This depends on the differences in VFA production in the rumen from the different carbohydrate sources. Digestion of fiber results in a higher proportion of acetic acid and thereby more milk fat. Digestion of concentrate on the other hand, results in a higher proportion of propionic acid which is unfavorable for milk fat synthesis. If too much concentrate is given, fat depression might occur. Higher energy diets seem to give better coagulation properties of the milk.
Long-chain fatty acids increase when the energy concentration in feed is low. Glucosinolates in Brassica spp. Thiocyanate is then excreted in the milk. High feeding levels with Brassica spp. Thiocyanate may cause thyroid enlargement in animals as well as humans ingesting it. A common feed stuff of Brassica spp. Even 15 days after withdrawal of mustard feed, circulatory high levels of thiocyanate exists and is secreted in milk.
Mastitis changes the milk composition dramatically. The alterations can sometimes be used as detection of the disease. If antibiotics are used in order to cure for example mastitis, these will be excreted in the milk. Controlling of external parasites with e. The chemical is detected in the milk upto 48 hours after dermal application. Buffaloes have been used for milk production for centuries. They have not been subjected to the same upgrading and breeding like cattle of the western world.
However, the buffalo is an excellent milk producer, given the correct circumstances. Milking the buffalo is not a difficult task. One should, however, take care not to implement cattle milking techniques directly on the buffalo cow. As described below, the anatomy and physiology of the buffalo udder differs slightly from the bovine one.
This has further implications on the milking technique as mentioned later. Anatomy and physiology of the buffalo udder and teat.
The buffalo has an udder similar to the cattle in the gross anatomy. The buffalo has four teats. Extra teats can be found in the similar way as in cattle.
The teats vary in shape and size. Generally, they are larger than cattle teats. According to several studies, cylindrical forms of the teats are most common in the Murrah breed. The front teats are, on average, 5.
Respective figures for the hind teats are 6. The hind quarters of the udder are slightly larger than the front ones and contain more milk. The approximate ratio is hind: front , as for cattle. It takes a longer time to milk the hind quarters. The anatomy of buffalo teats is slightly different from cattle teats. The epithelium of the streak canal is thicker and more compact in buffaloes than in cattle.
The sphincter muscle around the streak canal is thicker in buffaloes than in cattle. More force is therefore required to open the streak canal. The teat sphincter tonus has been reported to be at least mmHg negative pressures in buffaloes the tension falls some what after calf suckling and hand milking.
In cattle, the milk is synthesized in the alveoli and is periodically transferred to the large ducts and cisterns of the mammary gland and the teat see booklet on Efficient Milking. This is not the case in the buffalo, instead, the milk is held in the upper, glandular part of the udder, in the alveoli and small ducts. Between two milking there is no milk stored in the cistern.
Hence, buffaloes have no cisternal milk fraction. The milk is expelled to the cistern only during actual milk ejection. The same phenomenon is seen in Chinese Yellow cows and Yaks. Because of the absence of cistern milk between milking, in the teat cisterns, the teats are collapsed and soft before let down. This is contradictory to the bovine cow, where the teats can be very hard and firm due to the presence of milk in the teat cistern.
Physiology of milking. For a comparison with cattle see booklet on Efficient Milking. Buffaloes are said to be slow and hard milkers because of their slow milk ejection reflex and their hard teat muscle sphincter. The milk ejection reflex appears to be inherited to some extent but it is also a product of the environment. In buffaloes, the let down time averages 2 minutes but may be as long as 10 minutes.
The reasons for this are not fully understood. One reason for the longer let down time of milk for buffaloes is probably the different anatomy of the udder as compared to the dairy cow. In the buffalo, the udder cistern is absent or has a very small volume and therefore there is little or no cisternal milk available.
This furthermore leads to no intra-mammary pressure in the cistern which would otherwise help the milk flow. In cattle, the milk is already stored in the large cistern, and milk is available for extraction immediately after preparation. The high intra-mammary pressure contributes in pressing out the milk. The intra-mammary pressure increases at the onset of milking. It is highest during the peak flow and decreases there after to zero at the end of milking. The pressure is higher in buffaloes during milking than in cattle.
The intra-mammary pressure varies between individuals and milkings. Let down time seems to be negatively correlated to milk yield. Let down time is shorter in early and middle stage of lactation as compared to in late lactation. A faster flow of milk is observed when the yield is higher.
If buffaloes are carefully selected for yield and ease to milk, improvement in these characteristics is possible. The hormone is transported via the blood to the mammary gland. Because both hormones and nerve impulses are involved in the milk ejection reflex, it is called a neurohormonal reflex. Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of the alveoli and small ducts thereby emptying the milk into the larger ducts and the cistern.
Hereafter the milk can be evacuated from the udder. See booklet on Efficient Milking. The contraction of the alveoli may, to some extent, be enhanced by tactile stimuli of the udder massaging, squeezing the so called tap reflex.
When calves suckle, they butt at the udder in order increase milk secretion. Manual massage of the udder during milking imitates this reflex. Like cattle, buffaloes can get used to different stimuli. It is clear that also in buffaloes, oxytocin release is triggered by visual or audible stimuli, such as the sight of the milker, the noise of the vacuum pump or when entering the milking parlour. The animal becomes conditioned to let-down milk and has thus developed a conditioned reflex. An unconditioned reflex is the suckling of the calf.
By letting the animals get accustomed to a strict routine, time of let-down is shortened. In cattle, it has been demonstrated that feeding concentrate during milking improves time of let-down.
It has yet to be shown in buffaloes. Buffaloes are sensitive to changes in the environment. They may withhold the milk if they are uncomfortable with the situation.
You have to identify by experience. Usually buffaloes make mating noise and urinate frequently when they are in heat. It could start 6 weeks after giving birth.
Identifying heat cycle and impregnating the buffalo as soon as it comes to heat is one of the factors that determines success of a dairy farmer. This avoids buffalo having long dry not giving milk between lactations for long periods. Note: A detailed article is available on identifying heat cycles and improving the reproductive efficiency.
To read further, click here. This is the period between when the buffalo stops giving milk and the next calving. If you have identified heat cycle early and mated the buffalo then this will be short or else it will be very long. For example, a buffalo which yielded 10 liters per day at calving might increase to 12 liters per day at 3rd week and from there it slowly comedown to 10 liters and then stay the same way for long way and then it will slowly come down and come to a stop.
So the overall yield for the entire lactation is more important. Note: I have recently written detailed note on reasons for failure in dairy farming by many new dairy farmers. Home About Murrah Gallery. Dairy Farming Frequently Asked Questions. Enquiry Form Your Name :. What's new New posts New profile posts. Meetings Calendar.
Completed Meetings. Log in Register. Search titles only. Search Advanced search…. Log in. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Thread starter farmarcorp Start date Jun 8, Dear All, I want to understand the life cycle of murrah buffalo.
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