Butterfat Production Research Articles

Karacadağ Bölgesinde Üretilen Şanlıurfa Sadeyağı ile Tulum Yağının Bazı Kalite Karakteristikleri

Bu çalışmada, Şanlıurfa ili Karacadağ bölgesinde küçük süt işletmelerinde üretilen Şanlıurfa sadeyağı ile Tulum yağının (Runı hiz) bileşimi, bazı yağ indisleri, renk, biyokimyasal ve tekstürel parametreleri araştırılmıştır. Yapılan istatistiksel değerlendirmede, Şanlıurfa sadeyağına oranla, Tulum yağının ortalama yağ oranı, iyot sayısı, serbest asitlik, asit değeri ve peroksit değeri yüksek, nem oranı, kolesterol miktarı, su aktivitesi, L* değeri ve indüksiyon süresi ise daha düşük bulunmuştur (P<0.05). Depolama sıcaklığının yüksek olması nedeniyle Şanlıurfa sadeyağı ile Tulum yağının oksidasyon parametreleri yüksek bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, Şanlıurfa sadeyağı ve Tulum yağının bileşimi ve tekstürel parametreleri geniş bir aralıkta değişim göstermiştir. Bu nedenle, depolama sıcaklığı ve sadeyağ üretim yöntemi optimize edilmeli, ayrıca Tulum yağı üretiminde deri tulum kullanımı ile ilgili bilimsel çalışmalar yapılmalıdır. Alternatif ambalaj malzemesi olarak deri tulumun teknolojiye kazandırılması bölge ekonomisine katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

Analysis of the Composition of Milk in the first Three Lactations in Ayrshire Cattle Across Four Decades

Abstract Using historic lactation records for Ayrshire cattle, we report a gradual increase in the production of milk, butter fat and protein levels across four decades. This was generally at the extent of attaining a level of increase per decade which was similar to the increase seen between animals during their first and second lactations in the previous decade. However these increases were achieved without significantly affecting the percentage of butter fat or protein throughout the time examined, and also without changing the heifer: second lactation ratios

Effects of a non-starch polysaccharidase enzyme preparation from Thermomyces lanuginosus on energy and protein metabolism and milk yield of dairy cattle

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) form an integral part of the cell walls in plants and represent considerable available energy when degraded into absorbable mono-, di-, tri- and oligosaccharides. The ruminal microflora hydrolyses a good part of NSPs, however, recently there have been attempts to enhance the rate of utilisation by using external polysaccharidase enzymes. In the present study the effects of an enzyme preparation (Rumino-Zyme) high in xylanase activity were studied on ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, parameters of energy and protein metabolism, milk yield, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and body condition score of high-yielding dairy cows. A lignolytic enzyme preparation produced by the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus was applied in the present experiment and fed to dairy cows at 34 g/day dosage in the period between calving and the 110th day of lactation. This preparation increased VFA concentration in the rumen from about 32 days after calving and onward. Increased VFA concentration was followed by an about 5 to 10% increase in milk production and an almost 0.1% increase in butterfat production. Increased VFA concentration produced more balanced energy metabolism in the experimental cows as indicated by the lower incidence rate of hyperketonaemia, and lower acetoacetic acid and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration in the blood of the experimental cows. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was tendentiously higher in the control group and the proportion of cows that had AST activity higher than 100 U/l was also higher in the control group. Both control and experimental cows showed balanced protein and acid-base metabolism throughout the experiment. Enhanced VFA concentration contributed to an improvement in energy balance in the experimental cows with a resultant improvement of feed intake and feed utilisation. Due to the more balanced energy metabolism postparturient body condition loss of the treated cows was reduced.

The effect of selection on genetic parameter estimates

A simulation study was carried out to investigate the effect of selection on the estimation of genetic parameters for butterfat production in dairy cattle. It was found that selection leads to a substantial overestimation of fixed effects and variance components and an underestimation of heritability estimates. This effect was attributed to the fact that all information on all animals in the analysis should be available to compensate for the effect of selection. (South African Journal of Animal Science, 2001, 31(2): 107-114)

Applying current technology to improve milk protein at farm level

AbstractImproving milk protein concentration at farm level can add fifty pounds per cow to milk sales annually. The benefit for processors is an increase in protein supply by ten percent and improved milk processability. The farm changes needed to improve milk protein content can also lead to a reduction in milk production costs of at least fifty pounds per cow. The objective of the Kerry Agribusiness/Teagasc “Focus on Profit” project was to adopt current technology in relation to improving milk protein at farm level to enable farmers to improve their income. Specifically to improve milk value by 0.85 p/litre by increasing milk protein content from 32 g/kg, the Kerry average for 1994, to 34 g/kg by the year end 2000. Thirty five farmers were selected to represent each category of milk supplier to Kerry Agribusiness in relation to scale of production, size of holding, soil type, farm management practices and farm location. Herds were milk recorded. Milk volume, protein and butterfat concentration, production costs, farm characteristics and management practices were monitored. Current information/technology from research on improving milk protein content and reducing costs was communicated to monitor farms by means of farm visits, farm walks, demonstrations, discussion groups, clinics, seminars, newsletters, booklet, press articles and the radio by advisors and research personnel from Kerry Agribusiness, Teagasc, Munster Cattle Breeding Society, Department of Agriculture and New Zealand. From 1994, milk protein concentration has increased by 1.1 g/kg from 31.7 to 32.8, butterfat concentration has increased by 2.4 g/kg from 35.2 to 37.6 g/kg and milk value has increased by 0.97 p/litre from 20.23 to 21.20 p/litre. The best improvement in milk protein was observed during January, February and March — 0.27 g/kg, 0.36 g/kg and 0.24 g/kg respectively. Twelve monitor farmers had protein content in their milk greater than 32.0 g/kg in 1994. This increased to 33 farmers by 1998 of which 14 had milk protein content greater than 33.0 g/kg. Thirty two (91%) of monitor farmers improved milk protein by over 0.1 g/kg, six increased milk protein by over 2.0 g/kg. Milk costs were reduced by 0.7 p/litre by monitor farmers when 1995 was compared to 1998. This reduction was 1.74 p/litre from 4.66 p/litre to 2.92 p/litre when 1995 was compared with 1997. By applying current information/technology, Kerry Agribusiness monitor farmers increased milk protein content and reduced milk production costs.

Crossbreeding Yak (Bos Grunniens) and Yellow Cattle (Bos Taurus): Simulation of a Rotational System and Estimation of Crossbreeding Means and Heterosis Effects

Abstract Wang, N., Vandepitte, W. and Wu, J.C. 1994. Crossbreeding Yak (Bos grunniens) and yellow cattle (Bos taurus): Simulation of a rotational system and estimation of crossbreeding means and heterosis effects. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 6: 1–12. Species differences and heterosis were estimated based on data from a crossbreeding experiment between the yak and yellow cattle (Lei, 1983) in Qinghai. Positive heterosis was found for 6 measured traits in the two sexes. The heterosis estimated on males for wither height, body length, heart girth and body weight was: 12.2%, 7.2%, 11.5% and 22.5% and on females: 9.5%, 6.3%, 8.8% and 17.1% respectively. The heterosis for milk production is 52.9% and for butterfat production 5.6%. For some traits, the species differences (Yak-Yellow cattle) are positive for males: wither height 1.8%, body weight 6.6%; for females: body weight 7.9% and milk production 41.5% and negative for males: body length −9.7% and heart girth −1.3%; for females: wither height −1.3%, body length −6.2%, heart girth −1.0% and butterfat production −39.6%. The performances of alternative combinations were predicted. It was found that the best combinations are the rotational cross and F1 crosses. The rotational cross is particularly interesting in the higher mountaneous areas. A simulation program to evaluate rotational crossbreeding with selection in a crossbred population was elaborated. The simulation results indicate that monetary gains from rotational crossbreeding with selection are superior to rotational crossbreeding without selection, the discount rate has also a considerable effect and tends to reduce the cumulative effect of selection in monetary terms.

Effects of a high-density intramammary device on mammary glands, production, and reproductive performance in dairy cows

Summary A clinical field trial was undertaken to determine the influence of an intramammary device (imd) on environmental mastitis and production. On 4 central California dairies, 200 Holstein first-lactation cows were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Cows in the treatment group were fitted with an imd, and cows in the control group were not. The incidence of clinical mastitis for the 2 groups was determined during the study period. Bacteriologic monitoring at intervals over 2 lactations (lactation 2 and through 60 days of lactation 3) was used to determine the incidence of subclinical infection. In addition, data were collected to determine whether the groups differed in milk production, butterfat production, postmilking and test-day somatic cell counts, and reproductive efficiency. Total milk production and butterfat production over the 2 lactation periods did not vary significantly between the groups. Also, the groups did not differ in calving-to-conception interval, duration of lactation, calving interval, and calving-to-first service interval. Cows with imd were significantly less likely to develop clinical mastitis (5% vs 13%) than control cows. The imd did not appear to affect subclinical infection rates (minor pathogens only) except at day 300 of lactation 2 and at day 10 of lactation 3, when prevalence was greater in the cows with imd. The minor pathogens were predominately (80%) coagulase-negative staphylococci. It was unusual to have coagulase-negative staphylococci in the same quarter at 2 consecutive samplings, prompting the speculation that during lactation, the duration of coagulase-negative staphylococci infection is short (resolves without intervention). However, new infections developed in other quarters, thus maintaining a consistent quarter prevalence throughout the lactation. The imd induced a significant increase in postmilking somatic cell count, compared with results from control cows, and test-day somatic cell count had a more modest increase in cows with imd, compared with previous studies.

A survey of the phosphorus and calcium contents of pastures and the serum inorganic phosphorus and calcium contents of cows on four Manawatu dairy farms

Serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and calcium (Ca) concentrations were assessed in 20 cows on each of four Manawatu factory supply dairy farms. Blood was taken from each cow before calving and at six-week intervals during lactation. Bleeding coincided with herd testing. Herds of Friesian or Friesian X cows and Jersey or Jersey X cows were compared on adjacent farms on a Central Yellow-brown Sand and on adjacent farms on a Peat Loam overlying a Central Yellow-brown Earth soil. Pasture mass and composition were estimated to grazing height in the next two paddocks to be grazed in the rotation. Mean serum Pi concentration was higher in cows on sandy soils (1.55 mmol Pi/l than in cows on the peat loam (1.34 mmol Pi/l (P<0.001). Concentrations were highest before calving (1.69 mmol Pi/l) but fell to low levels at peak lactation (1.17mmol Pi/l when 70% of cows were below the minima of the 'normal range', and during the drought (1.29 mmol Pi/l. Pasture phosphorus (P) concentrations were adequate to support cow nutrition for lactation (>0.33% DM, ad lib. feeding) until the summer drought when low herbage mass would have restricted milk production. Serum Ca was adequate for lactating cows and changed little between months or between cows (mean 2.12 mmol Ca/l). No metabolic disorders relating to mineral deficiencies were observed. It appears that serum Pi in a high proportion of cows falls below the normal range during peak lactation without cows displaying clinical deficiency symptoms or a depression in butterfat production.

The Tongola groundwater pumping/re-use project: A pilot study for groundwater table control in the Shepparton region in northern Victoria

Rising saline watertables and associated increasing soil salinity problems are threatening agricultural production in Northern Victoria. Groundwater pumping from shallow aquifers is now generally accepted as the most feasible strategy to control watertable levels. Disposal into the River Murray system is not acceptable because of downstream water users, both urban and agricultural. As most of the water is of a reasonable quality (average about 1500 mg 1 −1 TDS) it can be used for irrigation after shandying to appropriate levels. The Tongala project is a pilot scheme to investigate the strategy to integrate groundwater pumping for salinity control with on-farm use of the water. This paper reports on the results after 5 years of project operation. The project was initiated in May 1980 and became operational in 1981. Eleven major dairy farms (>20ha), one orchard and 8 smaller properties are included in the project area which covers 610ha. Seventeen groundwater pumps are now operational. All but one are privately installed and operated. Two units are licenced to outfall into the surface drainage system, all other units re-use the pumped ground-water for on-farm irrigation. The project monitors watertable levels, piezometric levels, soil salinities, watertable salinities, rainfall, evaporation, pumped volumes, pumped water qualities and irrigation water use. After 5 years of operation it has been shown that the project farmers pump enough groundwater to keep watertables at > 1m below surface. Even during the relative wet season of 1983/84, 1100 ML was pumped or 1.8 ML ha −1. This compares favourably with the estimated watertable accessions in the area which are thought to be between 1 and 2 ML per year. Soil salinities in the project area decreased in response to the groundwater pumping. Farm productivity was monitored on one farm in the pilot area from 1978 (two years before pumping started) to 1985 (5 years after pumping started). During this period butter fat production increased from about 300 to 390 kg/ha in productive land. This was attributed to the combined effect of a reduction in average soil salinity in the top 60 cm of the profile from 2400 to 1200 mg TDS per kg dry soil and an increase in irrigation water use from less than 10 ML/ha before to nearly 12 ML/ha after pumping started. The groundwater pumping/re-use management system offers only a temporary solution to the problem of increasing salinity. In the long term, aquifer salinisation is llikely to occur as salts are both washed down from the overburden into the aquifer and laterlly drawn in from surrounding areas. Salt balance, both on a regional and on a farm scale, is a pre requisite for a long term sustainable agricultural system.

Mastitis control measures used on some Minnesota dairy farms

Proven mastitis control procedures are available, but few studies have documented their rates of use on commercial dairy farms. This paper presents the results of a mail questionnaire on the use of mastitis control procedures and sources of information on mastitis control, which were administered in December 1981 and again in February 1984 to 213 Minnesota dairy farmers. Sources of information about mastitis control were also determined for the surveyed farms. Response rates to the questionnaire were 56.8% in 1981 and 51.2% in 1984. Herd average milk and butterfat production were higher and somatic cell counts lower on responder's farms than non-responders'. Teat dipping was practiced by approximately 75% of farmers responding to the questionnaire in both years. However, only about one third of respondents used teat dips containing effective disinfectants. Approximately 93% of respondents used dry period therapy (DPT) but less than one half of them treated all quarters of all cows at drying off and approximately one third of them complied with the recommended infusion practices. A combination of effective DPT and teat disinfection practices was used by approximately 15% of respondents in both years of the survey. Segregation of mastitic cows occurred on approximately 40% of respondent farms and milking machine function was checked at least annually on 50%. Participation in routine veterinary reproductive health programs was 51.2% in 1981 and 61.5% in 1984. In contrast, regular veterinary input for mastitis control was received by <5% of respondents in both years of the survey. Veterinarians were, however, identified by respondents as the most useful source of information on mastitis control.

Economics of phosphorus fertiliser use on pastures 3. Incorporating animal response

Abstract As a further step in integrating soil — plant — animal relationships for generating management information, a response function of butterfat production to levels of feeding, liveweight, and butterfat production potential was derived. The model was based on current nutritional standards and statistical relationships. Instead of assuming a constant feed conversion coefficient when determining optimal fertiliser levels, the model allowed a more realistic representation of animal response.

Salinity control by pumping and re-using groundwater: its effect on watertable levels, soil salinity and farm productivity on a dairy property in the Goulburn Valley, Victoria

The introduction of watertable control by groundwater pumping on a salt-affected dairy farm in the Goulburn Valley resulted in large increases in butter fat production. Since intensive pumping started, in 1981, watertable levels showed an overall downward trend but were still subject to major fluctuations caused by irrigation and rainfall. During this period butterfat production increased from about 300 to 390 kg/ha (of productive land) and yearly pasture production rose from about 560 to 650 t/ha DM. These productivity increases are attributed to both a reduction in average soil salinity in the top 60 cm of the profile from 2400 to 1200 mg total dissolved salts per kg dry soil and an increase in irrigation water use from less than 10 M litre/ha before to nearly 12 M litre/ha after pumping started.

Use of plasma hormone and metabolite levels to predict breeding value of young bulls for butterfat production

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the experiment was to investigate the possibility of using concentrations of hormones and metabolites in plasma of potential breeding bulls early in life as indirect selection criteria for butterfat production. Sixteen Red Danish bull calves were included in the experiment, 10 were offspring of parents selected for high butterfat production for two or three generations, and six were from parents selected for low butterfat yield. The average estimated relative breeding values of the calves in the two groups were 111 and 91.At 3·5 and 7 months of age blood samples were collected every 6 h during 2 days of ad libitum feeding, 5 days of fasting and 2 days of refeeding. The samples were analysed for glucose, urea, free fatty acids, insulin and thyroxine. At 3·5 months plasma concentrations of free fatty acids were significantly correlated with breeding value under all feeding conditions examined. The increase in plasma glucose during refeeding at both ages was positively related to breeding value. Plasma insulin during the 1st day of fasting was positively correlated with genetic merit at 3·5 months of age and negatively correlated at 7 months. Plasma thyroxine was negatively correlated with breeding value at both ages, but the correlation was only significant at 7 months. Multiple regression analyses showed that a large part of the variation in breeding value for butterfat production could be described by plasma levels of hormones and metabolites when more than one variable was included in the model. With six variables in the model 0·67 and 0·73 of the variation could be accounted for at 3·5 and 7 months of age respectively.The results of the experiment have to be considered with caution because only one sire was used per group, the parents were preselected, and the number of animals was small. The results, however, do indicate that plasma levels of hormones and metabolites in the early life of potential breeding bulls, measured after suitable physiological challenges, may be useful as selection criteria for butterfat production of their offspring.

The effect polyethylene intramammary devices on the somatic cell count and milk production of dairy cows.

Polyethylene intramammary devices (IMD) were inserted into all 4 quarters of 15 multiparous dairy cows. Fifteen cows, matched for parity and production, were controls. The insertion of IMD's was easily achieved and produced no adverse effects. Throughout the 150-day test period, the mean somatic cell count of cows with IMD's in situ was 216,000 cells per ml, compared with 119,000 cells per ml in controls (P less than 0.01). Total production of milk, butterfat and protein was not significantly different between the 2 groups. The new infection rate was too low to allow assessment of the value of the IMD for mastitis prevention.

Milk production of grazing dairy cows given monthly anthelmintic treatment.

SUMMARY The milk and butterfat production of 226 cows treated with fenbendazole at monthly intervals throughout lactation was compared with the production of 216 untreated cows in 8 herds on the North Coast and Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. There was no significant effect of treatment on milk or butterfat production, nor did anthelmintic treatment interact significantly with herds or age of cows in influencing production.

Thyroxine degradation rate in young bulls of Danish dual-purpose breeds. Genetic relationship to weight gain, feed conversion and breeding value for butterfat production

The thyroxine degradation rate has been determined for 308 performance-tested young bulls from 98 sires of the Red Danish and Danish Black and White breeds. The mean and genetic standard deviations were 1.09 and 0.059 μmol/day, respectively. The heritability (±S.E.) was 0.19 (±0.25). The phenotypic correlations between thyroxine degradation rate and daily weight gain and feed conversion were 0.19 and −0.13, respectively. The genetic correlations (±S.E.) were 1.11 (±0.78) and −1.26 (±1.25), respectively. Breeding value for butterfat production was available for 78 of the performance-tested bulls. The phenotypic and genetic correlations between thyroxine degradation rate and the mean butterfat production of daughter groups were 0.17 and 0.42, respectively. The genetic superiority for butterfat production will increase if thyroxine degradation rate is included as a selection criterion for performance-tested bulls.

The effects of stocking rate and nitrogen fertilizer on the productivity of irrigated perennial pasture grazed by dairy cows. 2. Animal production

The relation between the stocking rate of dairy cows and their production from irrigated perennial pasture, with and without nitrogen (N) fertilizer, was studied over 2 years at Kyabram, Victoria. Pastures were rotationally grazed at stocking rates ranging from 4.4 to 8.6 cows ha-1. In each year, N treatments were topdressed four times at a rate of 56 kg N ha-1. For every additional cow per ha, production per ha decreased by 260 and 329 kg of milk, 12.3 and 15.5 kg of butterfat, and 10.7 and 14.5 kg of protein for years 1 and 2, respectively. In year one, the highest production of milk and butterfat (17,900 and 847 kg ha-1, respectively) was from cows stocked at 8.6 cows ha-1, and for protein (597 kg ha-1) from 7.6 cows ha-1. In year 2, production per ha of all milk products maximized and then declined. Maximum production of milk and butterfat (14,180 and 675 kg ha-1, respectively) was at 6.6 cows ha-1, and protein (508 kg ha-1) at 5.9 cows ha-1. Increasing stocking rate also reduced the liveweight of cows at all times. Topdressing with N fertilizer had no effect on total milk or butterfat production per cow, but consistently increased protein production. The range in response increased from 2 to 7 kg protein per cow at 4.4 and 8.6 cows ha-1, respectively. Application of N fertilizer increased liveweight per cow, with greater increases occurring at high stocking rates. In year 2, the efficiency of butterfat production over the whole year was 29.9, 29.3 and 37.0 kg of DM (pasture and supplements) per kg of butterfat produced for 4.4, 6.6 and 8.6 cows ha-1, respectively.

Two way selection for butterfat production in "red danish" cattle

Two way selection for butterfat production in "red danish" cattle

Estudo genético da performance reprodutiva e produtiva de bovinos Pitangueiras (5/8 Red Poll x 3/8 Zebu)

Our data consisted of 500 Pitangueiras females with a total of 1723 lactations distributed over 13 years from 1962 to 1974. The following economic traits were analysed: age at first calving, calving interval, milk and fat production and lenght of lactation period. The variance analysis were made according to the least square method and the heritability estimated through correlations between paternal half-sisters. The mean for age at first calving was 42,87 ± 0,28 months (C.V.=14,31%),for 483 observations. The earliest parturition occurred at age of 23,3 months and the latest at about 76,6 months, showing a great amplitude of variation (53,3 months). The effects of generation and year of parturition had a significant influence on this trait. On relation to calving interval the mean value of the trait was 432.41 ± 2.97 days with a coefficient of variation as 23,73%. The greatest calving interval occurred between 1st and 2nd parturitions and the shortest between the 3rd and 4th parturitions. The repeatibility estimate was 0,01 ±0,07. The mean for milk production at first lactation was 2556,2 ± 33,1 kg (C.V.=27,6%). The maximum production occurred at 5th lactation with an increase of 22,6% from first lactation to productive maturity. Generation, age and year of parturition contributed significantly to the variability of milk production was 0,32 ±0,07. The mean for butterfat production was 117,37 ± 0,84kg (C.V.= 29,33%). The values for butterfat percentage, were 4,15 ± 0,02% with a coefficient of variation as 6,49%. These are completely satisfactory for animals bred in tropics. The repeatability of buttierfat production was 0,31 ± 0,07 . For the studied females about 10,79% of lactations finished before 218 days and 66,59% did not exceeded the 305 days of milking (data for 1st lactation). The mean value of this trait was 281,32 ± 1,39 days (C.V. =20,51%) for 1723 observations. The repeatibility of lactation lenght was 0,15 ± 0,06.

Comparison of dairy and multiple suckled calf production with calf access restricted

The effects on animal performance were measured when machine milking was compared with restricted access suckling of four, three and two calves per cow, and when machine milking was alternated with restricted access multiple suckling. Calves were allowed access to cows twice daily, and supplementary grain feeding was provided to half the calves. A stimulus to milk and butterfat production from cows returning to machine milking after a period of suckling occurred, but was not significant. Cow breeding performance and liveweight changes were unaffected by the suckling treatments. Clinical mastitis did not occur during suckling in comparison with 36 cases of mastitis during machine milking. Teat damage in suckling cows in early lactation was the only cow health care problem of consequence, and was controllable by udder salves. The average daily liveweight gain to 140 days over all treatments was 0.735 kg. Grain supplementation pre-weaning increased liveweight gain from 0.71 kg to 0.76 kg day-1 (P &lt; 0.05). Calf health was excellent, apart from some nutritional diahorrhea in unsupplemented calves. Neither enteritis nor deaths occurred in calves pre-weaning.