Lactation period and drying of cows.
(Edited)
Dear readers, in agricultural ecosystems with a tendency to the production of bovine milk, logically there is the presence of groups of animals discriminated in age groups (calves, mautes and mauts, steers and heifers, cows and bulls), to determine the number of cows, the theoretical maximum that can be milked on the farm must be calculated, this is done by determining the days of lactation that a cow can have, which can be close to 270 days and is divided between 365 days a year, from these results we will obtain the number of U.A in cows that can be in production that would be around 70%, leaving 30% that would be represented by dry cows.
In that sense, there are many advantages that are obtained when the animals are organized into different herds, then, from our point of view and according to the information provided by the producers of our geographical area, we will describe the processes or stages through which a cow goes through in its lactation and drying period.
Let's start by pointing out that cows in production are females whose weight can be between approximately 400 and 450 Kg, they are in milking and from a reproductive point of view they can be in different periods during milk production. The periods mentioned are as follows:
- Cows postpartum: are those that are producing milk and they are in a resting volunteer until the next mating or insemination, according to some colleagues vets this break is due to the uterus of the animal is very large and it takes a period of about 35 to 45 days to pick up the uterus.
- Cows waiting for mounting or insemination: are those that are producing milk, that have already passed the voluntary rest and are waiting for their estrous cycle to be mounted naturally by the bull or artificial insemination.
- Pregnant cows: are those that are physiologically already pregnant and continue to produce milk.
- dry cows: are those that are no longer giving milk, but should be pregnant, drying should be carried out approximately 60 days before calving with the intention that the mammary gland has a rest, preparing it for the next lactation.
According to the aforementioned, the dry cow is one that is in a period where they will not give milk, first of all, to ensure the necessary energy reserves and nutrients necessary to maintain milk production after calving, since, according to Hill and Andrews (2001), during the first weeks of lactation the cow does not consume enough food to maintain a high milk production, so it mobilizes the nutrients retained in its body reserves.
Another reason why the drying period of the cow is important is that it needs the development of the milk secreting tissue in the udder to be restored, if the period is very short less than the aforementioned 60 days, certain tissues may not be restored, milk production is reduced and the animal's health is affected. To carry out the drying process, it can be done radically or progressively decreasing the quality food by supplying lower quality fodder that will help decrease milk production and on the day of drying the last milking is done and a long-lasting antibiotic ointment is placed on the udder nipples.
| Final considerations |
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Dear readers, it could be evidenced in the manuscript, that for milk production cows go through several periods covering the lactation period and the drying period, if the drying period is handled properly it ensures that at the time of calving enough milk is produced to cover the production requirements. All the periods mentioned are important, a thorough follow-up must be carried out in all so that the cow's productive cycle is satisfactory.
| Bibliographic references |
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Luisoni, L. (2010). Animal load adjustment, theoretical aspects and practical recommendations. National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Santa FE Argentina.
Hill, J. and Andrews, A. (2001). Care of the pregnant dairy cow. Editorial Acribia, Zaragoza: Spain.
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I learned again another exciting thing about bovine from you. Does the dry period occur in all ruminants of just the bovine family? Sorry I'm just curious. 😅
Greetings dear @eunoia101, thank you for your valuable question that complements the content soialized in the manuscript.
It is important to highlight that in the article I refer to the drying of the cow as a management practice, which is carried out in advance of childbirth to avoid causing a wear of the animal's udder tissues and thus after childbirth have an udder rested for the new lactation period.
As for whether this management can be carried out in other species of ruminants, I must answer that yes this practice can be applied in species of sheep and goats producing milk.
See you later friend, have a great week.
This is so educative… thank you. But, I’ll like to ask, is there any other factor that could affect production
Hello dear @etemitee, thank you for your valuable comment, it is a question that covers several aspects, but I will try to be as precise as possible.
Going into the topic, it is necessary to mention that livestock production is influenced by many aspects of milk production, taking into account that we are in a natural ecosystem, the climatic factor is one of the elements that can influence production; because for example, in tropical areas if the animals are in the paddocks without any shade from the trees, this could generate a heat stress that influences production.
Genetics and nutrition is another important factor animals of a good genetics need an equated and quality nutrition, therefore, it must be ensured that the forage that is being supplied to the animals is of quality, for that efficient management of pastures must be implemented.
On the other hand, animal health, logically also influences, that's why milking should be done with the best possible hygiene, one of the diseases could be mastitis which consists of inflammation of the udder due to infections.
There are many factors that can influence why in the agricultural sector it is important to keep records of the components of the system, with that we can detect any anomaly that is related to the decrease in production.
So long, have a great week.
Not so long…. I appreciate you taking time to help me understand.
Thank you. Have a lovely week too
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Again, a good balance including rest is what is needed.
Cheers, and thanks again for the nice blog!
Hello friend @lemouth, if to achieve great advances it is not necessary to over exploit the recuses that we have, because they can weaken, which impairs production, in this case the mammary gland needs a break to be able to recover 100% its metabolic conditions for the next lactation period.
So long, have a great week.