Why does a cow give milk? Interesting facts about cow's milk

If you decide to have a cow, you should first find out when the cow gives milk. After all, this good-natured animal is a real nurse. It produces a tasty and healthy product that can be used for your own nutrition or profitably sold in its natural form. Secondary products also have excellent characteristics. It is enough to carry out a simple processing and now we have sour cream, cottage cheese, cheese, butter, yogurt or something else that is no less tasty and healthy. However, the production process does not last forever.

Problems of low milk and dairy-free

Many farmers are faced with a number of diseases that provoke low milk production and milklessness - hypogalactia and agalactia, respectively. They are a consequence of various external factors and changes that the animal’s body undergoes. Signs of the disease appear not only after the onset of lactation, but also before it. There are several types of illness:

• stern;
• artificial;
• climatic;
• operational;
• physiological;
• deposition pathology.

If feed agalactia occurs, then the cow’s body is faced with a deficiency of useful components - vitamins, proteins, minerals. To eliminate the problem, you will need to organize balanced feeding and adhere to a strict food supply schedule. But the artificial type of agalactia is caused by incorrect human actions - changing the regime of keeping the animal, changing the diet, etc. Therefore, any changes should be gradual, for example, changing food, environment, personnel, which will eliminate the manifestation of stress.

Pathology caused by the climatic factor is due to changes in weather conditions, temperature and living conditions. To eliminate problems with health and milk production, it is necessary to keep the cow in a clean, warm, well-ventilated room, but without drafts.

When grazing on pasture, it is important to prevent the animal from overheating in the open space. If a cow is negatively affected by physiological factors, then she may develop agalactia, which leads to udder diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, the appearance of parasites, and general weakness. The consequence is loss of milk. And we should not forget about the need for mobility, the lack of which can provoke loss of milk against the background of other pathologies.

What are the dangers of overeating

Crushed grains are grain particles smaller in size than fine grains. It is a fairly high-calorie food that benefits livestock and is mainly fed to farmers. But, as they say, everything is good in moderation. Indeed, if the farmer overeats cow shreds, a lot of problems await him.

The digestive system of cattle is different from that of humans. A cow has four stomachs:

• scar;
• net;
• book;
• abomasum.

The first three sectors are proventriculuses, the main function of which is to accumulate food, where it is processed by microorganisms, digestion and assimilation of decay products in the body. The food enters the abomasum and is processed by gastric juice, then enters the intestines and exits through the rectum.

This is interesting

However, when there is a lot of food, bacteria are not able to help digest it, which is why the stomach stops working, therefore, gas accumulates (otherwise known as bloating).

Then the following happens: the food in the stomach begins to rot, this awakens the opportunistic microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and all beneficial microorganisms die. Gradually, toxins penetrate the blood and poison the body.

Crushed milk is distinguished by a large amount of carbohydrates, which, if processed incorrectly, release lactic acid. This is how acute lactic acidosis of the rumen occurs, which subsequently destroys the liver.

The condition of the cattle is worsening every hour: it does not eat, constantly lies down, grinds its teeth, has a dry nose, and groans when trying to get up. What to do if a cow has eaten too much grain or feed? You can’t let the problem take its course and hope that it will go away with time. If you do not take action in time and do not contact a veterinarian, the cattle will die within a few days.

Lactation period

The lactation period has three phases:

Colostrum

This is the initial stage after calving and can last from 7 to 10 days. Colostrum contains a lot of nutrients, such as protein, fats, various vitamins, microelements and other nutrients.

It also contains a high concentration of lactobacilli and other additional microorganisms useful for the functioning of digestion.

This is the very first food for the calf, thanks to which it develops immunity to its environment and the opportunity to create additional positive bacteria for the digestive system.

Mastitis

This is an inflammation of the animal's udder. It can occur both in winter and summer, and even during the feeding period of the calf.

Causes and symptoms of the disease. There are many causes of diseases: injuries, wounds to the udder, cracks in the nipples, unsanitary conditions, cold floors, non-compliance with milking rules (before milking, wash the udder with warm water and wipe with a soft cloth), improper starting. The animal may not be allowed to be milked, since the pain and temperature that arise in the udder or part of it can reach up to 41 degrees. Milk is secreted with clots, sometimes with clots of pus. It is better to pour out such milk and not eat it.

Treatment of mastitis in cows

• The treatment process consists of limiting the supply of concentrates, not feeding succulent feed, and reducing the amount of water supplied.
• To completely remove the contents from the udder, you need to milk the accumulated contents at least four times a day, maybe five.
• Be sure to massage from top to bottom, and at the same time squeeze again.
• In order to introduce medications into the udder, you need the help of a veterinarian; doing the procedure yourself is fraught with consequences and can aggravate the course of the disease.

When does a cow give first milk?

On average, the age of a young cow when she is ready to bear offspring is 1.5 years. From this time on, she can already participate in the first mating with the male. If fertilization occurs successfully, after 9 months. the animal calves. In this case, the following features must be taken into account:

1. The production of milk by a cow begins after the first birth. Therefore, taking into account the age at which insemination occurred, she will be milked from 2.8-2.9 years of age.
2. The young cow has not been milked before, so it is necessary to ensure contact of the calf with her udder as quickly as possible. This will allow you to quickly milk the udder. Sucking by the baby helps to develop the mammary gland, and in the future will ensure high productivity.
3. Lactation, which started after the first calving, will continue in the event of a second pregnancy. This can happen within 2-3 months. Such milk can be safely used by humans as a food product.
4. In the absence of re-fertilization, milk is produced, but milk production gradually decreases. Farmers call such a cow a barn cow. Without re-calving, the milk will soon disappear, and a new lactation will require waiting for another fertilization.
5. Maximum lactation productivity is achieved at the age of six years. After this milestone, production volume begins to decline.

The first milking after childbirth is accompanied by the release of yellow milk, characterized by increased fat content. This is colostrum, which is a means of adapting the calf to living conditions outside the mother's body. You will not be able to boil this kind of milk; it will quickly curdle under the influence of elevated temperatures.

Unlike standard cow's milk, colostrum is rich in keratin. Therefore, immediately after milking, the product is similar in taste to cottage cheese, and the taste has notes of milk after boiling.

Advice for beginning farmers

To keep cows for milk, you need:

• choose the right cow;
• prepare the premises (equip with feeders, heating appliances, cleaning products);
• prepare food or choose a place for grazing;
• involve a veterinarian or collect a first aid kit;
• decide whether milking will be done manually or by machine.

In addition, you need to follow the advice of veterinarians:

• get recommended vaccinations;
• treat the skin against bloodsuckers in the summer;
• once every 6-8 months do prophylaxis against helminths;
• donate blood and milk for tests every 10-12 months.

Only after this the cow will feel good and, in gratitude for proper care, will give the owner delicious milk.

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Secrets of “big” milk

As a rule, a cow gives birth to one, less often two, babies. Moreover, her body is designed in such a way that cow’s milk is produced in large quantities. That is, it is enough for both the calf and the owner. You can calculate how much milk a cow can produce per day or per year using simple calculations. But each indicator is individual, and on average the figure varies within 17 liters.

Large farms strive to produce cow's milk in large quantities in order to make a solid profit. In such cases, the following techniques are used.

The calf is not allowed to be near its mother. He is taken away on the first day and placed in a special box and given milk.

As soon as the cattle has calved, the cow's milk is completely expressed or allowed to reach the baby's udder. However, in the latter case, it is important to carefully monitor the condition of the mammary gland.

Cows are milked at least twice, and preferably three times a day. Breaks of six to seven hours between milkings are necessary to fill the udder with milk. But no matter how much time you allocate for this process, the interval should not exceed 10 hours.

Frequent and complete milking stimulates the lactation process, because the cow believes that her baby does not have enough food, and milk yield increases. However, this process is not endless. Each animal has its own productivity limit, which depends on the breed, age, nutrition and some other components.

Animals are covered annually, that is, several months after calving, they are allowed to become pregnant again. A good cow can be milked all year round, but after six months the milk yield drops and then becomes simply meager, which is completely unprofitable. Therefore, a cow is inseminated when her baby is 60-70 days old, and milking is stopped a couple of months before the new birth. During this period, the female’s body has time to rest and gain strength for further highly productive lactation.

Udder care during launch

When preparing an animal for calving, it is important to ensure that its udder is in a healthy condition. The further feeding of young animals, the level of milk yield and the quality of milk will depend on this

If lumps appear in any part of the udder, it is important to seek help from a veterinarian. Lumps and hardening are usually signs of mastitis.

Sometimes this happens, and then the start of the cow is postponed indefinitely, until complete recovery occurs.

To prevent the development of mastitis and other diseases, you need to periodically massage the animal’s udder. Before the procedures, be sure to wash the cow's udder with warm water and soap and wipe dry.

In addition, the hands of the person who will do the massage should also be washed and disinfected. Such measures are necessary to prevent infection from entering the teat canals, which can contribute to the development of udder diseases.

Starting cows at once is the most appropriate method for large farms, where workers are physically unable to cope with the amount of work that arises when it is necessary to start a large number of cows at the same time.

The advantage of this method is the affordable cost of the procedure, which is important for the budget. But many farms continue to practice the old methods of gradually introducing cows, considering it true and time-tested

When engaging in livestock farming, you should take the health of the livestock as seriously as possible, then the profit will be appropriate.

What affects the quality of milk?

The quality of milk produced in the mammary glands is influenced by several factors: feed, cattle care, cow health. Animals are recommended to organize grazing on pasture during the warm season.

During grazing, cows receive complete proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements. Desirable vegetation is leguminous and cereal grasses 15 cm high.

During the grazing period, animal health improves and productivity increases. True, during grazing you need to make sure that the cow does not eat wild radishes, buttercups, rapeseed, rapeseed, and field mustard. These herbs give a bitter taste to dairy products. Vegetables such as turnips, rutabaga, turnips, garlic, onions, fennel, and cabbage degrade the quality of milk. The presence of peppermint in the diet can color dairy products bluish, and ivan-da-marya or maryannik will give a bluish tint. When cattle eat buttermilk, they produce sticky milk.

Feed that is fed to animals all year round affects the quality indicators of dairy products. If cattle are given too much cake, the butter becomes soft and quickly spoils, and the milk is not suitable for making cheese (it does not curdle well under the influence of rennet). For the same reason, it is not recommended to graze animals in swampy areas.

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Soft butter is obtained when animals graze in the meadow, while hay and grain, on the contrary, give this product hardness. As for keeping cattle, if cows are milked in a dirty barn, the milk will pick up the smell of manure.

Competent care to increase milk yield

Among these animals there are also record holders.
For example, one Holstein cow from the USA produced about 32,000 liters of milk per year, and another produced about 28,000 liters of milk. The Russian black-and-white cow produced about 20,000 liters per year. The absolute record for milk yield per day belongs to a cow from Cuba - 111 liters. In second and third places are individuals from Russia - 83 and 79 liters, respectively.

The room in which the animal spends most of the time should be warm, bright, clean and dry. It is necessary to regularly clean and ventilate the barn, making sure that the cow does not refuse to be exposed to a draft. Manure should be kept as far away from the feeding area as possible.

In winter, the barn should be warm, clean and draft-free

It is important to install electric lighting; this will help create normal daylight hours for animals.

Near the barn it is necessary to arrange a grazing pen. The cow will walk in it all day long in favorable weather. In the summer, it is advisable to graze the cow in the pasture. The quantity and quality of milk is directly affected by fresh air and the amount of grass consumed as food.

The animal needs hygiene, regular washing of the genitals and udder, and trimming of the hooves.

Proper nutrition

When creating a menu, you need to take into account the weight of the animal and how much food it can consume in one serving. Overeating and starvation have a bad effect on the quantity and quality of milk.

Preference should be given to roughage (hay, straw), ensuring constant access to them. For balance and saturation with protein structures, grain and mixed feed are given. The latter is also used to improve the taste of milk and increase fat content.

There should be a lot of water. A watering hole is arranged 3 times a day, without restricting the animal in any way - let him drink as much as he wants.

Keeping a dairy cow is expensive and labor-intensive, but many farmers say it's worth it. Natural fresh dairy products, always present on the table, are the best reward.

What factors influence the amount of dairy products

The productivity of dairy cattle is determined at the genetic level and depends on the breed of the animal. The highest milk yields are obtained from dairy cows, representatives of the universal variety give somewhat less, and very little is received from beef cattle. In such animals, milk is used only to feed the young.

Individual characteristics also leave their mark on productivity. Much depends on the shape of the udder and the development of the circulatory system in this organ. To produce a liter of product, about 500 liters of blood passes through the mammary glands. Age-related changes also affect the amount of milk - animals after the fourth calving give more milk than other animals.

Dairy cow

An important role is played by the diet: it is the food that provides the blood with the necessary substances and vitamins. Proper, balanced and varied nutrition directly affects the taste of dairy products.

Of course, milk will be formed without feed, but its absence, just like the shortage, leads to a deterioration in the quality of the product, and the milk yield itself also decreases. During the lactation period, animals are given food according to the norms (this is especially true in the winter period).

Description

Lactation (derived from the Latin lacto - “milk content”, “milk feeding”) is the process of development and accumulation of milk mixture in the udder of female cattle; discharge occurs during feeding or milking.

At home, thanks to humans, cows began to produce more milk and dairy products in general.

Quality and quantity don’t mean anything, because the most important factor is the impact of the environment on the cow’s nutrition.

Therefore, the name lactation period appeared, which implies a certain time interval for receiving milk.

How dairy products are formed

To understand how milk is produced, you need to study in detail a very complex and important physiological process. Education occurs in the udder (mammary gland).

When a signal is received about the need to feed a calf, changes occur at the hormonal level in the body. Prolactin begins to be produced, which is responsible for the formation of colostrum, and then milk. The chemical composition and fat content of milk will depend on the production of thyroid hormones.

There is an opinion that highly productive animals have a lower fat content than cows with average milk yield.

When in the wild, females wean their young from suckling over a certain period of time. When pregnancy occurs, mechanisms in the animal’s body are activated that prepare for the birth of a calf. On private farms, cows have a lactation period of up to 300 days a year. After birth, the animal's milk supply decreases slightly.

FAQ

Many novice farmers often ask questions regarding milk production and cow management in general. Let's look at the most common ones.

Does a cow give milk without a calf?

As noted above, a cow is considered dairy-free until her first calving. Her first and subsequent milkings occur after the birth of the offspring, last about 10 months and end with a new pregnancy.

What is the name of a cow that does not give milk?

A female that does not produce milk is infertile; such animals are popularly called “barren”.

Find out what are the causes and treatment methods for infertility in cows.

The reasons for the trouble may be:

• various diseases of the genital organs (congenital or acquired);
• underfeeding or overfeeding cattle;
• improper living conditions (too high humidity in the barn, too low temperature, cold drafts, lack of proper walking).

It is quite possible to solve the problem of infertility. Initially, you should try to adjust nutrition and care, contact a veterinarian to identify pathology, and then prepare and try to artificially inseminate a barn cow using a special method. If the above manipulations do not work, the animal is usually prepared for slaughter. Did you know? Cow's milk can be used not only as food or drink: it can easily remove fresh ink stains, the product enhances the shine of gilded frames and mirrors, refreshes the appearance of keys, if you add a little product to the bluing solution when washing white curtains, they will look even better.

In good, conscientiously created conditions, any cow can live up to 10 years, but how much quality milk she will produce during all her lactation periods will depend on the specific breed, good nutrition and care.

First milk

The process of obtaining milk from cattle is not easy and requires experience and knowledge. And the first thing you need to do is choose the right non-meat cow. A dairy cow has a weakly defined muscular system, strong but not thick bones, and a wide pelvis. Her front legs are set wide apart and her udder has distinct milk veins. The neck is folded and longer than that of a beef cow, the muzzle is elongated. The skin is beautiful, soft to the touch and easily pulled back on the sides.

Milk production is a consequence of cow lactation

How much milk does a cow give per day?

Experienced livestock breeders know exactly when a cow begins to give milk for the first time, and people far from livestock farming associate this event with the appearance of a calf. Theoretically, yes, the start of receiving milk from a cow occurs after the birth of a mooing baby. The formation of milk is a consequence of a cow's lactation. It reproduces to feed its offspring. If there is no naturally completed pregnancy, then there is no milk! Why? There is no one to feed. At the same time, even if the newborn was taken away immediately, he was born dead or prematurely, it doesn’t matter, because the birth took place, hormones were released, milk was produced, the cow produces milk.

For your information! In some cases, a non-pregnant heifer is milked when her udder is swollen and, of course, there is something to milk. This milk is little like the usual one, as it is sticky and transparent.

In the case of the first milking after birth, the milk is yellow with increased fat content. It is also called colostrum. It is this that helps the calf adapt to life outside the mother. In addition, such milk does not boil, but curdles at high temperatures. It contains more keratin than the usual milk. After milking, the product looks like cottage cheese and tastes like boiled milk.

Behavior

Cow

is a herd animal. Each herd has its own dominant hierarchy, which is formed during clashes between individuals. Once established, it remains unchanged in a given herd. In general, the herd lives amicably and obeys its leader. Domestic cows use special odors and pheromones to communicate with each other. With the help of a developed sense of smell, they distinguish between the emotions of their relatives, especially fear and excitement. Head position is another means of communication. It expresses the animal’s mood (submissive, anxious). The mooing or roaring of cows serves to express suffering (with late milking), hunger, thirst, or the call of a calf or relative.

Cows spend about a third of the day grazing, another third chewing cud, and the rest of the time they rest.

Low milk and dairy free

In veterinary medicine, the phenomenon of low milk production is called hypogalactia, and milklessness is called agalactia. Diseases arise and develop as a result of various influences on the cow’s body and age-related changes within the body. As a rule, they can occur not only when the cow produces milk, but much earlier.

Common types of diseases are:

• stern;
• artificial;
• climatic;
• operational;
• physiological;
• deposition.

When fodder agalactia occurs, an insufficient amount of certain life-giving substances (vitamins, proteins, minerals) is observed in the cow’s body. The solution will be balanced feeding and a strict food supply schedule.

Artificial agalactia is caused by incorrect actions of the owner. Sharp changes in the care of the cow, attitude towards her, change in diet. Therefore, everything needs to be done gradually: switch from one type of food to another, change the staff and environment, and not traumatize the psyche of the ward.

Sudden changes in the cow's care, attitude towards her, or changes in diet can affect milk production

The next type of disease - climatic - is associated with changes in weather, temperature, and living conditions. The room where the cattle is located can be changed: it should be clean, ventilated, but without drafts. Pastures are a little more complicated. Here you can only monitor the weather, reducing grazing in hot weather or increasing the walking time on favorable days.

Note! Everything related to improper care of the cow leads to the occurrence of diseases. Untimely preparation for the milking period, incorrectly determined age for fertilization, lack of breaks in milking before calving are the reasons for little or no milk production.

Agalactia, caused by physiological factors, is accompanied by the occurrence of various diseases. Moreover, these can be not only diseases of the udder (mastitis, cracked nipples, swelling), but also ordinary stomach disorders, pests, general weakening of the body, which can lead to loss of milk.

Movement plays an important role in good milk yield. Therefore, the cow needs frequent walks in the fresh air. Approximately 2-3 hours a day outside the pen is enough for her to have good quality milk.

Important! In practice, low milk yields are rarely caused by one of the problems described above; as a rule, the amount of milk is influenced by several factors at once.

Types of milking machines

Machines are classified according to the types of engines installed. They are divided into equipment with a dry engine and an oil engine.

The difference is that the blades of a dry motor are made of graphite material, which very quickly becomes unusable, and when it works, it creates a lot of noise.

Therefore the price value is very low.

The oil-powered device has blades made of metal material, which move due to special lubricant. There is almost no noise. Durable to use.

The milking machine is classified according to the principle of "smart action" and the characteristics of the working process.

• According to the types of glasses installed, which can include both single- and double-chamber glasses.
• According to the method of milking, use two-act or three-act machines.
• By type of pumps - piston and centrifugal. A pump with pistons can operate without a connected pulsator. It is characterized by its low price and ease of use. A pump based on pulsators works better and produces high-quality milking.
• Milk collection. A household model with a convenient container that can be removed and easily drains the milk. Thanks to advanced production, there are special tubes that can be easily connected to the tank itself.

How to choose?

Today, the world market is rich in various milking machines. They can be distinguished by several criteria - dimensions, equipment and power.

When choosing this device, you should pay attention to how the milk fluid will be collected and how many cows can be connected to one device.

When a farmer chooses one or another device, he needs to rely on certain indicators that are responsible for the technical properties during installation.

It can be individual or group.

Pump types:

• with membranes - used in a small farm, has a low cost and can serve 3 cows, but cannot cope with large load volumes;
• with pistons - has great power, heats up quickly, is very noisy and has an overly compact cylinder;
• with rotors - the work is quiet, the milk is collected quite quickly compared to other options.

Machines are indispensable assistants in human life. The use of technology reduces work time and increases the volume of dairy products.

Don’t be afraid to use the latest technologies, the most important thing is to follow all operating rules, and everything will definitely work out.

It happens that foreign brands of devices can be better than Russian ones, or vice versa. Therefore, you should not focus on the manufacturer; the most important thing is the quality and operational functions of the device.

Inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia)

Young individuals are most often affected. The main cause of the disease is a cold. Aggravates the condition:

• finding the animal in an insufficiently comfortable cold room;
• lack of ventilation;
• poor quality litter;
• lack of vitamin A in feed;
• deprivation of walks.

The first and main sign of pneumonia is a cough. It is accompanied by difficulty breathing. The animal is in a depressed state and has a runny nose. Temperature increased by 2 degrees.

Prevention:

• providing the animal with constant walks all year round;
• in winter, keeping in warm rooms is mandatory;
• changing the bedding to dry (hay, straw).

This is how you can avoid getting this disease. In critical cases, contacting a veterinarian is mandatory.

Subtleties from experienced livestock breeders

When choosing an animal breed to keep, you must seek the advice of experienced farmers. How many liters of milk a cow supplies per day is influenced by the appearance of the heifer and her anthropometric indicators. Cows with the best volume of milk produced by their owner will please:

• an elongated body with depressions on the sides of the abdomen.
• small head and long legs;
• folded skin and thin neck;
• oblique ribs and a flat back;
• smooth clean udder.

Having decided to buy a cow in its first year of life, you need to determine how many shortcomings it has that may affect its performance. Special attention is paid to the appearance of the animal. A heifer will not produce large volumes of milk if the animal has:

• flabby complexion and rough skin;
• narrow head;
• small udder.
• The temperament of the animal is also important. Only a calm cow will not cause problems in maintenance and will please you with milk yield.