Milk production of suckler cows 1 Methods of measurements, factors affecting milk production, correlation with weaning weight, heritability (A review)

Abstract

In this review authors survey Hungarian and foreign results concerning of milk production of beef cows. In the first part of the study published in two parts, methods of measuring milk yield of suckler cows (hand- and machine milking, weigh-suckle-weigh method, method of deuterium-oxide dilution) are introduced. Factors affecting milk production, such as age of cow, number of calving, nutrition, stage of lactation, month of calving, polledness, mastitis, applying hormone products, are reviewed. Results concerning of correlation between milk production of dam and weaning weight of calf are looked over, as well as heritability of milk yield.