Before purchasing a cow for milk production, experienced farmers check how many teats the cow has. Experts pay attention to the appearance of the udder and the method of attachment. Having a large udder does not guarantee high milk yield. Choosing a reliable animal supplier that guarantees good heredity of cows is of great importance. After all, the future fate of the livestock farm depends on this.
Cow udder shape
The udder of cattle is located in the groin area. It includes two abdominal lobes and two femoral lobes. Proper care of livestock, feeding, and milking twice a day lead to an increase in milk production.The suitability of a cow for machine milking is determined by the type and size of the udder.
The size of a heifer's mammary glands increases by the 2nd month of lactation. Over time, they decrease and productivity becomes less. The size of the udder increases, and by the seventh lactation the shape is formed. As they age, the udder withers.
The following types of udder are distinguished in cattle:
- The bath is ovoid, wide, deep and elongated.
- The bowl is characterized by an oval shape and has a large volume.
- The funnel has a rounded appearance, tapering towards the bottom. The mammary glands are located close to each other.
- The goat is characterized by underdeveloped abdominal lobes, the posterior lobes droop.
- The primitive one has a hemispherical shape and large nipples. The primitive form indicates insufficient care for the animals.
How many teats does a cow have
The number of teats on the udder does not affect the process of manual milking. This question arises when using a milking machine. The device contains four cups, so the third pair of nipples will be superfluous. The correct structure of the animal includes 4 nipples. The presence of additional organs or an insufficient number of them is not uncommon. A well-developed udder contains 5 or more nipples. The glands may function fully or be underdeveloped. The presence of three teats in a cow is considered abnormal and makes milking difficult.
It was believed that having extra boobs was sign of a dairy cow. But experienced producers say that this leads to the development of mastitis. Sometimes the main nipples grow together with the accessory nipples, the cistern of the appendix narrows, and milk flow becomes more difficult.
Accessory organs are a hereditary trait, transmitted through the maternal and paternal lines. Before purchasing, the cow should be thoroughly examined for additional shoots. Reliable livestock producers offer flawless animals.
Capacity Definition
Milk is constantly produced in the mammary glands, and is excreted during milking or feeding the calf. After filling the alveoli and small ducts, the milk secretion accumulates in the cistern. Intraudder pressure affects the capacitance characteristics of the udder. The tone of the walls and the amount of milk depend on the pressure.
When the pressure in the capillaries is compared with the intraudder pressure, the process of milk formation stops.
Highly productive cows fill the tanks to 90% 12 hours after milking. The large organ allows you to increase the time between milkings without reducing the amount of milk produced. The maximum one-time milk yield depends on the capacity of the tanks and the age of the cow. Capacity is determined according to the following table:
| Indicators | Cow age (lactation) | ||
| 1 | 2 | 3 or more | |
| Daily milk yield, kg | 15,0 | 21,66 | 23,64 |
| Tank capacity, kg | 8,71 | 12,27 | 13,74 |
| Tank Filling (%) | 56-58 | 56-57 | 58-59 |
With frequent stimulation of the nipples, oxytocin is produced, the pituitary gland is stimulated, and hormones are released that trigger the milk production process. Proper feeding during triple milking allows you to increase milk yield:
| Daily milk yield, kg | Increase in milk, % |
| 10 | 3-5 |
| 15-20 | 7-8 |
| 25-30 | 20-30 |
Most desirable udder shape
When choosing a cow, a thorough examination of the udder takes place. The goat form does not produce high milk yields. The milking machine is not suitable for it, and manual milking is difficult. Cows with an underdeveloped or primitive appearance are also not suitable for milk production.In a funnel shape, milk is not evenly distributed among the lobes, which makes the milking process difficult.
Bath-shaped and cup-shaped shapes are most preferred. Such forms have spacious tanks, good capacity, and are suitable for machine and manual milking. The cup-shaped lobes are evenly filled with milk, and the udder is conveniently placed on the belly.
