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Globally, the majority of dairy cows are milked twice a day (TAD); however, in pasture-based production systems, such as in Ireland, the idea of milking once a day (OAD) is being considered for reasons such as improved work-life balance. The immediate effects within a lactation, as well as the multilactation consequences of OAD, compared with TAD milking, require understanding. The objective of this randomized experiment was to compare OAD and TAD milking, over a 3-yr period, by examining the differences in milk production and composition, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), dry matter intake (DMI), udder characteristics, locomotion score, and milking time. Over the 3-yr period, 83 cows were enrolled in the experiment; 32, 44, and 48 cows in yr 1, 2, and 3 of the experiment, respectively. Each year, 23% of the herds were primiparous animals, while the remainder were second lactation or greater in parity. All cows were milked in the morning at 0700 h; only cows milked TAD were milked a second time each day at 1600 h. Cows rotationally grazed pastures for the duration of the lactating period and were housed during the nonlactating period. Milking cows OAD reduced cumulative milk yield by 26%, and milk solids yield (kg of fat + kg of protein) by 21%, across the 3 yr of the experiment when compared with cows milked TAD which produced 4,126 and 365 kg/cow, respectively. A contributory factor to the reduced production was a shorter lactation length (9.7 d) of the cows milked OAD compared with TAD (294 d). Milk fat percent of cows milked TAD was similar for all 3 yr of the study (5.05%), whereas milk fat percent of the cows milked OAD increased year on year, with each year being greater than the previous year (5.02%, 5.32%, and 5.70% for yr 1, 2, and 3; respectively). Milk protein percent was greater (+0.19%) for cows milked OAD compared with TAD which was 3.78%. Compared with cows milked TAD, total DMI for cows milked OAD was 22% less at the start of lactation (<167 d), but as the lactation progressed (>167 d) we observed no difference in DMI between treatments. Similar to the literature, milking cows OAD significantly increased average somatic cell score, both during (+16%) and at the end of lactation (+19%), compared with milking cows TAD which were 4.69 and 4.79, respectively. We detected positive aspects associated with OAD milking such as greater BW, BCS, and fertility performance. Milking OAD reduced both milking time per cow per day (reductions ranged from 34% in the first 4 mo of lactation to 43% during mo 5–9 of lactation) and milking time per liter of milk (−3.5 s/L) throughout lactation, leading to less labor inputs on-farm which can have positive implications for farmer work-life balance. The significant time saving and potential savings in costs (e.g., electricity) need to be considered in conjunction with the milk production reduction when considering OAD milking for the entire lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rearing facilities directly affect the viability and suitability of calf rearing systems on-farm; however, it is unknown whether facilities in the Republic of Ireland are fit for purpose, or sufficiently consider calf and farmer welfare. Current housing facilities and management practices on Irish farms were reviewed to determine if calves are reared in appropriate facilities with management decisions that safeguard calf and farmer welfare. Fifty-one farms in the Munster region of the Republic of Ireland were visited twice: (1) Pre-calving (December–January; farmer interview and housing structural evaluation); (2) During peak calving (January–March; short farmer interview and housing environmental evaluation). The results showed farmers planned sufficiently for spring, providing appropriate housing and space allowances for calves, facilitating group housing post-birth, influencing calf welfare positively. On-farm housing that was not purposely built for rearing calves (e.g., straw storage) is frequently converted to be used to rear calves, meaning sheds must be modified to appropriately cater for calf needs (e.g., drainage and slopes to facilitate cleaning out). Management components of rearing systems appear in line with current recommendations (e.g., advice against feeding waste milk), however some areas require attention (e.g., colostrum testing and extended working hours), to safeguard calf welfare and reduce associated workloads. In conclusion, housing provisions are sufficient for calf numbers born in Ireland, however housing and management should be continually reviewed to consider calf and farmer welfare. It is unknown whether calf rearing facilities in the Republic of Ireland are fit for purpose, or if facilities sufficiently consider calf and farmer welfare. The aim of this study was to review current calf housing facilities and management practices on Irish farms to determine if calves are reared in structurally appropriate facilities with management decisions that safeguard calf and farmer welfare. Fifty-one farms located in the Munster region in the Republic of Ireland were visited twice: (1) Pre-calving (December–January) and (2) During peak calving (January–March). During visit one, herd owners completed a questionnaire regarding calf housing and management practices on-farm and each facility used to rear calves was measured (measurement of cubic air capacity, ventilation, pen area, drainage etc.) without calves being present. Visit two consisted of a short interview with the principal calf manager to validate previously asked questions and environmental based measurements of each calf house that had been recorded, with any deviation from the first visit noted (measurements of temperature, wind speed, light intensity, facility provisions in-house and in-pen; calves present). Average herd size was 254, operating a spring calving system with a median calving season length of 11.6 weeks. While most farms expanded (88%; N = 51), this did not appear to have negatively affected calf space allowances (9.9% houses overcrowded at a space allowance of 1.5 m2/calf; N = 121). Calves were most commonly housed in group sizes of <12 (71.6% of all groupings; N = 394), with farmers moving away from individual housing for a period immediately post-birth, to grouping them immediately instead (58.8%; N = 51). The number of farmers testing colostrum was 31.4% (N = 51). Although the calving season was compact, most farmers were unconcerned about the upcoming spring workload (58.8%; N = 51). Farms appeared sufficiently prepared for spring, with most using the same number or less sheds during visit two than declared in visit one (76.5%; N = 51). To conclude, farmers made sufficient provision for calf housing and space allowances for calves that facilitated group housing post-birth. While structural and management components of rearing systems appear in line with sectoral recommendations, certain areas require attention on many farms (e.g., colostrum testing) to safeguard calf welfare and reduce the workload associated with calf rearing for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Early lactation once-a-day milking does not significantly reduce total lactation kg fat + kg protein. • Milking cows once daily for six or eight-weeks in early lactation reduces milk yield. • Milking time was up to 35% less when cows were milked once-a-day. • From week five of lactation somatic cell score was similar between treatments. The availability of labour during a compact calving period, can pose a challenge to dairy farmers. The objective of this study was to investigate, in comparison to twice-a-day (TAD) milking, the effect of short-term once-a-day (OAD) milking for four (OAD4), six (OAD6) or eight (OAD8) weeks directly post-calving on milk production, cow health and welfare. After each treatment finished their respective time on OAD milking cows reverted back to TAD milking for the remainder of lactation. A milk yield reduction of 21% was observed after the first four-weeks of lactation when milking OAD compared to TAD (618 kg/cow). When OAD milking continued until week six or eight of lactation milk yield reduction increased to 24 and 26%, respectively, compared to TAD. Following the 35-week lactation OAD6 (4,913 kg/cow) and OAD8 (4,815 kg/cow) treatments had a lower cumulative milk yield compared to the TAD cows (5,300 kg/cow); OAD4 were similar to all treatments (5,073 kg/cow). Following the first four weeks of the experiment the TAD herd had a higher milk fat, protein and lactose yield (+0.29, +0.17 and 0.28 kg/cow/day, respectively) than the three OAD herds which were not significantly different to each other (1.19, 0.72 and 0.95 kg/cow/day, respectively). Total milk fat, protein and lactose yields for the first six weeks of lactation were similar for all OAD treatments (44, 28 and 38 kg/cow, respectively) compared to the TAD treatment (54, 33,and 47 kg/cow, respectively). Following the first eight-weeks of lactation milk fat, protein and lactose yields were highest for the TAD (72, 45 and 65 kg/cow, respectively); OAD6 and OAD 8 were similar, OAD4 was similar to OAD6 but higher than OAD8. There was no difference in kg fat + kg protein (MSY) between treatments at the end of lactation. During the first four weeks of lactation milking cows OAD increased (+ 0.95 units) somatic cell score (SCS) compared to cows being milked TAD (3.26 units). From week five of lactation onwards there was no difference in SCS between any of the treatments. Milking time was consistently less (up to 35% less) when cows were milked OAD compared to TAD. The likelihood of milk leakage from udders pre-milking was significantly higher with OAD compared to TAD milking. There was no effect of treatment on locomotion score or fertility. The results of this study indicate that OAD milking for a short period of time in early lactation may be a viable option to reduce labour requirements without having a negative impact on cow milk production or welfare indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of once‐a‐day (OAD) and twice‐a‐day (TAD) milking strategies on Cheddar cheese properties, within an Irish pasture‐based system. Cheese derived from OAD milk was more yellow, with significantly higher b* values and a significantly higher β‐carotene content. A significantly higher cheese yield also resulted from OAD milk. Compositional data were largely consistent with previously reported results, and no meaningful differences were found in texture, proteolysis, pH, volatile‐organic‐compounds and free‐fatty‐acid profile. Indications are that OAD milking does not negatively impact Cheddar quality, providing valuable insights for those considering milking frequency impacts on this key dairy product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cow-calf contact increased pre-weaning calf growth and reduced labour at calving. • Full-time pasture-based cow-calf contact challenged calf health and daily labour. • Part-time cow-calf contact affected calf behaviour and post-weaning growth negatively. Preventing cow-calf contact in rearing systems has been scrutinised. This descriptive study investigated the effects of full-time contact outdoors on pasture (FT-O), part-time contact indoors (PT-I), or no contact indoors (NC-I) on calf health, behaviour, growth and labour in a pasture-based dairy system. Cows (n = 55) were balanced pre-calving on parity (16 primiparous and 39 multiparous), milk production (35 weeks) of previous lactation (4497 ± 193.8 kg), breed and predicted calving date. Contact pairs bonded for 48 h, whereas NC-I calves were separated from cows immediately, and remained in individual pens for three days before grouping. The FT-O pairs moved outdoors at 5 ± 3.3 days, only separated from cows for milking twice daily. Part-time cows were milked once-a-day (8:00) and grazed outdoors post-milking, returning indoors to calves from 15:00–8:00 the following morning. The NC-I calves were assigned to a feeding plan offering up to 9.5 L/day of milk replacer via automatic feeder. All calves had Ad libitum access to water, concentrates and forage. For NC-I calves, weaning started at 48 days, taking 12 days, for contact calves it started at 58 days, taking seven days. From birth to three weeks post-weaning, animal health and labour were evaluated twice-weekly, weight and linear body measurements were recorded weekly and behaviour was recorded weekly (daily during weaning). Following this, weighing was carried out fortnightly. Faecal related issues were seen most often in contact calves than NC-I calves. The PT-I calves also experienced eye issues more often than NC-I and FT-O calves. Illness resulted in 26 % of FT-O calves being removed from experiment (none removed from NC-I and PT-I). The PT-I calves expressed the most abnormal behaviours throughout weaning. Contact calves vocalised more at weaning than NC-I (7.8 % vs 1.5 % of time). The NC-I calves weighed less at 28 (49.0 vs 55.5 kg), 56 (69.0 vs 82.1 kg), 70 (79.0 vs 87.1 kg) and 77 (81.8 vs 90.8 kg) days than FT-O and PT-I calves. Labour associated with calving was greater for the NC-I system (00:15:56 ± 00:00:35) than contact systems (00:01:39 ± 00:00:35). Weekly labour was greater for the FT-O system (00:01:29 ± 00:00:05) than NC-I and PT-I systems (00:00:44 ± 00:00:05), which were similar. Weaning labour was negligible for NC-I calves (computerised feeder), but 00:02:08 ± 00:00:09 for contact systems, which were similar. To conclude, pre-weaning calf growth and reduced labour at calving as a result of cow-calf contact is challenged by calf health and human welfare (related to daily labour) in the FT-O system and by calf behaviour and stunted post-weaning growth in the PT-I system. Thus, cow-calf contact in pasture-based dairy systems require further research to safeguard calf and human welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Atypical insufficiency fractures of the femur in patients on long-term bisphosphonate therapy have been well described in recent literature. The majority of cases are associated with minimal or no trauma and occur in the subtrochanteric or diaphyseal region.Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 76-year-old British Caucasian woman who presented initially to an emergency department and then to her primary care physician with a long-standing history of bilateral knee pain after minor trauma. Plain radiographs showed subtle linear areas of sclerosis bilaterally in her proximal tibiae. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of insufficiency fractures in these areas along with her left distal femur. There are very few reports of atypical insufficiency fractures involving the tibia in patients on long-term bisphosphonate therapy and this appears to be the only documented bilateral case involving the metaphyseal regions of the proximal tibia and distal femur.Conclusion: In addition to existing literature describing atypical fractures in the proximal femur and femoral shaft, there is a need for increased awareness that these fractures can also occur in other weight-bearing areas of the skeleton. All clinicians involved in the care of patients taking long-term bisphosphonates need to be aware of the growing association between new onset lower limb pain and atypical insufficiency fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colostrum, the first postpartum secretion of the mammary gland, plays a vital role in the nutrition, development, and immunity of a newborn calf. We characterised the protein profile as milk transitions from colostrum to transition milk over the first 5 days of lactation, collecting samples on d0, d2 and d5 after calving. Protein concentration decreased significantly after d0 (colostrum) before stabilising. Principal component analysis revealed samples clustered by day postpartum, with a limited effect from parity. In total, 471 proteins were identified across all samples; 199 protein groups showed altered relative abundance by day of lactation (fold change ≥2, P < 0.05), but none were altered significantly by parity. Higher relative levels of immune proteins were found in colostrum, and milk fat globule membrane proteins were found to increase over early lactation. Our findings provide a better understanding of the dynamics of the protein profile of bovine milk in early lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to characterise the metabolome of bovine colostrum and milk in the initial days of lactation. Colostrum and milk samples were collected from 18 cows representing an even spread of 1st, 2nd and 3rd lactation (n = 6) over the first 6 days of lactation. Samples were subsequently analysed using 1H-NMR. The metabolome of defatted colostrum and milk in the days immediately post parturition was demonstrated to be complex and changed significantly over time. The colostrum was rich in nutrients beneficial for growth and development of the new-born mammal with significantly higher levels of essential branched chain amino acids and choline and orotic acid that decreased in the subsequent days as milk composition evolved to that of regular milk. Multivariate analysis of metabolome profiles using PLS-DA was demonstrated to clearly distinguish between colostrum and subsequent milk samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nasu-Hakola syndrome is a hereditary cause of pathological fractures. Uniquely, patients also develop neuropsychiatric symptoms and signs. The disease is ultimately fatal. We propose a management strategy for pathological fractures in sufferers based on the stage of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]