Livestock Studies 1998, Vol 38, Num, 1     (Pages: 001-023)

Effects of Udder and Teat Measuremenets and teat shape on milk production and milkability in Brown Swiss cows

Ceyhan ÖZBEYAZ 1 ,Necmettin ÜNAL 1 ,Nadi ÇOLAKOGLU 2

1 Ank. Ün. Veteriner Fak. Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
2 Malya Tanm İşletmesi, Kırşehir
- The study was carried out to determine udder and teat measurements and to calculate correlation coefficients between these measurements and milk yield in Brown Swiss Cows at Malya State Farm. Data were recorded from 144 cows aged 3 to 9 years old in two years period.

Udder and teat measurements were analysed in according to lactation numbers and milk production groups in there lactation stages (60 th, 150 th and 240th days of lactation). Udder height tend to be decreased with advancing lactation numbers. The differences among means for rear teat length, rear teat diameter, fore teat diameter, distance of fore-rear teats, distance of rear teats and mammary type scores in different lactation numbers were statistically significant.

305 days milk yield was negatively correlated with udder height, but positively correlated with distance of fore-rear teats and mammary type score in each lactation stages.

The average values for fore and rear teat lengths, fore and rear teat daimeters at 150 th days of lactation were 6.65, 5.40, 2.67 and 2.51 cm, respectively.

It was concluded that effects of teat measurements on milk production were not important, but udder height and mammary type scores significantly affected milk production. Keywords :