Lactation

A few dairy facts... Man first used milk about 9,000 BC The average cow produces enough milk each day to fill six one-gallon jugs, about 55 pounds of milk. All 50 states in the United States have dairy farms. The natural yellow color of butter comes mainly from the bets-carotene found in the grass cows eat. There are approximately 340-350 squirts in a gallon of milk.

Milk Production Dairy cows produce >80% of world’s milk supply Goats, buffalo, sheep, yaks, camel U.S. by far the leading producer One cow at an avg. of 18,200 lbs. can provide enough milk for 40 people for a year

Trends in the dairy industry Fewer, but larger, herds More milk production out West More milk per cow More specialized equipment and services

The Ideal Lactation Cycle

60 Days after calf was born Calf Born Dry Period 60 Days Before Calving Breed Cow 60 Days after calf was born Cattle gestation is 283 days Up to a 60 day dry period Production levels peak at around 40 to 60 days after calving.[17] The cow is then bred. Production declines steadily afterwards, until, at about 305 days after calving, the cow is 'dried off', and milking ceases. About sixty days later, one year after the birth of her previous calf, a cow will calve again.  Cow’s Lactation Period

Where milk comes from Environment Genetics Stage of production Feed, facilities, health, weather, management Genetics Stage of production Age of cow Feeding – What the cow eats is the largest factor affecting production. If she isn’t eating enough energy or protein her milk production will decline. Changing feed sources will also affect the cow’s milk production. Any change in her daily meal will affect milk production until the cows re-adjusts to the new feed. Weather – Sudden weather changes can stress the cows causing a decrease in milk production. Hot weather will also stress the cows out mostly because the cows will eat less. Eating less feed causes the cows to drop in milk production, so farmers emphasize keeping cows comfortable and cool during summer months Genetic Potential – The genetics of the cow plays a role in how much milk she can produce. If the cow is the daughter of a high producing cow, she will be more likely to produce a lot of milk due to her genetic predisposition towards milk production. Stage of Production – When the cow has her calf, she will begin to produce milk. Over time, the cow’s milk production will peak, then slowly drop off. Eventually, the cow will dry up. Age of the cow – As a cow gets older, they become much better at producing milk. Most cows reach their maximum milk production after they finished growing. A cow will keep growing until she is 3-4 years old.

Producing quality milk Keep healthy animals Handle milk carefully Maintain clean equipment

Milk Components Water 87% Lactose 5% Fat 3.8% Caseins 2.8% Albumin & globulin 0.7% Minerals/Vitamins/Enzymes 0.7% Proteins ~3.3% protein Casein and Whey are the two main milk proteins Vitamins A, B, C, and D are available in milk Minerals Good sources of Ca, P, and Zn

Milk Products in the U.S. Fluid milk Cream >92% of milk sold is Grade A milk Homogenized to prevent separation of milk fat <4% milk fat Pasteurization kills disease-causing pathogens Cream >18% milk fat Coffee creamer, whipping cream

Milk Products in the U.S. Butter Cheese >80% milk fat Is one of the oldest forms of preserving milk It takes 21.2 pounds of whole milk to make one pound of butter. Cheese >400 different kinds of cheese Soft, semisoft, hard, very hard Based on moisture content 100 lbs. milk will produce 8-16 lbs. of cheese

Milk Products in the U.S. Ice Cream Many different forms Ice cream, custard, French ice cream, Ice milk, frozen yogurt, sherbet It takes 12 pounds of whole milk to make one gallon of ice cream.