A note on the lactation performance of twin-bearing cows.
Seven pairs of cows were chosen at parturition. In each pair, 1 member had had a twin pregnancy (T) and the other was a comparable cow with a single calf pregnancy (S). All cows were offered the same amount of feed over the first 28 weeks of lactation. In early lactation, intakes were equal; in mid-lactation the T group ate more. The T cows had a lower peak yield of milk than the S cows, but rates of decline in yield in mid-lactation were equal for the 2 groups. Lactose concentrations in the milk were equal throughout lactation, but the fat and protein concentrations were greater for the T group in early lactation. The T group yielded smaller amounts of milk solids. The T group lost less weight in early lactation and gained more weight subsequently. Three of the T group, but only 1 of the S group, did not conceive during the test lactation.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation; D007785:Lactose / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D014427:Twins
D008894:Milk Proteins; D007785:Lactose