J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1987. 65:366-372.
© 1987 American Society of Animal Science
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Relationships among Udder Shape, Udder Capacity, Cow Longevity and Calf Weights1

R. S. Kersey DeNise2, D. E. Ray2, A. M. Lane2, V. L. Rundle3 and M. Torabi2

University of Arizona, Tucson 85721

Abstract

Udder capacity and udder shape were scored on 3- to 10-yr-old cows from a large Hereford herd. Udder capacity was scored from 1 (small) and 5 (large) and udder shape was scored from 1 (balanced, udder level with ground) to 5 (unbalanced, funnel-shaped udder). Data were analyzed within age of cow for udder capacity scores from 1 to 4 and for udder shape scores from 1 to 3 because of the limited number of observations in other categories. Year of birth of cow was a significant source of variation in both udder capacity and udder shape. Days in lactation (ranging from 81 ± 23 d in 3-yr-old cows to 71 ± 25 d in 4-yr-old cows) was an important source of variation for udder capacity; as lactation progressed udder capacity score declined. Body condition of the cow was an important source of variation for udder capacity in 3- and 4-yr-old cows; cows with more external body condition had larger udder capacity scores. The heritability estimates of udder capacity and udder shape for 3-yr-old cows were .12 ± .14 and .15 ± .16, respectively; the repeatability estimates of scores over years were .14 ± .02 and .16 ± .03, respectively. Residual correlations between udder capacity and udder shape were low, ranging from –.10 in 3-yr-old cows to .10 in 6-yr-old cows. Neither udder characteristic affected the number of years a cow remained in the herd, but cows with unbalanced udders had more udder defects. The regressions of early weight of the calf and weaning weight of the calf on udder capacity score were significant within each age of cow. Regressions of early weights ranged from 4.3 ± 1.3 to 8.1 ± 1.4 kg/capacity unit; regressions of weaning weight ranged from 6.1 ± 1.7 to 9.4 ± 1.8 kg/capacity unit. However, little of the variation in weights at either age was explained by udder capacity.

Footnotes

1 Published as paper no. 4321, Journal Series, Arizona Agr. Exp. Sta., Tucson.

2 Dept. of Anim. Sci.

3 Dept. of Anim. Sci., University of Nebraska, Lincoln 68583-0712.




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M. D. MacNeil and T. B. Mott
Genetic analysis of gain from birth to weaning, milk production, and udder conformation in Line 1 Hereford cattle
J Anim Sci, July 1, 2006; 84(7): 1639 - 1645.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1987 by the American Society of Animal Science.