Lactation Biology.

The article presents abstracts of various papers related to lactation biology in animals that were presented during the symposium held on July 27, 2005 in Cincinnati, Ohio, which was organized by the American Dairy Science Association, the American Society of Animal Science, and the Canadian Society of Animal Science. One of the papers discussed is "Udder Morphology and Milking Characteristics in Dairy Goats Milked Once-or Twice-Daily," by A.A.K. Salama, G. Caja, M. Rovai, R. Casals, and A. Mart. The effect of once- vs. twice- daily milking on udder morphology and milk emission during machine milking was studied in multiparous Murciano-Granadina dairy goats. Another paper discussed is "Effects of Milking Frequency Prepartum on Postpartum Milk Production, Milk Composition and Dry Matter Intake in Dairy Cows," by R.R. Rastani, N. Silva del Rio, T.F. Gressley, G.E. Dahl, and R.R. Grummer. Forty-eight Holstein cows were utilized in a randomized block design to evaluate different dry period lengths and prepartum milking frequency on subsequent milk production, milk composition and dry matter intake. Lactating cows began the experiment 35 d prior to expected calving date, were milked 2x/d during a 7 d covariate period and were assigned to one of three treatments.