Distribution of milk flow in Holstein Friesian and Fleckvieh cows in Croatia

P Mijić,D Kralik,M Domaćinović,I Knežević,M Baban

doi:10.5194/aab-45-341-2002

Abstract

Abstract. The aim was to investigate the distribution of milk flow rate in Holstein Friesian and Fleckvieh cattle. Researches were made in four farms in Eastern Croatia with 534 cows. 2594 tests were made with computer milking equipment, Alfa-Laval and with digital milk flow counter made by Tru-Test Company. The measuring of milk flow rates was done from 50th to 180th day of lactation. Tests showed as expected better results among Holstein Friesian then Fleckvieh cows. The optimal distribution of milk flow rate of Holstein Friesian type was 56.58 % and Fleckvieh was only 38.91 %. The results of the investigation are discussed. The milk flow rate represents an essential performance trait and should be included into the breeding program.

Highlights

A good cow is a synonym for high milk productivity, health and resistance, as well as the rightly developed and functional udder
The results of milk flow rate among Fleckvieh cows were interesting since MFR was faster during the second, but not in third and other lactations (Table 4)
The first and the second lactation had the lowest percentage of milk distribution with fast milk flow rate (FMFR), and the third and the others, with slow milk flow rate (SMFR)

Summary

Introduction

A good cow is a synonym for high milk productivity, health and resistance, as well as the rightly developed and functional udder. The selection of cows with high milk production caused decline in fertility and resistance against many diseases as well as mastitis which is the greatest cause of damage in milk production, both in health and economical sense (ROGERS, 1993; HARMON, 1994; DUDA, 1995; LUTTINEN and JUGA, 1997). Milking is possible to ameliorate through standardization of cow's udder and through the appliance of recent technologies. In this way (DODENHOFF and SPRENGL, 1999; DODENHOFF et al, 1999) and selection might build the most adequate udder for milking. To perform the most important milking parameters it is used: maximal milk flow rate (MMFR), average flow rate (AFR) and the milking time (MT)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion