Udder Talk

Q:  How can you tell you've been looking at too many photos of cows' udders?

A:  When you're out for lunch with your adult daughter who shows you a funny-looking grape that's indented like the top of a hot cross bun . . . and you say, "Wow!  Look at those great suspensory ligaments on that grape!"

You must be thinking, "That is udderly pathetic!"  Or then again, if you're at all like me, "Did you take a photo of that grape?  I'd like to see it!"

I am really interested in slightly obsessed with udders right now.  I want to learn how to tell a good udder from a bad udder and both from a great udder.  I want to be able to knowledgeably critique the udders on my own cows.  Here, by the way, is some udder anatomy and here is a guide to udder and teat scoring on beef cattle.

First I will post photos and tell you what (I think) I know about my cow's udder during her first lactation, five months along.  Then I will submit these photos to be critiqued on some of the Dexter cattle boards I belong to.  I'd like to see what the experts have to say.  (Although I guess if they are milking experts, I should call them "exspurts?")  Once I hear their opinions, I'll update this post to include them.

Left side, before milking.

 Here's what I think:

• The front quarter is considerably smaller than the rear.  The attachment is too "straight up;" it should attach farther forward on the belly.  
• Ideally the floor of the udder should be more level, with the front quarter being more equal to the rear. 
• I'm wondering if the way the rear teat is "ballooning" close to the udder is normal or could it signify a future problem?
• There is a lot of definition between the quarters.  Is this good or bad?  I couldn't find a mention of it anywhere.
• The rear quarter is also attached too obliquely.  It should attach farther up toward the vulva in the rear.  (See last photo.)

A different shot from the left side, before milking

More of my thoughts:

• This again shows the distinct separation between the quarters. 
• The teats are spaced far enough apart to allow for hand milking.
• The udder is carried well above her hocks.

The right side, before milking

My thoughts:

• The rear teat seems to be slightly less ballooned at the top than the opposite one.
• Both teats are possibly a little shorter than the ones on the other side, however, all are long enough for hand milking with three fingers.

The left side, after milking 1 1/2 qts.

Here are my thoughts:

• The teats are now revealed to be fairly equal in size, although the rear one is shorter.
• The udder floor is more level.  Obviously the rear quarters are filling much more with milk.
• I easily get twice the milk from each rear quarter that I get from the front quarters.  Is this normal?

The right side, after milking 1 1/2 qts.

Here are my thoughts:

• This photo reveals a tiny "pouchy" area that I've noticed next to the rear teat on this side.  You can see it silhouetted against the gray bucket in the background.  I have noticed that as I milk out that quarter, this bit of skin feels loose.  Is this a problem developing? 

Arrow showing where the median suspensory ligament attaches

Here are my final thoughts:

• The median suspensory ligament should be attached closer to the vulva, if I understand correctly.  I've put a red arrow to show where I believe it attaches, although the long winter coat interferes a bit.   

Okay, Experts, tell me what you think!