Influence of body condition on milk productivity in dairy cows at calving

One of the methods, which enables to increase quantity of milk, is maintaining of recommendable cows body condition through lactation. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of body condition on milk productivity in dairy cows at calving. The research was carried out with 30 clinically healthy Lithuanian Black&White cows at 14 lactation. Condition of investigated cows was evaluated 6 times a year. Milk productivity was measured once a month. It was estimated, that body condition at calving (1-2 d.) influenced milk productivity of next lactation. Cows with normal condition at calving (control group) produced significantly more milk during the whole lactation compared to experimental cows with worsen condition (I and II experimental groups). The highest difference in milk quantity was found at the 5 month of lactation. Milk productivity in control cows (BC at calving was 3.43) during lactation was on 987.98 kg and on 1080.81 kg milk higher compared to group I (BC at calving was 2.55) and group II (BC at calving was 2.18), respectively.