Livestock Studies 1998, Vol 38, Num, 2     (Pages: 001-018)

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

Ceyhan ÖZBEYAZ 1 ,Necmettin ÜNAL 1 ,Nadi ÇOLAKOĞLU 2

1 Ank. Ün. Veteriner Fak. Zootekni Anabilim Dalı, ANKARA
2 Malya Tanm İşletmesi, KIRŞEHİR
- The study was conducted to ascertain the effects of teat shape and teat measurements on some important milkability traits (milk yield per milking, milking time and milk flow rate at pm milking). Data originated from 114 Brown swiss cows aged 3 to 9 years old in two years period at Malya State Farm were analysed according to lactation number, milk yield and teat shape (bottle, cylindrical and funnel) at three lactation stages (60th, 150th and 240th days of lactation).

The means of 305 day milk yield for bottle, cylindrical and funnel teat shape groups were 5786.60, 5556.55 and 5276.77 kg, respectively. The average values for the milking time at three lactation stages were 7.35, 6.25 and 5.73 min and differences were statistically significant. Milking time increased as well as lactation number and milk yield.

Lenght and diameter of fore and rear teats were negatively correlated with milk flow rate, but positively correlated with milking time. There were significant positive correlations of milk yield per milking with milk flow rate and milk time. The correlations between 305 day milk yield and milk flow rate at 150th and 240th days of lactation were significant in funnel teat shape groups.

Consequently, milk flow rate increased with milk yield. But, when lenght and diameter of fore and rear teats increased, milk flow rate decreased. Funnel teat shape group was better than the others for some important milkability traits. Keywords :