Photo 1, 2, 3, 4. Details of a modified pit milking parlor — designed and built by Alfonso Madriñán in the Cauca Valley, Colombia
| Livestock Research for Rural Development 38 (3) 2026 | LRRD Search | LRRD Misssion | Guide for preparation of papers | LRRD Newsletter | Citation of this paper |
The welfare of animals kept for food production can be good or very poor. Welfare can be scientifically assessed and the information made available to consumers who are becoming more selective in what they will buy or avoid. Ethical considerations are crucial to the sustainability of livestock production systems (Broom 2023).
The dairy cow is an example of a farmed animal genetically selected by humans for high levels of production to the extent that a substantial proportion of individuals suffer greatly (Oltenacu and Broom, 2010). Although cows were milked with their calves present for millennia, in most high-yield dairy production systems today, the cow and calf are separated immediately after calving, thereby inhibiting any expression of maternal behavior. In scientific research suckling systems are characterized to be either permanent or restricted, sucking either on the own mother or on a Foster cow. In suckling systems, the cow and calf are allowed to remain together, enabling the calf to nurse from its mother and express species-specific behaviors (Kälber and Barth, 2014). Unlike permanent sucking where the cow and calf are together all the time and the calf can nurse whenever it wants (common in beef cattle breeding system), when a cow has contact with its calf only during milking, this is known as restricted suckling, the rest of the time, the cows and calves are kept separate (Krohn 2001).
For several decades scientific research in tropical regions has improved suckling systems, promoting milk production and hygiene, mammary gland health (reducing mastitis), calf nutrition, and animal welfare. Many articles were published in journals such as Tropical Animal Production, Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science and LRRD on this topic by authors from many countries in the Americas, Asia, and Africa. According to multiple review and experimental articles published, restricted suckling, a cattle management system where calves are separated from their dams and only allowed to nurse for short periods daily, increases total and saleable milk yields, improves cow udder health, and reduces abnormal calf behaviors like cross-sucking (Álvarez et al 1980, Gaya et al 1977, Hernández et al 1999, Mai et al 1997, Mandibaya et al 2000, Mejía et al 1998, Paredes et al 1981, Sanh et al 1995, Teeluck et al 1981, Tesorero et al 2001, Ugarte and Preston 1972a, Ugarte and Preston 1972b, Ugarte and Preston 1973, Ugarte et al 1984, Ugarte and Preston 1975, Ugarte 1977, Ugarte 1978, Veitia and Simon 1972).
The advantages, limitations, and challenges of restricted breastfeeding under tropical conditions were also disseminated in books and other publications several decades ago (Preston 1984, Preston and Leng 1987, Preston and Murgueitio 1992, Preston et al 1995).
Although there are still scientific aspects of restricted suckling that require study, the greatest need is perhaps to disseminate practical information on managing mechanical milking in the presence of calves; this is because most developments in this area originate in countries with specialized, high-output dairy systems where milking is performed without the calf. In contrast, tropical countries make significant use of dual-purpose systems involving crossbred cows (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) and buffaloes; in both cases, the emotional bond between the cow (or buffalo) and the calf is very strong; restricted suckling is an option with many advantages over the traditional suckling method, in which they remain together for the majority of the time (Botero 2021).
In a similar trend across several tropical countries (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, and others), innovative producers have experimented with various modifications to mechanical milking infrastructure. These efforts have successfully achieved the benefits of restricted suckling while ensuring timely milking and maintaining milk and udder hygiene, thereby minimizing mastitis. Photographs 1 through 4 show details of a modified pit milking parlor — designed and built by Alfonso Madriñán in the Cauca Valley, Colombia — used for Holstein x Brahman crossbred cattle.
|
|
|
|
|
Photo 1, 2, 3, 4. Details of a modified pit milking parlor — designed and built by Alfonso Madriñán in the Cauca Valley, Colombia |
|
Various milking parlor models and restricted suckling systems have been in use at several enterprises and family farms for over 35 years — such as the El Hatico Nature Reserve and Hacienda Lucerna in Colombia — employing local Bos taurus breeds that do not require the presence of the calf during milking.
In Brazil’s Cerrado biome — an area increasingly subject to extreme weather conditions, particularly prolonged dry spells and high temperatures — the Federal Institute of Brasília (IFB) at the Planaltina Campus has successfully developed a practical management system for cows and their calves. Led by Roberta Tavares, this initiative benefits animal welfare, health, and milk hygiene, demonstrating how innovations can leverage scientific advances while generating new knowledge.
To illustrate this further, we have produced a short video showing the milking routine and the management of cows and calves based on the calves' age. You can access the video for free at the following link:
 |
| Restricted Suckling in Dairy Cows with Bos indicus Genetics in dry tropics |
Alvarez F J, Saucedo G, Arriaga A and Preston T R 1980 Effect on milk production and calf performance of milking crossbred European/ Zebu cattle in the absence or presence of the calf, and of rearing their calves artificially. Tropical Animal Production 5:25-37
Botero Botero Raul 2021. Manejo y alimentación de vacunos y de búfalos con forrajes tropicales: productos, subproductos y residuos agroindustriales, aptos para mitigar el cambio climático mundial. Edición Kindle. 1310 p.
Broom D M 2023 Food production systems and how they relate to animal welfare. In One Welfare Animal Health and Welfare, Food Security and Sustainability, ed. Garcia Pinillos R. and Huertas S. 25-42. Wallingford U.K.: CABI. doi.org/10.1079/9781789249507.0002
Gaya H, Delaitre J C and Preston T R 1977 Effect of restricted suckling and bucket feeding on the growth rate of calves and on milk yield. Tropical Animal Production 2:284-287
Hernández M, Gabaldón L and Combellas J 1999 Influence of restricted suckling period on milk yield of Bos taurus x Bos indicus cows and liveweight change of calves. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 11, Article #12. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd11/2/hern112.htm
Kälber T, Barth K 2014 Practical implications of suckling systems for dairy calves in organic production systems - A review. Landbauforsch · Appl Agric Forestry Res · 1 2014 (64)45-58. DOI 10.3220/LBF-2014-45-58
Krohn C C 2001 Effects of different suckling systems on milk production, udder health, reproduction, calf growth and some behavioural aspects in high producing dairy cows : a review. Appl Anim Behav Sci 72:271-280
Mai Van Sanh, Preston T R and Le Viet Ly 1997 Effects of restricted suckling versus artificial rearing on performance and fertility of crossbreed F1(Holstein-Friesian x Local) cows and calves in Vietnam. Livestock Research for Rural Development (9) 4:1-8
Mandibaya W, Mutisi C, Hamudikuwanda H and Titterton M 2000 The quantity and composition of milk taken by calves reared by restricted suckling in smallholder dairy farming areas of Zimbabwe. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 12, Article #29. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd12/3/man123.htm
Mejia C E, Preston T R and Fajersson P 1998 Effects of restricted suckling versus artificial rearing on milk production, calf performance and reproductive efficiency of dual purpose Mpwapwa cattle in a semi-arid climate. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 10, Article #8. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd10/1/meji101.htm
Oltenacu, P A and Broom, D M 2010 The impact of genetic selection for increased milk yield on the welfare of dairy cows. Animal Welfare 19(S), 39–49
Paredes L, Capriles M, Parra R and Marquez N 1981 The performance of calves reared by restricted suckling with mothers if high milk production potential. Tropical animal Production 6:368-369
Preston T R 1984 Restricted suckling: effects on cow and calf performance. Maximum livestock from minimum land. Proceedings of the fourth seminar held from 2nd to 4th May 1983 at the Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 54-66. Townville, Australia; James Cook University of North Queensland
Preston T R and Leng R A 1987 Matching ruminant production systems with available resources in the tropics and sub-tropics. Penambul Books: Armidale, New South Wales 2350, Australia, p245
Preston T R and Murgueitio E 1992 Strategy for sustainable livestock production in the tropics. Consultorias para el Desarrollo Rural Integrado en el Tropico (CONDRIT) Ltda, Cali, Colombia, p89
Preston T R, Murgueitio E and Molina C 1995 The restricted suckling component of dual purpose cattle production systems. In: Dual Purpose Cattle Production Research. (Editors: S Anderson and J Wadsworth). IFS- FMVZ, UDY.
Sanh M V, Preston T R and Fajersson P 1995 Effects of restricted suckling versus artificial rearing on performance and fertility of Bos taurus and Bos indicus cows and calves in Tanzania. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 6, Article #29. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd6/3/10.htm
Teeluck J P, Hulman B and Preston T R 1981 Effect of milking frequency in combination with restricted suckling on milk yield and calf performance. Tropical animal Production 6:138-145
Tesorero M, Combellas J, Uzcátegui W and Gabaldón L 2001: Influence of suckling before milking on yield and composition of milk from dual purpose cows with restricted suckling. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 13, Article #5. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd13/1/teso131.htm
Ugarte J and Preston T R 1972a Rearing dairy calves by restricted suckling. 1. Effect of suckling once or twice daily on milk production and calf growth. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science, English edition 6:173-182
Ugarte J and Preston T R 1972b Rearing dairy calves by restricted suckling. 2. Milk production and calf growth as affected by the length of the interval between milking and suckling. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 6:331-336
Ugarte J and Preston T R 1973 Rearing dairy calves by restricted suckling. 3. The effect of reducing suckling frequency to once daily, after the forth week, on milk yield and the growth of calf. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 7:147-154
Ugarte J, Peron N and Preston T R 1974 Rearing dairy calves by restricted suckling. 5. Carcass composition and ruminal development of calves reared by restricted suckling. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 8:211-218
Ugarte J and Preston T R 1975 Restricted suckling. 6. Effects on milk production, reproductive performance and incidence of clinical mastitis throughout the lactation. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 9:15-26
Ugarte J 1977 Rearing dairy calves by restricted suckling. 10. Residual milk in cows suckling or not their calves after milking. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 11:253-262
Ugarte J 1978 Rearing dairy calves by restricted suckling. 11. Performance of calves reared by restricted suckling or with nurse cows supplemented with molasses/urea or concentrates from 1 week of age to 150 kg weight. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 12:17-23
Veitia J L and Simon L 1972 Effect of two restricted suckling systems of calf rearing on milk production and calf growth. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 6:189-193