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A note on the lactation performance of twin-bearing cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2009

William H. Broster ,
A. June Clements  and
Randolph E. Hill
William H. Broster
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT, UK
A. June Clements
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT, UK
Randolph E. Hill
Affiliation:
National Institute for Research in Dairying, Shinfield, Reading RG2 9AT, UK
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Summary

Seven pairs of cows were chosen at parturition. In each pair, 1 member had had a twin pregnancy (T) and the other was a comparable cow with a single calf pregnancy (S). All cows were offered the same amount of feed over the first 28 weeks of lactation. In early lactation, intakes were equal; in mid-lactation the T group ate more. The T cows had a lower peak yield of milk than the S cows, but rates of decline in yield in mid-lactation were equal for the 2 groups. Lactose concentrations in the milk were equal throughout lactation, but the fat and protein concentrations were greater for the T group in early lactation. The T group yielded smaller amounts of milk solids. The T group lost less weight in early lactation and gained more weight subsequently. Three of the T group, but only 1 of the S group, did not conceive during the test lactation.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Journal of Dairy Research , Volume 50 , Issue 3 , August 1983 , pp. 241 - 247
Copyright
Copyright © Proprietors of Journal of Dairy Research 1983

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References

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