Question

Which of the following statements is wrong/ irrelevant with respect to milking management of cows/ buffaloes

• A. Animals are creatures of habit, so stick on to the time of milking
• B. Letting down of milk occurs within 1 minute
• C. Milking should be completed within 5 to 7 minutes
• D. One should offer husky feed at the time of milking

Hint:

To ensure clean milk production, avoid sweeping the barn or feeding dusty, dry concentrate feeds during or immediately before milking. This simple practice keeps airborne bacterial and dust counts low.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Clean milk production is a critical aspect of dairy farming. Any management practice that introduces contaminants into the milking environment must be avoided.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement to identify the incorrect or undesirable practice:

Option (A): Dairy cows and buffaloes are highly sensitive to routine. Sticking to a strict daily schedule for feeding, cleaning, and milking minimizes stress, which supports consistent milk let-down. This statement is correct.

Option (B): Udder preparation (cleaning and massaging) triggers the release of the hormone oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin travels through the bloodstream and acts on the myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli, causing them to contract and let down milk within approximately 1 minute. This statement is correct.

Option (C): The circulating half-life of oxytocin in the blood is short, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Therefore, mechanical or hand milking must be completed within this 5 to 7-minute window before oxytocin levels drop and the let-down effect fades. This statement is correct.

Option (D): Offering dry, dusty, or "husky" feeds (such as fine bran or powdery concentrates) in the milking barn immediately before or during milking is highly discouraged.
Pumping or pouring these feeds fills the air with fine dust particles, which can fall into the milk pail, leading to physical and bacterial contamination of the milk.
Feeds offered during milking should be slightly moistened or in pellet form to prevent dust. Thus, this statement represents an incorrect practice.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D), representing a wrong/irrelevant statement.