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Udder Development in Young Heifer Calves

Department of Animal Production, Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, Laramie

ABSTRACT

A study has been conducted to obtain information on various stages of udder growth of young dairy heifers from 3 to 6 mo. of age. Most of the data obtained were treated statistically in an attempt to evaluate them better.

Highly significant correlation coefficients were obtained for the mean width of front and rear quarters and mean width and length of udders.

Statistical analysis of the relationship between udder size and body weight was found to be more significant at the 4-mo. level for both width and length of udder than at the other ages. These results were interpreted to mean that at the 4-mo. age, size of udder is somewhat dependent on size of animal.

No significant correlation was found between gain in udder size and gain in body weight for any of the age groups. Prom these results it was assumed that gain in body weight was not associated with gain in size of the udder.

The data indicated that the greatest udder growth was made during the 3-to 5-mo. period and slowed up with increase in age.

No significant difference was found between the udder size of small calves and of large calves at the various age levels.

The average width of front and rear quarters compared favorably with averages obtained in the herd of the Bureau of Dairy Industry, Maryland. Average length of udder was found to be considerably lower and may be accounted for by palpating technique or by population differences.

When mammary glands were grouped by size independent of body weight, the data indicate that large calves had larger udders at the 3- and 4-mo. levels but at 5 and 6-mo. of age both groups had udders of approximately the same size. It was concluded that mammary tissue tends to reach a certain growth, independently of body growth, by 6 mo. of age.

¹ The experimental data in this paper are taken from a thesis submitted by the author in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture, 1950.