Effect of Omitting One Milking Weekly on Lactational Performances and Morphological Udder Changes in Dairy Cows

Abstract

The response of dairy cows to omitting one milking weekly was investigated in two successive experiments conducted with Holstein cows milked twice daily. Experiment 1 compared the lactational performances and udder changes in eight cows (31.2 L/d, 201 d in milk) in the 5 wk before and the 5 wk after introducing the suppression of one milking weekly. Milk yield was recorded daily and milk composition twice weekly. Milk partitioning in the udder (alveolar and cisternal milk) and cisternal size (ultrasonography), 8 h after milking, were also measured at the start and the end of the experiment. Although daily milk yield decreased 32% during the experiment (10 wk), linear regression analysis revealed a loss of milk yield of 1.1 L/d (3.7%) as a consequence of the omission of one milking weekly. Milk composition, lactation persistency, and somatic cell count (SCC) were unaffected by milking omission. Milk partitioning in the udder decreased by 38% in alveolar milk volume and showed a tendency to decrease in cisternal milk volume (15%) and cisternal size (7%), as a result of milking omission and advancing lactation. Loss in total milk yield was negatively related with cisternal milk volume (r = -0.77) and cisternal size (r = -0.70) indicating smaller losses in the udders with large cisterns. In Experiment 2, five cows (21.0 L/d, 227 d in milk) previously adapted to the milking omission schedule were used to study the daily effects of milking omission on milk yield, milk composition and udder health during 10 wk. Milk yield and milk composition were approximately constant but SCC increased with lactation stage. The omission of one milking caused an important decrease in milk yield, fat content and SCC on the omission day and a compensatory increase over the following 2 d, but milk protein and lactose did not vary. All variables reached the average weekly value three days after the milking omission (six milkings). In conclusion, under the conditions used, omitting one milking weekly slightly reduced milk yield and did not affect milk composition when healthy cows were used. Milk losses by milking omission depend on udder cistern characteristics; evaluating cistern size by ultrasonography may be a useful tool for choosing cows that are better adapted to a reduced milking frequency.

Relationship between udder morphology traits, alveolar and cisternal milk compartments and machine milking performances of dairy camels (Camelus dromedarius)

“…Although the percentage of cisternal milk obtained in our study at 9-h milking interval was lower than that reported by Ayadi et al (2009) in camels at 24-h milking interval (20 %), Ayadi et al (2003) in cows at 12-h milking interval (30%), and McKusick et al (2002) in ewes at 8-h milking interval (38%), our result was greater than reported by Thomas et al (2004) in buffaloes at 12-h milking interval (5%). Animals that store large amounts of milk in the gland cistern generally produce more milk, milked faster and tolerate extended milking intervals (Knight & Dewhurst, 1994;Ayadi et al, 2003). The relatively small cistern size of camels may impair milk secretion and subsequently the total milk yield especially for late lactation and extended milking intervals (Ayadi et al, 2009).…”

“…Animals that store large amounts of milk in the gland cistern generally produce more milk, and tolerate extended milking intervals (Knight & Dewhurst, 1994;Ayadi et al, 2003). Therefore, studying the pattern of milk accumulation and storage in the udder can help improving the techniques and routines for machine milking in camels.…”

Evolution of udder morphology, alveolar and cisternal milk compartment during lactation and their relationship with milk yield in Najdi sheep

“…Animals that store a large amount of milk in the gland cistern generally produce more milk, milked faster and tolerate extended milking intervals (Ayadi et al, 2003;Castillo et al, 2008). In this study, cisternal milk was positively correlated (p < 0.05) with total milk yield Udder morphology and milk yield in Najdi sheep 1067 during suckling and milking periods, indicating that cisternal size could be used for predicting milk yield in Najdi ewes.…”

Impact of Different Milk Yields on Milk Quality in Bohemian Spotted Cattle

“…A risk of increase of the production disorder was mentioned simultaneously. The necessity of studies on the impacts of the MY increase on cows, their lactation physiology, health status and milk quality is generally on the rise (Sawa and Piwczynski 2002;Ayadi et al 2003;Remond et al 2004;Junqueira et al 2005).…”