Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-2pzkn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-01T18:32:09.568Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Milking ability in relation to size and shape of teats

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

E. Ovesen
E. Ovesen
Affiliation:
Department of Cattle Experiments, National Institute of Animal Science, Rolighedsvej 25, 1958 Copenhagen V, Denmark
Get access

Summary

Length and diameter of teats were measured on first-lactation cows at Danish progeny testing stations. The cows were also classified into four groups according to shape of teat and teat tip. All traits were corrected for yield level and interval after calving and correlated with milking characteristics. The conclusions drawn were:

1. Teat length influences both average rate of milk flow and yield on hand stripping. The most satisfactory milking is obtained in cows with short teats. In Red Danish, Black and White Danish and Jersey cows, respectively, desirable length of fore teat is ≤ 6, ≤ 6, and ≤ 5 cm, and of rear teat about 1 cm shorter.

2. Teat diameter is of no significant importance to average rate of milk flow, but yield on hand stripping is most satisfactory when the diameter is ≤ 2·4 cm.

3. Teat shape must be very extreme before an adverse influence is recorded on average rate of milk flow and yield on hand stripping.

4. The milking characteristics of cows are correlated with shape of the teat tip. The highest rate of milk flow and the lowest yield on hand stripping is found in cows with flat and concave teat tips.

5. A relationship exists between teat length and the shape of the teat tip, and partial correlation coefficients show that of the teat traits investigated the most important factor affecting average rate of milk flow is the shape of the teat tip whilst teat length—similar to the effect of teat diameter—is of greater importance to the yield on hand stripping. Investigations into the possible consequences for udder health must, however, be conducted before selection for a special shape of the teat tips is introduced.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , December 1972 , pp. 251 - 257
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1972

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Andreae, U. 1958. Measurements of the teat canal of cows to determine the ease of milking. Z. Tierzucht. ZuchtBiol. 71: 289–298.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hickman, C. G. 1964. Teat shape and size in relation to production characteristics and mastitis in dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 47: 777–782.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Johansson, I. 1957. Investigations into the variation in shape of the udder and teats of cows. Z. Tierzucht. ZuchtBiol. 70: 233–270.Google Scholar
Johansson, I. and Malven, P. 1960. The influence of yield, udder pressure, size of teats and of the teat orifice on the rate of milking. Z. Tierzucht. ZuchtBiol. 74: 1–13.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Loppnow, H. 1959. Influence of teat structure on milking ability. Dtsch. tierdrztl. Wschr. 66: 88–97.Google Scholar
Nielsen, E., Nielsen, A. and Vesth, B. 1968. Progeny testing of sires. XXII. 255 pp. 361st report from The National Institute of Animal Science. Copenhagen.Google Scholar
Ovesen, E. 1970. Investigations into morphological characteristics of udder and teats in first lactation cows. 148 pp. Diss. Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen.Google Scholar
Politiek, R. D. 1962. Teat length and milking ability. Veeteelt en Zuivelberichten, 5: 411–415.Google Scholar
Sandvik, Q. 1957. The influence of size and shape of udder and teats on milk yield and milking characters in cows. 11 pp. Meld. Norg. LandbrHogsk, No. 36.Google Scholar
Schlolaut, W. 1957. Problems in judging the conformation of the udder. Tierzucht, 11: 397–399.Google Scholar
Venge, O. 1963. Investigations of milking characteristics in Swedish Red and White Cattle. K. LantbrHogsk. Annlr 29: 187–214.Google Scholar
Wilke, G. 1960. Milking characteristics, their dependence on the udder shape and their influence on the lactation curve. Diss. Z. Tierzucht. ZuchtBiol. 74: 48–86.CrossRefGoogle Scholar