Milk Composition in Comparison to Weaning Weights, Milk Production, Udder Scores, and Body Score Conditions in Gelbvieh Cow-calf Pairs
Sarah J. Shipley
Dr. Glenn R. Wehner, Faculty Mentor
This research was conducted to find a correlation between milk composition and the weaning weight (WW), body condition score (BCS), udder suspension (US), udder attachment (UA), teat score (TS), and milk production rates (MPR). Multiple tests, including dry matter, the Babcock Milk-fat Test, and total minerals, were used to determine milk composition. The results of these tests were combined with results from concurrent research conducted on the same set of cow-calf pairs. Tests showed that dry matter had a positive correlation with WW (0.2386,) BCS (0.5526), US (0.2918), UA (0.4366), TS (0.0634), and MPR (0.0926). Fat content had a positive correlation with WW (0.4121), BCS (0.2129), US (0.0211,) UA (0.1037), and MPR (0.1861) and a negative correlation with TS (-0.1767). Mineral content had a positive correlation with WW (0.4145) and BCS (0.0953), and a negative correlation with US (-0.0226), UA (-0.1099), TS (-0.1279), and MPR (-0.0537).
Keywords: Milk, Body Condition Score, Udder Scores, Weaning Weights, Milk Production, Milk Fat, Total Minerals, Dry Matter
Topic(s):Agricultural Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 2-1
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15