Relationships Between Milk Yield and Udder Measurements in Brown Swiss Cows

Authors: MUAMMER TİLKİ, ŞEREF İNAL, MEHMET ÇOLAK, MUSTAFA GARİP

Abstract: The effects of udder and teat measurements on milk yield in Brown Swiss Cows were studied. The differences among the means for front and rear teat length, front and rear teat diameter, front and rear udder height, distance between front teats and mammary type scores in different lactation numbers were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Front and rear teat length, and front and rear udder height after milking were higher than before milking. Front and rear teat diameter, distance between front teats, distance between rear teats and distance between front and rear teats after milking were lower than before milking. Furthermore, 305-day milk yield and milk yield per milking were significantly positively correlated with distance between front and rear teats and mammary type scores before milking (P < 0.001). The mean values before milking for front and rear teat length, front and rear teat diameter, front and rear teat udder height, distance between front teats, distance between rear teats, distance between front and rear teats and mammary type scores at general lactation were 59.45 and 49.72 mm, 22.14 and 21.53 mm, 47.96 and 47.59 cm, 12.29 cm, 7.76 cm, 9.58 cm and 23.65, respectively. In conclusion, teat and udder measurements and mammary type scores significantly affected milk yield.

Keywords: Brown Swiss cow, milk yield, udder and teat measurement

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