Studies on udder and teat shape in relation with milk production in indigenous Kankrej cows at organized herd

An investigation was undertaken to assess the variation in udder and teat morphology and their association with test day milk yield in Kankrej cows. The study utilized 305 lactating Kankrej cows maintained at the Livestock Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar. The morphological characteristics of the udder and teats were visually inspected and their relationship with test day milk yield was evaluated. Among the various udder types observed, the bowl shape udder was most prevalent with 57.70%, followed by round (26.57%), pendulous (9.84%) and goaty shape (5.90%) udders. The cylindrical shape teats were most commonly observed with frequency of 56.06%, followed by funnel, pear and bottle shape teats with 24.91%, 15.73% and 3.28% frequency, respectively. The mean test day milk yield corresponding to different udder shapes was 9.61±0.37 kg for round, 9.32±0.54 kg for pendulous, 7.52±0.29 kg for bowl and 7.32±0.69 kg for goaty shape udders. Cows with round shape udders produced the highest milk yield, which was 31.28% more than those with goaty udders, 27.79% more than bowl-shape, and 3% more than pendulous udders. The differences in test day milk yield among the various udder shapes were highly significant (p<0.01), indicating a strong influence of udder conformation on milk production. Kankrej cows with pear shaped teats produced the highest milk yield, followed by funnel, cylindrical, and bottle shape teats, though the differences were non-significant. Milk yield increases with parity up to the fourth parity after which it tends to decline. Hence, dairy farmers may be advised to purchase the cows either in first or second lactation. It may be concluded from the present study that Kankrej cows with round shape udder and pear shaped teats produced significantly higher milk, hence cows with round shape udder, pear shaped teats and either in first or second lactation should be selected for improving milk production at dairy farm.