Relationships between udder and milking traits in Murciano-Granadina dairygoats

Morphological traits of the udder and their relationships with daily milk y ield, residual milk and machine milk flow characteristics were studied in 3 3 Murciano-Granadina dairy goats. Measures were recorded at the start and t he middle of lactation. Effects of the rearing system of kids (natural or a rtificial), lactation stage, parity and prolificacy were studied. Mean valu es and standard errors for udder traits were: teat angle, 26.8 +/- 0.8 degr ees; teat-floor distance from ground, 25.0 +/- 0.6 cm; teat length, 28.5 +/ - 0.7 mm; teat surface measured at a constant diameter, 5.2 +/- 0.3 cm(2), or at a constant length, 10.9 +/- 0.5 cm(2); and udder volume, 2.1 +/- 0.1 l. Effects of prolificacy on udder volume and teat-floor distance were obse rved, goats with twins showing the largest udder volume and the shortest di stance. Udder volume was positively correlated with body weight (r = 0.80) and milk yield (r = 0.69). Positive correlations between teat length and mi lk flow rate (r = 0.55) and between teat surface, measured either at a cons tant length (r = 0.47) or at a constant diameter (r = 0.58) and residual mi lk were also found. Longer tear cup liners are needed to avoid compression and pain of teat tissue during milking and to reduce residual milk. With th e exception of teat length, teat surface measured either at a constant diam eter or at a constant length and udder volume, udder traits neither affecte d milk production nor milking time or flow rate. It was concluded that Murc iano-Granadina dairy goats used have an appropriate udder for machine milki ng and longer liners (>120 mm) are recommended for this breed. (C) 1999 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.