Alpine Dairy Research Articles

Relationship between reproductive performance and meteorological variables in French Alpine goats in the northwestern part of Croatia

The study aimed to determine the relationship between reproductive performance, kidding distribution, and birth weight of French Alpine goats and meteorological variables in the northwestern part of Croatia throughout six consecutive years (from 2013 until 2018). During the study, French Alpine goats (n=948) on the 6 dairy goat farms, birthed 1025 goat kids after 893 successful matings (55 matings were unsuccessful) during six consecutive years. The average birth weight was 3.46±0.48 kg for females (n=478) and 3.71±0.51 kg for male kids (n=547). French Alpine does with single kids accounted for 85.89% (n=767), with twins 13.44% (n=120) and triplets 0.67% (n=6). The average litter size was 1.15, and the average parity was 2.95. The birth weight of goat kids in primiparous and pluriparous goats was not significantly different. Survival rate (until 1 month of age) was 93.66 % (n=960). French Alpine does fertility in northwestern Croatia, through six years was 94.18%. Seasonal kidding of French Alpine was distributed mostly on two seasons: winter (73.57%) and spring (24.52%) in the northwestern part of Croatia during six consecutive years 2013-2018. Observed differences in the kidding distribution per month during the years of observation were statistically significant (P = 0.018). The highest number of kidding was recorded in February in all years of observation. It can be concluded that there was not any relationship between monthly air temperature and precipitation amounts with tested reproductive performances in French Alpine dairy goats in the NW part of Croatia during the observed period.

The effect of dietary pumpkin seed cake and extruded linseed on blood haemato-chemicals and milk quality in Alpine goats during early lactation

Due to the high content of crude protein and high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, pumpkin seed cake (PSC) could be a good quality feedstuff for ruminants, while extruded linseed (ELS) has already shown some beneficial effect on fatty acids proportion of goat milk. Besides, lactation is the most demanding period when monitoring the metabolic condition of animal. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of PSC and ELS replacing soybean meal in diets of dairy goats on blood haemato-chemical parameters and milk quality. A 28 lactating French Alpine dairy goats were monitored within 20 days in early lactation. Diet of each groups had a balanced content of energy and crude protein, and a slight difference in lipid content. Goats in control group (n = 9) received soybean meal and extruded soybean. In experimental groups soybean was partially replaced with ELS (n = 10) or completely with PSC (n = 9). Dietary treatments had no effect on haemato-chemical parameters, although PSC increased concentration of globulins in serum. PSC lowered linoleic acid compared to control. ELS increased proportion of α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and total n-3 fatty acids in milk. Positive correlations were found between non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ratio C18:1/C15:0, NEFA and ratio C17:0/C15:0, as well as β-hydroxybutyrate and ratio C17:0/C15:0. The replacement of soybean meal with PSC or partially with ELS is feasible with respect to haemato-chemical parameters of early lactating dairy goats, while ELS had much beneficial effect on fatty acids compared to PSC.

PSX-8 Effects of dietary concentrate level and limited feed access on feed intake and performance by lactating Alpine dairy goats

Abstract The objective was to determine if effects of different limited feed access treatments on performance by lactating Alpine dairy goats vary with dietary concentrate level. Primiparous (29; 55.2±0.8 kg BW) and multiparous Alpine goats (29; 70.2±1.06 kg) were used in a 24-wk study of 3 8-wk phases beginning at 7.1±0.37 d after kidding. Diets of 40 or 60% concentrate (40C and 60C, respectively) were offered free choice in Calan gate feeders, with access continuously (CON), for 8 h between morning and afternoon milkings (DAY), or for 2 h after each milking (FRH). Although there were many interactions involving phase, ADG during the entire study was greater for CON vs. FRH (P < 0.05; -20, -41, and -61 g for CON, DAY, and FRH, respectively; SEM = 8.6). Intake of DM also was greater for CON than for FRH (P < 0.05; 2.17, 2.03, 2.01, 2.29, 2.07, and 1.80 kg/d for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.093). There were interactions (P < 0.02) between concentrate level and access treatment in milk yield (2.55, 2.41, 2.61, 3.21, 2.66, and 2.27 kg/d; SEM=0.103) and protein concentration (2.65, 2.55, 2.60, 2.67, 2.70, and 2.49%; SEM = 0.042), and milk fat concentration was greatest among treatments (P < 0.05) for FRH (2.79, 2.77, 3.18, 2.86, 2.89, and 3.02% for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.103). As a consequence, milk energy yield was 6.14, 5.70, 6.67, 7.83, 6.58, and 5.61 MJ/d (SEM=0.251) and the ratio of milk energy to DMI was 3.01, 2.87, 3.37, 3.47, 3.28, and 3.18 MJ/kg for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.123). Overall, limited feeder access treatments did not improve performance and, in fact, the shortest access treatment increased BW loss; however, efficiency of feed DM usage for milk energy yield was not adversely impacted.

Dietary replacement of soybean meal with lipid matrix-encapsulated urea does not modify milk production and composition in dairy goats

This study evaluated the performance and quality of milk from dairy goats supplemented with urea protected into lipids matrix microencapsulation for controlled release replacing soybean meal. Eight crossbred Alpine dairy goats, multiparous, with an average lactation stage of 70 ± 5.0 days after calving were distributed in a double latin square design was used with four treatments [SBM = control, soybean meal as nitrogen (N) source; microencapasulated urea using beeswax (BWUME), carnauba wax (CWUME) and vegetable fat (VFUME) as encapsulants], replacing soybean meal at 25 % in goat diets. The BWUME replacing SBM protein improved (P ≤ 0.05) intake of CP, N-total, nitrogen insoluble in acid detergent (NIAD), and EE also improved milk production4% corrected, solids-corrected milk, protein, fat, total solids and defatted dry extract and feeding conversion comparing other microencapsulated systems. BWUME and CWUME presented greater (P ≤ 0.05) crude ash, nitrogen insoluble in neutral detergent (NIND) and NDFap intakes compared to VFUME and SBM. The CWUME and VFUME presented greater and lower DMI and crude energy intakes, respectively comparing to other microencapsulated systems and SBM. The TC and NFC intake were greater (P ≤ 0.05) in SBM and VFUME, and lower for BWUME. The SBM presented greater milk production, lower fat and total solids contents compared to other microencapsulated systems. Hematological parameters and serum protein in goats did not differ among treatments. However, at ½ hour before and 1:30 h (P = 0.023) after feeding, the goats receiving BWUME presented greater (P ≤ 0.05) blood urea nitrogen (BUN) comparing to other diets. At 3:00 h after feeding, the BUN concentrations of the all microencapsulated urea formulations were higher que SBM (P = 0.011). The BWUME inclusion for controlled release replacing 25 % SBM promoted similar milk production, solids content and feeding conversion, as well as greater CP intake, N-intake and fat milk concentration in dairy goats.

Raw milk and fecal microbiota of commercial Alpine dairy cows varies with herd, fat content and diet.

The factors that influence the diversity and composition of raw milk and fecal microbiota in healthy commercial dairy herds are not fully understood, partially because the majority of metataxonomic studies involve experimental farms and/or single factors. We analyzed the raw milk and fecal microbiota of 100 healthy cows from 10 commercial alpine farms from the Province of Trento, Italy, using metataxonomics and applied statistical modelling to investigate which extrinsic and intrinsic parameters (e.g. herd, diet and milk characteristics) correlated with microbiota richness and composition in these relatively small traditional farms. We confirmed that Firmicutes, Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae families dominated the fecal and milk samples of these dairy cows, but in addition, we found an association between the number of observed OTUs and Shannon entropy on each farm that indicates higher microbiota richness is associated with increased microbiota stability. Modelling showed that herd was the most significant factor affecting the variation in both milk and fecal microbiota composition. Furthermore, the most important predictors explaining the variation of microbiota richness were milk characteristics (i.e. percentage fat) and diet for milk and fecal samples, respectively. We discuss how high intra-herd variation could affect the development of treatments based on microbiota manipulation.

Genetic parameters of weeping teats in Italian Saanen and Alpine dairy goats and their relationship with milk production and somatic cell score

This paper reports a quantitative genetics analysis of weeping teats (WT), an abnormality of the mammary gland in goats. Weeping teats are characterized by milk oozing out of the teat or by the presence of multiple cysts near its base. This abnormality has been routinely recorded in Italian Alpine and Saanen goats since 2000 using a score of 0 or 1 (0 = defect not present, 1 = defect present). No information is available on the genetic background of WT or its relationship with production or other udder-related traits. Data obtained by the Italian National Sheep and Goat Breeders Association (Rome, Italy) were used to estimate both heritability of WT and its genetic correlation with milk yield, somatic cell score, and udder traits. The final data set used in the analysis included 2,178 Saanen and 2,309 Alpine primiparous goats kidding from 2009 to 2014. The pedigree data included 7,333 Saanen and 7,421 Alpines, respectively. A threshold-linear multivariate animal model was used to estimate variance and covariance components. A genealogical data analysis was also implemented, including genealogical data completeness, inbreeding, and identification of possible most recent common ancestors. On average, around 4 and 13% of primiparous Saanen and Alpine females kidding from 2009 to 2014 showed mammary gland abnormality, respectively. Weeping teats heritability was 0.27 and 0.26 for Saanen and Alpine, respectively. Genetic correlations between milk production or somatic cell score ranged from -0.16 in Saanen to 0.43 in Alpine, but the standard error of the estimates was very large. Positive genetic correlations were observed among WT and teat characteristics in both Saanen and Alpine. The average inbreeding of abnormality carriers was 2.4 and 5.1 for Saanen and Alpine, respectively. The genealogical data analysis identified 4 common ancestors of affected does in Saanen and 2 in Alpine. These results indicate that WT have a possible genetic background. A genome-wide association study might help in understanding the polygenic or monogenic determination of this abnormality.

Steady transformation of primeval forest into subalpine pasture during the Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age (2300−1700 BC) in the Silvretta Alps, Switzerland

The question of the origin of Alpine farming and pastoral activities associated with seasonal vertical transhumance and dairy production in the Silvretta Alps (Eastern Switzerland) has recently benefitted from renewed interest. There, pastoral practises began during the Late Neolithic (2300 BC), but alpine dairy farming was directly evidenced so far only since the Late Bronze Age/Early Iron Age (1300–500 BC). The vegetation development, timberline shifts at 2280 m a.s.l. and environmental conditions of the subalpine Urschai Valley (Canton of Grisons, Switzerland) were reconstructed for the small (8 m2) Plan da Mattun fen based on palynological and geochemical analyses for the last six millennia. The X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses are among the first ones performed on a European peatland in such altitudes. A high Rb/Sr ratio in the fen peat sediments revealed an increase in catchment erosion during the time when the forests of the Upper Urschai Valley were steadily diminished probably by fire and livestock impact (2300–1700 BC). These landscape openings were paralleled by increasing micro-charcoal influx values, suggesting that prehistoric people actively set fire on purpose. Simultaneously, palynological evidence for pastoralism was revealed, such as pollen from typical herbs indicating livestock trampling, and abundant spores from coprophilous fungi. Since then, vertical transhumance and pastoral activities remained responsible for the open subalpine landscape above 2000 m a.s.l., most probably also in the context of milk and dairy production since 1300 BC, which is characteristic for the European Alps until today.

Intake, milk production and grazing behaviour responses of strip-grazing dairy goats to daily access time to pasture and to dehydrated lucerne supplementation

The ability of grazing dairy goats to adapt to short daily access time to pasture is not well known, while, in practice, access time to pasture (AT) is often lower than 12 h/d. A 3-week trial was carried out in spring with 36 Alpine dairy goats in mid-lactation to study the effect of a restriction of access time to pasture, coupled or not with a dehydrated lucerne supplement. Three treatments were compared: (1) 7 h/d of access time to pasture, between milkings, without dehydrated lucerne (namely AT7); (2) 7 h/d of access time to pasture, between milkings, with 371 g DM/d of dehydrated lucerne, distributed individually after evening milking (namely AT7D); and (3) 11 h/d of access time to pasture, 7 h/d between milkings plus 4 h/d after evening milking, without dehydrated lucerne (namely AT11). The daily pasture allowance was 2.3 kg DM/goat at 4 cm above ground level in each treatment. Each goat received 602 g DM/d of a commercial concentrate, given twice daily at milking. Pasture intake decreased by 433 g DM/d (i.e. 18%) between AT11 and AT7 (P<0.01). Pasture intake also decreased by 259 g DM/d between AT7 and AT7D (P<0.01), which means a substitution rate of 0.72 between pasture and dehydrated lucerne. Milk production, and milk fat and protein concentrations were not affected by AT (P>0.10). Milk production response to dehydrated lucerne was 0.82 kg of milk/kg DM. Grazing time decreased by 2.5 h/d between AT11 and AT7 or AT7D (P<0.001). The pasture intake rate averaged 272 g DM/h and tended to increase between AT11 and AT7 (P = 0.08). It is concluded that an access time to pasture of 7 h/d may be sufficient for lactating dairy goats receiving 600 g/d of concentrate and grazing high-quality pastures. Supplying 400 g/d of dehydrated lucerne has a much stronger positive effect on milk production than an additional grazing period of 4 h after evening milking.

The origin of alpine farming: A review of archaeological, linguistic and archaeobotanical studies in the Alps

Alpine farming and pasturing at high altitudes in the Alps has created one of the most species-rich and diverse landscapes in Europe. In order to fully understand, appreciate and protect these habitats it is essential to learn about their history and origin. Until the present day, alpine farming provides essential additional food sources for livestock of farmers in the alpine valleys. Based on written sources, historians are able to track alpine farming back to the Middle Ages. Other approaches from different fields in science, however, can look back even further in search of evidence for alpine farming. This interdisciplinary literature review therefore aims to summarize the scientific work that has been done in different fields of science such as Archaeology, Palynology, Pedoanthracology and linguistic research in order to address the question of the beginning of alpine farming in the Alps. With the discovery of remains from alpine dairy huts, archaeological studies show that there is definite proof of alpine farming beginning in the Bronze Age (2200–800 BC) in different parts of the Alps. Archaeological and palynological data as well as linguistic findings from many different studies and study areas arrived at the same conclusions. Palynological studies found indicators for high-altitude pasture use even earlier, beginning from 4500 BC. The exact type or intensity of this pasture use though remains unclear. In order to confirm these findings, more archaeological research of these areas would be necessary.

Intake, milk yield and grazing behaviour of strip-grazing Alpine dairy goats in response to daily pasture allowance

Grazing management has an important impact on dairy ruminants’ performance. References on the intake and milk yield of dairy goats under strip-grazing systems in temperate regions are scarce. In order to study the effect of pasture allowance on pasture intake (PI), milk yield and grazing behaviour, a trial was carried out in spring with 36 Alpine goats in mid-lactation. Three daily pasture allowances (PA=1.7, 2.6 and 3.5 kg dry matter (DM)/day, namely Low, Medium and High, respectively) were compared in a 3 × 3 Latin square design replicated six times during three successive 14-day periods. Goats individually received 268 g DM of concentrate twice daily at each milking and had access 11 h/day to pasture (from 0830 to 1600 h and from 1730 to 2100 h). Pasture intake increased with PA, and more so between Low and Medium than between Medium and High (+216 v. +101 g DM/kg DM of PA). Milk yield was lower on Low than on Medium and High (2.79 v. 3.13 kg/day), as were milk fat and protein yields. Grazing time averaged 476 min/day and was lowest on Low and greatest on Medium. Pasture intake rate was 30 g DM/h lower on Low and Medium than on High. It is concluded that under temperate conditions, when goats are supplemented with 536 g DM of concentrate and have enough access time to pasture (11 h/day), a medium pasture allowance close to 2.6 kg DM/day may be sufficient to maximise milk yield.

Effect of vacuum level on milk flow and vacuum stability in Alpine goat milking

Milking routine and settings of milking machine are crucial factors in influencing milk production, milking labour and teat condition. The aim of the study was to evaluate if different vacuum levels applied during goat milking can affect milk emission, vacuum stability, and teat measurements. At the university experimental farm, 29 Alpine dairy goats were milked once a day testing three different milking vacuum levels (30, 36 and 42 kPa). The study was divided in 4 periods during lactation, 3 weeks each, changing milking vacuum every week. Milk flow measurements were performed using Lactocorder devices (about 700 observations), while, to verify vacuum stability, Vadia devices were used collecting a total of 220 vacuum curves. Teat dimensions before and after milking were measured once a week. Classification of teat shapes was based on the ratio between diameter and length before milking. Milk flow curves were influenced by milking vacuum level. The highest values of peak and average milk flow were recorded using the highest vacuum level. Vacuum level affected the percentage of milk emitted in the first three minutes of milking; in particular, using the highest milking vacuum level, 92.5% of milk was released in the first three minutes. No differences were found in total milk production and milk somatic cell count using different vacuum levels. Both vacuum level at the short milk tube and vacuum level at mouthpiece chamber were significantly influenced by system vacuum level: as the system vacuum level raised, the first parameter increased while the second decreased. The percentage of curves characterized by irregular vacuum fluctuations, calculated as difference between maximum and minimum vacuum level (kPa) measured in the short milk tube during the main milking phase, was not different among vacuum levels (P = 0.562). Milk flow decreased from the first to the last period of trial, as lactation advanced, by 36.8%; 22.7%; 17.3% for 30, 36 and 42 kPa, respectively; this result impacts on milking performances in terms of duration of milking time and of the time in which teat is under vacuum force. The highest and lowest vacuum levels tested (42 and 30 kPa) caused more evident changes in teat dimensions pre and post milking in comparison with medium vacuum (36 kPa). Moreover, teat shape significantly influenced vacuum at the teat-end. In conclusion, medium vacuum level of 36 kPa seems to be less stressful for teat tissue and more efficient in terms of milking performances than the extreme vacuum levels.

Non-genetic factors affecting somatic cell count in milk of dairy goat populations in Croatia and Slovenia

Received: 2018-05-31 | Accepted: 2018-05-31 | Available online: 2018-11-26 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2018.21.04.179-182 Somatic cell count (SCC) is a useful indicator of intramammary infection of cow’s udders and a standard of quality and hygiene of cow’s milk in many countries. The main non-inflammatory factors influencing SCC in goat milk are intrinsic depending directly on the animal and extrinsic where some of them are routinely recorded along milk recording. The objective of this study was to determine the sources of non-genetic variation for SCC in Alpine (ALP) and Saanen (SAN) dairy goat populations based on Croatian (CRO) and Slovenian (SVN) milk recording data. For that purpose, test day records (327,404 in total) were used. They were collected over the period from 2005 to 2017 in Alpine (ALP) and Saanen (SAN) goat populations in Croatia (CRO) and Slovenia (SVN). The majority of records (310,371) represent CRO data, while SVN data included 17,033 records. Data have been obtained from the Central database of Croatian Agricultural Agency and Slovenian Central Database for Small Ruminants, which are collected according to the ICAR standards. Data were analysed using MIXED procedure in SAS/STAT, based on the REML method. Results showed significant effect of the population, parity, litter size, year and month of kidding and interaction between them as well as the effect of the stage of lactation nested within the population on the SCC in milk of studied goat populations. Keywords: Alpine goat, Croatia, dairy goat, logSCC, Saanen goat, Slovenia, somatic cell count References Ali T.E., Schaeffer, L.R., (1987) Accounting for covariances among test day milk yields in dairy cows. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 67, 1233-1240. ICAR. (2018) Section 16 – Guidelines for performance recording in dairy sheep and dairy goats. Available at: https://www.icar.org/Guidelines/16-Dairy-Sheep-and-Goats.pdf [Accessed 1 May 2018]. Jimenez-Granado, R., Sanchez-Rodrigues, M., Arce C., Rodrigues-Estevez, V. (2014) Factors affecting somatic cell count in dairy goats: a review. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 12 (1), 133-150. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2014121-3803 CAA (2017) Annual report 2016. Sheep and goats. Zagreb: Croatian Agricultural Agency. Available at: http://www.hpa.hr/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Ov%C4%8Darstvo-i-kozarstvo.pdf [Accessed 1 May 2018]. Rupp, R., Clement, V., Piacere, A., Robert-Granie, C., Manfredi, E. (2011) Genetic parameters for milk somatic cell score and relationship with production and udder type traits in dairy Alpine and Saanen primiparous goats. Journal of dairy science, 94 (7), 3629-3634. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2010-3694 SAS Institute (2011) SAS/STAT Software, Version 9.3. Cary, NC. Savsek, R., Simcic, M., Cividini, A., Birtic, D., Drasler, D., Zajc, P., Krsnik, J., Stepec, M., Mrkun, J., Potokar, D. (2018) Porocilo o opravljenem delu znotraj STRP na podrocju reje drobnice v letu 2017. Domžale: Zveza drustev rejcev drobnice, Oddelek za zootehniko

Nitrogen and phosphorus excretion on mountain farms of different dairy systems

We developed a procedure to estimate the release of nutrients into the environment on Alpine dairy farms and applied it to a sample of 564 farms in the Province of Trento (north-eastern Italy) as a case study. Farm data (geographical location, herd size, milk production and quality, reproductive events, land use) were gathered from institutional databases and merged. Information on the formulation of the ration was obtained from farm visits. The farms fell into 4 groups: traditional with summer transhumance to highland pastures (T-ALP, 51%), traditional without transhumance (T-noALP, 24%), traditional using silage (T-S, 5%), and modern (MOD, 20%). The model predicted N and P excretion from cows and heifers on a farm basis. The N in manure was computed from total N excreted, assuming a 28% of N loss due to volatilisation. A cow unit was defined as the cow and its share of replacement heifer. The average dietary N content of the lactating cows ranged from 20 to 30 g/kg DM, while on-farm N excretion ranged from 90 to 190 kg/year per cow unit; the modern farms had the highest average value (137 kg), the T-ALP farms the lowest (106 kg). Average P excretion ranged from 10 to 40 kg/year/cow unit. The on-farm N and P in manure per unit of milk decreased asymptotically with increasing cow productivity, from 25 to 19 and from 4.1 to 2.8 g/kg milk, respectively. The modern farms had the greatest amounts of N and P in manure per unit of agricultural land (260 and 51 kg/ha, respectively), the T-ALP farms the lowest (161 and 37 kg/ha, respectively). Within system, there was a huge variation among farms in the N and P load per unit of agricultural land, which was largely explained by the number of cow units per ha and by nutrient excretion per cow unit, but not by herd size or cow productivity. Within dairy system, the N and P contents of the rations for lactating cows were weakly related to the daily milk yield, but strongly related to the annual excretion of the nutrient per cow unit. The farm N loads were below the legal thresholds (340 kg N/ha per year), but the geographical distribution of the loads indicated two critical areas due to farm density.

Levels of neutral detergent fiber in diets with forage palm for dairy goats

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the amount of fiber in the diet that is able to promote better use of nutrients in the diet of dairy goats when forage palm is the main source of roughage. Fifteen Alpine dairy goats were distributed in a 5 × 5 triple Latin square containing five treatments and five periods, and each treatment contained. We tested five diets composed of different contents of neutral detergent fiber from Tifton hay (NDFf) in the dry matter of rations containing forage palm: D1: 11.98%; D2: 18.31%; D3: 23.68%; D4: 28.76% and D5: 32.12% NDFf. The intake of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates and ether extract decreased linearly with the increase in NDFf content. There was a linear increase of milk production and milk protein with increasing dietary NDFf. The fat, dry extract, protein, pH and acidity of the evaluated milk were not affected by increasing the levels of NDFf in the diet. In situations where dairy goats are fed forage palm and other types of forage are limited, 11.98% NDF from forage other than palm can be used as an effective source of NDF.

Factors Affecting Global versus Local Environmental and Economic Performance of Dairying: A Case Study of Swiss Mountain Farms

Improving the sustainability of the dairy food chain requires a simultaneous improvement in global and local environmental performance, as well as in the economic performance of dairy farms. We investigated the effect of different structural, farm management, socio-demographic, technological and natural-environment-related factors on the economic and environmental performance of dairying. Our analysis relied on a case study of 56 Swiss alpine dairy farm observations, for which cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessments and farm accountancy data were combined. The data refer to the years 2006 to 2008. The effect of the selected factors on farms’ economic and environmental performance was analysed by means of non-parametric statistical approaches. The results revealed the existence of some factors presenting synergies and several factors showing trade-offs in the enhancement of farm global environmental, local environmental and economic performance. More generally, the promotion of farm global environmental performance and farm economic performance was shown to be synergetic whereas the enhancement of farm global and local environmental performance turned out to be mostly antinomic. However, some factors, namely organic farming, higher agricultural education, silage-free milk production, and also, to a weaker extent, full-time farming, larger farm size and lower intensity of cattle concentrates use, showed a potential to bring simultaneous improvements in the global and local environmental performance as well as the economic performance of dairy farming. Policy-makers should be aware of the complexity of the joint improvement of farm economic and environmental performance and only promote factors capable of synergistically enhancing the environmental and economic performance of dairy farming.

Early weaning and high feeding level in post-weaning period did not impact milk production in Alpine dairy goats.

The experiment reported in this Research Communication aimed to determine the combined effects of early weaning and post-weaning feeding level on growth, reproductive parameters and milk yield in Alpine goats. Sixty-four Alpine goat kids were weaned abruptly at either 12·2 (±1·40) kg (40 d of age, E) or 17·7 (±2·30) kg (60 d of age, No). After weaning, E and No goats were subjected to 2 feeding strategies (n = 16): ad libitum concentrate until 130 d of age and then 620 g DM/d/goat until 200 d of age (EC and NoC) or ad libitum concentrate until 200 d of age (EAL and NoAL). Goats were weighed twice a month until 200 d of age. Pregnancy rate and litter size were recorded. Daily milk yield was measured by milk meter during the first lactation. Up to 60 d of age, average daily gain (ADG) of E kids was significantly lower than No kids. From 60 to 130 d of age, ADG of the four treatments were not different. After 130 d of age, EC and NoC kids had lower ADG than EAL and NoAL kids. Pregnancy rates of EAL and NoAL goats were lower than those of EC and NoC. Milk yield was not modified by weaning weight or feeding management. Milk quality was not affected by any treatment. To conclude, the age at weaning as well as the feeding level after weaning did not negatively impact growth and milk yield. We hypothesise that the establishment of the lactation function is not impacted by rearing management. Hence, decreasing the age at weaning could be an interesting way to reduce the cost of the rearing period in goat kids.

Milk production and grazing behaviour responses of Alpine dairy goats to daily access time to pasture or to daily pasture allowance on temperate pastures in spring

In a context of price volatility and low feed self-sufficiency of goat farms in Western Europe, grazing may play an important role. Knowledge about the impact of grazing management – particularly daily access time to pasture or pasture allowance – on dairy goats’ performance is scarce. Two 3-week trials were carried out in spring with 36 Alpine goats in mid-lactation. In Trial 1, 3 access times to pasture during daytime (AT: 4, 6 or 8 h/day, from 08:00 to 12:00, from 10:00 to 16:00 and from 08:00 to 16:00, respectively) were compared. In each treatment, goats individually received 370 g DM of dehydrated forage (lucerne and maize) after the evening milking, 278 g DM of concentrate twice daily, at each milking, and a daily pasture allowance of 2.0 kg DM/goat, measured at 4 cm above ground level. In Trial 2, 3 daily pasture allowances (PA: 1.6, 2.3 or 3.0 kg DM/goat, measured at 4 cm above ground level) were compared. Goats individually received 278 g DM of concentrate twice daily, at each milking, and access time to pasture was of 13 h/d (from 07:30 to 16:00 and from 17:00 to 21:30). Milk production was similar between medium and high levels of AT or PA, and was lower for the lowest level of AT or PA (−300 g/d at the lowest AT and −500 g/d at the lowest PA). Milk fat and protein concentrations only slightly varied between the different levels of AT or PA. In both trials, goats maintained an intense grazing activity. Grazing time (from 240 to 540 min/d) and proportion of time spent grazing (from 66 to 99%) were mainly affected by AT, and only marginally by PA.

The Meaning and Issues of Alpine Dairy Farm as Land Use in Hilly and Mountainous Areas

The Meaning and Issues of Alpine Dairy Farm as Land Use in Hilly and Mountainous Areas

Cadmium in liver and kidneys of domestic Balkan and Alpine dairy goat breeds from Montenegro and Serbia

ABSTRACTConcentrations of cadmium (Cd) were determined in the samples of 144 animals around 1 and of 144 animals around 4 years old. Cd was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after microwave digestion. Cd concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in kidney than in liver and higher (p < 0.05) in older animals than in young ones. In domestic Balkan goat which was raised in a free-ranged system Cd accumulation was lower (p < 0.05) than in Alpine goat raised in an intensive production system. Geographic region did influence Cd accumulation only in older animals. Higher Cd levels (p < 0.05) were determined in goats from Serbia. The highest obtained Cd concentrations in both tissues were lower than maximum levels set by European and national legislation for ruminants (cattle and sheep).

Local versus Global Environmental Performance of Dairying and Their Link to Economic Performance: A Case Study of Swiss Mountain Farms

Complying with the carrying capacity of local and global ecosystems is a prerequisite to ensure environmental sustainability. Based on the example of Swiss mountain dairy farms, the goal of our research was firstly to investigate the relationship between farm global and local environmental performance. Secondly, we aimed to analyse the relationship between farm environmental and economic performance. The analysis relied on a sample of 56 Swiss alpine dairy farms. For each farm, the cradle-to-farm-gate life cycle assessment was calculated, and the quantified environmental impacts were decomposed into their on- and off-farm parts. We measured global environmental performance as the digestible energy produced by the farm per unit of global environmental impact generated from cradle-to-farm-gate. We assessed local environmental performance by dividing farm-usable agricultural area by on-farm environmental impact generation. Farm economic performance was measured by work income per family work unit, return on equity and output/input ratio. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship, trade-offs or synergies between global and local environmental performance indicators. Interestingly, trade-offs were observed far more frequently than synergies. Furthermore, we found synergies between global environmental and economic performance and mostly no significant relationship between local environmental and economic performance. The observed trade-offs between global and local environmental performance mean that, for several environmental issues, any improvement in global environmental performance will result in deterioration of local environmental performance and vice versa. This finding calls for systematic consideration of both dimensions when carrying out farm environmental performance assessments.