Milk production of quarter horse mares during 150 days of lactation.
Abstract: Milk production was measured in fourteen Quarter Horse mares at seven stages of a 150-d lactation period. Mares were divided into two groups of seven and fed diets containing either soybean meal or soybean meal and urea as nitrogen supplements. Rations were isocaloric, contained approximately 12.5% crude protein and were fortified with vitamins and minerals. Daily milk yield was estimated by the weigh-suckle-weigh method and milk composition was determined from samples taken by hand milking. Average daily milk yield ranged from 11.8 kg in early lactation to 9.8 kg in late lactation. Differences (P less than .01) in milk yield due to number of previous lactations were observed. Also, diet influenced (P less than .01) milk yield, with mares fed soybean meal producing an average of 1.2 kg more milk/d than mares fed urea as part of the N supplement. Further, stage (day) of lactation influenced (P less than .01) daily milk yield. The largest mean daily milk yield was measured at approximately 30 d postpartum, but the predicted lactation curve was linear (P less than .05) over the range of observations in this study. Average percentages of total solids, protein and fat over the 150-d lactation were 10.5, 2.1, and 1.3, respectively. All components decreased significantly with advancing lactation. There was a trend toward a positive association between milk yield and solids content of the milk, but it was not significant. Milk yield was not significantly related to fat content of the milk. However, milk yield and protein content were correlated (r = .23; p less than .05). As expected, solids content of the milk was positively associated with percentages of protein (r = .59; P less than .01) and fat (r = .44; P less than .01). Relationships among milk components were similar after adjustment for days in milk. However, yield of milk and composition were unassociated (P less than .05) when days in milk were held constant.
Publication Date: 1982-03-01 PubMed ID: 7085510DOI: 10.2527/jas1982.543496xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article is a study of the milk production and composition of fourteen quarter horse mares during a 150-day lactation period, varying between two diets supplemented with either soybean meal or a combination of soybean meal and urea.
Research Design
- The study involved fourteen Quarter Horse mares, divided into two equal groups. These mares were studied over seven stages of a 150-day lactation period.
- One group was fed a diet containing soybean meal, while the other group was fed a diet with soybean meal and urea as nitrogen supplements.
- Both diets were isocaloric, fortified with vitamins and minerals, and approximately contained 12.5% crude protein.
- Milk production was estimated daily through the weigh-suckle-weigh method and the composition was examined using samples from hand milking.
Observations and Results
- The daily milk yield was observed to be highest in early lactation (around 11.8 kg), reducing to about 9.8 kg during late lactation.
- Significant differences were found in milk yield depending on the number of previous lactations. This indicates the impact of a mare’s lactation history on milk production.
- Diet significantly influenced milk yield with mares fed solely with soybean meal producing an average of 1.2 kg more milk daily than mares fed with urea and soybean meal.
- Changes in milk yield were observed depending on the stage of lactation, with the most significant yield recorded 30 days postpartum.
Analyzing Milk Composition
- The average percentages of total solids, protein, and fat in the milk over the 150-day lactation period were found to be 10.5, 2.1, and 1.3 respectively.
- All components decreased with the progression of lactation.
- A non-significant trend was observed relating to the milk yield and solids content. It was found that milk yield was not significantly related to fat content.
- However, a correlation was established between milk yield and protein content (r = .23; p less than .05).
- Positive associations were noted between solids content of the milk with percentages of protein (r = .59; P less than .01) and fat (r = .44; P less than .01).
- These relationships remained similar even after adjusting for days in milk. But, when the number of days in milk were held constant, milk yield and composition showed no significant association.
Cite This Article
APA
Gibbs PG, Potter GD, Blake RW, McMullan WC.
(1982).
Milk production of quarter horse mares during 150 days of lactation.
J Anim Sci, 54(3), 496-499.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1982.543496x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Diet
- Female
- Horses / physiology
- Lactation
- Lipid Metabolism
- Milk / metabolism
- Milk Proteins / metabolism
- Parity
- Pregnancy
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Hachana Y, Nasraoui C, Frija I, Fortina R. Arabian mare's milk characterisation and clotting ability.. J Food Sci Technol 2022 May;59(5):1840-1846.
- Sandagdorj B, Baigalmaa T, Burenjargal S, Horiuchi M, Enkhdalai M, Bayanbat D, Janchiv D, Jamyandorj O, Ulzii-Orshikh P, Nyam-Osor P. Relationship between lactational performance and metabolic parameters of Mongolian native grazing mares.. J Equine Sci 2021;32(3):91-98.
- Barreto ÍMLG, Urbano SA, Oliveira CAA, Macêdo CS, Borba LHF, Chags BME, Rangel AHN. Chemical composition and lipid profile of mare colostrum and milk of the quarter horse breed.. PLoS One 2020;15(9):e0238921.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
