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Subjective Evaluation of Teat Canal Anatomy¹

Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68503

ABSTRACT

Since radiographic techniques have shown that streak canals with larger diameters tend to milk-out faster and are more susceptible to new intramammary infections, a practical visual test was sought to provide easier determination of cows with either extremely narrow (slow milking) or extra wide (susceptible to new infections) streak canals.

A subjective teat classification scheme was developed to describe five different teat-end shapes in 159 Holstein and Brown Swiss cows in the University of Nebraska dairy herd. Approximately one-fourth of the cattle had pointed or round teat ends, one-half had flat or near flat, and one-fourth were either disk or cone-shaped at the distal end.

The correlation coefficient of repeated observations varied between .67 and .84, generally increasing as the time span between observations shortened. About 40% of variation in future classification scores is unaccounted for by past classification scores and may be the result of human error. I conclude, however, that this teat classification scheme has sufficient repeatability as an aid to selection, especially in springer heifers close to freshening.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as paper 3447, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln.