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The study examined how different solid feeds affected the biochemical parameters in calf plasma. The experiment involved a control group and three test groups of calves, each fed with a different starter mixture. The results showed significant differences in some biochemical parameters between the feeding groups. Calves in groups P1 and P3 had a statistically higher glucose concentration in blood plasma compared to group C. Calves from group P3 had a higher concentration of urea in blood plasma than calves from group C. Calves in groups P1 and P3 also had higher concentrations of total protein and globulin in blood plasma compared to group C. The concentration of inorganic phosphate in the blood plasma of calves from group P3 was significantly higher than that of group C. Female calves in the experimental groups showed a lower concentration of NEFA at three months of age compared to the control group. It was concluded that feeding calves with a starter mixture containing whey and easily digestible protein had a positive effect on the nutritional status and energy balance of the calves.

The dairy industry acknowledges the seasonal nature of milk production and the fluctuations in milk component concentrations throughout the year. This variability in milk components, influenced by seasonal changes, assumes critical importance in light of the projected global population increase to 9.7 billion people within the next 20–50 years. Addressing the imminent need for major alterations in agricultural and livestock practices to accommodate this growth necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of all stages within the food production chain. An essential aspect of achieving sustainable agriculture involves identifying opportunities to reduce gaseous pollutants. This study aims to investigate how seasonal variations impact the specific properties of Holstein milk, with a focus on the daily milk yield, daily milk protein, daily milk fat, and urea content. Test-day records from Holstein dairy cows in Croatia, collected during routine milk assessments from January 2005 to December 2022, form the basis of this research. A meticulous process of logical scrutiny of milk recording data, compliant with the ICAR standards, and rectification of non-logical variable values ensured the inclusion of 5,164,920 Holstein test-day records in the refined database. Our analysis centers on the annual number of samples and the primary parameters of milk content (namely fat, protein, and urea). The examination of Holstein milk samples revealed recurring cyclical patterns, indicating higher values during winter and lower values in summer. These distinct variations likely correlate with the annual climatic fluctuations in Croatia. The implications of these findings warrant future research to monitor trends in the raw milk quality and assess the potential adverse effects of the identified changes on the milk properties.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of age of cows on variability in mastitis prevalence risk and its concomitant impacts on their successive daily milk yield by analyzing test-day records of dairy cows collected in the period 2005–2022. The results obtained indicate a correlation between the age and breed of cows enrolled in the study and mastitis prevalence risk alongside its concomitant impacts on their successive daily milk yield. The findings demonstrate a progressive increase in mastitis prevalence risk with the advancing age of cows, notably more pronounced in the Holstein breed than in the Simmental breed. The Simmental cows exhibited a lower increase in daily milk yield, experiencing a substantial decrease in overall yields (namely milk, fat, and protein) in contrast to the Holstein cows. The primiparous cows of both breeds displayed the highest total increase in daily milk yield. This study underscores the significance of monitoring dairy herd health as a pivotal component of successful dairy herd management. Moreover, the daily lactose content was found a valuable and cost-effective indicator for ensuring the economically and environmentally sustainable operations of dairy farms.

The characterization of animal genetic resources includes morphometric, production and genetic characterization. This paper aims to determine the annual yield, staple length, and physico-mechanical properties of the wool of the Dupska Pramenka sheep. The average annual wool yields of a total of 130 ewes and 14 rams enrolled in the study were 2.120 kg and 3.340 kg, respectively. Wool samples were taken from the left shoulder, posterior rib, and pelvis of a total of 50 sheep (36 ewes and 14 rams). The lengths of wool staples collected from three body sites of the ewes were 20.92 cm, 21.75 cm, and 22.25 cm, respectively. The lengths of wool staples collected from three body sites of rams were 23.50 cm, 22.14 cm, and 23.64 cm, respectively. The height and length of wool fibers of the ewes were 21.97 cm and 22.85 cm on the shoulder, 22.38 cm and 23.10 cm on the posterior rib, and 23.06 cm and 23.77 cm on the pelvis. The height and length of wool fibers of the rams were 22.00 cm and 22.89 cm on the shoulder, 22.54 cm and 23.26 cm on the posterior rib, and 22.61 cm and 23.40 cm on the pelvis. The average fineness of wool fibers of the ewes was 43.08 µ, whereas the fineness of wool fibers of the rams was 45.43 µ. The Dupska Pramenka sheep were found to have mixed fibers: axillary (over 45µ), accounting for51.64% in the ewes and 54.91% in the rams, and transitional (30–45µ), accounting for 28.76% in the ewes and 32.80% in the rams. Fiber fluff (10–30µ) accounted for 19.83% and 12.98% in the fleeces of ewes and rams considered, respectively.

The European Green Plan and its implementation strategies defined very demanding and ambitious goals for establishing the first "climate neutral continent" in the world. The implementation of the "Farm to Fork Strategy" (F2F) strategy will have an extremely immense effect on quantitative changes in the area of animal production (reduction in the number of animals and volume of production), increase in prices of beef and products of animal origin, the decrease in citizens' standards and increase in inflation. The appearance of the so-called "leakage effects" can be expected in NON-EU regions with the lowest population density (LU/ha), such as Serbia and the countries of the Western Balkans. At the same time, this effect represents a development opportunity for organizing extensive to semi-intensive production of organic beef based on the Cow-calf system - grass-fed beef production. In addition to the production of organic meat, these systems will contribute to improving biodiversity, maintaining the microbiological and pedological structure of the soil, regulating the carbon cycle, preventing erosion and forest fires, stopping population migration from villages to cities, reducing the use of artificial fertilizers and biocides, etc.

Cancer has become one of the most common and deadliest diseases worldwide, affecting millions of people each year. As a contribution to finding ways how to combat this problem by well balanced nutrition, the current research compared the levels of medium and longchain saturated fatty acids in the milk of three distinct domestic animal species, including cattle, goats, and horses, intending to identify their potential anti-cancer properties. The study analysed milk samples from three different animal species in Slovenia and Croatia - the Simmental cows, the Saanen goats, and the Lipizzaner mares. The samples were evaluated for their fatty acid profiles, which included five medium-chain fatty acids (caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecylic, and lauric) and ten long-chain fatty acids (myristic, pentadecylic, palmitic, margaric, stearic, nonadecylic, arachidic, behenic, tricosylic, and lignoceric). By analysing the fatty acid profiles, the research study aimed to contribute to the development of new nutritional recommendations for cancer and to help improve the lives of those affected by the cancer. The results indicate that milk from different animal species varies in the concentration of medium and long-chain saturated fatty acids. Goat’s milk has a high concentration of caprylic acid that may help prevent certain cancers (colorectal, skin, and breast cancer), whereas cow’s milk has more capric and lauric acid that can have beneficial effects against cancer. All three species have high concentrations of long-chain fatty acids (myristic, palmitic, and stearic acid), with cow’s milk having the highest value. These fatty acids have potential benefits in the prevention of diverse types of cancer (leukemia, prostate cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer). Therefore, consumption of milk, especially cows’ milk, may offer some protection against cancer prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this paper was to define the variability of milk urea, milk urea nitrogen, and ammonia emission from dairy Simmental and Holstein cows relating to months of milk recording through the precision farming methodology. Test-day records of dairy cows used in the statistical analysis were collected over five years. Regarding the parity, the animals were divided into four classes; regarding the recording date, test-day records were divided into twelve recording months, from January to December. The analysis was performed separately for each breed. The significance of the differences between the recording months was tested by the Scheffe's method of multiple comparisons (using the PROC GLM procedure in SAS). In terms of results, lower ammonia emission per cow was determined in the winter, while the ammonia emission was higher in the summer. Also, higher values of milk urea, milk urea nitrogen, as well as higher ammonia emission per animal, were determined in the Holstein than in Simmental cows.

The purpose of this paper is to consider implementation of Artificial Intelligence as a part of Precision Dairy Farming, as a way of processing, analyzing and managing Big data, in order to enable sustainable dairy cattle farm. Increasing the volume of livestock production in the future and measuring the level of environmental impact becomes one of the most pressing concerns. The aim is to evaluate the impact of animal's production level on the ammonium pollution from dairy cattle farm using precision dairy farming technologies. The results indicate significant variability in estimated ammonium pollution from dairy cattle farms due to the animal's production indicating positive correlation between daily milk production and ammonium pollution. The test day records, as Artificial Intelligence application in precision dairy farming could be used both for assessing the ammonium pollution from farms and timely prevention and correction of inadequate management towards sustainable dairy production systems.

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of addition of n-3 unsaturated fatty acids (a-linoleic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic) in dairy goats' ration on milk composition (fat and protein content). Also, the persistence of the effect after supplementation was analysed. The research was conducted on dairy goats (Alpine and Saanen) bred at an indoor farm. Regarding the experimental period, the milk sampling at milking (morning and evening) was performed in the period before supplementation (BS), during supplementation (S), and after supplementation (AS). According to the added supplement, animals were randomly allocated into a group (G-4) with no added supplement and three test groups (G-1; G-2; G-3) where a supplement containing n-3 unsaturated fatty acid was added over a period of five days. The results of this research indicate that the addition of PUFA in goats' ration changes the milk composition. The supplementation of a-linoleic resulted in increase of both milk fat and protein content. Furthermore, the addition of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic resulted in decrease of fat but increase of protein content in milk. The observed trends also persisted after the supplementation period.

Red deer, roe deer, and wild boar belong to a group of large game and are the most common species of game in the hunting area in Eastern Croatia. The research was conducted by the company hunting staff in the Osijek-Baranja County, area of Kućanci in the interval from 2008 to 2018. Knowing the number of wildlife in the hunting area is the base for establishing growth and planning shootings. It is important to keep the balance in the hunting ground to avoid transmission and spreading of diseases and reduce traffic accidents as well as vehicle and wildlife damages. Given the fact that populations of large game have great importance in Croatia, the main objective of the study was to determine population trends of red deer, roe deer, and wild boar in the hunting ground in Eastern Croatia in 2008 - 2018.

In order to determine the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) in preventing lameness in dairy cows, the aim of this study was to evaluate temperature variations depending on the lesion presence, measurement points and leg position. The study used about 3 000 IRT records from 60 Holstein cows housed in a free-stall barn. Surface temperature measurements were taken at two regions of the hooves: the region of the coronary band, and the region of the skin up to 2 cm above the coronary band. A highly significant (P = 0.004; 0.006, P < 0.01) difference in temperature was observed between healthy and diseased legs at both measurement points. Additionally, a significant (P = 0.029; 0.037; 0.045; 0.012; 0.018, P < 0.05) or highly significant (P = 0.004; 0.006, P < 0.01) difference in temperature values between the front and rear legs was established for both measurement points, i.e., the coronary band and the skin. Despite confirming the potential applicability of infrared thermography in the detection of lameness, it is crucial to consider the significant influences of the environmental factors, impurities, and animal-related factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the occurrence, persistence, and cost implications of acidosis-related issues in dairy cows concerning parity, utilizing over 8 million testday records of Holstein and Simmental breeds. The data analysis revealed that the analyzed issues in dairy cattle populations vary regarding the breed and parity. The Holsteins had a higher occurrence of acidosis compared to the Simmentals. Furthermore, Holsteins exhibited a more significant prevalence of acidosis in younger animals, while Simmentals demonstrated an increased incidence in older cows. The acidosis risk significantly reduced milk production in first-parity Holsteins, while older cows were more resilient. Among the Simmental breed, the effect of acidosis risk was limited to first-parity animals. The occurrence of acidosis in both breeds resulted in a significant and persistent reduction in milk production in older cows. Overall, results suggest the importance breed-specific management to minimize the occurrence of acidosis and maximize animal health and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the effect of breeding region on differences in persistency of heat stress effect in first parity Simmentals test-day records provided by the Croatian Agricultural Agency were analysed. Only cows with detected statistically significant decrease in daily milk yield at set temperature-humidity index (THI) threshold value (65, 70 and 75) were included in the further analyses. The persistency of heat stress effect regarding the daily milk traits was determined as a drop in the subsequent milk recordings (1 st and 2 nd). The research results indicate significant difference in animals' response to heat stress effect due to breeding region and individual's susceptibility to heat stress. The most pronounced and persistent negative effect of heat stress was determined in cows reared in Eastern region. Also, the negative effect of heat stress was more pronounced and more persistent in Simmentals that were heat stressed at the lower THI threshold values (cows that are more susceptible to heat stress).

The aim of this paper was to present the general aspects of genomic selection in horse breeding and also to provide an overview of existing applications in horses breeding, with particular emphasis on the challenges of implementation and long-term use. Based on conducted review, it could be concluded that breeding organizations must convince horse breeders that genomic selection can be a valuable tool to increase selection success either in sports or in other horse breeding. Genomic selection (GS) allows breeders to evaluate the important traits of offspring even before its birth. GS uses genetic markers to test all relevant traits, including those that are currently very difficult to measure, such as disease resistance, meat quality, horse's crest height, etc. Finally, to establish the relevant genomic selection in individual breeds or breeding types of horses, it is necessary to create a network of collaboration between breeding associations in order to gather all necessary data.

The use of relative advantages in practice implies that one area concentrates on the products for which there is lower opportunity cost. The Osijek-Baranja County is rich in arable agricultural land. Compared with the Krapina-Zagorje County, where the agricultural land is less represented, it could be said that the Osijek-Baranja County has an advantage in terms of agricultural production. Using the comparative model of production opportunities, this paper analyses that it is necessary to use natural resources and put them into operation after profit. Free trade increases the overall production and consumption of all participants in trade because it enables production specialization in which specific areas have more relative and not absolute efficiency (products with fewer relative marginal costs). The comparative model of production opportunities is the model that points to the production orientation of the goods achieving maximum benefit.

Considering the great importance of the wild boar population in Croatia, the objective of this study was to determine the fluctuations of all categories (offspring, young, middle-aged, and mature) of wild boar population in the hunting area in Eastern Croatia during the analyzed period from 2008 to 2018. Based on the conducted analysis, the following can be emphasized: the last recorded maximum of offspring (male, and female) was in 2013, the highest number of young (male, and female) was determined in 2018, the last recorded maximum of middle-aged (male, and female) was in 2014, and the last recorded maximum of mature (male, and female) was in 2013. Considering the situation in the hunting area in 1955, the number of wild boars redoubled in the last 10 years. Compared to 1995 and given the fact that the hunting area today has much more resources available and there is significant human activity that can recreate the wildlife population by releasing heads, there is a possibility that the number of wild boars could increase slowly in the coming years.

Aiming determination of the variability of production traits (daily milk yield and composition) and microclimate parameters (ambient temperature and humidity) in the barns; as well as the correlation between the analyzed groups of traits, 1,636,192 test-day records from Simmentals and 1,275,713 test-day records from Holsteins were analysed. Performed analysis indicate high variability of production traits due to cow's breed, parity as well as breeding region. Also, high variability of microclimate parameters in the barns due to season and breeding region was found. Furthermore, statistically highly significant (p < 0.001) correlations between the production traits and microclimate parameters were determined. Finally, the negative effect of inadequate microclimate on daily milk production was determined in both breeds in all breeding regions. Since genetic evaluation and selection of dairy cattle for heat resistance is only long-term method for heat stress managing, determined effect will be taken into account in the statistical model for estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the welfare status of high-producing Holstein dairy cows on commercial Croatian farms. Lying behavior data was collected from 278 dairy cows across four farms with varying milking parlors and housing systems in eastern Croatia for at least 3 days. Data loggers recording at 1-min intervals recorded behaviors: lying time (min/d), lying bout duration (min/bout), lying bouts (n/d) and laterality of lying. Acceleration data was summarized into lying behaviors for each individual cow. Health scores (udder cleanliness, locomotion, and hock injuries) were also assessed. The univariate procedure was used to generate mean lying behaviors and health scores by farm with a 95% CI. Mean lying time per farm ranged from 11.7 ± 2.7 to 10.4 ± 2.7 h/d. Prevalence of lame cows ranged from 28% to 50%. Heavily soiled udders ranged from 2% to 12%. Prevalence of left hocks with minor to major swelling ranged from 50% to 100%; prevalence of right hocks with minor to major swelling ranged from 45% to 100%. In conclusion, all farms assessed have opportunities to improve overall welfare through increasing udder cleanliness and reducing hock injuries.

The goal of this paper was to determine the effect of daily production level of primiparous Holstein cows kept on dairy cattle farms in Eastern Croatia on response to heat stress conditions (THI threshold). In order to do this, individual test-day records with data on ambient temperature and relative humidity in the barns were analysed. The data were collected in regular milk recording from 2006-2012. The THI threshold values for daily milk yield were determined by least square analyses of variance for each given THI value (from 68 to 72) using the PROC MIXED (SAS). Low-producing cows experienced significant drop at THI=68, while in high-producing primiparous Holsteins the first significant drop in daily milk yield was observed when THI=69. Also, the amount of daily production drop depended on the cow's production level (0.155-0.256 kg/day in high-producing; 0.319-0.460 kg/day in low-producing). It could be concluded that the response of primiparous Holstein cows kept in Eastern Croatia to heat stress conditions depends on daily production level.

On the 21st of February 2003 Croatia submitted a request for membership in the European Union, thus starting a long process of preparation and negotiations on accession to the EU. A number of decisions that define the structure for negotiations were adopted in the period to follow. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development was defined as responsible for Chapter 11, 12 and 13. Croatia's key negotiating requests concerned the determination of amount of financial envelope for direct payments, the terms of application and financing of the direct payments and the determination of production quotas. The overall process of accession negotiations was completed at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference on Croatian accession to the European Union on 30 June 2011. The financial envelope for direct payments determined on the basis of statistical data about the agricultural production realized and resource utilized in the defined reference period was set to 373 million Euros per year. Also, since 2014, Croatia could use the EU budget for Rural Development in the amount of 333 million Euros per year (additionally including national budget funds). Finally, the EU provides the legal framework and financial ability, but whether and how the funds will be used depends on the Member State.

Aiming to determine the prevalence of mastitis and its consequences on milk production, 3,953,637 test-day records of Holstein cows (period 01/2005 to 12/2022) were analyzed. The obtained analyses indicate differences in mastitis prevalence and the consequences on successive milk production depending on herd size. The lowest mastitis prevalence was observed on the largest farms (>500), while the most pronounced recovery potential was observed for farms with 200–500 cows. Higher mastitis prevalence and lower recovery potential observed at smaller farms indicate the necessity of education and knowledge transfer to those farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to analyze the use of digital media, and the research was conducted via a web survey sent by e-mail to equestrian clubs in Croatia. Social media has significantly altered the way of communication and the availability of information in all segments of life and work, including horse breeding. Within digital media, an extremely large amount of information is available that is not necessarily relevant and true. To prevent the use of inadequate information, in 60% of equestrian clubs in Croatia, certain persons are responsible for the content. Less than 50% of the respondents follow influencer posts. Furthermore, 90% of the respondents believe that digital media is an excellent tool that can help in the work of equestrian clubs, while 80% of the respondents believe that it is currently underutilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to estimate the fixed costs of the maintenance of draft horses in a low-input farm. Research has revealed that in the investigated case, the fixed costs of maintenance of three draft mares were EUR 5115.39 annually, with human working hours having the greatest share of 73.6%. Income from sales of foals partially offsets the total fixed costs, thus virtually lowering the costs to the level of EUR 1215.39 annually. At the investigated farm (operating on 1.3 ha of arable field crops), the fixed costs per worked arable area were very high, amounting 934.92 EUR/ha, mainly because of little total arable area worked. The theoretical capacity of horse-powered farming with three mares historically was 15 ha, and at such an area, the fixed costs per hectare would fall to the acceptable level of 81 EUR/ha. However, the acceptance of horse-powered farming could face much hesitance, mainly because it is a labor-intensive way of farming, far from the attitudes of modern people. Personal inner transformation might help make this option more attractive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]