Question

Early drying‐off in Jaffarabadi buffalo could be accomplished by

• A. Incomplete milking
• B. Liberal wallowing
• C. Allowing calf to suckle twice a day
• D. Improving concentrate allocation

Hint:

To dry off high-yielding animals safely, combine incomplete milking with a gradual reduction in concentrate feed and water intake to rapidly decline milk synthesis.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Drying-off is the physiological process of ceasing milk secretion to allow the mammary gland to regenerate before the next calving.
In dairy animals, especially high-yielding breeds like the Jaffarabadi buffalo, proper drying-off is essential to maintain udder health and optimize subsequent lactations.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Incomplete milking involves intentionally leaving a significant amount of milk inside the udder during regular milking times.
This practice leads to the accumulation of milk within the alveolar lumina, increasing intra-mammary pressure.
The high hydrostatic pressure triggers local chemical feedback mechanisms, primarily mediated by the Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL), a milk protein that downregulates further synthesis.
Additionally, the accumulation of milk causes distension of the alveoli, which mechanically slows down secretional activity and hastens mammary involution.
Other options like liberal wallowing, frequent calf suckling, or increasing concentrate allocation would actually stimulate or sustain lactation, rather than helping to dry off the animal.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Early drying-off in Jaffarabadi buffalo can be successfully achieved through incomplete milking.