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Thirty-six multiparous Holstein mid-lactating cows were housed in 6 pens (6 cows/pen) and allocated in two groups (3 pens/group), receiving a control total mixed ration (CTR), or the same diet supplemented with a feed additive (TRT). Between 15 and 35 days from enrolment (DFE) the dry matter intake (DMI) of each pen, and the individual milk yield (MY), rumination time (RT), the compositions of milk and rumen fluid and the metabolic profile of plasma were monitored regularly. At 35 DFE, cows started a 1-week wash-up period prior to the changeover. Data were analysed with a mixed model using repeated measures. Cows receiving the additive had higher DMI and MY (p

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the environmental factors including, birth season, lactation number, age, and service period, on the annual average lactation milk yield and lactation period of the Italian Mediterranean Buffaloes that were milked by rotary milking systems. The research was carried out on the data of 347 buffaloes in a modern dairy farming between 2016 and 2018 years. Their annual average lactation milk yield and lactation period were found to be 1587.55 ± 33.82 L and 247.66 ± 4.39 days. It was observed that the prolonged service period had a positive effect on the total lactation milk yield and lactation period. The season did not affect the lactation milk yield, but the lactation period was longer in the buffaloes calving in winter months. The service period has a direct effect on the economic profitability, and it was observed that the service periods of buffaloes calving in winter was shorter. It was also determined that milk productivity was positively affected due to the increase in age and lactation number, but there were wide variations in the herd. In conclusion, age, lactation number, and service period were efficient on the annual average milk yield and lactation period, but, on the other hand, the season did not affect the annual average milk yield. More breeding studies are required to minimize variations in buffalo herds milked by different milking techniques.

The study examined the relationship between milk yield and udder morphology traits in White Fulani cows. Fifty-eight apparently healthy cows in early lactation at 2nd, 3rd, and 4th parity were used in the study. The data obtained from the cows were test day milk yield (TDMY) from single milking and udder morphology traits comprising udder length (UL), udder width (UW), udder depth (UD), fore teat length (FTL), rear teat length (RTL), fore teat diameter (FTD), and rear teat diameter (RTD). There was no significant effect of parity on TDMY or the udder morphology traits. Phenotypic correlations between TDMY, UL, UW, and UD were positive and significant. Notably, phenotypic correlations between UL and TDMY at different parities were the strongest. Teat measurements had no significant correlation with TDMY. Stepwise and principal component regressions were implemented to assess the relationship between milk yield and udder morphology traits. Interestingly, UL was the only trait that entered the reduced models. The results suggest a probable genetic correlation between milk yield and udder length. Therefore, since udder conformation traits are heritable, when selecting for udder length in White Fulani cows, a correlated response in milk yield is expected.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating linseed oil and fish oil in the diet on intake, ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy goats. Four crossbred Saanen lactating goats in mid-lactation and milking 1.30 ± 0.28 g/day were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The basal diet contained concentrate and Para grass (C:F 40:60). Treatments included a basal diet without oil supplementation (Ctrl) or with 2.5% linseed oil (LO2.5), 2.5% linseed oil and fish oil (3:2, w/w, LFO2.5), and 4.16% linseed oil and fish oil (3:2, w/w, LFO4.16). Diets had no effect on intake, milk yield, milk composition, or ruminal fermentation (p > 0.05). Compared with Ctrl, lower (p < 0.05) proportions of C10:0–C14:0 in milk fat were observed with LFO4.16. Compared with the Ctrl and linseed oil added alone, feeding LFO4.16 led to a greater (p < 0.01) concentration of C18:1 t11. Compared with both the Ctrl and LO2.5 diets, milk c9,t11 CLA was 4.53 and 2.94 times greater with the LFO4.16 diet. Compared with Ctrl and LO2.5 diets (0.06% and 0.08%), goats fed LFO2.5, and LFO4.16 had greater (p < 0.001) concentrations of C22:6n-3 (0.63% and 0.87%). Overall, the combined data suggested that including 4.16% linseed oil and fish oil in the diet of dairy goats was effective in improving the concentrations of health-promoting fatty acids in milk without affecting milk production.

The objective of this study was to analyze data on physical activity and rumination time monitored via collars at the farm coupled with milk yield recorded by the rotary milking system to predict cows based on several disorders using the binary Logistic regression conducted with R software. Data for metritis (n=60), mastitis (n=98), lameness (n=35), and digestive disorders (n=52) were collected from 1,618 healthy cows used to construct the prediction model. To verify the feasibility and adaptability of the proposed method, we analyzed data of cows in the same herd (herd 1) not used to construct the model, and cows in another herd (herd 2) with data recorded by the same type of automated system, and led to detection of 75.0%, 64.2%, 74.2%, and 76.9% animals in herd 1 correctly predicted to suffer from metritis, mastitis, lameness, and digestive disorders, respectively. For cows in herd 2, 66.6%, 58.8%, 80.7%, and 71.4% were correctly predicted for metritis, mastitis, lameness, and digestive disorders, respectively. Compared with traditional clinical diagnoses by farm personnel, the algorithm developed allowed for earlier prediction of cows with a disorder. RESUMO Os objetivos deste estudo foram analisar dados sobre a atividade física e o tempo de ruminação monitorados através de coleiras na fazenda junto com a produção de leite registrada pelo sistema rotativo de ordenha para prever vacas com base em vários distúrbios utilizando o software de regressão logística binária realizado com o software R. Dados para metrite (n=60), mastite (n=98), manqueira (n=35) e distúrbios digestivos (n=52) foram coletados de 1.618 vacas saudáveis foram usados para construir o modelo de previsão. Para verificar a viabilidade e adaptabilidade do método proposto, analisamos os dados de vacas do mesmo rebanho (rebanho 1) não utilizadas para construir o modelo, e vacas de outro rebanho (rebanho 2) com dados registrados pelo mesmo tipo de sistema automatizado, e levamos à detecção de 75,0%, 64,2%, 74,2%, e 76,9% de animais do rebanho 1 previstos corretamente para sofrer de metrite, mastite, manqueira e distúrbios digestivos, respectivamente. Para as vacas do rebanho 2, 66,6%, 58,8%, 80,7% e 71,4% foram previstos corretamente para metrite, mastite, manqueira e distúrbios digestivos, respectivamente. Em comparação com os diagnósticos clínicos tradicionais feitos pelo pessoal da fazenda, o algoritmo desenvolvido permitiu a previsão antecipada de vacas com um distúrbio.

This study was carried out to investigate the reproductive efficiency, milk yield and some developmental characteristics of kids in Hair goats reared under extensive conditions. The animal material of the study consisted of 214 Hair goats and 233 Hair goat kids. In order to determine the reproductive traits of the Hair goats, data on the number of goats under sire, pregnancy rate, birth rate, single birth rate, twin birth rate, number of kids per birth, kid yield, weaning period kid yield; lactation milk yield, lactation duration and daily average milk yield as milk yield traits and birth weight and weaning weight were used to determine the development traits of kids. Pregnancy rate was 95.8%, birth rate was 94.4%, single birth rate was 84.6%, twin birth rate was 15.3%, number of kids per birth was 1.15 and kid yield was 108.9. Among the milk yield characteristics of Hair goats, lactation milk yield was 124.26 kg, lactation period was 166.04 days and average daily milk yield was 0.750 kg. Birth weight and weaning (90th day) weights of Hair goat kids were determined as 3.09 and 13.11 kg, respectively. As a result, it was observed that fertility, milk yield and some developmental characteristics of kids obtained from Hair goats under extensive conditions were in accordance with the values reported in the literature.

Fast, flexible, and internally valid analytical tools are needed to evaluate the effects of management interventions made on dairy farms to support decisions about which interventions to continue or discontinue. The objective of this observational study was to demonstrate the use of state space models (SSM) to monitor and estimate the effect of interventions on 2 specific outcomes: a dynamic linear model (DLM) evaluating herd-level milk yield and a dynamic generalized linear model evaluating treatment risk in a pragmatic pretest/posttest design under field conditions. This demonstration study is part of a Danish common learning project that ran from March 2020 to May 2021 within the framework of veterinary herd health consultancy in relation to reducing antimicrobial use and improving herd health. Specific interventions for 2 commercial herds were suggested by 4 visiting farmers and were implemented during the project period. The intervention for herd 1 was the application of teat sealers, implemented in August 2020. For herd 2, the intervention was an adjustment of cubicles for cows of parity 2 and above, implemented from November 2020. A shift to an automatic milking system in October 2020 was also modeled as an intervention for herd 1 because the 2 interventions coincided. Data available from the Danish Cattle Database on obligatory registrations for individual cow movements and treatments, as well as test day information on milk yield, were used for model building and testing. Data from a 3-yr period before the project were used to calibrate the SSM to herd conditions, and data from the study period (March 2020 to May 2021) were used for monitoring and intervention testing based on application of the SSM. Herd bulk tank milk recordings were added to the data set during the study period to increase the precision of the estimates in the DLM. The developed SSM monitored herd-level milk yield and the overall probability of treatment throughout the study period in both herds. Furthermore, at the time of intervention, the SSM estimated the effect on herd-level milk yield and treatment risk associated with the implemented intervention in each herd. The SSM were used because they can be calibrated to herd conditions and they take into account herd dynamics and autocorrelation and provide standard deviations of estimates. For herd 1, the intervention effect of applying teat sealers was inconclusive with the current SSM application. For herd 2, no statistically significant changes in cow treatment risk or milk production were identified following the adjustment of cubicles. The use of SSM on observational data under field conditions shows that in this case, the interventions had a nonspecific onset of effect, were implemented during unstable times, and had varying coherence with the measured outcomes, making fully automated SSM analysis difficult. However, similar or expanded SSM with both monitoring and effect estimation functions could, if applied under the right conditions, serve as improved data-based decision support tools for farmers (and veterinarians) to minimize the risk of misinterpreting data due to confounding bias related to dynamics in dairy herds.

Küresel ısınma birçok alanda olduğu gibi hayvancılıkta da olumsuz etkiler göstermektedir. Sıcak stresi, ineklerin süt verimi ve döl verimi performansını düşürür bunun yanı sıra hayvan refahını olumsuz şekilde etkiler, önlemler alınmazsa hayvanların ölümüne yol açar. Bu çalışma, Simental ırkı ineklerin sıcak stresi altında süt verimi, döl verimi ve bazı refah parametrelerini incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Çalışmada 1207 adet Simental ırkı inek kullanılmıştır. Araştırmada incelenen ineklerin, Nisan-Ağustos ayları arasında olan dönemde ve beş farklı sıcaklık-nem indeksi düzeyindeki verim ve aktivite performanslarında değişimi incelenmiş ve aynı zamanda 2020-2021 yılında doğumunu gerçekleştirmiş ve tohumlanan ineklerin döl verimi performansları incelenmiştir. Verilerin analizi SAS 9.4 istatistik programında PROC GLIMMIX prosedürü kullanılarak incelenmiştir. İstatistiksel modelde, parite (1-4), ay (Nisan-Ağustos) ve sıcaklık-nem indeksi (SNİ) düzeyi (1-5) bireysel farklılıklardan kaynaklanan etkiler elemine edilmesi amacıyla inek numarası rastgele faktör olarak modelde göz önüne alınmıştır. Pariteye göre en düşük günlük süt verimi ilk laktasyondaki ineklerde (21,8±0,2 kg/gün), en yüksek süt verimi ise dördüncü laktasyonda olan ineklerde (32,6±0,2 kg/gün) tespit edilmiştir (P0.05) tespit edilmiştir. Pariteye göre en yüksek ruminasyon süresi ikinci laktasyonda, en düşük dördüncü laktasyonda olduğu görülmüştür. Adım sayılarının ise laktasyon sayısı yükseldikce azaldığı tespit edilmiştir. Simental ineklerde, SNİ değeri arttıkça ruminasyon süresinin azaldığı, adım sayısının ve ayakta durma süresinin arttığı tespit edilmiştir. Çalışma sonuçlarında sıcak stresinin Simental ırkında verimleri ve refah düzeyini olumsuz düzeyde etkilediği sonucuna varılmıştır. Global warming has negative effects on livestock as well as in many other areas. Heat stress reduces the milk yield and reproductive performance of cows, and also adversely affects animal welfare, leading to the death of animals if precautions are not taken. The aim of this study was to examine milk yield, fertility and some welfare parameters of Simmental cows under heat stress conditions. In this study, a total of 1207 Simmental cows records were analyzed. The changes in the yield and activity performances of the cows examined in the study between April and August and at five different temperature-humidity index levels were examined, and at the same time, the fertility performances of the cows that gave birth and inseminated in 2020-2021 were also examined. Data analysis was performed using the PROC GLIIMMIX procedure in the SAS 9.4 statistical program. In the statistical model, parity (1-4), month (April-August) and temperature-humidity index (THI) level (1-5) were taken into consideration in the model as a random factor in order to eliminate the effects caused by individual differences. According to the parity, the lowest daily milk yield was found in the first lactation cows (21.8±0.2 kg/day), and the highest milk yield was found in the fourth lactation cows (32.6±0.2 kg/day) (P0.05). According to the parity, the highest rumination time of cows was observed in the second lactation, and the lowest in the fourth lactation. It was determined that the number of steps decreased as the number of lactation increased. It was determined that as the THI value increased, rumination time decreased, the number of steps as a result standing time increased in Simmental cows. It was concluded that heat stress negatively affected the productivity and welfare level of the Simmental cows. Erma Süt Hayvancılık Gıda Sanayı ve Tıcaret Ltd. Şti.

The aim of this study was to determine the variation of milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration according to milk yield and milk protein in Holstein cows in Boyacá, Colombia. Data previously collected (n=4901) over two years were used. Univariate analysis of variance was performed with the variables milk yield (l/day) and milk protein (%) as independent variables and the concentration of MUN as the dependent variable. In addition, a simple linear correlation analysis was performed between each variable. The results showed that MUN values are higher when milk yield is lower, but no statistical differences were found for MUN concentration according to milk protein content. Weak and negative correlation was found between milk yield and MUN concentration, but no significant correlation was found between milk protein and MUN concentration., El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la variación de la concentración de nitrógeno ureico en leche (MUN) según los niveles de producción de leche por día y la proteína de la leche en vacas Holstein en Boyacá, Colombia. Se utilizaron datos recopilados (n=4901) durante dos años. Se realizó análisis de varianza univariante con las variables producción de leche (l/día) y proteína de leche (%) como variables independientes y la concentración de MUN como variable dependiente. Además, se realizó un análisis de correlación lineal simple entre cada variable. Los resultados mostraron que los valores de MUN son mayores cuando la producción de leche es menor, pero no se encontraron diferencias estadísticas para la concentración de MUN según el contenido de proteína de la leche. Se encontró una correlación débil y negativa entre la producción de leche y la concentración de MUN, pero no se encontró una correlación significativa entre la proteína de la leche y la concentración de MUN.

The objective of this research was to estimate genetic parameters and genetic trends (GT) for 305-day milk yield (MY305) and 305-day fat yield (FY305) of purebred Dairy Gir animals of the National Dairy Gir Breeding Program. The restricted maximum likelihood method was used in an animal model. GT were obtained via linear regression and divided into two periods (1935-1992 and 1993-2013 for PL305; 1935-1992 and 1993-2010 for MY305). The estimated heritabilities were 0.23 (MY305) and 0.10 (FY305). The GT (kg/year) values for MY305 in the 2nd period for measured females (25.49), females (26.11), and males (35.13) were higher than those found in the 1st period (2.52; 2.06, and 1.00, respectively). The heritability estimated for MY305 confirmed the possibility of genetic improvement by selection and indicated a lower additive genetic effect on FY305 of purebred animals. The genetic progress for MY305 in all purebred population is denoted by the more expressive gains found from 1990’s, when the first bull catalogs were published. RESUMO: Objetivou-se estimar os parâmetros genéticos e tendências genéticas (GT) para produção de leite (MY305) e produção de gordura (FY305), ambas em 305 dias, de animais puros Gir Leiteiro, integrantes do Programa Nacional de Melhoramento do Gir Leiteiro. Foi utilizada a metodologia da máxima verossimilhança restrita em modelo animal. As GT foram obtidas via regressão linear e divididas em dois períodos (1935-1992 e 1993-2013 para PL305; 1935-1992 e 1993-2010 para MY305). As herdabilidades foram de 0,23 (MY305) e 0,10 (FY305). Para PL305, as GT (kg/ano) do 2º período para fêmeas mensuradas (25,49), fêmeas (26,11) e, machos (35,13) foram claramente superiores às do 1º período (2,52; 2,06 e 1,00; respectivamente). A estimativa de herdabilidade para MY305 reafirma ser possível melhoramento genético por meio de seleção, enquanto para FY305 sugere uma menor influência genética aditiva em animais puros. O progresso genético para MY305 em toda a população pura está evidenciado pelos ganhos mais expressivos, observados a partir da década de 90, quando foram divulgados os primeiros sumários de touros.

Donkey milk (DM) has been known in the world for 5000 years for its benefits for human nutrition and health. Nowadays, DM has become more and more attractive as a commercial product. DM contains several physiologically functional components, including high-quality whey proteins, vitamins, important minerals, unsaturated fatty acid and bioactive components. Therefore, it is not only consumed as food but also as a remedy. The average daily milk yield of a female donkey over the entire lactation season was 1.57 ± 1.12 kg/day and fluctuated between 0.20 and 6.00 kg/day. Average milk concentrations (±SD) of fat, protein, lactose, total solids and ash in DM were 0.63 ± 0.41%, 1.71 ± 0.24%, 6.34 ± 0.37%, 9.11 ± 0.95% and 0.39 ± 0.04%, respectively. Interestingly, DM is similar in composition to mare’s milk, and both are similar to mother’s milk. The anatomical and morphological properties of the mammary gland of the female donkey are special and can be compared with those of mare udders. However, the cistern cavity of the mammary gland of female donkeys is characterized by the presence of multiple pockets that open directly into the teat, instead of a single cistern cavity. Therefore, the mammary gland capacity in donkey mare is low and milking technique and routine are of most importance. So far there is no special milking machine for female donkeys and mares. The milking machines used nowadays were initially designed for smaller sheep and goat udders. The company Siliconform, Germany, has set itself the task of developing an optimized milking machine for donkey mares, which is adapted to the anatomical and morphological properties of the donkey mammary gland. Furthermore, it should achieve a physiologically ideal milking process meeting high animal welfare standards for increased milk production with high quality standards.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of some environmental factors like calving year, season, buffalo cow age and village on some milk yield traits of Anatolian buffaloes, such as daily milk yield for lactation length (MYLL), total lactation milk yield (TLMY), lactation length (LL), and daily milk yield for calving interval (MYCI). 1838 milk yield records obtained from 851 Anatolian buffaloes reared under different environmental conditions from 2015 through 2019 within the scope of the Bartın Anatolian Buffalo Breeding Project were assessed. The least square means and standard errors for MYLL, TLMY, LL, and MYCI were 4.07  0.02 kg, 1078.6  7.54 kg, 263.83  1.16 days, and 2.75  0.03 kg, respectively. As a result of the study, the effects of village, calving year and age (P

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrate supplementation strategies to lactating F1 Holstein x Zebu cows managed on deferred signal grass pasture on milk yield, composition and body weight gain. Thirty-six F1 Holstein x Zebu cows with average days in milk of 102 ± 10 and body weight of 501 ± 19 kg were allotted to a 4 x 5 completely randomized factorial design, with four feeding strategies and five weeks of evaluation. The treatments consisted of four nutritional strategies: deferred pasture as a source of roughage + 700 grams of protein supplement (PDPI); deferred pasture as a source of roughage + 1,200 grams of protein supplement (PDPII); deferred pasture + 15 kilograms of corn silage (natural basis) + 1,200 grams of protein supplement (PDSP) and corn silage (ad libitum) + 700 grams of protein supplement (CSS). There was no interaction (P = 0.99) between supplementation strategies and test days on milk yield and chemical composition. The mean milk yield of cows managed on PDPI, PDPII and PDSP was 11.50 kg/day (P > 0.05), which was 14.30% lower than that of cows managed on CSS. Fat content (P < 0.01), protein (P < 0.01), lactose (P < 0.01), defatted dry extract (DDE) (P< 0 .01), total solids (P < 0.01) and milk casein (P < 0.01) were affected by different supplementation strategies. F1 Holstein x Zebu cows on deferred Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk pasture and supplemented with concentrate maintains milk production at 11.50 kg with normal composition, maintaining satisfactory body weight and condition score. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes estratégias de suplementação com concentrado para vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu em lactação manejadas em pastagem de capim-braquiária diferida sobre a produção, composição e ganho de peso corporal do leite. Trinta e seis vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu com média de dias em leite de 102 ± 10 e peso corporal de 501 ± 19 kg foram distribuídas em um planejamento fatorial 4 x 5 inteiramente casualizado, com quatro estratégias de alimentação e cinco semanas de avaliação. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro estratégias nutricionais: pasto diferido como fonte de volumoso + 700 gramas de suplemento protéico (PDPI); pastagem diferida como fonte de volumoso + 1.200 gramas de suplemento protéico (PDPII); pastagem diferida + 15 quilos de silagem de milho (base natural) + 1.200 gramas de suplemento protéico (PDSP) e silagem de milho (ad libitum) + 700 gramas de suplemento protéico (CSS). Não houve interação (P = 0,99) entre as estratégias de suplementação e os dias de teste na produção e composição química do leite. A produção média de leite das vacas manejadas com PDPI, PDPII e PDSP foi de 11,50 kg / dia (P > 0,05), que foi 14,30% menor que a das vacas manejadas com CSS. O teor de gordura (P < 0,01), proteína (P < 0,01), lactose (P < 0,01), extrato seco desengordurado (DDE) (P < 0,01), sólidos totais (P < 0,01) e caseína do leite (P < 0,01) foram afetados por diferentes estratégias de suplementação. Vacas F1 Holandês x Zebu em Urochloa decumbens diferida cv. O pasto de Basilisk e suplementada com concentrado mantém a produção de leite em 11,50 kg com composição normal, mantendo peso corporal e escore de condição satisfatórios.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of replacing jackfruit leaves (JF) for Para grass (PG) on intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, ruminal fermentation, milk yield and composition in lactating goats. Four crossbred Saanen lactating goats in mid-lactation and milking 1676 ± 112 g/day were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. A basal diet consisted of concentrate and PG (C:F 40:60). Treatments were dietary replacement of JL for PG at ratios of 0, 50, 75 and 100% corresponding to JL0, JL50, JL75 and JL100 diets, respectively. Feeding JL increased linearly (P

The objective of this observational study was to evaluate the association of management-related factors in dry cows and colostrum quantity and quality in Holstein cows on a large commercial dairy farm. This study was conducted from January 2018 to December 2020 on a commercial dairy farm in Germany, milking approximately 2,500 Holstein cows. Dairy personnel recorded colostrum quantity (n = 7,567) and evaluated colostrum quality in a subsample of animals (n = 2,600) using a digital Brix refractometer. Generalized linear mixed models were constructed to evaluate the association of management-related factors and colostrum quantity and quality. Models were run separately for primiparous or multiparous cows. The outcome variable was either colostrum quantity (kg) or quality (% Brix). Average colostrum quantity was 4.0 �� 2.5 kg, 5.1 �� 3.4 kg, and 5.5 �� 3.5 kg for cows in lactation 1, 2, and ���3, respectively. In primiparous cows (n = 2,351), colostrum quantity was affected by month of calving (greatest in April = 4.1 kg, and lowest in November = 3.2 kg), sex of the calf (female singleton = 3.50 �� 0.26 kg; male singleton = 3.76 �� 0.27 kg; twins = 2.97 �� 0.66 kg), stillbirth (stillbirth = 3.14 �� 0.39 kg; no stillbirth = 3.68 �� 0.31 kg). In multiparous cows (n = 5,216), colostrum quantity was affected by month of calving (greatest in May = 5.5 kg, and lowest in October = 3.8 kg), calving ease (calving ease 0 = 4.23 �� 0.26 kg; score 1 = 4.77 �� 0.21 kg; score 2 = 4.98 �� 0.22 kg; score 3 = 5.30 �� 0.22 kg), sex of the calf (female singleton = 4.42 �� 0.21 kg; male singleton = 5.00 �� 0.21 kg; twins = 5.03 �� 0.30 kg), stillbirth (stillbirth = 4.24 �� 0.38 kg; no stillbirth = 5.39 �� 0.11 kg), milk yield in previous lactation (+0.1 kg increase for 1,000 kg more milk yield in previous lactation), days spent in the far-off group (0.05 �� 0.003 kg for every day), and days in the close-up pen (0.06 �� 0.010 kg for every day). Average colostrum quality was 25.1 �� 3.4% Brix, 24.7 �� 3.3% Brix, and 27.6 �� 4.4% Brix for cows in lactation 1, 2, and ���3, respectively. In primiparous cows (n = 817), colostrum quality was affected only by month of calving. Colostrum quality in primiparous cows was greatest in December (26.8% Brix) and lowest in August (23.9% Brix). In multiparous cows (n = 1,783), colostrum quality was affected by parity (lactation 2 = 25.2 �� 2.7% Brix; lactation 3+ = 27.9 �� 2.7% Brix), month of calving (greatest in February = 27.5% Brix, and lowest in August = 25.7% Brix), milk yield in previous lactation, and colostrum quantity. We observed a seasonal pattern for colostrum quantity and quality. Future intervention studies using multiple farms need to elucidate whether management of the photoperiod or length of exposure to close-up diets, or both, can help to optimize colostrum production.

Time spent ruminating is affected by diet and affects the rumen environment. The objective of the current study was to conduct a meta-regression to characterize the variation in rumination time and its relationship with milk and milk fat yields and variables mechanistically associated with milk fat synthesis, including rumen pH and total-tract digestibility. The analysis included 130 journal articles published between 1986 and 2018 that reported 479 treatment means from lactating Holsteins cows during established lactation. Milk yield averaged 34.3 kg/d (range 14.2–52.1 kg/d), milk fat averaged 3.47% (range 2.20–4.60%), and rumen pH averaged 6.1 (range 5.3–7.0). Rumination observation systems were categorized into 6 groups, but there was little difference in average rumination time among systems. The total time spent ruminating averaged 444 min/d (range 151–638 d) and occurred in 13.8 bouts/d (range 7.8–17.4 bouts/d) that averaged 32.7 min (range 20.0–48.1 min). Bivariate regressions were modeled to include the random effect of study, and correlations were evaluated through the partial R2 that excluded variation accounted for by the random effect. Rumination time was quadratically increased with increasing milk fat yield (partial R2 = 0.27) and milk fat percent (partial R2 = 0.17). Rumination was also increased with increasing milk yield, dry matter intake, and rumen pH, and was quadratically related to dietary neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total-tract NDF digestibility (partial R2 = 0.10–0.27). Similar relationships were observed for rumination per unit of dry matter and NDF intake. The best-fit multivariate model predicting total rumination time included milk yield, milk fat yield, and concentration and accounted for 37% of the variation. Total-tract digestibility was available for 217 treatment means; when included in the model, the partial R2 increased to 0.41. Last, principal component analysis was conducted to explore the relationship among variables. The first 2 principal components in the broad analyses explained 36.7% of the 39 variables evaluated, which included rumination bouts and time spent ruminating. In conclusion, rumination time was related to milk fat across a large number of studies, although it explained only a limited amount of the variation in milk fat.

Provision of a palatable feed in automated milking systems (AMS) is considered an essential motivating factor to encourage voluntary visits to the milking stall. Although the quantity and composition of AMS concentrates have been previously investigated, the form of the concentrate has not been extensively evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding pelleted (PB; 132.9 ± 56 DIM, 47.4 ± 9.51 kg/d milk yield) versus steam-flaked barley (SFB; 133.0 ± 63 DIM, 40.5 ± 8.23 kg/d milk yield) in an AMS on dry matter intake, AMS visits, milk and milk component yield, and partial mixed ration (PMR) feeding behavior. Twenty-nine Holstein cows of varying parities were enrolled in this study. Cows were housed in freestall housing with a feed-first guided-flow barn design; 7 cows were housed in a separate freestall pen to enable individual PMR intake and feeding behavior monitoring. This study was conducted as a 2-way crossover, with two 21-d periods in which each cow received the same basal PMR but was offered 2 kg/d (dry matter basis) of PB or SFB in the AMS. Cows receiving the SFB had fewer voluntary AMS visits (2.71 vs. 2.90 ± 0.051, no./d), tended to have a longer interval between milkings (541.7 vs. 505.8 ± 21.02 min), spent more time in the holding pen before entering the AMS (139.9 vs. 81.2 ± 11.68 min/d), and had lower total box time (19.7 vs. 21.4 ± 0.35 min/d) than cows fed PB. Despite changes in AMS attendance, there were no differences for average milk (44.0 kg/d), fat (1.62 kg/d), and protein (1.47 kg/d) yields or AMS concentrate intake (2.02 kg/d). These behavioral changes indicate that offering SFB as an alternative to PB may reduce motivation for cows to voluntarily enter the AMS.

Exploring new alternative sources of feedstuffs can contribute to animal production sustainability in some Mediterranean regions in order to overcome the rising food demand. The influence of dietary replacement of wheat straw (WS) with orange waste silage (OWS) on nutrient intakes, apparent digestibility, ruminal fermentation and blood biochemical constituents and milk production of dairy goats were evaluated. Forty pregnant goats (46.30±1.6 kg BW) were housed in individual pens in a completely randomized design and fed (ad libitum) a TMR for 75 days period. Goats were assigned to four experimental diets with the forage amounts consisting of either WS as a control diet (1000 g WS/kg DM in the TMR), a 50:50 mixture of both WS and OWS (500 g WS and 500 g OWS/kg DM in the TMR), an orange waste silage (1000 g OWS/kg DM in the TMR) or corn silage as a positive control (1000 g CS/kg DM in the TMR). The DMI increased linearly (P3-N concentration and total protozoa abundance decreased quadratically (P

The conventional dairy production system involves separation of the cow and calf at around 24 h after birth. Due to public concerns regarding this early separation, a few farmers are taking up the cow–calf contact system. However, some farmers have cited great variation in milk yield delivered to the parlor by cows in this sytem, with this being detrimental because it leads to low farm returns. The main objective of this study was to determine the source of variation in milk delivered to the parlor among cows in a cow–calf contact system. The study examined milk yield records for the first 28 d of lactation for 110 fall- and spring-calving cows from a farm running a full-time cow–calf contact system to investigate factors leading to variation among cows in milk delivered to the parlor. We observed great individual variation in milk yield delivered to the parlor among cows, with the range between the highest and lowest average being 22 L/d. The sex of the calf had an effect on the average milk yield delivered to the parlor: cows with female calves had higher average milk yield (Wald = 5.61, df = 1). Additionally, the lactation number of the dam affected average milk yield delivered to the parlor, with cows in their third lactation and above having the highest milk yield average (Wald = 20.90, df = 2). From the results of this study, we conclude that sex of the calf and lactation number of the dam affect milk yield delivered to the milking parlor in a cow–calf contact system.

The supplementation with herbal and medicinal plants to animals showed positive effects on feed digestion, performance and animal’s health. Fifteen multiparous Egyptian buffaloes (537 ± 18.1 kg body weight), 7 days after parturition, were randomly assigned to 3 treatments in a quintupled 3 × 3 Latin square design in a 63-day experiment. Each experimental period lasted 21 days (15 days of adaptation + 7 days for measurements and samples collection). Buffaloes were assigned according to their previous milk production, weight and parity to study the effect of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) or ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on feed utilization and lactational performance. Buffaloes were fed a basal diet of concentrates, berseem clover and rice straw in a ratio of 60:30:10 dry matter (DM) basis. The first group was fed the basal diet with no additive as the control treatment, while other buffaloes were fed on the basal diet supplemented with 75 g fennel or ginger/buffalo daily. Additives supplementation did not affect feed intake; however, fennel followed by ginger improved (P

Sulla flexuosa (Hedysarum flexuosum L.) is an endemic legume growing in some Mediterranean areas in rainfed and cold mountainous conditions. It could be used in goat diets as an alternative protein source instead of alfalfa to supplement forest rangeland. This study aimed to test the effects of incorporating Sulla flexuosa (SF) hay in the diet of Beni Arouss goats on their milk production and quality. The hay was introduced at two levels, i.e., 35 or 70% (SF70), on a DM basis; it partially or totally replaced the alfalfa hay of the control diet. Sulla flexuosa incorporation did not affect milk production or physicochemical composition. However, milk FA content varied in proportion to the percentage of SF incorporation. The SF70 diet was associated with increased milk levels in C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, and C22:6n-3 and total monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and n-3 fatty acids. As a consequence, atherogenic and thrombogenic indices were improved. Additionally, better antioxidant capacity was observed in SF70.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of reducing early lactation milking frequency on milk yield and persistency through lactation and early lactation fat mobilization, measured by body condition score (BCS) and BHB in milk. We hypothesized that milking cows twice per day in early lactation before milking them 3 times per day for the remaining lactation would cause less fat mobilization in early lactation, a lower peak milk yield but improved persistency throughout lactation compared with milking cows 3 times per day for the entire lactation. The experiment took place on 2 commercial dairy farms in Denmark. All cows calving in a period of nine months (n = 239) in their current first and later parities were randomly allocated at dry-off to 1 of 3 treatments based on expected calving date. The treatments were (1) cows milked 2 times per day for 1 week after calving, (2) cows milked 2 times per day for 4 weeks after calving and (3) cows milked 2 times per day for 7 weeks after calving. All cows were then milked 3 times per day for the remaining lactation. Milk yield peaked 3.3 and 3.6 d later and milk yield persistency improved with 18 and 19 g per day when cows were milked 2 times per day for 4 and 7 weeks, respectively, compared with milking 2 times per day for 1 week after calving. We found a significant highest milk BHB in treatment 2, but the underlying effect of milking cows 2 times per day for 4 weeks compared with 1 or 7 weeks was unclear. In conclusion, we did not confirm our hypothesis that milking cows 2 times per day compared to 3 times in early lactation would reduce fat mobilization and reduce peak yield. We did, however, find an improved milk yield persistency, which partially offset a numerical reduction in peak yield, and hence there was no significant effect of reducing early lactation milking frequency on total lactation (305 DIM) milk yield.

This thesis deals with the issue of proper nutrition of dairy cows and its effect on milk production and reproduction. It includes an introduction to cattle breeding, milk yield, digestion and the main reproductive parameters. High dairy cow production and successful reproduction are positively reflected in the economics of each dairy farm. The ration dynamics will be monitored during the progressive inclusion of roughages in the different phases of nutrition and also on the reproductive indicators in the farm under study.

В статье приведены данные по молочной продуктивности и живой массе пробонитированных коров в Республике Хакасия за 20192021 гг. Отмечается увеличение живой массы коров в среднем по стаду на 13 кг (2,3 %), удоя на 215 кг (5,0 %), но снижение массовой доли жира и белка на 0,02 % и 0,06 % соответственно., The article presents data on milk productivity and live weight of probonitated cows in the Republic of Khakassia for 2019-2021. There is an increase in the live weight of cows on average in the herd by 13 kg (2.3%), milk yield by 215 kg (5.0 %), but a decrease in the mass fraction of fat and protein in milk by 0.02 % and 0.06 %, respectively.

This study was conducted to assess the effects of a single transdermal administration of flunixin meglumine (FM) in early postpartum Holstein Friesian dairy cows on milk yield, culling risk, and reproductive performance. We hypothesized that FM treatment would reduce systemic inflammation, leading to higher milk yield, reduced culling risk, and better reproductive performance in the subsequent lactation. Holstein Friesian dairy cows [n = 500, 153 primiparous (PRIM), 347 multiparous (MULT)] from 3 farms in northeast Germany were enrolled in a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Farms at risk for cows with excessive postpartum inflammation were identified in a preliminary trial by measuring serum haptoglobin concentrations in their fresh lactating cows. Only cows that had a eutocic birth and delivered a singleton calf alive, with no signs of milk fever or retained fetal membranes and rectal temperature ≤40°C at first clinical examination, were included within 24 to 36 h postpartum. Treatment included a single transdermal administration of either FM (3.33 mg/kg) or a placebo as control (CON). Milk production, milk solids, urea, and somatic cell count were recorded monthly for 8 mo after calving. Culling risk, first-service conception risk, and days open were retrieved from the farms' herd management software. Separate models for PRIM and MULT cows were built for most parameters because of significant effects of parity and parity × treatment interaction. Energy-corrected milk yield from 8 monthly Dairy Herd Improvement-equivalent tests was slightly greater in PRIM cows treated with FM (29.51 and 30.73 ± 1.35 kg, CON vs. FM), whereas it was reduced in treated MULT cows (38.23 and 37.47 ± 1.17 kg, CON vs. FM) compared with CON. Milk fat and protein yields were greater in FM-treated PRIM cows and lower in treated MULT cows compared with CON. Milk urea and somatic cell count were not affected by treatment. No differences in culling risk, first-service conception risk, or days open were observed. We conclude that a single transdermal administration of FM in early postpartum dairy cows on farms at risk for excessive postpartum inflammation slightly increased milk, milk fat, and milk protein yields in PRIM cows and decreased these variables in MULT cows. Neither culling risk nor fertility was affected by treatment in this study.

Cow's milk plays an important role in human nutrition and is one of the main products of the dairy industry. Its composition changes in response to various factors including forage. The quality of roughage is one of the important aspects for the nutrition and health of dairy cows and milk productivity itself. The aim of the diploma thesis was to assess two forages, grass hay and rye hay, and their effect on milk yield. Along with milk yield, the amount of protein and fat in milk was assessed. Feed rations at the VOD Kadov company were compared over the course of four years. Based on documented data from the company VOD Kadov, according to statistical calculations, the influence of rye haying (p 0,05) on increasing milk yield was not confirmed, and no influence on the amount of fat in milk was proven either(p 0,05). The effect of rye silage on the amount of protein in milk was proven by statistical calculation (p 0,05). The results show that feeding high-quality grass forage or high-quality rye forage has no independent effect on milk yield or fat content. Rye haylage is a suitable substitute for grass haylage in the feed ration.

Maize silage is fundamental for high milk production in dairy farming. The incorporation of new genetic diversity into temperate maize germplasm has the potential to improve adapted cultivars, and it could be especially useful for improving the nutrition of silage varieties. The goal of this study is to assess the potential for lines from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project to compete with commercial silage hybrids when crossed with elite temperate-adapted testers. We examined 35 GEM-derived hybrids along with five commercial checks in seven environments across three years in trials that were arranged in randomized complete block designs. Hybrids were compared based on their potential for conversion into animal productivity units: milk yield per hectare (Milk ha−1) and milk yield per ton of silage (Milk t−1). Broad phenotypic variation was observed for both traits, and the broad-sense heritability of Milk ha−1 and Milk t−1 were 0.24 and 0.31, respectively. Five out of six hybrids in the top 15%, based on a multi-trait stability index, were GEM-derived hybrids. The large proportions of phenotypic variance attributed to genotype by environment interactions (GEI) for quality traits suggests that local adaptation should be leveraged for silage breeding that make use of GEM-derived materials.

Hoof disease is one of the most common health disorders of high-producing dairy cows and limits the performance and health status of animals kept in stables. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of hoof disease and its effect on the milk yield of cows in a specific dairy farm. The work evaluated the effect of the occurrence of dermatitis digitalis (DD) and specific-traumatic inflammation of the hoof (ZŠP) on parameters of milk performance (daily milk yield, fat content, protein content and number of somatic cells in milk) and on the insemination index in the herd of Holstein dairy cows in years 2021 and 2022. The data set from 1,498 dairy cows was used for the evaluation, when 15,245 performance control records were processed. First, the average values of milk yield indicators were compared one month before the diagnosis of the disease and one month after the diagnosis of the disease. In this case, a statistically significant difference was demonstrated only in the number of somatic cells (PSB) in DD, when this indicator rose from the original 275 thousand to 487 thousand somatic cells. Furthermore, indicators of milk yield were evaluated in the month after the finding according to the stage of lactation. Here, a statistically significant difference was recorded in the second stage of lactation (from the 41st to the 100th day) in the fat content of cows with ZŠP, when the fat content in cows without findings was 3.59 % and in cows with ZŠP it dropped to 3.29 %. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was recorded in the fourth stage of lactation (day 201-304 of lactation) in protein content and number of somatic cells. When the highest protein content was recorded in DD - 3.73 %, in cows without hoof disease the protein content was 3.69 % and in cows with ZŠP the protein content dropped to 3.58 %. The number of somatic cells in cows in this stage of lactation was 363 thousand in cows without hoof disease. and for cows with DD it rose to 599 thousand. Furthermore, the effect of hoof disease on the insemination index was assessed. For this indicator, no difference was found between cows without disease and those with hoof disease. However, a clear influence of the insemination technician who performed the insemination was found. When assessing the effect of the disease according to its species, an average insemination index was found for cows with DD of 2.10 and for cows with ZŠP of 2.31. However, the difference was evident only for one insemination technician.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:48:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 This study investigated activated crystalline silicon dioxide (SIL) supplementation in late pregnancy and lactating sows on reproductive parameters as well as the performance of suckling piglets. Eighty sows were assigned to two groups: control (CON, n = 40), and activated crystalline SIL (n = 40). Both treatments received identical basal diets, without (CON), or with 0.3 kg of activated SIL/ton at day 111 of pregnancy up to day 21 of lactation. The sows were evaluated at day110 of gestation and at day 21 of lactation for individual body weight (BW), backfat (BF), average daily feed intake (ADFI), percentage of BW and BF loss, and milk production. The litter was evaluated for size and BW at birth, and at 21 d old, likewise the preweaning survival percentage. At day 21 lactation, the SIL sows were 2.39% heavier than the CON group. The sows also had an increase of 5.05% in milk yield compared to the CON sows. In addition, SIL sows showed lower weight loss compared to CON sows. The weaned piglets from SIL sows had an increase of 4.43% in BW compared to CON sows. In conclusion, supplementation of 0.03% of activated crystalline SIL applied to late pregnancy, and to lactating sows reduced weight loss and marginally improved the milk yield and BW of piglets at weaning.Highlights The activated crystalline silicon dioxide (SIL) in diets from late pregnancy to lactation reduced body weight loss of sows. Sows that received activated crystalline SIL in late pregnancy and lactating period trended to improve the milk yield in 5.05%. The piglets from sows fed activated crystalline SIL tended to enhance 4.43% in body weight at 21-d old. Department of Animal Science University of Sao Paulo Ceresco Nutrition Department of Animal Nutrition and Production University of Sao Paulo Department of Animal Production Sao Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho Department of Basic Sciences University of Sao Paulo Department of Animal Production Sao Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho

To assess the effects of dry period (DP) length on metabolic, reproductive, and productive parameters, second- (SP) and third- (TP) parity cows were assigned to a traditional (9 weeks, T) or short (5 weeks, S) DP, obtaining four subgroups: second-parity cows with traditional (SPT = 8) and short (SPS = 8) DP, third-parity cows with traditional (TPT = 8) and short (TPS = 10) DP. Plasma insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels were assessed from 5 weeks before to 14 weeks after parturition. IGF-I concentrations were affected by parity (P < 0.05) and by the interaction of time and DP length (P < 0.01). NEFA levels were affected only by time (P < 0.01). S DP cows showed a shorter interval between calving and ovarian cyclicity resumption (P < 0.01) and a higher milk yield (P < 0.01) and fat and protein corrected milk (P < 0.01) compared with T DP cows. Decreased milk protein content was found in the SPS group compared to the SPT (P < 0.05) and the TPS (P < 0.05) group. In conclusion, a short DP length does not affect reproductive performances, except for hastening the resumption of ovarian cyclicity. A short DP appears to increase milk production and is associated with higher IGF-I levels both in the prepartum and the postpartum period.

Identification of the associations of cow feed efficiency with feeding behaviour and milk production is important for supporting recommendations of strategies that optimise milk yield. The objective of this study was to identify associations between measures of feed efficiency, feed intake, feeding rate, rumination time, feeding time, and milk production using data collected from 26 dairy cows during a 3 month period in 2018. Cows averaged (mean ± standard deviation) 2.2 ± 1.7 lactations, 128 ± 40 days in milk, 27.5 ± 5.5 kg/day milk, 1.95 ± 0.69 kg feed/1 kg milk—the measure used to express feed conversion ratio (FCR), 575 ± 72 min/day rumination time, and 264 ± 67 min/day feeding time during the observation period. The coefficient of variation for rumination time (min/d) was 12.5%. A mixed linear model was selected for analyses. The most feed inefficient cows with the highest FCR (≥2.6 kg feed/1 kg milk) showed the lowest milk yield (24.8 kg/day), highest feed intake (78.8 kg), highest feeding rate (0.26 kg/min) and BCS (3.35 point). However, the relative milk yield (milk yield per 100 kg of body weight) was the highest (4.01 kg/day) in the most efficient group with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). Our study showed that the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk) had the highest rumination time (597 min/day; p < 0.05), feeding time (298 min/day; p < 0.05), rumination/activity ratio (4.39; p < 0.05) and rumination/feeding ratio (2.04; p < 0.05). Less active cows (activity time 164 min/day; p < 0.05) were the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). The behavioural differences observed in this study provide new insight into the association of feed behaviour and feed efficiency with milk performance. Incorporating feeding behaviour into the dry matter intake model can improve its accuracy in the future and benefit breeding programmes.

The aim of the study was to determine the dependence between Test Day (TD) milk productivity traits and somatic cells count (SCC) in milk and also the influence of the factors: farm, parity and TD recording season of Holstein cows. The survey included a total of 484 lactating cows from 8 cattle farms in Bulgaria. A total of 3473 TD records including data on TD milk yield, fat %, protein % and SCC in milk were used. A statistically significant effect of the farm, recording season, and SCC on TD milk yield, fat % and protein % was reported. The highest TD milk yield was reported in spring (22.42 kg), followed by winter (21.95 kg). In winter and autumn were reported higher mean values for TD fat (3.77 and 3.84%) and TD protein (3.38 and 3.40%) content in milk. At the highest SCC – above 999 000 cells/ml, the highest average daily milk yield – 24.1 kg and the lowest fat (3.48%) was reported. With the highest and positive statistically significant value was the phenotypic correlation between TD milk yield and SCC (0.21). The correlation with TD fat % was statistically significant, with negative value (- 0.07).

Hedysarum flexuosum which is a forage legume with high production potential can contribute to increase the production and improve the quality of desirable fatty acids in ruminant products. Production, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of Beni Aouss goat milk were studied to evaluate the effect of substitution of Medicago sativa with the Hedysarum flexuosum L. (Sulla) based diet, harvested at the beginning of flowering. Two homogeneous groups of fourteen goats were used to out this experiment. The roughage distributed in both groups is made up of Sulla forage (Sulla group) and Medicago sativa (control group). The same concentrated feed is distributed to both groups of goats. Milk yield was determined weekly during the first three months of lactation and milk samples were collected every week. The incorporation of Sulla in goat’s diet had a significant and positive effect on milk production (+15%). No significant differences were observed for milk pH and acidity. Sulla group milk was characterized by slightly higher lactose content (5.23% vs. 5.13%, P < 0.05) and defatted solid content (10.31% vs. 10.12%, P < 0.05), while their protein and fat contents were not affected. Milk fatty acid profile revealed that the levels of unsaturated fatty acids and medium chain fatty acids were higher in the Sulla milk than in the alfalfa group. ω3 fatty acids (0.39% vs 0.21%), ω6-fatty acids (3.42% vs. 2.79%), polyunsaturated fatty acids (3.96% vs. 3.15%), unsaturated fatty acids (43.00% vs. 41.11%) and medium chain fatty acids (25.00% vs. 23.82%) were significantly more present in the Sulla milk. Sulla forage may be an interesting alternative in goat’s feeding for diversifying feed resources and improving milk production and quality., African and Mediterranean Agricultural Journal - Al Awamia, No 137 (2022)

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lactation number, milk yield, and some blood biochemical parameters in dairy cows. Materials and Methods: The material ofthe study consists of dairy cows (n=60), and three different groups were formed according to the lactation numbers of the cows. Non-lactating heifers were assigned to Group 1 (n=10), 1st and 2nd lactation cowswereassignedtoGroup2(n=24),and3rdand4thlactationcowswereassigned to Group 3 (n=26). The blood total protein, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, aspartate transaminase (AST), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels of the cows in the groups were measured. In addition, the milk yields of the groups were compared, and the relationship between these values and milk yield was investigated. Results: Total protein level was higher in the G3, G2 and G1 groups, respectively (p, Amaç: Sunulan çalışmanın amacı, süt ineklerinde laktasyon sayısı, süt verimi ve bazı biyokimyasal parametreler arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmanın materyalini süt inekleri (n=60) oluşturdu ve inekler laktasyon sayılarına göre üç farklı gruba ayrıldı. Laktasyonda olmayanlar (düveler) Grup 1'e (n=10), 1. ve 2. laktasyondaki inekler Grup 2'ye (n=24), 3. ve 4. laktasyondaki inekler Grup 3'e (n=26) kaydedildi. Gruplardaki ineklerin kan total protein, albümin, kan üre nitrojen (BUN) kalsiyum, fosfor, magnezyum, glukoz, kolesterol, aspartat transaminaz (AST) ve gama-glutamil transpeptidaz (GGT) düzeyleri ölçüldü. Ayrıca grupların süt verimleri kıyaslanarak bu değerler ile süt verimi arasındaki ilişki araştırıldı. Bulgular: Toplam protein seviyesi sırasıyla G3, G2 ve G1 gruplarında daha yüksekti (p

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-29T08:37:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-01-01 Context: Lactation persistency (LP) is an economically important characteristic to include in the selection objectives of the Gyr breed. Two persistency measures were tested to establish their contribution to the genetic evaluation of milk production in this genotype. The second measure of persistency studied would be the more appropriate measure to use in the genetic evaluation of lactation persistency. Aim: The aim of this work was to study LP in Gyr cows by using a random regression model (RRM) in two-Trait analysis. Methods: Test-day milk yields (TDMY) of the first two lactations of Gyr cows were analysed. RRM was performed by Bayesian inference using the GIBBS3F90 program. Fourth-order Legendre polynomials were used to describe the random additive genetic and permanent environmental effects of the animal. The fixed effects included in the model were contemporary group and, as covariates, age of cow at calving and the regression function according to the TDMY class of lactation as the average trajectories of lactation curve, distinguished by calving order. Two persistency measures (PSi, i.e. PS1 and PS2) were used in the analyses. Rank correlations were calculated between the predicted breeding values for PSi, 305-day lactation milk yield (MY305), and the regression coefficients a0 and a1, to determine the percentage of matching animals between rankings when different selection intensities are applied on the basis of the ranking for MY305. Key results: The heritability estimates for PS1, PS2 and for MY305 were 0.19, 0.12 and 0.41 respectively, in the first lactation, and 0.43, 0.27 and 0.38 in the second lactation. The genetic correlation between MY305 and PS1 was negative and of low magnitude. The rank correlation between breeding values for PSi, obtained for bulls with at least five daughters with production records, was higher than 0.80 in the two lactation periods. Conclusions: The results indicated that PS2 is the more suitable of the two persistency measures used in this work, for inclusion in genetic evaluations of lactation persistency in Brazilian Gyr cows. Implications: PS2 must be included as a selection criteria in a breeding program for the Gyr breed. Grupo de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Genética Molecular Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Medellín Grupo de Melhoramento Animal de Mato Grosso Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas Universidade Federal de Rondonópolis, Avenida dos Estudantes, N 5055, Rondonópolis, MT Centro de Pesquisas de Bovinos de Corte Instituto de Zootecnia, Rodovia Carlos Tonani Departamento de Zootecnia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellani, SP Departamento de Zootecnia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Universidade Estadual Paulista, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellani, SP

Laboratory and field experiment on use of the feed additive based on Bacillus subtilis endo- and exometabolites for the cows in different physiological periods are described in the paper. The feed additive impact on main body systems of the tested cows (n = 30), milk production parameters, growth rate of the calves (n = 18) born to the said cows were examined. The feed additive was added to the diets for the cows of test groups, 15 g per cow. The feed additive was found to have a positive effect on immunohematological and metabolic processes in postpartum cows. Neutrophils’ phagocytic activity increased by 12.5% and 14.6% in the animals of test group 1 and test group 2, respectively, as compared to that one in control animals (42.8 ± 1.9%). Neutrophil absorbency increased by 2.5 times, 3.2 times and 2.1 times in the animals of test group 1, test group 2 and control group, respectively. The proportion of T-lymphocytes in blood of animals in test group 1 and test group 2 was 44.5 and 48.9%, respectively, proportion of T-lymphocytes in blood of control animals equaled to 37.5%. Trend for increase in total protein concentration in cow sera owing to increase in albumin fraction was observed in postpartum period: it was 72.91 ± 3.45 g/l in test group 1; 75.54 ± 4.12 g/l in test group 2; 70.95 ± 4.25 g/l in control group. Average daily milk yield in cows of test group 1, test group 2 and control group for the 150 days of lactation was 24.50 ± 1.86 kg; 25.33 ± 1.45 kg and 22.75 ± 4.41 kg, respectively. Higher growth rate was reported for the calves born to the cows received the diet supplemented with the said feed additive. Heifers of test group 1 and test group 2 have reached body weight of 193.51 ± 5.76 and 195.33 ± 3.76 kg and in control group – of 187.33 ± 4.98 kg within 6 months. Feed additive based on endo- and exometabolites of Bacillus subtilis is recommended for cow diets for highly productive dairy herd creation and food-producing animal welfare maintenance.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of milking time, lactation stage and udder traits on milk yield of Red Sokoto and Boer goats at the farm of Centre for Dry-land Agriculture, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria. The first evaluation of milk yield was done at early stage of lactation starting after day seven of kidding to exclude colostrum. Daily collection of milk samples followed in the morning and evening until 10 weeks of lactation. The weeks were divided into 3 stages of lactation as early, mid and late lactation stages. Milk samples were measured using a 100 mL measuring cylinder and later converted into grammes. The external udder measurements were taken in cm after seven days post kidding and fortnightly for the period of lactation. The result obtained shows significant difference (p0.05) affected by the breeds of goat. Mean milk yield was significantly (p 0,05) affectés par les races de chèvre. Le rendement en lait moyen était significativement (p

This research was conducted to determine the effect of using zeolite used as a litter in tent-type sheep shelters on milk yield, milk quality, and animal welfare parameters. A total of 34 İvesi sheep in the control (n=17) and zeolite (n=17) groups were used as animal material in the study. Milk yield, milk quality, and blood parameters were monitored for 30 days period from the beginning of the study. In-shelter climatic conditions were recorded daily. The average milk yield in the control and zeolite groups were 1137.18 and 1168.94 g on the 2nd control (P>0.05); 536.83 and 790.88 g (P

Karakas and Norduz sheep have been adapted to the Lake Van region of Turkey for many years as being domestic genetic resources and meat, milk, and fleece traits are a reliable economic resource especially preferred by small family businesses around the area. In this study, the data set consisted of milk yield (MY) and milk content components; milk fat (MF), fat-free dry matter (FFDM), dry matter (DM), protein (Pro), lactose (Lac), pH, acidity H (aH), and lactic acid (Lac). Besides, Karakas (n = 30) and Norduz (n = 26) sheep were chosen to investigate based on the SNP method. Correspondingly, genomic DNA from both breeds exon 2 of the GDF9 gene region was amplified, 815 base pairs (bp) in length, by means of PCR. Therefore, there were three noval SNPs detected in both breeds under investigation. Although SNP1 and 2 with genotypes of GG and AG had statistically significant impacts on both milk production and milk components (p < 0.01), SNP3 with genotypes of TT, TC had no significant effects on the milk characteristics in question.

It is known that mineral additives play an important role in increasing the productivity and efficiency of the animal husbanry industry as a whole. The state of the body can be assessed by the content of mineral substances in a blood test. The purpose of the work was to study changes in morphological and biochemical blood parameters in first-calf heifers during the period of increasing the milk yield when they are fed a complex mineral and vitamin feed additive (CMVFA). The study of the influence of feeding the complex mineral and vitamin feed additive in the ration to first-calf heifers during the the period of increasing the milk yield on morphological and biochemical blood parameters has been carried out. The experiments were carried out in 2019–2020 in the OOO Breeding Farm “Valiev” in the Dyurtyulinsky district in the Republic of Bashkortostan on 3 groups of first-calf heifers of Black-and-White breed per 15 heads in each selected by the method of pairs of analogues. The animals of the control group received the main ration (MR) adopted on the farm, the 1st experimental group MR+120 g/head CMVFA according to the recipe No. 1, the 2nd experimental group MR+120 g/head CMVFA according to the recipe No. 2. In the ration of animals of the control group there was a deficiency of basic macro- and microelements. The use of CMVFA as part of the ration of first-calf heifers during the period of increasing the milk yield had a positive effect on the morphological and biochemical parameters of blood. Studies have shown that the use of CMVFA in the rations of first-calf heifers provided the need for minerals and vitamins, accelerating metabolic processes in the body during the most stressful period of lactation, the period of increasing the milk yield. According to the results of biochemical blood parameters, it is possible to esimate the improvement of protein, carbohydrate and mineral and vitamin nutrition in the first-cakf heifers of the experimental groups during the period of increasing the milk yield, which showed their genetic potential more fully and used nutrients more effectively for milk synthesis.

The objectives of this study were to quantify the production traits using principal component analysis in Bunaji and Gudali cattle. Morphological traits of Body weight (Kg); BL: Body Length (Cm); HW: Height at withers (cm); CW: Chest width (cm); HG: Heart Girth (cm); Rumwi: Rump width (cm); TL: Teat Length (cm); RUH: Rear Udder Height (cm); UC: Udder Circumference (cm) and lactation traits of TY: Total Yield (Litres); ADY: Average Daily Yield (Litres/day) and LL: Lactation Length (days) were measured. To find the traits that were clustered together, data were fed to the principal component matrix of J.M.P genomics statistical software. In general, communalities varied from 0.32 to 0.91, and the proportion of variance accounted for by variables was 48 percent Bunaji, 0.31 to 0.99 for communalities, and 58 percent in Gudali cows. The information on principal component analysis will facilitate their efficient use in breeding programs for genetic gain and genetic improvement programs in indigenous Nigeria cattle.

By using the method of linear classification, breeding sires were evaluated by the type of their daughters in the herd of enter-prise of the company "Ukrlandfarming" PE "Burynske" Pidlisnivskyi branch in Sumy region for breeding Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed. Differentiation of the offspring according to daughter’s assessment by 100-score scale showed significant variability, which depended on their origin. The daughters obtained from Holstein sires were better in terms of estimation in comparison with their peers, whose parents were bull-sires of the created aboriginal Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed. In general, according to the generally accepted international scale, assessment indicators of all evaluated groups of sires daughters, regardless of breed, corresponded to the class "good with plus" (80-84 scores). Daughters of bull-sires of the Holstein breed, which were characterized by the best development of the dairy type group traits (82.9-84.3 scores), body (83.2-84.6 scores), limbs (82.8-83.5 scores), udder (83.7-84.5 scores) and the final score for the conformation type (83.7-84.2 scores), similarly differed by higher milk yield of the first (6782-7244 kg) and full-age (8645 - 8931 kg) lactation. The correlation was established between the milk yield per lactation and the group of conformation traits of daughters assessed by the type of sires, thatch characterize the severity of dairy type (r = 0.215-0.478), body (r = 0.286-0.484) and limbs development (r = 0.122-0.422), morphological udder qualities (r = 0.264-0.461) and from the final score of type (r = 0.231-0.468) with a reliability of P

A quantitative risk assessment for exposure to aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) related to the consumption of milk and traditional dairy products of Argentina was developed. The frequency and concentration of AFM1 was modelled at various stages through the milk processes, considering Argentinean practices. Concentration of AFM1 (0.046 μg/l, 95%CI = 0.002–0.264 μg/l) in raw milk was estimated. The AFM1 concentration in milk was sensitive to the carry-over rate (r = 0.80), and milk yield in the first third of lactation during the spring–summer season (r = 0.11). AFB1 levels in silage (r = 0.22), pasture during the spring–summer season (r = 0.11), concentrate (r = 0.08), and cotton seed (r = 0.05) were the factors most correlated with AFM1 concentrations. Although the results showed that MoE values for the mean and median exposure to AFM1 were 1) for exposure to AFM1 for infants, toddlers, and other children were 45%, 49.1%, and 40.6%, respectively. Under this scenario, the most susceptible population at risk was children

The results of studies on the effect of the birth season factor on the lifetime productivity and growth rate of cows are presented. The material for the research was the information database of the "Selex" breeding record program for the highly productive herd of black-motley cattle of the "Pre-Baikal type". The research was carried out under the conditions of the Irkutsk region in 20152019. Replacement heifers, which were evaluated for growth and development, and subsequently for milk production during the 1st and 3rd lactations and lifetime production, were chosen as an object of research. Heifers born in the summer-autumn period, according to the 1st lactation, gave the highest productivity, their milk yield was 6151-6179 kg of milk with a fat content of 3.85%. By the 3rd lactation, cows born in the summer months retained high productivity (7001 kg with a milk fat content of 3.83%). From the cows born in winter, a maximum lifetime production of 30,519 kg was obtained. The cows born in spring have 856 kg less lifetime productivity. With the maximum lifelong productivity, the age in lactations was 4.5, with the minimum - 4.0. This indicates that the shorter the period of productive use, the lower the lifetime milk yield of cows. The cows that gave the highest milk production in the first lactations dropped out of the herd sooner for various reasons, thereby not having reached their full genetic potential and not having shown their possible maximum milk production.

The objective of this study was to characterize changes in milk yield and other physical measures during a 7-d periestrual period encompassing estrus (d 0) and during a 16-d period of expected return to estrus beginning at d 17 after artificial insemination (AI) until pregnancy status was determined on d 32. Lactating dairy cows milked thrice daily were fitted with CowManager SensOor ear tags (Agis) capable of assessing real-time eating, rumination, resting, high activity (estrus), ear-surface temperature, and heat alerts. Data were uploaded to the cloud, downloaded daily into Excel (Microsoft Corp.) spreadsheets, averaged to produce daily means for each activity, and analyzed as repeated measures relative to estrus or to d 17 after AI. Daily milk was unchanged during the periestrual period but was greater in nonpregnant cows that failed to return to estrus (NP-NR) during d 21 through 26 compared with NP cows that returned to estrus (NP-R) and pregnant (PREG) cows during that same period. Daily ear-surface temperature was greater during d 1 to 3 compared with d 0 and averaged 0.6 to 1.7°C greater from d 17 through 32 in NP-NR cows compared with NP-R and PREG cows. Daily rumination and resting times reached nadirs on d 0, with decreases occurring 48 h before estrus. Both rumination and resting times increased by 25 or 81% on the day after estrus, respectively. Rumination and resting times were less in NP-R cows during d 22 through 26 compared with NP-NR and PREG cows. In contrast, daily eating time was greatest on the day of estrus compared with 3 d before and after estrus. The NP-R cows spent more time eating during d 17 through 32 compared with NP-NR and PREG cows. High activity increased by 97% during 48 h before estrus, peaked at estrus, and decreased to a constant level during d 1 through 3. The NP-R cows had greater high activity on d 22 through 26 compared with NP-NR and PREG cows. We conclude that resting and rumination activity decreased to daily nadirs, whereas eating and high activity peaked on the day of estrus. Fertile estrus was associated with 12% greater high activity, 11% less resting time, and 6% less rumination time. In addition, cows that returned to estrus after AI had greater daily eating and high activity times and less rumination and resting time during the period of expected return to estrus after AI compared with pregnant cows and cows failing to return to estrus.

Milk is an important elements due to its high nutritious and balanced in human diet. In Asian, goat milk is the most consumed because of the unique taste, more nutritious than cow milk. However, milk production and composition values differ at every stage of lactation in goats. Thus, determining the highest milk production and producing the best quality goat milk is essential to satisfy the local market demands. The objective of the present study is to determine the milk yield and milk composition at different lactation stages and to evaluate the lactation curves in Saanen goats. The lactation stages can be categorized into three, early (less than 80 days), mid (80 – 140 days) and late (over 140 days) days in milk (DIM). In total, 90 milk samples were collected from 15 goats representing early (n=5), mid (n=5), and late (n=5) stages of lactation. The Saanen goats were raised under the same conditions, and milking was done early in the morning (9.00am).The milk yield from Saanen goats were collected and measured weekly at each stage of lactation. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, solid non-fat, and lactose. Current result illustrated, there were significant different (p ˂ 0.05) among three stages of lactation in milk yield, solid non-fat, fat, protein and lactose. In terms of food regulation, the Saanen goats almost fully met the standard requirements for milk production and composition. In addition, this study also observes the lactation curves in Saanen goats and analyse the curve shapes and patterns. The average milk yields from three different stages develops a concave downward curve. The results indicated that mid yield increased from early to mid- lactation and decreased thereafter until the end of lactation.

The results of the study of the genetic characteristics cows of the breed of Sychevka in the breeding plant KP "Rybkovskoe" of the Smolensk region with a lifetime productivity of up to 25,000 kg of milk (group I) and with a lifetime milk yield of 45,000 kg or more of milk (group II) are presented. It was found that the groups have some genetic features for EAB-alleles. The index of genetic similarity between the groups is 0.538. In the first group, 56 EAB alleles were identified, in the second – 46. The frequency of occurrence of the main alleles in the groups is 0.763 and 0.774. Among them, five marker alleles are found with a high frequency of 0.44 – 0.116. Alleles of the EAB locus b, A1B/, B1G2O1, O1Y2E/3G/G//, O2A/2J/2K/O/, Q/ are more common in high-yielding cows by 2.5 – 7.2 %, and the EAB alleles B2O1, O/, E/3G/G// are not found or are less common. When comparing the productivity of cows with different EAB – alleles, differences were noted. Lifetime productivity in cows with EAB alleles O1, I1Y2E/3G/G//, O2A/2J/2K/O/, I2, A/1B/ is higher than in cows with EAB alleles E/3G/G//, BI1Q, Y1A/1, I1Y2I/. There is a significant difference in the duration of use in cows with the EAB-alleles O1, O1Y2E/3G/G//, O1I/Q/, I1O2A/2K/Q/. There were no significant differences in the content of fat and protein in milk.

The present study was carried out to compare the milk yield and reproductive performance of pure Holstein (HO) cows with those of their first generation (F1) crossbreds with Montbeliarde cows (MO) in four commercial dairy herds under Egyptian conditions. Data used in the current study comprised 2268 records for the first four lactations of 531 HO and 536 MO × HO F1 crossbred cows during the period between 2012 and 2020. Data were analyzed using the least squares method by XLSTAT software. The MO × HO crossbred cows were significantly superior compared with pure HO cows for 305-day milk yield, scoring 9210 ± 96 kg versus 7987 ± 149 kg. Moreover, MO × HO F1 crossbred cows had a significantly higher daily milk yield (30.0 ± 0.45 kg) than pure HO cows (25.9 ± 0.52 kg). However, pure HO cows had significantly greater days in milk (399 ± 6 days) than MO × HO crossbred cows (341 ± 5.2 days). With regard to reproductive performance, MO × HO F1 crossbred cows had significantly less number of services per conception and days open than pure HO cows (2.6 ± 0.16 vs. 3.7 ± 0.18) and (132 ± 5.2 days vs. 190 ± 6 days), respectively. However, the statistical difference between MO × HO F1 crossbred cows and pure HO cows for age at first calving was not significant (22.9 ± 0.11 vs. 23.1 ± 0.15 months, respectively). It can be concluded that under Egyptian subtropical conditions, the first generation of MO × HO crossbred cows exhibit better performance, compared to pure HO cows in milk yield and reproductive traits. These findings could provide an effective strategic option for the genetic improvement of dairy cattle in hot subtropical regions.