Content
The milk productivity of cows in any period of their life is influenced by a combination of factors. Conventionally, factors influencing the milk productivity of cows can be divided into three main groups: genetic, physiological and environmental. Their influence can be positive and negative. A person has direct methods of influencing some levers, but he cannot change others.
Genetic factors influencing milk productivity of cows
Each type of productivity of a living creature can be described by complex mechanisms of interaction between heredity (the same genetic factors) and various environmental conditions.
It is heredity that determines the conditions in which the newborn organism will develop.
As is known, even having the same environmental conditions (we are talking mainly about keeping animals), the formation of physiological characteristics in different individuals is carried out differently, this is due to the characteristics of their genetics.
The variability of hereditary traits that have a direct impact on the milk efficiency of a cow varies in the following ranges:
- milk yield in the range of 20-30%;
- milk fat content – 4-10%;
- the content of protein compounds in the product is 3-9%.
In the long process of evolution, domestic cattle have 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 general family into several breeds based on their characteristics.
The most productive from a biological point of view are considered to be special breeds of “dairy” cows that were artificially bred relatively recently. These include:
- black and motley;
- 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 that belong to new intrabreed types was also noted.
Environmental factors affecting the milk productivity of cows
The most significant environmental factor that affects the milk production of cows is nutrition. Milk yield increases if nutrition:
- balanced;
- protein;
- regular.
Feeding cows sunflower, flax and cotton cakes increases the fat content of milk. To reduce fat content by 0.2-0.4%, hemp, poppy and rapeseed cakes should be included in the cow’s diet. This pattern is explained by the difference in the vegetable oils contained in:
- 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 is the high noise level. It is caused by cars, tractors and mechanisms that often work on a farm.
An increase in milk yield is observed during autumn and winter calvings due to the two-peaked lactation curve, when the first half of lactation is carried out in the stall, and the second - on the pasture.
Udder massage also has a beneficial effect on the milk production of cows. It improves local blood circulation and also stimulates the flow of nutrients to the area. Special attention is paid to milking technique, which can ensure active milk flow and create conditions in the udder that will facilitate subsequent milk secretion. Modern practice distinguishes two methods of milking:
- manual, which involves two quarters of the udder;
- machine treatment, which affects all areas of the udder at once, is considered more effective.
Physiological factors affecting the milk productivity of cattle
Factors affecting the milk productivity of livestock that are of a physical nature include:
- age of the animal;
- duration of feeding;
- pregnancy;
- individual sexual cycle;
- dead wood;
- speed of milk release;
- biological structure of the udder;
- service period.
Cow age. Great importance is paid to the age of the cow at the time when her first calving occurred. Experienced farmers know that early insemination of cows weighing less than 250 kg hinders their growth and physiological development. The consequences of this process include 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 level out their overall performance, but 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 quite a few disadvantages. This is explained by high feed costs and a disproportionately small number of calves and milk, which is absolutely impractical 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 mass. In many countries, the growth of the cow is taken as a fundamental factor, as is the case, for example, with the Holstein breed. For heifers of this breed, readiness for insemination occurs when they reach a height at the withers of 127 cm.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 for the cow to calve at the same time with an interval of 12 months. If the lactation period is shorter than normal, but the dry period is healthy, then the cow produces more milk than with an extended lactation, but the dry period is the same.
Service period, pregnancy and dead wood. According to veterinary reference books, the optimal duration of the service period is from 40 to 80 days. If it takes longer, it negatively affects the milk productivity of cattle. When calculating in kind, 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 no longer than 60. During the first 25 days of pregnancy, when the fetus does not require a large amount of nutrients, the cow’s milk production does not change. Starting from the second half, milk yield decreases significantly, as the need for intensive nutrition of the fetus increases.
Biological structure of the udder. As veterinary practice shows, cows with a tub-shaped or cup-shaped udder have the highest milk productivity. Their milk yield is on average 20% higher than that of heifers with round or primitive udders.
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 converted into milk. In herds, highly productive cows have a live weight that differs significantly from the average.However, there is not always a clear pattern between the weight gain of livestock and the increase in its milk productivity. This relationship works as long as the cow meets the dairy type conditions. Ideally, the milk yield of cows during the lactation period should be approximately 8-10 times greater than their live weight, which is the best confirmation of the dairy type of the cow.
Conclusion
These factors affecting the milk productivity of cows, which are genetic, physiological and natural in nature, are far from the only ones that matter when farming. Milk yield is affected by the life schedule of livestock, its health status, and handling conditions. Rough treatment significantly affects milk production, reducing it by 20-30%.
