Crossbred Dairy Cows Research Articles

Follicular persistence, oestradiol level and conception on the first and second day of oestrus and influence of thermal stress in cross-bred dairy cows manifesting prolonged oestrus

Increasing incidence of prolonged oestrus reported in cross-bred dairy cows bred through artificial insemination (AI), is attributed to various causative factors and underlying mechanisms. The present study was to assess the pattern of follicular growth, oestrogen secretion, and conception on the first and second day of oestrus and to understand the influence of thermal stress as a causative factor for oestrus prolongation. The year-round study involved 52 crossbred cows intensively managed under a hot humid climate, during their second and third months postpartum. Animals were examined for the status of ovarian follicles, oestrogen level, and conception to AI on Day 0 and Day 1 of oestrus confirmation and the findings were compared across seasons. While oestrus detection rate (ODR) and conception of AI were lowest during the summer season attributable to maximum TS, better ODR (P<0.05) and more prolonged oestrus (P<0.01) occurred during the seasons of favourable climate having least TS and better green fodder availability. Besides, the occurrence of larger follicles and almost similar oestradiol levels on Day 0 and Day 1 of oestrus, better conception rate for double AI (63.16 %) than total AI (48.48 %) indicated prolonged oestrus and involvement of delayed ovulation among the causation. Comparison of the seasonal pattern of follicular growth, oestrogen level, and conception to AI between Day 0 and Day 1 further clarifies the influence of TS and increased milk production as the potential contributors to the occurrence of prolonged oestrus in cross-bred cows under the hot humid tropical climate. Keywords: Crossbred cow, Oestrogen, Prolonged oestrus, Thermal stress

Comparative prevalence assessment of subclinical mastitis in two crossbred dairy cow herds using the California mastitis test

The study was conducted on two herds of Jersey crossbred dairy cows. Samples were taken from two dairy farms to conduct the California Mastitis Test (CMT) during milking. A total of 115 animals were sampled, with 65 animals from Farm 1 and 60 animals from Farm 2. Milk samples were collected from all four quarters of each cow. The study analyzed a total of 460 quarters from the collected milk samples. Among these quarters, 132 quarters (28.69%) were found to be infected. The prevalence of mastitis was 45% in Herd 1 and 25% in Herd 2. The study found that only one quarter of the udder was more affected in both herds. The CMT score (likely a measure of mastitis severity) increased during late lactation. Infected cows had an average milk yield/day of 3.6 liters. Inflammatory (within or under the mammary gland) infections were more common in the first and second parity cows (cows that had given birth to one or two calves, respectively). This could be ascribed to the fact that dairy cows in their starting lactations are more vulnerable to the environmental pathogens because they might not have built up their immunity yet. Overall, this study provides insights into the prevalence, severity, and patterns of mastitis in Jersey crossbred dairy cows located at two different farms. The study highlights factors such as the stage of lactation, parity, and herd differences that can influence the occurrence and severity of mastitis in these animals.

Effects of brewery by-products based silage on productive performance of crossbred dairy cows.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of an increasing levels of brewery by-products based silage on productive performances of 3/4 Friesian x Boran mid-lactating cows. Experimental cows had similar in initial milk yield (11.7 ± 1.0), average days in milk (81.7 ± 6.1) and live weight (LW, 430.7 ± 40.3kg) but different in parities (2-5).The dietary treatments were arranged randomly in 4 × 4 Latin Square Design that included ad libitum natural pasture hay feeding for all treatments as a roughage source plus a commercial dairy concentrate mix supplemented at 0.5kg DM (dry matter)/liter of milk produced/day for cows in the control group (T1) and 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7kg DM of brewery by-products based silage per liter of milk yield/cow/day for cows in T2, T3 and T4 groups, respectively. The study revealed that the daily milk yield of experimental cows was influenced by dietary treatments with relatively higher daily milk yield being recorded (P < 0.05) for cows in the T4 (13.9l) followed by T3 (13.8l). Milk composition of cows remained unchanged (P > 0.05) except for fat percentage of the milk that showed a declining trend (P < 0.05) with incremental inclusion levels of brewery by-products based silages. The highest net income (NI, 437.9 Eth. Birr) and marginal rate of return (MRR, 800.7%) was obtained for cows receiving brewery by-products based silage at the rate of 0.7kg/liter of milk yield as compared to cows in the other treatment groups. Further study is required on the long term effect of brewery by-products based silage supplementation on productive, reproductive performance, and milk microbial qualities.

Enhancing hoof health and locomotion in crossbred dairy cows: impact of recycled manure solids bedding on lameness incidence and gait kinematics.

Recycled manure solids has emerged as a promising alternative for animal bedding, owing to its economic feasibility, ready availability on farms, and soft, non-abrasive nature. This research aimed to assess the impact of recycled manure solids (RMS) bedding, combined with a conditioner containing 7.5% lime and 6% sodium hydrosulphate, on dairy cow welfare and gait kinematics over three months. Hock and knee injury scores, lameness incidence, and gait kinematic parameters were evaluated for animals housed on cement flooring (Control), RMS bedding (Treatment I), and conditioner-added RMS bedding (Treatment II) on days 0, 45, and 90 of the experiment with six crossbred cows in each group. The results revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in lameness scores (5-point scale) for animals in both the RMS and conditioner-added RMS groups, with scores of 1.09 ± 0.05 and 1.04 ± 0.03, respectively, compared to those on cement floors. Moreover, a noteworthy decrease (p < 0.05) in knee and hock injury scores (4-point scale) was observed in the RMS groups, indicating a potentially positive impact on joint health. Gait kinematic analysis demonstrated that animals in the RMS (1.03 ± 0.04m/s) and conditioner-added RMS (1.02 ± 0.06m/s) groups exhibited higher walking speeds and increased step angles (158.59 ± 4.82° and 149.58 ± 3.85°) compared to their cement-floor counterparts. No significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed in stride length, step asymmetry, step length, and step width. The study concluded that the conditioner incorporated recycled manure solids resulting in a substantial decrease in lameness incidence and a reduction in hock and knee injuries among dairy cows. Additionally, the improved gait kinematics observed in non-lame animals suggest that this bedding combination positively influences overall animal well-being. These findings underscore the potential of sustainable bedding practices to enhance both physical health and locomotor behaviour in dairy cattle.

Improving Milk Yield, Milk Quality, and Follicular Functionality Behavior in Dairy Cows from the Implementation of Microencapsulated Chili Pepper Supplements in Their Diets.

The present study evaluates the effect of including microencapsulated hot chili pepper (MHCP) in the diet of crossbred dairy cows on the volume and quality of milk and on ovarian morphofunctionality. Twenty-four crossbred females in their lactating period were used. The cows were divided into two experimental groups, a control (CT) and an MHCP -supplemented group (CP) given 1 g a day per animal of microencapsulated hot chili in concentrate for 42 days. Over seven weeks of daily milk production was measured, and sample milk was collected weekly for composition analysis. Animals were subject to an ovulation synchronization protocol on day 0 (D0), and an intravaginal progesterone (P4) implant, estradiol benzoate, and prostaglandin (PGF2α) were administered. On D8, the P4 implant was removed and PGF2α, equine chorionic gonadotropin, and estradiol cypionate were administered to the animals. The ovarian dynamics were evaluated in B mode and color Doppler. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the group X time interaction, the volume of milk produced, and the amount in kg/day of milk components. There was a higher percentage of vascularization in the preovulatory follicle in the CP group (p ≥ 0.10). The findings show that the inclusion of MHCP in the diet of dairy cows does influence their milk production and reproduction.

Assessment of Elemental Deficiency of Crossbred Dairy Cows and Mineral Composition in Natural Feed and Nutritional Supplements in the Northern and Northwestern Provinces in Sri Lanka.

This study assessed the elemental status of cross-bred dairy cows in small holder farms in Sri Lanka, with the aim to establish the elemental baseline and identify possible deficiencies. For this purpose, 458 milk, hair, serum and whole blood samples were collected from 120 cows in four regions of Northern and Northwestern Sri Lanka, (namely Vavaniya, Mannar, Jaffna and Kurunegala). Farmers also provided a total of 257 samples of feed, which included local fodder as well as 79 supplement materials. The concentrations of As, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Evaluation of the data revealed that all cows in this study could be considered deficient in I and Co (18.6-78.5µg L-1 I and 0.06-0.65µg L-1 Co, in blood serum) when compared with deficiency upper boundary levels of 0.70 µg L-1 Co and 50µg L-1 I. Poor correlations were found between the composition of milk or blood with hair, which suggests that hair is not a good indicator of mineral status. Most local fodders meet dietary requirements, with Sarana grass offering the greatest nutritional profile. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess differences in the elemental composition of the diverse types of feed, as well as regional variability, revealing clear differences between forage, concentrates and nutritional supplements, with the latter showing higher concentrations of non-essential or even toxic elements, such as Cd and Pb.

Comparison of the Jackson Uterine Biopsy Forceps with a Fabricated Model of Human Bronchoscopy Biopsy Device for Uterine Biopsy in Bovines

Background: Uterine biopsy is considered as the most conclusive and efficient method for diagnosis of subclinical endometritis especially to evaluate further reproductive efficiency. Methods: The present study was conducted at ULF and FRDS, Mannuthy to compare the efficacy of two devices in obtaining histopathological samples for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis (SCE) in crossbred dairy cows at 30 and 40 days postpartum. The two devices used were the Jacksons uterine biopsy forceps (Jorvet, USA) and a slimmer stainless-steel biopsy forceps with a circular cupped jaw, fabricated similar to human bronchoscopy biopsy device. Result: The Jacksons uterine biopsy forceps was used in 35 cows to collect the samples. Manoeuvring this forceps through the cervix was found to be difficult and only in 16 out of the 35 animals (45.71%) collection for both days was successful, while in 14 animals (40%) samples could be collected only on day 30 of observation and in remaining 5 animals (14.29%) no samples could be collected on both the days of observation. In those animals where samples could be procured, bigger jaw of the Jacksons forceps resulted in larger sample size which may slightly delay healing. The fabricated biopsy forceps was used in 10 animals and because of its slim structure, it was possible to collect samples in all of them (100%). The smaller jaw ensured that the sample obtained was smaller and thus minimalizing tissue damage, contamination with blood and possibly promoting a swifter healing. Tissue sections were examined for pathological changes in the endometrium involving surface epithelium, lamina propria, endometrial glands and vascular inflammatory status. The samples obtained using the modified forceps provided sufficient data for the diagnosis of SCE similar to the traditional device. Thus, the fabricated uterine biopsy forceps, which is comparatively much cheaper, can be used with more ease in indigenous/crossbred cows and heifers which have smaller cervices.

Effects of Parity on Service per Conception, Gestation Length, Milk Yield, Calving Interval, and Calf Birth Weight of Crossbred Dairy Cows

AbstractThe average lactation number for a stable herd dairy cow would be 3.4 and many dairy farmers do not keep dairy cows for extended lactation numbers beyond the 6th lactation number. Thus, there is a limited number of information focused on the later lactation number or parity (6-10) effect on lactation traits. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of lactation number on the number of services per conception, gestation length, lactation milk yield, lactation length, calving interval, and calve weight in crossbred Holstein Friesian cows. The record data at Haramaya University dairy farm was collected and compiled to assess the effects of lactation numbers. Retrospective data records of 1863, 1742, 1280, 1280, 1329, 1170, and 848 data of dairy cows were respectively used for evaluating the number of services per conception, gestation length, lactation length, lactation milk yield, calving interval, and calf birth weight. The study revealed that lactation number significantly affected the total lactation milk yield, lactation length, calving interval, and calf birth weight but it did not affect the number of services per conception and gestation length. Based on this study result, crossbred Holstein Friesian cows could be productive until the 8th lactation number without a significant decrease in the lactation milk yield. Therefore; lactation number should be used as an important trait in the performance of dairy cattle. Further study should be conducted to evaluate the effect of lactation number on other lactation traits such as dry period, days open, and milk composition.Keywords: Birth weight; Calving interval; Gestation; Lactation; Milk yield; Parity

Assessing lameness prevalence and associated risk factors in crossbred dairy cows across diverse management environments

BackgroundA thorough understanding of lameness prevalence is essential for evaluating the impact of this condition on the dairy industry and assessing the effectiveness of preventive strategies designed to minimize its occurrence. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of lameness and identify potential risk factors associated with lameness in Holstein Friesian crossbred cows across both commercial and smallholder dairy production systems in Bengaluru Rural District of Karnataka, India.MethodsThe research encompassed six commercial dairy farms and 139 smallholder dairy farms, involving a total of 617 Holstein Friesian crossbred cattle. On-site surveys were conducted at the farms, employing a meticulously designed questionnaire. Lameness in dairy cattle was assessed subjectively using a locomotion scoring system. Both bivariate and binary logistic regression models were employed for risk assessment, while principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to address the high dimensionality of the data and capture the underlying structure of the explanatory variables.ResultsThe overall lameness prevalence of 21.9% in commercial dairy farms and 4.6% in smallholder dairy farms. Various factors such as age, body weight, parity, body condition score (BCS), floor type, hock and knee injuries, animal hygiene, provision of hoof trimming, and the presence of hoof lesions were found to be significantly associated with lameness. Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the odds of lameness in crossbred cows increased with higher parity, decreased BCS, presence of hard flooring, poor animal hygiene, and the existence of hoof lesions. These factors were identified as potential risk factors for lameness in dairy cows. Principal component analysis unveiled five components explaining 71.32% of the total variance in commercial farms and 61.21% in smallholder dairy farms. The extracted components demonstrated higher loadings of housing and management factors (such as hoof trimming and provision of footbath) and animal-level factors (including parity, age, and BCS) in relation to lameness in dairy cows.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that principal component analysis effectively reduces the dimensionality of risk factors. Addressing these identified risk factors for lameness is crucial for the strategic management of lameness in dairy cows. Future research in India should investigate the effectiveness of management interventions targeted at the identified risk factors in preventing lameness in dairy cattle across diverse environments.

Energy requirement for primiparous Holstein × Gyr crossbred dairy cows

Our objective was to estimate the requirements of metabolizable energy (ME) and NEM of lactating and dry cows, the efficiency of ME utilization for milk production (kl) and tissue gain (kg), and the use of body energy mobilization for milk production (kt) throughout the lactation of primiparous crossbred Holstein × Gyr cows, using open-circuit respiration chambers. Twenty-nine primiparous Holstein × Gyr crossbred cows with an initial BW averaging 563 ± 40.1 kg and 2.5 ± 0.09 yr old were used throughout lactation and dry periods. The cows were kept nonpregnant throughout the study to eliminate possible confounding factors. Apparent digestibility assays, followed by calorimeter measurements, were performed 6 times throughout the lactation period. In the dry-off period, the cows were also evaluated but fed with restricted intake (DMI = 1.1% BW/d) to achieve heat production close to maintenance. After 21 d of diet adaptation, an apparent digestibility assay followed by calorimeter measurements was performed. Parameter estimates for lactation period were obtained by mixed models including lactation stage as repeated measures. For restricted feeding at dry-off and fasting period assays, the requirements were estimated by exponential regression. For whole lactation, the values of the ME requirement for maintenance (MEM) and NEM were 0.588 and 0.395 MJ/BW0.75, respectively. The efficiencies of kl, kg, and kt were 0.672, 0.771, and 0.814, respectively. However, MEM and NEM were higher in early and mid lactation than late, whereas kl was higher in early than other lactation stages. Dry and nonpregnant cows had MEM of 0.434 MJ/BW0.75 and NEM of 0.351 MJ/BW0.75 for maintenance level, and MEM of 0.396 MJ/BW0.75 and NEM of 0.345 MJ/BW0.75 for fasting metabolism level, and efficiency of ME utilization for maintenance was 0.80. Our findings confirmed that F1 crossbred Holstein × Gyr dairy cows have differences in energy requirement and efficiency throughout the lactation stages, suggesting the use of different values in each stage. The estimated values of energy requirement for maintenance and efficiencies for primiparous lactating crossbred Holstein × Gyr were similar to those reported in the literature in specific studies and requirements systems.

Interaction of blood calcium with milk yield, energy metabolites, subclinical mastitis, and reproductive performance in crossbred dairy cows.

Limited literature is available on the consequences of postpartum low blood calcium (Ca) concentration in crossbred cows. The research aimed to investigate the correlation between postpartum serum Ca levels and various parameters, including milk yield, serum energy metabolites, milk somatic cell count, and reproductive factors in crossbred cows. Following parturition, a total of 45 potential high-yielding F2 (HF × Sahiwal; Genotype: 75:25) dairy cows were enrolled . These cows were categorized based on plasma calcium concentrations into three groups: a low calcium group (Ca-L) with a calcium concentration of <5 mg/dL, a medium calcium group (Ca-M) with a calcium concentration ranging from 5 to 8.5 mg/dL, and a high calcium group (Ca-H) with a calcium concentration exceeding 8.5 mg/dL. The study parameters were measured over an 8-week period. The results indicated that overall milk yield and blood glucose were significantly higher in the Ca-H group compared to Ca-M and Ca-L (p < .01). Blood cholesterol was significantly higher in Ca-M (p < .01), while blood triglyceride was significantly lower in both Ca-M and Ca-H. Overall, blood cortisol did not show a significant change between these groups (p < .01); however, progesterone levels were higher (p < .01) in Ca-M and Ca-H cows. Furthermore, somatic cell count (SCC) significantly (p < .01) decreased in cows with Ca-H compared to Ca-L. Additionally, postpartum oestrous interval and interestrus interval decreased significantly (p < .01) in Ca-M and Ca-H compared to Ca-L. These findings suggest that cows with blood calcium levels exceeding 8.5 mg/dL exhibited significantly higher milk yield, blood metabolite levels, a lower likelihood of subclinical mastitis, and earlier reproductive activity after calving.

On-Farm Monitoring of Feed Effects on Milk Yield and Composition in Crossbred Dairy Cows at Gidole Town, Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Gidole town to evaluate the impact of three feeding practices (low, medium, and better-off) on milk composition and yield in Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy (HFCD) cows at the farm level across three lactation stages (early, mid, and late). In the study area, challenges and opportunities for dairy production were thoroughly assessed. Data were collected from 12 systematically selected households (HHs), representing the three feeding groups (poor, medium, and better-off), shortly after cows gave birth. During early lactation, three feeding households had daily milk yields (DMYs) of 3.61± 0.23, 8.25± 0.69, and 9.47± 0.88, respectively. The DMY was 3.64± 0.75, 7.81± 0.87, and 9.37± 0.71 amid lactation. Across all lactation stages, the feeding groups exhibited significant differences in DMY, fat content, protein levels, and lactose composition (P &lt; 0.05). The cows’ diets directly influenced these variations. Given the reported differences in dairy cow performance among HHs, optimal practices would be disseminated by extension workers. Lack of land, high feed prices, and low productivity were identified as important constraints in the study area, whereas boosting milk demand, revenue, and knowledge through extension services were studied as potential options for milk production. Keywords: feeding practices, Holstein Friesian, milk composition, milk yield

Crossbreed Dairy Cow Production, Feeding and Management practice at Gidole Town, south Ethiopia

The study aimed to evaluate the production, feeding, and management techniques of Holstein Friesian (HF) crossbred dairy cows at Gidole town, south Ethiopia. Cross-sectional survey involving 60 households selected through systematic random sampling from a total of 150 households with crossbred HF dairy cows in the town. Chemical compositional analysis performed on key feed items collected from the study households. Data analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Average daily milk yield was 7.29±0.22 liters, while average lactation milk yield was 1727.73±9.57 liters. The average lactation length was 7.9±1.45 months. While 53.3% of households possessed crossbreed cows with a blood level of 50%, 43.3% had cows with a blood level of 50-75% and 3.3% had cows with a blood level beyond 75%. Crop residue, improved forages (desho, Guatemala, and elephant grass), enset, atella, and salt were the most important cattle feed resources. In the non-conventional diet, atella has the highest crude protein (CP) content (29.24%), followed by elephant grass (18.44%) and teff straw (6.34%). Despite its importance, feed availability remains a challenge in terms of both quality and quantity. To address this, the study recommends strong extension efforts focused on: promoting the use of concentrate feed, developing and utilizing improved forage options and treating crop residues to enhance their quality.&#x0D; Keywords: Crossbred dairy cow, Gidole, feed, feeding practices, milk production

Environmental impact of Holstein Friesian and 3-breed crossbred dairy cows using a life cycle assessment approach applied to individual animals

This study aimed to set up a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach at level of individual animals to assess the effects of a 3-breed crossbreeding program on the environmental impact of cows. It involved 564 cows, 279 purebred Holstein (HO) and 285 crossbreds (CR), originated from a 3-breed crossbreeding program based on the rotational use of Viking Red, Montebèliarde and HO sires and kept in 2 dairy herds of northern Italy (224 and 340 cows/herd, respectively). The reference unit of the LCA model was the lifetime of cows, from the birth to culling or death. Data were collected at different levels: individual animal-based data referred to the whole life (birth, calving, dry, cull or death dates, and milk production); individual test-date collection of body measures and BCS, used to predict body weight and to estimate energy requirements; common farm-based data concerning herd management (diets composition, and materials used). Data were used to compute: dry matter intake, milk and milk components production, gross income (GI) and income over feed costs (IOFC) pertaining to the lifespan of cows. An individual LCA-derived approach was set up to compute global warming potential (GWP), acidification and eutrophication potential (AP and EP, respectively), and land occupation (LO), which have been associated with different functional units (cow in her whole life or per d of life; kg of milk fat plus protein, and € of GI and of IOFC produced in the herd life). Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model including the fixed effects of genetic group (CR vs HO), farm and their interaction (genetic group x farm). Compared with HO, CR cows completed more lactations (+12%), had earlier first calving (-2 weeks), yielded more fat plus protein in milk both in the lifespan (+8%) and per d of life (+4%). Concerning the environmental impact, when compared with HO herd mates, CR cows had nominal greater emissions per cow in the whole life, similar emissions per d of life and nearly 3% lower GWP, AP and EP per kg of fat plus protein yielded in lifespan. Income over feed costs per unit of emission tended to be nearly 4% greater in CR compared with HO cows. Also the use of land tended to be lower in CR compared with HO in most indicators considered. In conclusion, LCA could be adapted to represent individual animals. Moreover, managing dairy cows according to a 3-breed rotational crossbreeding scheme may be regarded as a strategy that can contribute to mitigate the emissions and to improve the environmental impact of dairy operations.

Prevalence of growth hormone receptor gene polymorphisms and their association with milk production and fertility-related traits of cross-bred dairy cows in Sri Lanka

This study investigated the association of selected growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene SNPs with selected fertility and milk production-related phenotypes of cross-bred dairy cows (n = 153) reared on three National Livestock Development Board farms in Sri Lanka. Selected cows were genetically screened for SNPs in the exon 08 (n = 153) and 5’ upstream (n = 118) regions of the GHR gene using the target sequencing method. The relationships between different genotypes and fertility traits (average calving interval, average number of services per conception, and age at first calving) and milk production-related traits (average total lactation yield, average lactation length, and average milk yield) were analyzed using the General Linear Model in SPSS. Among the identified Four GHR SNPs, rs1099014416 was significantly associated with average calving interval and age at first calving. Cows with GG genotype exhibited younger age at first calving (918.51 ± 113.42 days) and longer calving intervals (543.41 ± 43.29 days) compared to cows with GT (1275.18 ± 38.31, 515.09 ± 24.49 days) and TT (1212.89 ± 88.22, 364.52 ± 54.01 days) genotypes. Other SNPs did not show associations with the studied traits. SNP rs109014416 has the potential to be used as a genetic marker for fertility-related traits in the selection of cross-bred dairy cows in Sri Lanka which should be validated with a larger population.

Efficacy of an internal teat sealant alone or in combination with an intramammary antibiotic during the dry period treatment in dairy cows

In this study, the aim was to determine the effectiveness of internal teat sealant applied at the dry-off in preventing the formation of subclinical mastitis and to investigate whether this product could be a non-antibiotic alternative to total dry cow treatment. A total of 195 quarters from 52 Holstein and Holstein Crossbreed dairy cows, that did not have clinical mammary infection and were expected to calve within 60 days were used in the study. The quarters were divided into 3 treatment groups as follows: Group 1 (ANTB; n = 64): dry period intramammary antibiotic suspension (Ubrostar®); Group 2 (ORB; n = 65), internal teat sealant (Orbeseal®); and Group 3 (ANTB-ORB; n = 66) intramammary antibiotic and teat sealant combination were performed. All of the quarters were checked for subclinical mastitis on the 20th, 40th and 60th days of lactation. The percentage of animals found to be CMT negative on the 20th day of lactation was 80.65% in G1 (ANTB), 83.60% in Group 2 (ORB), and 87.50% in Group 3 (ANTB-ORB), respectively. There was no quarter with CMT +3 score in G1 and G3, but it was determined in one quarter in G2 (ORB). On the 60th day there were no quarters with CMT +2 and +3 scores in both G1 and G2. No statistically significant difference was found between the CMT results of treatment groups on the 20th, 40th and 60th days of lactation (p &gt; 0.05). In conclusion, it was determined that bismuth subnitrate-based teat canal sealer provided good protection against subclinical mastitis rate in drying healthy udder quarters. However, especially in high risk groups it is important to closely monitor udder health with SCC and/or CMT applications before the dry period and to choose the dry period treatment.

Exploring Prevalence and Contributing Risk Factors of Repeat Breeding Syndrome of Crossbred Dairy Cows in Bangladesh

The dairy sector suffers significant financial losses due to repeat breeding syndrome (RBS), a significant reproductive disease in dairy cattle. For a very long time, repeat breeding has been regarded as one of the most critical reproductive issues in cattle. The objective of this study is to investigate the frequency and identify the risk factors related to repeat breeding in dairy cows in the Bogura district of Bangladesh. Additionally, the study aims to assess the influence of repeat breeding on reproductive performance in this population. This study collected indigenous and crossbred 179 cow's data using a pre-structured questionnaire. The cows that needed more than three consecutive inseminations to conceive were considered repeat breeders, and those that needed ≤3 inseminations were regular cyclic cows. The incidence rate of RBS in this study was 33.50%. In BCS 2.5 to 3.0, the incidence rate was significantly higher (58.30%) in repeat breeders than in others. Cows with &lt; 5-litre average daily milk production and reared in intensive farming systems with moderate to poor levels of hygienic management have a significant (p&lt;0.005) effect of repeat breeding syndrome. Different reproductive diseases have a significant (p&lt;0.001) effect on the conception rate of cows. Stillbirth (77.87%) followed by fetal death (76.47%) were recorded as major reproductive obstacles in repeat breeding, whereas pyometra (71.43%), followed by abortion (66.67%), dystocia (70.00%) and endometritis (57.14%) were the major recorded complications in repeat breeders. The rate of conception would go up if cows had optimal BCS, good hygiene and management practices were used, and farmers were trained on how to manage cattle reproduction. This would lower the repeat breeding syndrome.

Productive Performance of Lactating Crossbred Dairy Cows Fed with Wheat Straw‐Based Densified Complete Feed Block

The experiment was designed to determine the effect of feeding densified complete feed block (DCFB) on the production performances of lactating F1 Friesian x Borena crossbred cows. Four mid‐lactating multiparous cows with 2–5 parity having similar milk yield (8–10 l·day−1) were evaluated using 4 × 4 Latin square design for a total of 84 days. The treatments include natural pasture hay supplemented with a concentrate mixture at the rate of 0.5 kg·l−1 of milk yield·cow−1 (T1) and three different wheat straw‐based DCFBs in the ratio of 50 : 50 (T2), 40 : 60 (T3), and 30 : 70 (T4). The result revealed that the average daily dry matter (DM) intake was similar among all dietary treatments except for T2 that had lower (P &lt; 0.05) daily DM intake. The crude protein (CP) and organic matter (OM) intakes for cows in T3 and T4 were comparable (P &gt; 0.05) but significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) compared to T1 and T2. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake remained the same among treatment groups while T1 consumed higher (P &lt; 0.05) acid detergent fiber (ADF) compared to other diets. Cows in T3 and T4 groups had higher (P &lt; 0.05) DM and OM digestibility but comparable (P &gt; 0.05) NDF and ADF digestibility compared to T1. The CP digestibility and daily average milk yield were higher (P &lt; 0.05) for T4. Daily fat, protein, and lactose yield in the DCFB group showed an increasing trend with the level of concentrate, whereas cows in the T4 group exceptionally produced higher (P &lt; 0.05) yields. Fat‐corrected milk yield (FCM) was lower (P &lt; 0.05) for T4 compared to T1 and T2 groups. Milk fat percentages were lower (P &lt; 0.05) but milk protein percentages were higher for cows in T4 but similar for the rest of the diets. Milk lactose did not vary (P &gt; 0.05) over all the treatments. Milk conversion efficiency was similar (P &gt; 0.05) among the DCFB but higher (P &lt; 0.05) for control cows. The partial budget analysis indicated that net profit and marginal return were much higher for diet in the ratio of 40 : 60. Inclusion of wheat straw at 40% could be an efficient feeding option for F1 Friesian x Borena lactating crossbred cows managed under indoor conditions. However, DCFB manufacturing and distribution at a large scale requires machineries (chopper/grinder, mixer, and compressor). Further study needs to evaluate the storability and strength of the DCFBs under varying storage conditions and the long‐term effect of DCFB on milk yield and quality of improved lactating dairy cows in Ethiopia.

Management practices and cow comfort of crossbred dairy cows in youth managed dairy farm enterprises, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Good dairy farming methods and cow comfort are essential variables in reproductive efficiency, milk output, milk quality, and dairy cow health. The purpose of this study was to look into the management techniques and cow comfort status of crossbred dairy cows in youth managed dairy farm enterprises in Ethiopia's Amhara region's South Gondar zone. All (20) youth-managed dairy farm enterprises were chosen and questioned using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, and all (204) lactation dairy cows were chosen for cow comfort assessment. The SPSS version 22 program was used to analyze the data. According to the findings, the most common feed sources used for their dairy cattle were formulated and unformulated agro-industrial byproducts followed by non-conventional and hay. Piped (35%) and bore (30%) water were the most common water sources for dairy cattle, with the majority of farms allowing free access to water. The majority of dairy farm firms (70%) uses artificial insemination as well as bull services. The majority of dairy farm enterprises (55%) had shared sheds, followed by individual sheds (45%) built with government assistance (55%), and family (30%) with the same design and construction. The challenges confronting dairy farm enterprises were ranked feed scarcity and high feed costs first, followed by a lack of access to land, a lack of access to markets, and a lack of credit, whereas the opportunities for dairy farm enterprises were ranked first increased demand for milk and milk products first, followed by rapid urbanization, rapid population growth, and the availability of cheap labor. The vast majority of cows (92%) were severely lame, followed by moderate lameness (83%) and the vast majority of cows (52.5%) had moderately injured legs, followed by severely injured legs. The udder and leg cleanliness of most cows was mid cleanliness (52.7%), as opposed to dirty (30%) and clean (17.2%) with a low cow comfort index (0.48). The mean stall length, bed length, brisket board height, neck rail height, lung space, feeder height, and feeder width were 239±16 cm, 222.7±28.3 cm, 10.5±3.6cm, 61.5±15.3 cm, 128.15±21.5 cm, 40.6±8.7 cm, and 36.7±6.9 cm, respectively. The results also revealed that the overall floor softness scored marginal (45%) softness rather than hard (30%) and normal (25%) floor softness. The majority of dairy farm enterprises (55%) did not provide bedding material for their cows and, the bedding materials include straw, hay, and sawdust. Bedding materials are renewed once a month (37.5%), twice a week (37.5%), and once a week (25%). The frequency of manure removal was twice daily (60%), three times daily (30%), and once daily (20%). The findings revealed that the cow’s comfort status is poor, so it is recommended that the barn be renovated routine management practices be improved, and assistance from the government and other relevant stakeholders is required in order to obtain credit to renovate the cow barn and improve management practices.

Association between the perineal hygiene score at calving, puerperal uterine disorders, and reproductive efficiency in crossbreed dairy cows

Retained placenta, metritis, and clinical endometritis are prevalent diseases on dairy farms, leading to economic losses and reducing the longevity of dairy cows in dairy production systems, so it is important to investigate potential predisposing factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between perineal hygiene during calving and the incidence of retained placenta, metritis, clinical endometritis and their effect on reproductive efficiency and culling rates in crossbred dairy cows. At two properties, pre calving cows (n=101) were evaluated for perineal dirtiness before and during calving, by visual observation and classified in score 1 - free of feces and dry perineum; score 2 - slight presence of feces and moist perineum; score 3 - mild-wet perineum, covered by feces (over 10% of the surface). After calving, cows were subjected by visual observation and gynecological evaluation to identify retained placenta, metritis and clinical endometritis. Cows with a hygiene score of 2 or 3 showed higher rates of retained placenta (41.9% x 14.0%), metritis (32.5% x 14.0%%) and clinical endometritis (42.5% x 15.8%) than cows with a score 1. Even though no significant effects on reproductive rates were reported, the degree of perineal dirtiness in prepartum dairy crossbred cows is associated with the incidence of post calving reproductive diseases.