HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Elliott, C. S. Articles by Graf, G. C. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Elliott, C. S., Jr. Articles by Graf, G. C.

Milk Flow Rates of Individual Quarters of Dairy Cows

Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

ABSTRACT

Twenty-four lactating Holstein cows were used to obtain milk flow rates at 60-second intervals for an adjustment of 7 days and an experimental period for 21 days. Treatments consisted of (a) controls which were milked by recommended milking practices; (b) a 5 min delay between milk letdown and application of teatcups; (c) removal of the teatcups 4 minutes after application; and (d) intramuscular injection of 20 USPU of oxytocin prior to teatcup application.

A 5-minute delay between stimulation of the udder and application of the milking machine decreased maximum flow rates during 60 seconds at which maximum flow occurred and quarter milk yields. The 4-minute milking reduced time to reach maximum flow and quarter milk yields, and post-treatment residual milk yields were greatly increased. Twenty USPU of oxytocin injected intramuscularly reduced maximum flow rates and times at which maximum flow occurred, and decreased post-treatment residual milk yields.

For all treatments correlation coefficients were positive between maximum flow rates and milk yields.