Udder Volume and Teat Size of Friesian Holstein Dairy Cows from Post-Weaning Calves to Pregnant Heifers

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the development of udder volume, teat circumference and teat length of Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cows from post-weaning calves to pregnant heifers. The materials used in this study were 60 heifers. The research was conducted by observational method. The groupings of heifers were 1st group (heifer age 4-8 months), 2nd group (heifer age 9-12 months), 3th group (heifer age ≥ 13 months but not yet pregnant), 4th group (gestational age 1-3 months), 5th group (gestational age 4-6 months), 6th group (gestational age 7-9 months). The parameters were udder volume, teat circumference, teat length, heifer age and gestational age. Data analysis used t-test to examine differences in udder volume and teat size between groups of heifers. Linear regression analysis was used to find the relationship between udder volume and teat size with heifer age and gestational age. The results showed that the udder volume, teat circumference, and teat length showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the heifer groups. The 6th group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the other groups, namely udder volume of 8149.57 cm3, teat circumference of 6.97 cm and teat length of 6.01 cm. There was a significant relationship between udder volume (Y) and heifer age (X), namely Y = -297.204 + 100.801X (R2 = 0.823). While the udder volume (Y) with gestational age (X) has the equation Y = 993.711 + 889.841X (R2 = 0.772). It can be concluded that the increasing heifer age and gestational age, the volume of udder and teat size will increase.