Period of two successive pregnancy is called Lactation period. Milk production capacity during the lactation period for the cow may be anything between 60,000 to 70,000 kg. Up to the first 5 lactation periods the milk production capacity increases. After achieving the maximum milk production during the lactation period, it gradually decreases by 2% to 2.5% per week. In summer, generally due to heat and lack of green fodder milk production remains low. And cows giving birth to a calf before the winter months, do give more milk during the lactation period.
Period between two lactations, for which cow stops secreting milk is called Dry period.
In Gir cow the 1st pregnancy is conduced before the cow ages 44 months; and period between two successive pregnancy of 14 months, may be considered appropriate.
Variations in the daily quality and production are on account of excitation, agitation, fear, menstruation, improper milking, disease, inadequate feeding, tension and related matter.
Milking is generally done twice in a day (morning and evening) between of 4 to 6. Before milking, the udder and teats are cleaned properly. It’s important to first feed and satisfy the calf, before commencing the milking. As per ancient Indian scripters, “Dohan” means to milk only from the two teats of the cow, and letting the remaining milk from the two teats for the calf as the calf has right over the half of the milk of the cow. Gir cow has more empathy towards the calf. Ideally 12 hours of time should be kept between two successive milking.
