Basis Of Milk Production Research Articles

Adoption of Improved Buffalo Husbandry Practices in Peri-Urban Areas of Surat City, Gujarat

The present study was carried out in the peri urban areas of Surat city of Gujarat to find out the adoption of improved buffalo husbandry practices. A random sample of 50 buffalo farm owners were selected and interviewed for the interview schedule prepared about adoption of improved dairy husbandry practices in six major aspects of housing, feeding, breeding, health care, milking and calf rearing management was studied. Housing in separate located place (100%), providing proper floor space (98%) and proper height and ventilation (90%) were more adopted in housing practices. Provision of clean and fresh drinking water (100%), feeding extra ration to advance pregnant animals (64%) and feeding balance concentrate mixture on the basis of milk production (64%) were more adopted in feeding management. In adoption of breeding management, keeping watch on oestrus cycle and heat symptoms of animals (100%), artificial insemination of animals (100%) and practicing pregnancy diagnosis between 60-90 days after service (91%) were more adopted by buffalo owners. Observing animals daily for signs of sickness (100%), timely and regularly vaccination (100%) and treatment of reproductive disorders (75%) were more adopted by respondents in health care management practices. In milking and calf rearing practices, washing pails and hands before milking (100%) and regularity in milking time (100%), early solid feeding (100%) and milk feeding to calves up to three months of age (96%) were more adopted by the buffalo owners.

CORRELATED VARIABILITY OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN ASSESSMENT OF THE BREEDING VALUE OF BULLS

The purpose of the research was to determine the repeatability of estimates of the breeding value of bulls by offspring in foreign countries and in controlled herds in Ukraine. The study was conducted based on the results of native (by the method of calculated breeding value – CBV, n = 1093) and foreign (the best linear unbiased prediction – BLUP, n = 161) assessment of the breeding value of sires with a repeatability of more than 60% of ten dairy and double breeds, given in the catalogues of bulls for the reproduction of breeding cattle in 2003–2013. By breed affiliation, these 713 bulls are classified as Holstein, 92 – Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy, 85 – Ukrainian Red- and-White Dairy, 59 – Ukrainian Red Dairy, 47 – Simmental, 40 – Angler, 36 – Swiss, 11 – Red Steppe, 7 – Red Danish, 3 – Lebedyn breeds. By country of birth (selection), the largest representation (439 bulls) had sires of native breeding, 235 bulls used in the specified period (or their sperm products) were imported from Canada, 154 – from Germany, 117 – from the USA, 37 – from Austria, 36 – from the Russian Federation, 20 – from Denmark, 19 – from Hungary, 17 – from the Netherlands, 7 – from Great Britain, 4 – from the Czech Republic, by 2 – from France, Latvia and Estonia and by one from Bulgaria and Lithuania. On each sire the information about the year and the method of evaluation by offspring, the number of daughters, herds and repeatability, average milk yield, the content and yield of milk fat and protein in daughter’s milk, the breeding value of bulls on these traits was taken into account. Prior to receiving an estimate for offspring in Ukraine, 161 sires were evaluated abroad.
 Correlation analysis established a statistically significant (P < 0.001), but relatively low (27.8–51.7%) level of correlated variability of the breeding value of bulls and the average productivity of their daughters. On the yield, the correlation coefficient was 44.5 ± 2.71%, on the fat content – 51.7 ± 2.59%, protein content – 27.8 ± 3.30% and milk fat yield – 42.8 ± 2.74%. Consequently, the average milk production of daughters cannot be considered as a reliable criterion for assessing the genetic value of sires.
 The breeding value of sires by the milk yield of daughters closely correlates with that of milk fat and protein (97.3...97.9%) and reveals a low connection (-2.7...-7.8%) with their content, which confirms the natural antagonism of quantitative and qualitative traits of milk production. Consequently, selection on the basis of milk production should be carried out at independent levels with a low probability of obtaining bulls, which simultaneously improve quantitative and qualitative traits.
 Correlation analysis revealed a low and in most cases not reliable level of correlated variability of native and foreign estimates of the breeding value of bulls. On the yield, the repeatability of foreign and native assessment of the breeding value of sires was 33.6 ± 7.29% (P ˂ 0.001), by fat content – 13.0 ± 7.67% (P = 0.093), by milk fat yield – 8.6 ± 7.71%, by protein content – -0.1 ± 7.83% (P = 0.991), milk protein yield – 23.7 ± 7.61% (P = 0.002) and by the complex breeding index – 13.8 ± 7.66% (P = 0.074). Thus, the level of breeding value of sires determined abroad can be considered only as a preliminary one for their selection into native herds, which does not guarantee the corresponding breeding effect due to the different reaction rate in the interaction "genotype – environment". Quite reasonable so is the requirement of the native instruction on the selection of bulls concerning the mandatory reevaluation of imported bulls as well as sires, whose sperm products were purchased by import into Ukraine.

Financial Assessment of Profit on the basis of Milk Production on sample dairy farms in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh

Financial Assessment of Profit on the basis of Milk Production on sample dairy farms in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh

Study on Breeding and Feeding Management Practices Followed By Members and Non-members of Dairy Cooperatives in Jaipur District Of Rajasthan

The present study was conducted on total 240 households identified 120 from members and 120 from non-members of dairy co-operatives in Jaipur district of Rajasthan. It was observed that wheat straw was most common dry fodder used by majority (68.33 vs. 73.33 %) of members and non-members families. About 54.17 percent and 46.67 percent animals were fed ready made feed (pelleted) by members and non-members. Soaking to the concentrate before feeding was prevalent adopted by 65.0 and 61.67 percent members and non-members families .Quantity of concentrate to be given an individual animal was decided on the basis of milk production by 62.50 and 84.17 % members and non-members families, respectively, however higher percentage (37.50) of members considered overall performance of an animal. The feeding of mineral mixture and common salt was adopted by 30.83 and 21.67 % members families whereas nonmembers families followed 6.67 and 9.17%, respectively. The membership of dairy co-operative had significant effect on composition of concentrate, criteria of concentrate feeding, feeding mineral mixture and common salt whereas as had non-significant effect on type of dry fodder most commonly used and pre-treatment to concentrate. Majority (59.17%) of members families mating to animals after 12 hours of onset of heat whereas majority (60.83%) respondents in nonmembers bred just after onset of heat. Bellowing was the most common symptoms of heat detection adopted by both members and non members families. Natural method of matting was used by majority of members (64.17%) and non-members (94.17%) families. Pregnancy diagnosis was not common in both the categories. Treatment to anoestrus animals and repeat breeder were followed by 55.0 and 63.33% in members in comparison to non-member (33.33 and 39.17%). The membership of dairy co-operative had significant effect on time of breeding, mating system, treatment to anoestrus animal and repeat breeder while have no significant association with most common symptoms of heat detection and pregnancy diagnosis

The effects of extruded flaxseed supplementation to high-yielding dairy cows on milk production and milk fatty acid composition

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of extruded flaxseed supplementation to high-yielding dairy cows on milk yield and fatty acid profile. One-hundred Israeli-Holstein dairy cows averaging 150 days in milk (DIM) were stratified into two treatment groups on the basis of milk production, DIM and parity. The treatments were: (1) control—cows were fed a lactating-cows diet; and (2) extruded flaxseed (EF)—cows were fed a lactating-cows diet which included an extruded supplement at 40 g/kg dry matter (DM) that contained flaxseed and wheat bran at 700 and 300 g/kg, respectively. The average daily milk yield was 2.7% higher in the EF group than in the control group (45.4 and 44.2 kg/d, respectively; P

Effects of Short-Term Glucagon Administration on Gluconeogenic Enzymes in the Liver of Midlactation Dairy Cows

During lactation, the dairy cow experiences an increased demand for glucose to support milk production. Increased glucose demand can be met through increased capacity for gluconeogenesis, increased supply of glucose precursors, or a combination of both processes. Glucagon, a key hormone in glucose homeostasis, acts to promote gluconeogenesis and increase glucose output from liver. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of short-term administration of glucagon on expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in lactating dairy cattle. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows were selected from the Purdue University Animal Sciences Dairy Research Center herd. Cows were stratified on the basis of milk production and days in milk and randomly assigned to either a saline or glucagon injection group (n=8 per group). Cows were injected subcutaneously at −21, −14, −7, and 0h relative to final glucagon and saline injections with either 3.75mg of lyophilized bovine glucagon (15 mg/d) dissolved in 60mL of 0.15 M NaCl (pH 10.25) or 60mL of 0.15 M NaCl. Liver biopsy samples were obtained 1 wk before injection to establish baseline values and at 3h after cows received final glucagon and saline injections. Biopsy samples were analyzed for mRNA abundance, enzyme activity, protein abundance, and in vitro measures of gluconeogenesis. Glucagon did not alter pyruvate carboxylase or cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA abundance, enzyme activity, or protein abundance, although there was a tendency for greater mRNA expression with the glucagon treatment (4.69 vs. 6.78, arbitrary units). Glucagon injections did not change mitochondrial PEPCK mRNA expression. Gluconeogenesis from 2.5mM [2-14C]propionate and 2.0mM [U-14C]lactate was similar in liver biopsy samples from glucagon-treated and control cows. There was no effect of glucagon on dry matter intake and milk production. Glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate acid, and insulin were not altered by glucagon. Blood glucagon was elevated, 76.09 vs. 96.14 pg/mL, for cows receiving glucagon injections. The data indicate that 24-h administration of glucagon does not alter cytosolic PEPCK mRNA expression or result in immediate alterations in total PEPCK enzyme activity and gluconeogenic capacity.

Replacement and Lifetime Production Traits: Effect of Non-genetic Factors and Sire Evaluation

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effects of non-genetic factors and association among replacement and lifetime production traits. The data on 542 Holstein Friesian cows maintained during 1975-98 at State Cattle Breeding Project, Sector III, Hisar, were utilized. The average sex-ratio, abnormal births, mortality, culling and replacement rates on total calf born and total female calf born basis were 51.62, 8.50, 17.52, 31.05, 22.78 and 51.41 per cent, respectively. The study revealed that a minimum of 4 to 5 progenies are required per cow over its lifetime to replace itself. It indicated that each cow should produce a minimum of 2 female calves during its life so as to replace herself before being lost. The least-squares means for productive herd life, longevity and lifetime production were 1439.32′87.64 and 2419.18′8.25 days and 11317.95′913.15 kg, respectively. The heritability estimates for all replacement traits were very low indicating that sire selection may bring no desirable change in these traits. Heritability estimates were 0.178′0.157, 0.288′0.184 and 0.096′0.195 for corresponding lifetime production traits. Breeding values and ranking of sires were generated for replacement and lifetime production traits to estimate the rank correlations between these traits. Moderate desirable rank correlations were obtained between replacement rate and lifetime production traits indicating that sires proven on the basis of milk production are also expected to have better replacement rate.

Some factors related to the voluntary intake of silage by individual dairy cows housed as a group during two winter-feeding periods

ABSTRACTThe consumption of grass silage by each individual cow in a group housed during two consecutive winter-feeding periods was continuously recorded. During the first winter, one of two concentrates, containing high starch or high fibre, were offered on a sliding scale and half the cows were injected with bovine somatotropin (bST). During the second winter, one of two concentrates, containing high or low rumen-undegradable protein were offered at a flat rate ivith two-thirds of the cows receiving bST. The cows injected with bST had significantly greater yields of milk but their consumption of silage was similar to that of cows not treated with bST. The type of concentrate offered had no significant effect on silage consumption. Although there were significant variations in the consumption of silage from day to day, there were highly significant variations in consumption attributable to individual cows. This individuality of intake persisted in a consistent manner throughout a feeding period and could not be explained on the basis of milk production, body weight, age or parity. In 24 of the cows which were used in both years, their individual intakes for the two periods were significantly correlated. The possibility that this individuality may be of economic importance is discussed.

Threonine requirement of the lactating sow.

Twenty-five mature Landrace × Yorkshire sows were used in an experiment to estimate the threonine requirement of the sow during the first 3 weeks of lactation. A basal diet consisting of corn and gelatin with added vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids was formulated to satisfy the currently recognized sow requirements for all essential nutrients except threonine. L-threonine was added to this diet to produce five diets containing: .31, .36, .42, .49 and .57% threonine. The sow's threonine requirement was estimated on the basis of milk production and pig weight gain, nitrogen retention, plasma essential amino acid and urea levels, and urea excretion. Milk yield increased quadratically (P < .07) with increasing levels of threonine, reaching a maximum at .49% threonine. Pig gains also were maximal at this threonine intake. Nitrogen retention and output of milk nitrogen increased as threonine intake increased from .31% to .42%, with little change above this level. Plasma threonine increased quadratically (P < .001) as dietary threonine increased, remaining at a low level until .42% dietary threonine and increasing rapidly at higher threonine intakes. The plasma concentrations of eight of the nine other essential amino acids decreased with increasing dietary threonine, generally reaching a plateau at .42% threonine. This trend also was followed by plasma urea concentrations and urine urea excretions, both of which fell rapidly as threonine intake increased from .31% to .42% with little change above this level.

Comparison of Feeding Value of Corn and Grain Sorghum Silages on the Basis of Milk Production and Digestibility

Eighteen cows were used to compare the feeding value of three silages, a combine-type (RS610), a forage-type (Regular Hegari) grain sorghum, and corn. A switchback design trial with 28-day periods and individual feeding was used. The cows were fed silage ad libitum twice daily and 0.5kg of alfalfa hay per 100kg of body weight once daily. A 16% crude protein grain mix was fed at the rate of 1.0kg per 3.0kg of 4% FCM.The average daily silage dry matter consumption was significantly greater for RS610 than for corn or Hegari. There was no significant difference in average daily FCM production between cows fed RS610 and corn. Both supported a higher level of production than Hegari. The cows fed RS610 and those fed corn silage increased in body weight during the trial. The difference was significant in favor of the RS610-fed cows. The cows fed Hegari had a slight daily body weight loss.A 3×3 Latin-square design digestion trial with six bred dairy heifers was used to determine digestibility of the three silages. The digestion coefficients for dry matter and gross energy were greater for the corn silage than for either of the sorghum silages. The crude protein of the corn and RS610 silages was more digestible than that of the Hegari.

Evaluation of Corn and Sorghum Silages on the Basis of Milk Production and Digestibility

Summary Double-reversal designed feeding trials comparing corn silage and hybrid forage sorghum silage for lactating dairy cows were conducted for two successive years. Silage was fed free choice, hay limited to 5-6lb per cow daily, and grain was fed to fulfill requirements. Cows fed corn silage produced more milk and consumed more silage dry matter in both trials than those fed the sorghum silage. These differences were statistically significant. Sorghum silage was 92 and 85% as efficient as corn silage for milk production in Experiments I and II, respectively. Cows in Experiment I fed sorghum silage gained significantly more body weight than those fed corn silage. Differences in body weight gains in Experiment II were not statistically significant. There were no major differences in digestibility of the corn and sorghum silages fed in Experiment I. The digestion coefficients for dry matter, energy, and the digestible energy values were significantly greater for corn than for sorghum silage in Experiment II.

A Three-Year Study on the Effect of Fly Control on Milk Production by Selected and Randomized Dairy Herds 1

During the three consecutive summers of 1957, 1958, and 1959, 99 lactating cows were used to test the effect of fly control on milk production under varied farm conditions on three farms in Centre County and Northumberland County, Pa. On the University and Tilford farms, the animals were selected on the basis of milk production, stage of lactation, body weight, age, and general physical condition; these were divided into two similar groups, the treated and untreated, which were managed alike throughout the trials. On the X Farm, two randomized herds served as treated groups and a third one as the untreated control; no attempt was made to equalize the management of the three randomized herds. The flies on the three farms were the horn fly, Haematobia irritans (L.), the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), the horse flies, Tabanus sulcifrons (Maequart) and T. giganteus (DeGeer), the house fly, Musca domestica L., and the face fly, Musca autumnalis DeGeer. Treatments for fly control included the use of spray and aerosol formulations containing various combinations of such principal ingredients as methoxychlor, dimethoate, synergized pyrethrins, R-1207 (3-chloropropyl n-octyl sulfoxide), MGK R-326 (di- n -propyl isocinehomeronate), butoxy polypropylene glycol, diethyltolumide, and Thanite® (isobornyl thioeyanoacetate, 82%, other related terpenes, 18%). The formulations were applied by means of two automatic devices: an electric-eye-controlled sprayer consisting of a pipe system with 10 nozzles, a photoelectric relay unit, and a pump-motor assembly; and a automatic photoelectric aerosol applicator (also known as automatic photoelectric device) equipped with a triggering mechanism for releasing aerosol from containers. Cows were sprayed once daily after milking, as they passed through the doorways or chutes at which the devices were mounted. Milk production records were kept during the treatment period as well as the pretreatment and posttreatment periods, except on the Tilford Farm. These tests showed that under the conditions prevailing in this investigation, fly control did not have significant effect on milk production by the selected herds on the University and Tilford Farms, which were well managed and liberally supplied with supplementary feeds. This was consistently true throughout the three seasons regardless of the differences in the degree of fly infestation, ranging from heavy to light, or in the effectiveness of treatments, varying from excellent to unsatisfactory. It also appeared that neither the absorption of small amounts of methoxychlor by the treated cows nor repeated applications of oil-based sprays had adverse effect on milk productivity of the animals concerned. Of the six selected or randomized herds receiving spray or aerosol treatments, only one randomized herd on the X Farm showed favorable response; the average daily crease in milk production in this herd, which was poorly managed and supplied with very scanty pasture and limited supplements, was significantly less than that in the untreated control. Statistical analyses indicated that the decrease in milk production by the treated herd was approximately one-third that of the untreated. Findings of the 3-year study lead to the suggestion that among the factors involved in determining the effect of fly control on milk production, herd management with particular reference to the supply of pasture and supplements could play a dominant role.

Sulfur Dioxide as a Preservative for High Moisture Legume Silage

Summary Legume silage harvested by the direct cut method was used to measure the value of SO 2 as a preservative. Comparisons were made between SO 2 -treated and untreated silages on the basis of a feeding trial and chemical analysis. Both silages were palatable, and the cows consumed an average of 65lb. per day during the trial. There were no differences between the two silages on the basis of milk production or body weight during the 60-day feeding trial. The analyses showed the SO 2 -treated silage was lower in pH, moisture, and fiber, and higher in protein, than the untreated silage. These differences were statistically significant. No significant difference was shown for ether extract, ash, and carotene.

Methods of Preserving Grass Silage and Vitamin A Potency of Milk Produced Therefrom

Summary In a study of various methods of ensiling grasses and legumes, preservation by the addition of 200 pounds corn and cob meal per ton gave a very palatable silage, although carotene preservation was not as good as with some other methods, e.g ., molasses. No significant differences were found in milk production and change in body weight when the lots for any one feeding period were compared. A comparison of good corn and alfalfa silages indicated that both silages had apparently equivalent feed value on the basis of milk production and change in body weight. The vitamin A potency of the milk produced from these two silages varied by only 20 per cent. Alfalfa silage high in carotene generally -increased and maintained the carotene and vitamin A level in winter milk.