The effect of a temporary suspension of milking in mid-lactation on milk secretion after the resumption of milking and in the following lactation

Abstract

SummaryAfter the suspension of milking for 2 weeks in 2 ‘experimental’ quarters of each of 4 Friesian cows, there was a reduction in the yield of milk from these quarters. Although subsequently there was a marked recovery, for the remainder of the lactation the yield was lower than that of the corresponding control quarters in which milking had not been suspended. Throughout the next lactation, in all 4 cows, the experimental quarters produced more milk than the corresponding control quarters. At the first milking after the suspension, there were marked increases in the concentrations of sodium and chloride and decreases in those of lactose and potassium in the milk obtained. Within 8 weeks, the composition recovered, and for the remainder of the experiment the composition of the milk from the control quarters was similar to that from the experimental quarters of each cow.