Lactation period in cows: timing, phases and feeding

Season

The time of year also affects the quality and quantity of milk.

in winter

How many liters of milk a cow gives per day in winter directly depends on the quality of the feed. Since there are fewer vitamins and other nutrients supplied in cold weather, milk yield will therefore be reduced. The average is 12 liters per day.

A lot of milk can only be obtained from a cow that calves in the fall. However, for this it is also necessary to provide her with appropriate conditions.

In summer

In the warm season, animals saturate the body with natural vitamins, proteins and beneficial microelements. This helps to increase milk yield. The average is 20 liters per day.

The best dairy breeds

Dairy cows are the leaders in efficiency and productivity among all milk-producing animals . Unlike beef cows and other animals, dairy cows produce the largest volume of milk per unit of live weight per lactation.

Black-and-White breed
The Black-and-White breed of cows is the most common breed in Russia. Black-and-white cows account for about 53% of the total number of Russian dairy cattle. Cows of this breed are characterized by a cup-shaped, asymmetrical, large udder with close rear teats (udder index - 43-45). The milk flow rate is approximately 1.2-1.4 kg/min. The height of the animals at the withers is 130-132 cm, and the weight is 470-1000 kg (bulls are larger than heifers). The average annual milk yield of breeding cows depends on the feed used during rearing and is equal to 5500-8500 kg (fat content - 3.4-4.15%, protein share - 3.0-3.4%).

Holstein breed
The Holstein breed of cows was bred in North America (date of official registration - 1983). Representatives of the breed are black-and-white, previously red-and-white was also allowed, but today it has already been separated into a separate breed. The Holstein breed is characterized by irregularly shaped markings, usually located on the lower part of the body. The height of the animals is about 140-145 cm at the withers. Live weight depends on gender - 1000-1250 kg. The vast majority of cows of this breed have cup-shaped udders. For one milk yield, cows produce 30 kg or more of milk with a yield rate of 2.5 kg/min. The fat content of milk is usually 3.5-3.96%, the proportion of protein is no more than 3.6%. The Holstein cow breed is widespread in the USA, Canada and Israel.

Ayrshire breed The Ayrshire breed of cows originates in Scotland (18th century). Cows of this breed are predominantly red and white. They have a typical “milk” exterior: an elongated body, a medium-sized head, a thin neck, a strong structure, correctly positioned limbs, and a developed cup-shaped udder (index - 46-48). The teats on the udder are widely spaced. The average weight of cows is about 480 kg, bulls - 800 kg. The average rate of lactation is 2.0 kg/min. The average annual milk yield of Aishir cows is high and amounts to 6000-7000 kg (fat - 3.8-4.3%, protein - 3.4-3.8%). The Ayrshire breed of cows is common in most European countries, the USA, Russia and Canada.

Jersey breed The Jersey breed of cows was bred on the small island state of Jersey. As a rule, animals of this breed are brown or fawn. Distinctive features of Jersey cows are incorrectly set hind legs, a long body, a deep chest with a dewlap, a thin neck with many folds on it, a wide forehead and flat ribs. The average annual milk yield, in comparison with other breeds, is average (4300-5700 kg), but the fat content is much higher. Its average is 5.34%, but it can be up to 7%. The proportion of protein is about 3.7%. The Jersey breed of cows has become widespread in developed countries of the world.

Kostroma breed

The Kostroma breed of cows belongs to the Dairy and Meat direction of productivity. At the end of the nineteenth century, the local livestock of cows in the Yaroslavl province began to be improved with bulls of the Schwyz and Allgau breeds. The weight of an adult Kostroma breed cow is 500-650 kg, some reach 800 kg; bull weight – 800-950 (sometimes up to 1000-1200) kg. The weight of newborn calves is about 40 kg, the weight of one-year-old calves is 260 kg, and at one and a half years - 350-400 kg. The growth rate of calves is 1300 g. per day. Slaughter yield – 61-65%. Meat yield – 83%. Meat quality is good. Milk productivity is 3900-5000 kg on average, with a fat content of 3.5-3.9%, the best cows produce up to 7000 kg of milk, with a fat content of 4.18-4.19%.

Red steppe breed

It gained recognition as an independent breed only at the beginning of the 19th century. The average size of animals is: height at the withers - 126-129 cm, oblique body length - 152-156 cm, chest depth - 66-68 cm, chest width - 37-42 cm, pastern girth - 17-19 cm. Round, good developed udder with cylindrical nipples. An adult cow weighs 500-650 kg. The milk productivity of the red steppe breed largely depends on the climatic zone. The average productivity is 4000-5000 kg during lactation, milk fat content is 3.6-3.7%, protein content is 3.20-3.58%. Slaughter yield – 53%.

The most popular dairy cattle breeds in the world:

• Red Danish;
• Montbeliardskaya;
• Norman;
• Kholmogory breed;
• Yaroslavskaya;
• Ayrshire;
• Brown Swiss;
• Red steppe;
• Kostroma breed;
• Simmental;
• Black-and-white;
• Tagilskaya;
• Red-motley;
• Holstein;
• Jersey (Jersey);
• Istobenskaya;
• Red Holstein;
• Finnish.

Comparative average characteristics of various dairy cow breeds

How to feed cows during lactation?

For milk to be of high quality, a huge amount of blood must pass through the cow’s udder, which contains nutritional elements enriched with additional vitamins.

Therefore, a balanced diet rich in quality substances during the lactation curve is considered a huge guarantee of high productivity of cattle and long-term feeding of the calf.

The cow is transferred to individual nutrition, that is, to a diet.

Let's consider several types of feed:

• wet food - the composition includes succulent food enriched with pieces of root fruits, or it can be all kinds of waste that is found in the food industry;
• semi-moist food is roughage based on herbs, which is preserved in an airtight container, containing special concentrates and additives to increase the productivity of the animal;
• roughage is hay, which contains various field and meadow grasses;
• food based on dry nutrient mixtures - this includes special feed granules, which contain concentrated nutritional elements, where the base is grass meal;
• concentrated feed - grain fruits, for example, corn, millet and other crops;
• vegetable feed – fruits of vegetables, as well as root vegetables.

Before introducing one or another complementary food into an animal’s diet, you need to take into account its weight and productive functions of the body, and, of course, age affects the amount of dairy products produced.

For every 100 kilograms there should be half a feed unit. If you do not provide the required amount of feed, the cattle’s body will be depressed, that is, starvation will begin.

Feeding frequency

Experienced farmers and veterinarians agree that a lactating cow should eat 3 times a day. This is the best option for important purebred cattle.

If a cow is from a highly productive breed, and she produces more than 5 thousand liters of milk in one year, then there will be very little nutrition. Therefore, additional foods are introduced into the diet, which will provide 4 or 5 meals a day.

Don’t forget to follow these tips to increase the absorption and effectiveness of bait:

• mix root vegetables with the succulent feed mixture;
• upon completion of milking, the cow should be given concentrated, dry or semi-moist feed;
• Moisture-cured bait is needed in large quantities.

Productivity shift

Most often, when a cow begins to produce less milk, the owners of the animal themselves are to blame . Excessive overfilling of the udder leads to compression of the vessels in it, and hence a sharp decrease in daily milk yield. To prevent this from happening, you need to milk the cow only at a strictly defined time, developing a reflex in her.

Also, when indicators decrease, it is recommended to increase the number of milkings from two to three times, which will free up space for the formation of new milk. Milking three times must also be practiced when milk leaks spontaneously.

It is important to express the udder every time to the last drop, since it is the lower milk that is the fattest, and if left, provokes the formation of mastitis. The remaining milk also burns out, slowing down the production of subsequent milk.

Life in production is more difficult and shorter

On farms, how long cows live depends on the purpose of their raising, breed and productivity. Thus, representatives of dairy breeds (for example, Holstein and Aishir) can live much longer than meat breeds. The point here is not that the latter will be sent to slaughter earlier, it’s just that the organisms have different endurance.

Also, cows that show consistently high milk yields go to meat later. No explanation is required here, because it is clear that keeping such an animal is profitable.

A major factor influencing how long a cow lives on a farm is overcrowding. When there are many animals in one room, there is always a high risk of the spread of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In addition, almost all livestock receive the same feed, which may be contaminated or simply of poor quality. In the latter case, animals suffer from digestion. Even if good conditions for keeping cattle are maintained, not a single herd is insured against diseases. But on farms, it is not uncommon for a disease outbreak to kill many cows.

In general, the lifespan of a cow in production can be only 6-7 years. The fact is that after several calvings, the intensity of lactation decreases, and then the cattle are sent for fattening and slaughter.

But, of course, there are exceptions. On some advanced farms, cattle live for quite a long time.

What does life expectancy depend on?

Like any living creature, a cow is affected by a number of factors that can lengthen or shorten its life:

• climate;
• country of residence, terrain (presence of nearby swamps, altitude);
• diet;
• conditions of detention;
• genetic characteristics of cattle, past diseases.

An important factor is also the love of the owner or staff (if the animals are on the farm). Affectionate treatment and a kind attitude mean a lack of stress and a positive atmosphere. Cows do not feel threatened, which means they sleep peacefully, eat better, give more milk, and their life expectancy increases.

By the way, on farms in Israel, where cows live the longest and most productively, great attention is paid to creating a positive environment. Calm, melodic music is regularly played for the animals. Each person receives an individual approach.

Milk production records

Good nutrition and quality care ensure record milk production.

Among the record-breaking cows the following are known:

• a representative of the Holstein breed (cow Juliana from the USA) produced 30,805 liters of dairy product in 2004;
• the above-mentioned breed was also mentioned in 1994, when the Bel Jar cow produced 27,388 liters of milk product;
• in 1973, 19,106 liters of milk were obtained from a Black-and-White cow;
• back in 1941, a representative of the Yaroslavl breed gave more than 8 buckets of milk a day.

Love your little cow, give her enough good food and give her your care. For this she will thank you with a tasty and healthy product.

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.

This is an unusual food for the human diet, as it has an unpleasant and unusual taste.

After the birth has passed, the cattle need to recover, so for the first few days the diet includes roughage, and after 4 or 5 days you can switch to combined, wet or semi-moist food.

Normal milk

Adopts a classic composition, a different consistency and taste. The duration of this phase takes from 190 to 280 days, the amount of milk always changes, there are no identical indicators.

In the first months, a cow can produce up to 15 liters of milk per day per day, but then over time the amount of milk fluid decreases.

When the colostrum has passed, the cow needs increased feeding.

This includes roughage, wet and semi-moist, concentrated feed. You can also add root fruits and food based on dry nutritional mixtures - they increase lactation.

Old milk

Formed at the end of the lactation period. May last from 7 to 10 days. Leukocytes and proteins increase significantly, and acidity decreases significantly.

This milky liquid is of very low quality, so it is not used in food production. At this stage, the cattle are transferred completely to dry food, to which vegetables and root vegetables can be added.

A cow can produce milk for 9 to 10 months a year, while she remains alone 2-3 months before giving birth. During this period, she rests and gains strength to give birth to a calf. Bitter tastes predominate in the milk, so milking stops.