Effect of prepartum milking of primigravid cows on mammary gland health and lactation performance

• Published in: Livestock production science Vol. 86; no. 1; pp. 105 - 116
• Main Authors: Santos, J.E.P, Cerri, R.L.A, Kirk, J.H, Juchem, S.O, Villaseňor, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2004
• Subjects: Dairy cows; Heifer; Mastitis; Prepartum milking; Udder edema; Dairy cows; Prepartum milking; Mastitis; Heifer; Udder edema
• ISSN: 0301-6226; 1872-6070
• DOI: 10.1016/S0301-6226(03)00149-0

The objectives were to determine the effects of prepartum milking of primigravid cows on mammary gland health, lactation performance and metabolic parameters during late gestation and early lactation. Primigravid Holstein cows, 267, were assigned to one of two treatments consisting of either three times daily milking or no milking during the last 15 days of gestation. Milk samples were collected for microbiological culture from all prepartum-milking cows at 15 days prepartum, and from all cows at 2 and 28 days postpartum. Udder edema was ‘assessed’ weekly by digital pressure of the udder and at day 2 postpartum by measuring the udder floor area immediately before and after milking. Blood was collected on days −11 and 14, and 4 and 17 days relative to calving for analyses of plasma glucose, β-OH-butyrate, and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA). Prepartum milking reduced udder edema, proportion of cows with positive bacterial isolate in milk, somatic cell count, and incidence of mastitis during the first 135 days in milk. Primigravid cows milked prepartum produced 1.7 kg/day more milk and 1.1 kg/day more 3.5% fat-corrected milk. Plasma concentrations of glucose decreased and of β-OH-butyrate and NEFA increased around parturition, which resulted in a higher incidence of subclinical ketosis for cows milked prepartum.