HOW TO INCREASE THE MILK YIELD OF COWS

Early growth and weight gain are the first factors that can help

Development of calves’ mammary glands and tissue has been widely studied and is typically divided into two phases, the first starting from before birth and ending at three months of age, and the second starting at three months of age and up to six months.

During the first phase the growth of the mammary tissue is similar to the growth of other organs, thus suggesting that an overall increase in body weight can lead to a steady development of mammary glands, similarly to other organs1. Moreover, it has been shown that high protein and energy concentration together with increased feeding and growth rates are associated with greater mammary development, reaching enhanced mammary tissue mass, DNA and RNA2.

Increased development of the mammary tissue at an early age is an indicator of later milk yield. This has been proven by several studies which tested the effects of growth rate and weight in the pre-pubertal stage and up to weaning on later milk production. Several meta-analyses have been performed, collecting data from different studies which looked at the correlation between average daily growth (ADG) and later milk production. A 2005 meta-analysis found that milk yield was increased when ADG reached a rate of 800 grams per day3. A 2013 meta-analysis, which included data from 12 different studies, found that for every kilogram of pre-weaning ADG, milk yield increased by 1.5 kg4.

Additional studies showed that milk yield is not only affected by the pre-weaning growth rate, but also by the weight achieved at weaning. Early studies found that increased nutrition during the pre-weaning period led to increased average daily gain and increased weight at weaning. This was associated with elevated milk production during first lactation5. Moreover, more recent studies have found that weaning weight is genetically related to later milk yield6 and is an optimal predictor of later milk production7.

The significant impact that both ADG and weaning weight have on milk yield highlights the importance of calves’ nutrition from birth and up to the weaning stage. Allowing calves to receive a rich diet from birth is a fundamental step not only for a healthy development, but also for the animal’s future ability to provide high milk yields at earlier stages.

Halavit is a long-lasting company that uses advanced technologies to process milk replacers for young mammals that allow for a rich and healthy diet from birth, providing all necessary nutrients. The final products undergo strict quality control and assurance. Halavit’s accumulated experience and knowhow, its constant development of innovative products of the highest quality, comprehensive response to diverse needs, and fast and dedicated service are the foundations on which the company is built.

The milk replacers produced for all animals are made under food safety standards, and are made with the highest expertise in order to make sure that young mammals receive the necessary nutrients in an optimal way, for a stable growth and development. The milk replacers include the highest level all-natural ingredients and a variety of products with rich formulas, including milk proteins, high quality fats, and other needed ingredients such as probiotics, prebiotics, coconut oil and more.

Contact us for more information on Halavit’s milk replacers, and learn more on how to provide calves with the optimal diet, allowing for a healthy development and enhanced average daily growth in order to reach increased weaning weight for an elevated milk yield in the future. 

References:

1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12416813/

2 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030205727223

3 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002203020573071X

4 https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/91/2/706/4702744

5 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9361224/

6 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731117001483

7 https://newprairiepress.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2042&context=kaesrr

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