Contents
The milk productivity of cows in any of the periods of her life is influenced by a combination of factors. Conventionally, the factors affecting the milk productivity of cows can be divided into three main groups: genetic, physiological and environmental. Their influence can be positive or negative. A person has direct methods of influence on some levers, but he cannot change others.
Genetic Factors Affecting Dairy Production in Cows
Each type of productivity of a living being can be described by complex mechanisms of interaction between heredity (those same genetic factors) and various environmental conditions.
It is heredity that determines the conditions under which a newborn organism will develop.
As you know, even with the same environmental conditions (we are talking mainly about keeping animals), in different individuals the formation of physiological characteristics is carried out in different ways, this is due to the peculiarities of their genetics.
The variability of hereditary traits that have a direct impact on the milk efficiency of a cow fluctuates in the following ranges:
- milk yield in the range of 20-30%;
- fat content of milk – 4-10%;
- the content of protein compounds in the product is 3-9%.
In a long process of evolution, domestic cattle has acquired many biological and economic qualities that are highly valued by farmers. Their list also includes effective milk production, as well as the ability to produce high-quality milk. This allowed biologists to differentiate this common family into several breeds based on their characteristics.
From a biological point of view, special breeds of “dairy” cows, which were artificially bred relatively recently, are considered the most productive. These include:
- black-and-white;
- Dutch;
- red steppe;
- Holstein;
- East Frisian and many others.
According to the conclusions of V.A. Kintsel (candidate of agricultural sciences), the milk productivity of cows is directly dependent on various genotypic factors. An increase in milk yield of cows, which belong to new intrabreed types, was also noted.
Environmental Factors Affecting Dairy Productivity of Cows
The most significant environmental factor that affects the milk productivity of cows is nutrition. Milk yield increases if nutrition:
- balanced;
- protein;
- regular.
An increase in the fat content of milk is facilitated by feeding cows oil cake from sunflower, flax and cotton. To reduce fat content by 0,2-0,4%, hemp, poppy and rapeseed meal should be included in the cow’s diet. This pattern is explained by the difference in the contained vegetable oils according to:
- quantity;
- composition;
- properties;
- quality.
As for the conditions of detention, the quantity and quality of milk produced is influenced by factors such as:
- temperature;
- gas saturation;
- humidity.
Among the negative factors, one can single out a high level of noise. It is called by machines, tractors and mechanisms that often work on a farm.
An increase in milk yield is observed during autumn and winter calving due to the two-peak lactation curve, when the first half of lactation is carried out in the stall, and the second – on the pasture.
The milk production of cows is also favorably affected by udder massage. It improves local blood circulation and also stimulates the supply of nutrients to this area. Special attention is paid to the milking technique, which is able to provide active milk flow and create conditions in the udder that will contribute to the subsequent secretion of milk. Modern practice separates two methods of milking:
- manual, which involves two quarters of the udder;
- machine, which affects all parts of the udder at once, is considered more effective.
Physiological factors affecting the milk production of cattle
Factors affecting the milk productivity of livestock, which are of a physical nature, include:
- the age of the animal;
- duration of feeding;
- pregnancy;
- individual sexual cycle;
- dead wood;
- milk ejection rate;
- biological structure of the udder;
- service period.
Age of cows. Of great importance is the age of the cow at the time when her first calving occurred. Experienced farmers know that with early insemination of cows weighing less than 250 kg, their growth and physiological development is inhibited. From the consequences of such a process, one can single out the gradual grinding of cows, due to the birth of small calves, as well as a decrease in dairy production. When milking, such cows are able to equalize the overall performance, however, losses on the dairy product during lactation periods are not compensated. That is, high milk yields can be expected, but after a while and at a more mature age.
Late insemination of cows also has enough disadvantages.. This is due to high feed costs and a disproportionately small number of calves and milk, which is absolutely inappropriate from an economic point of view. As a rule, late insemination of heifers occurs due to improper conditions for keeping them at a young age.
Ideally, the first insemination should be carried out between 16-18 months after the birth of the animal. Moreover, they rely not only on his age, but also on animal weight. In many countries, the height of the cow is taken as a fundamental factor, as, for example, in the case of the Holstein breed. For heifers of this breed, readiness for insemination occurs when a height at the withers of 127 cm is reached. It is growth that determines the ease and simplicity of calving better than any other physiological indicators of the animal.
Duration of lactation. On average, the normal feeding period is 305 days. A longer period is typical for late fertilization of cattle after calving. It is desirable to calve a cow at the same time with an interval of 12 months. If the lactation is shorter than normal, but the dry period is healthy, then the cow gives more milk than with an extended lactation, but the same dry period.
Service period, pregnancy and dead wood. According to veterinary reference books, the optimal length of the service period is from 40 to 80 days. If it takes longer, then it negatively affects the milk productivity of cattle. With a natural calculation, on average, a farmer loses up to 15% of milk during a long service period.
In turn, the dry period should last at least 50 days, but not longer than 60. During the first 25 days of pregnancy, when the fetus does not require a lot of nutrients, the cow’s milk production does not change. Starting from the second half, milk yields are significantly reduced, as the need for intensive nutrition of the fetus increases.
The biological structure of the udder. As veterinary practice shows, cows with a bath-shaped or cup-shaped udder have the highest milk productivity. Their milk yield is on average 20% higher than that of heifers with a round or primitive udder.
Animal weight. Large cows, provided they are well fed and maintained, show higher milk yields. This is due to their ability to consume more feed, which is quickly processed into milk. In herds, highly productive cows have a live weight that differs from the average to a large extent. However, there is not always a pattern between the weight gain of livestock and an increase in its milk production. This relationship works as long as the cow satisfies the milk type conditions. Ideally, the milk yield of cows during lactation should be approximately 8-10 times their body weight, which is the best confirmation of the dairy type of the cow.
Conclusion
These factors that affect the milk production of cows, which are genetic, physiological and natural in nature, are far from the only ones that matter in farming. Milk yield is influenced by the life schedule of livestock, its state of health, as well as handling conditions. A rough ratio significantly affects milk production, reducing it by 20-30%.
