ORIGINAL PAPER
Milk secretion rate in tropical dual purpose
cows (B. taurus × B. indicus)
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Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia,
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán,
P.O. Box 4-116 Itzimná, Mérida, Yucatán, 97100, México
Publication date: 2006-04-12
Corresponding author
C. A. Sandoval-Castro
Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia,
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán,
P.O. Box 4-116 Itzimná, Mérida, Yucatán, 97100, México
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2006;15(2):179-186
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Cumulative milk volume (CMV) and milk secretion rate were estimated in eight B. taurus x B. indicus
cows. Cows were in peak lactation (~45 days), routinely milked twice a day, supplemented at each milking
with about 3 kg DM in concentrate and grazing star grass (Cynodon nlemfluensis) with the main herd as to
cover the AFRC (1993) energy and protein requirements. CMV and secretion rate were estimated by milking
each cow at 3, 6, 9, 15 and 24 h intervals. Each milking interval measurement was on different days within
the same week. Measurements were performed four times for each time interval in four weeks. Empty
udder volume (EUV) was measured during the 2nd week of the experiment. Five IU i.m. oxytocin was used
both at previous and scheduled milking interval as well as for the EUV measurement to ensure complete
udder emptiness. For 3, 6, 9, 15 and 24 h milking intervals, CMV (L) were 0.38, 0.74, 1.237, 1.69 and
2.40±0.041 per L EUV, while, milk secretion rate (L·h-1) were 0.125, 0.123, 0.137, 0.113 and 0.100±0.004
per L EUV, respectively. A significant relationship was found between milk yield (MY) and EUV
(MY=4.136 (±2.259) + 2.129 EUV (±0.396); R2=0.491). The MY loss as result of having a 24 h milking
interval in comparison with having 15+9 h intervals was on average 17±1.9% (MY=2.69 (± 1.16) – 0.349
MY (±0.071); R2=0.449). Udder productivity of B. taurus × B. indicus cows is similar to dairy cattle. CMV
and milk secretion rate must be taken in consideration when designing milking and restricted suckling
regimes for this type of cattle.
CITATIONS (2):
1.
Fit of Wood's function to daily milk records and estimation of environmental and additive and non-additive genetic effects on lactation curve and lactation parameters of crossbred dual purpose cattle
L. Gradiz, L. Alvarado, A.K. Kahi, H. Hirooka
Livestock Science
2.
Hormone release and behavior during suckling and milking in Gir, Gir × Holstein, and Holstein cows1,2
J. A. Negrão
Journal of Animal Science