RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MILKING FREQUENCY AND UDDER CAPACITY IN FRIESIAN AND JERSEY COWS

The relationship between udder maximum capacity (36-h accumulated milk yield) and the response of dairy cows (average producers) to thrice-daily milking was studied in 25 Friesian and 15 Jersey cows using the technique of half-udder study. Maximum half-udder capacity (acual yield) as well as whole udder capacity (estimated by udder measurements) was not altered significantly after 12-day thrice-daily milking period compared with a similar twice-daily period, although there was a positive response to increased milking frequency on secretion rate during this period. No effect of breed, season of the year or stage of lactation was observed on the above relationship. Hours-worth of capacity was higher with increased milking frequency, with Jersey than Friesian. These results suggest that udder capacity is not a limiting factor in increased milk production.