Dairy heifer mammary development.

Quantity and functionality of mammary tissue affect lifetime milk production potential in dairy cows. If the tissue foundation laid down in early life is inadequate, maximum performance will never be attained and milk production efficiency will be decreased, resulting in economic losses for producers. Overnutrition of heifers is often blamed for reduced mammary development and subsequent milk yields in heifers. This article begins with a look back 100 yr in time to an early study of heifer nutrition and mammary functionality and ends with a look ahead toward the future. The main purpose of this article is to provoke thought and to demonstrate to the reader that despite over 100 yr of work in this topic area, scientists are still trying to understand the mechanisms that govern mammary growth and development in heifers.

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