Secreted Colostrum Volume, Transition and Mature Milk Outputs After Calving in Holstein Friesian Cows

Abstract

: Colostrum volume after calving, transition and mature milk outputs in the time from 1 st to 10 th milkings were evaluated at 30 primiparous and 30 multiparous cows milked twice daily. Colostrum volume at the first milking after calving varied from 1.5 to 19.2 kg (mean 9.44 ±5.6 kg SD) in multiparous and from 1.2 to 9.8 kg (mean 5.65 ± 2.3 kg SD) in primiparous cows. Timing of the first milking did not negatively influence colostrum volume. Colostrum volume of the second milking decreased over all multiparous and primiparous cows because the period of time between first and second milking was shorter (10.5 hours). The hourly milk outputs increased sharply from the second to the fourth milking in multiparous and primiparous Holstein Friesian cows. Applying a linear regression model we observed a significant large positive relationship between volume of colostrum at first milking and subsequent transition and mature milk outputs from 2 nd to 10 th milkings. A low colostrum volume secreted was identified in multiparous cows, as a results of sorter dry period and in primiparous cows, probably as a result of low secretory capacity of mammary gland. Extended feeding with transition milk can be real health benefits for the newborn calf.