Estrus and milk production

[copesq]

Does estrus in a lactating cow negatively effect her milk production?

[JulieLou42]

Milk quantity will go down noticeably and she may be a bit feisty. Careful in handling her, she may try to mount YOU!

[Ronney]

Yes it does to the point that in some cows they give almost none at all. It generally only lasts for a maximum of 24 hours and then they're back to normal. And yes, they can get a bit skittish and silly so pays to watch where they are and where you are My problem is more that the bull thinks he needs to come into the cowshed as well. Now, I've only got a little cowshed and we run out of room when there is me, two cows and a bull in it...

Cheers,
Ronnie

[JeffNY]

Generally what effects it, or so it seems to effect it, is simply their lack of eating that day, and running around. Figure on a day when they aren't in heat, they are eating and are more relaxed. So their body is focused more on production.


I have seen it, as far as production and heats. What also effects their production, is when they are bred. I have seen some drop off dramatically, then try to figure out why. Then I realised, ahhh she is bred... Have a Jersey here, she dropped off, and I was trying to figure out why. I mentioned this to someone, they asked "is she bred?". Made sence, considering another cow I have who dropped off last year quite a bit, was also bred. Figure the energy that is required to the development.


Jeff

[MilkTester]

I agree with JeffNY in that their production is decreased due to an increase in activity therefore less time spent at the feed bunk.

Of course, estrus also causes some cows to just plain and simple not let down all of their milk.