Lactation in farm animals

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Lactation is the secretion of milk from the mammary glands, the organ which aid in the production of milk. Milk is made in the udder which comprises of the breast structure divided in four separate glands each drained by teat( the tip of the udder).

Milk is produced in the upper part of the udder. This is made up of millions of cells called alveoli. The cells are connected with many networks of duct. The alveoli are in groups or clusters called lobules. These lobules are in turn grouped into lobes which are connected by ducts to the gland cistern. The gland cistern empties into the teat cisterns which is located just below it. The milk finally pass out through milk canal.

Milk let down:

This is the process whereby the milk is removed from the alveolus to the gland and teat cistern in the lever part of the udder. A hormone, oxytocin, secreted by pituitary gland is necessary for the process. This hormone can be induced by massaging the udder, clanking buckets, use of teat cups, suckling of young ones, washing of the teat during milking. Any of this causes the net fibre in the udder to stimulate the brain through spinal cord to secrete oxytocin into the blood stream. The presence of this hormone in the mammary gland causes contraction of the muscles fibre surroundeding the alveoli. This causes the milk to be ejected from the alveoli into the ducts and cistern.

If the animal is made to be scared another hormone called adrenalin is secreted This can prevent the blood supply to the udder and therefore the transport of oxytocin. The animal is then said to be "hiding the milk."

Milking Techniques:

This is done by either the hand or use of milking machine. Before milking, the surrounding should be kept well sanitized to prevent any contamination of infections. All tools or equipment to be used should be washed and made ready. In hand milking, the teat is held between index finger and thumb and the milk is obtained by compressing the finger against the teat. This is done in repeated manner until milk let down stop. The milk obtained is heated or pasteurized to get rid of germs present and to avoid becoming sour. The milk is then stored fresh in the refrigerator or canned.

The decline of milk by the animal

Milk production in especially cows maybe affected is the animal is exposed to unfavourable weather conditions or stress. For instance if the weather condition is very hot exceeding 40°c milk production maybe affected. The quantities as known from the animal's record of milk production may decline. In the tropics, one of the challenging factor is the invasion of the trapanosomia parasite which makes most cattle go through this "sleeping sickness disease. If the animal is being exposed to such conditions, it really become difficult for the animal to naturally produce abundance of milk for the farmer.

Another important thing we should monitor is nutritional deficiencies. Lack of certain food nutrients may lead to reduction of milk to be produced. Especially in cows, zero grazing isn't good practices as the cow wouldn't get enough succulent grasses to consume. So nomadism is very good to allow the animal to get heavy feeds and being selective of the kind of feed intake.

Another factor is the age of the animal. Cow which is too old is expected to decrease in their milk production. You animal which has gone through second and third cycle of parturition is expected to produce more milk.

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In summary, milk production in farm animals especially cows are very important for us since it's major source of protein for humans. We therefore encourage farmers to give good treatment for the farm animals to be able to produce more and quality milk. Aside this, good milk production support calves, lambs, kids and other young animals to grow in healthy. The colostrum help boost the animal immune system and protect them from diseases due to the rich vitamin it does comtain.