Effects of Age, Calving Season and Specific Gravity of First Milking Colostrum on Milk Components and Somatic Cell Count in Early Lactation Anatolian Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Cows

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the milk components and somatic cell count (SCC) of Anatolian buffalo cows at different stages of lactation (days 15th, 30th, 45th and 60th of lactation) by determining the effects of the age of the cow, calving season and specific gravity of colostrum (SGC) on these milk quality traits. The experiment was conducted using 62 healthy lactating primiparous and multiparous Anatolian buffalo cows at two private farms in Samsun, Turkey. The SGC values at the second hour (first milking) after birth were measured using a colostrometer, and the milk components were analysed using a milk analyser. In addition, the SCC in milk was measured with a portable cell counter. The data are divided into three groups: age (≤80 mo and >80 mo), calving season (Spring and Summer) and SGC (

Some Welfare Assessment Traits and Quantitative-Qualitative Milk Parameters as Affected by Supplementary Feeding at Milking and Parity in Anatolian Buffalo Cows

“…In addition, Antanaitis et al [ 30 ] noted that older Holstein cows have a calmer milking temperament compared to younger cows. The impact of parity on quantitative−qualitative milk parameters was quite variable, as observed in the literature; Verma et al [ 49 ] did not determine significant changes in these parameters, as in our study, while others observed an increase in milk components and milk yield [ 50 , 51 ]. The efficiency of the milking process in buffaloes is more affected by anatomical factors, especially teat morphology [ 26 ], and physiological differences are found between these species than between dairy cattle [ 43 , 52 , 53 ].…”