Effects of Milking Temperament on Milk Yield, Udder Health and Milk Composition in Crossbred Jersey Cows

Abstract

The aim of study was to investigate the effects of milking temperament on milk yield; milk ability and udder health in Jersey crossbred cows. The experiment was conducted on Jersey crossbred cows (N=94) maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal. Temperament score (TS) of cows was assessed in 5 points scale (1-docile, 5-aggressive). Calmer cows (TS-1&2) comprised of relatively higher (75.24%) proportions and none for TS-5. Milk yield (kg)/day of TS-1cows was significantly (P<0.01) higher (11.19±0.14) compared to TS-2, 3 & 4(7.50±0.11, 5.30±0.14 and 4.13±0.77, respectively). Milking durations, exit score, flight speed and milk flow rate gradually declined as TS increased from 1 to 4. Cows with TS-1 had higher (P<0.01) milk fat, solids not fat and protein% compared to TS-4. Somatic cell counts did not differ significantly with TS. The temperament score was positively correlated (P<0.01) with stepping/milking (0.72), exit score (0.33) and flight speed (0.43), while negatively (P<0.01) correlated with milk yield (-0.64), milk flow rate (-0.65) and milking duration (-0.61). It was concluded from the above study that milking temperament significantly influenced milk yield, composition, milk flow rate and ease of milking in Jersey crossbred cows. Thus, docile cows should be selected for getting benefits of milk yield, milk composition, milking ease and milk flow rate.