BRIEF COMMUNICATION: The effect of re-milking following extended non-milking periods on lactation in dairy cows

摘要

In dairy cows, the cessation of milk removal for extended periods, such as drying-off, initiates the process of mammary gland involution. This results in a decline of mammary secretion and changes in secretion composition. Morphological changes in themammary gland occur within the first week of non-milking, with extensive re-modelling by the third or fourth week. However, many alveolar structures are retained (Hurley 1989). Thus, involution may be reversible following extended non-milking periods (Noble & Hurley 1999). Milk yield is fully restored by re-milking following seven days non-milking (Dalley & Davis, 2006), but is only partially recovered following an 11 day non-milking interval (Noble & Hurley, 1999). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of extended non-milking periods in pasture-fed cows on recovery of milk yield and composition.