The Relationship of Production of Heifers Milked Prepartum to the Composition of Colostrum

Abstract

Many heifers and cows have badly swollen and congested udders before freshening. It is thought that such a condition makes it undesirable to put these animals on full feed and to try to bring them into full production until the swelling has subsided. Sometimes the udder becomes so distended that some believe that the gland may be injured permanently. Breeders frequently are concerned about the advisability of milking such animals before parturition.