100 天产奶（DIM）；第 2 组：65 头奶牛，101-200 DIM 和第 3 组：72 头奶牛，>200 DIM） . SR 是根据在每个围栏的水槽和饲料槽上进行的激动行为的观察结果计算得出的（n= 3)。根据至少五种明确的相互作用将动物分为三个优势等级，从而产生：基于 SR 的 61 头优势奶牛、75 头中间奶牛和 69 头从属奶牛。进入顺序的稳定性被估计为进入位置的标准偏差。SR与牛奶中的产奶量、尿素和蛋白质含量呈弱相关。结果表明，稳定的奶牛产奶量较高，并且在不稳定的动物之后进入挤奶厅。进入挤奶厅的顺序的稳定性不受 SR 的影响。总体而言，挤奶设施的使用似乎与生产性状有关，而不是与 SR 有关。