Various Udder Characteristics and their Relationships with Milk Yield in Simmental Cattle of Kazova State Farm

Authors: Özel ŞEKERDEN, Hüseyin ERDEM, Mustafa ALTUNTAŞ

Abstract: In this research it was aimed to determine various udder characteristics and their relationships with milk yield in Simmental cattle of Kazova State Farm. The study material consisted of data belonging to milk yield and various udder characteristics of 105 Simmental cows. Of 64 cows that were in fourth lactation order in 60 ±15, 120±15 and 180±15 day periods (first, second and third lactation stages respectively) of their lactations various udder measurements (1: the height of rear udder, 2: the length of udder, 3: the height of front udder to ground, 4: the height of rear udder to ground 5: the depth of front udder, 6: the depth of rear udder, 7: the width of front udder, 8: the width of rear udder, 9: the length of front teat, 10: the legnth of rear teat, 11: the diameter of front teat, 12: the diameter of rear teat, 13: the distance of front teats, 14: the distance of rear teats, 15: the distance of side teats) were obtained and determined milk yields belonging to rear and front udder halfs. For teat shape as a total of 105 cows, that were in their first, second, fourth lactation orders, evaluated as subjective in 60 ± 15 day period of their lactations. Partial correlation coefficients that were found significant level statistically between 305-day milk yield and various udder characteristics are given below. r±Sr Character I. lactation stage II. lactation stage III. lactation stage 2 0.497±0.110** 0.332±0.124** 0.479±0.137** 5 0.249±0.123* 6 0.305±0.120** 0.397±0.143** 7 0.403±0.116** 0.334±0.123** 0.337±0.147* 13 0.309±0.148* Partial correlation coefficients that were found significant statistically between milk yield of afternoon milking and udder characteristics are given below. r±Sr Character I. lactation stage II. lactation stage III. lactation stage 2 0.285±0.121 * 7 0.372±0.117** 0.296±0.125* 13 0.291±0.121* In funnel and cylindrical teat shaped cows standardized 305-day milk yield averages determined as 3060±642 and 2898.9 ± 419 kg respectively.

Keywords: Simmental, udder characteristics, milk yield.