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Technical Note: Calibration of a Simple Udder Volume Measurement Technique

Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, km 15.5 Mérida-Xmatkuil, 97100 Yucatán, México

Corresponding author:
C. A. Sandoval-Castro; P.O. Box 4-116 Itzimna; e-mail:
ccastro{at}tunku.uady.mx.

A simple technique to measure udder volume in dairy cows using aluminum foil was developed and used to characterize empty udder volume (EUV) in a dual purpose herd (Bos taurus x B. indicus). The technique was calibrated by comparing cows’ actual milk yield with the difference between its EUV and full udder volume (FUV). The resulting relationship was: Actual milk volume = 0.718(±0.9568) + 0.954(±0.0775) * (Calculated milk volume), R² = 0.949. In 24 lactating cows, EUV was correlated with calving number and milk yield. Estimated mammary parenchyma productivity was 1.85 ± 0.117 ml/L of EUV. The technique developed is a quick, cheap and yet precise alternative to measure udder volume.

Key Words: udder casting • milk yield

Abbreviation key: A = actual milk volume, C = calculated milk volume, CN = calving number, EUV = empty udder volume, FUV = full udder volume, HBI = high breeding index, LBI = low breeding index, MY = milk yield, weeks = weeks in lactation