Why the cow does not give all the milk, but clamps: reasons and what to do

Cattle owners sometimes face the problem of declining milk yields. Lactation affects the feeding of offspring, and obtaining livestock products is important for the development of the economy. Therefore, farmers are concerned about the question of why the cow is holding milk, and not giving it all. If you do not understand the reasons in time, milk production may stop completely.

Bad containment conditions

The lactation period of a cow begins immediately after calving and ends a month before the next birth. Productivity during this period is affected by various circumstances. If the animal is he althy, the problem is usually easy to fix.Livestock conditions are of great importance. A caring owner always makes sure that normal conditions for animals are created in the barn:

• no drafts;
• regular airing;
• maintaining optimal humidity and air temperature;
• timely cleaning of feces;
• replacing old and dirty bedding.

The animal pen is kept clean and disinfected every 2 months. Sometimes the amount of milk received is affected by loud noise, an abundance of blood-sucking insects or flies. Compliance with the rules of keeping has a beneficial effect on lactation, reduces the negative effects of stress caused by the birth of a calf.

Unhe althy diet

In order for milk production not to decrease, it is important to provide a complete, balanced diet and follow a number of rules:

1. The diet of cows includes hay and straw, as well as feed, various root crops, vitamin and mineral supplements.
2. Control the quality of the feed to prevent the ingestion of stale or rotten food.
3. Provides plenty of fluids. Lack of fluid leads to a decrease in milk yield. Sometimes a little s alt is added to the water.
4. Follow the feeding schedule. Animals get used to getting food at a certain time. Violation of the schedule leads to the fact that the cows begin to hold milk.

Sometimes failures in milk production are caused by switching to another type of feed. Cows take about 3 weeks to get used to a new product. This is due to the production of microorganisms necessary for food processing.

Wrong milking

Unskilled and rude actions during milking lead to animal stress and affect the amount of milk received. Movement should be natural and easy. The process is recommended to be divided into several stages:

1. Before starting the procedure, the udder is washed with warm water.
2. Milk flow is facilitated by massaging the udder and teats for a minute.
3. If milk is expressed by hand, they are pre-cleaned and treated with petroleum jelly. The ointment promotes the healing of wounds that occur during friction.
4. After the process is completed, it is advised to massage again.
5. Squeeze out the rest of the milk to prevent the risk of inflammation.

During the procedure, adhere to the schedule. Milk is taken 2 times a day, in the morning and in the evening. If one of the animals is sick, they begin to milk it last, so as not to infect the rest of the livestock.

A week after the reproduction of the offspring, the calf is weaned from the cow, but they do not stop pumping milk. The animal perceives this as feeding.

During milking, the process is repeated several times a day at regular intervals. This mode has a positive effect on productivity.

The old age of the animal

The amount of milk yield directly depends on the age of the animal. Cows reach sexual maturity at the age of 7 months. The first mating is best done later, when the formation of the organism is completely completed from a physiological point of view. Early pregnancy is not conducive to producing large amounts of milk.

There are 3 groups of the lactation period:

Stages of lactation	Age of the animal
Puberty	From birth to 1.5 years. Lactation begins after the first pregnancy of the animal
Maturity	From 1.5 to 12-14 years
Old age	Milk stops after 15 years

Animals show maximum productivity between 5 and 9 calving. After that, there is a gradual decrease in milk yield. A balanced diet and proper care prolong the lactation period. There are cases when a cow gave milk over the age of 15.

Diseases

A sharp decrease in milk yield often indicates he alth problems. If the cow has a fever or swollen udder, the cow is shown to the veterinarian. It is necessary to take tests to determine the cause of the ailment.

Diseases almost always cause a decrease in productivity and can lead to serious consequences.

Impaired milk ejection reflex

Falling milk production often causes stress. Adverse factors contribute to the release of epinephrine into the blood. The hormone acts on the brain and blocks the areas that are responsible for the appearance of milk.

Causes of impaired milk ejection reflex:

1. Rough treatment.
2. The milking machine hurts the cow.
3. Milk is pumped by different people.
4. Noise and sounds unfamiliar to the animal in the room.
5. Calf weaning.

These reasons cause a decrease in productivity at any stage of lactation. To fix the problem, you need to make the conditions of the cow more comfortable and eliminate the causes of stress.

Tip or udder injury

Decrease in milk yield provoke injuries to the udder or teats. Hematomas cause pain and cause the cow to hide the damaged organ.

Treatment and care of sick animals:

1. The cow is placed in a separate stall.
2. Reduce fluid intake and exclude succulent foods from the diet.
3. Apply ointment to affected area.
4. A lotion is applied to the site of the bruise to relieve swelling. The first 2 days do cooling compresses, then warming ones.
5. Treatment is supplemented with udder massage, milk is expressed.

Timely measures will calm the animal. After recovery, milk production will resume.

Mastitis

Cow productivity is affected by mastitis, which often occurs after childbirth. Unskillful actions during milking also lead to damage to the udder and teats. In order to prevent the spread of infection, it is important to identify the signs of the disease in time.

To detect signs of mastitis, milk is periodically handed over for biological analysis.

Treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian. An integrated approach combines the use of drugs, physiotherapy, hygiene and dietary adjustments. The sick animal is isolated from the rest of the herd to eliminate the risk of infection of the entire herd.

Ketosis

Another dangerous disease that affects milk loss is ketosis. This is a metabolic disorder, which is expressed in the failure of carbohydrate, fat and protein balance. A sign of pathology is the presence of blood in the milk.

Laboratory tests will help establish an accurate diagnosis. In addition to using medications, it is important to follow dietary recommendations. Timely prevention will keep the animal he althy, and the farmer will avoid financial losses.

Productivity is influenced by many factors. Cows are sensitive and easily injured animals. In addition to feeding and ensuring normal living conditions, the attitude of the owners also affects the he alth of the livestock. Mindfulness and care are the best ways to increase milk production.

Recommended