Crossbred Holstein Friesian Research Articles

Successful management of a crossbred downer cow after prolonged recumbency

A six year old crossbred Holstein Friesian cow was found recumbent in the bay during late gestation at Hi-tech bull mother farm, Kolahalamedu. The downer cow was treated with infusion fluids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and other supportive therapy along with physiotherapy. The animal had an uneventful recovery after 41 days of recumbency.

Clinical study on short axis M-mode echocardiography in Crossbred Holstein Friesian Cows

The present study was conducted in apparently healthy Crossbred Holstein Friesian cows (n=40) to establish normal echocardiographic indices. The short axis M-mode echocardiography was conducted in non-sedated standing Crossbred Holstein Friesian cow using cardiac probe of 2.8 to 3.6 MHz from right parasternal short axis view. The clinico-physiological parameters were within the normal ranges. The mean ± SE of RVIDd was 3.40 ± 0.06 (2.61 - 4.42) cm, IVSd 1.88 ± 0.06 (0.95 -3.17) cm, IVSs 2.72 ± 0.07 (1.77-3.81) cm, LVIDd 7.35 ± 0.14 (4.82-9.23) cm, LVIDs 4.37 ± 0.12 (2.04-5.87) cm, LVPWd 1.76 ± 0.06 (1.03-2.56) cm, LVPWs 2.80 ± 0.08 (1.58-3.96) cm, RWTd 0.50 ± 0.02 (0.35-0.85) cm, RWTs 1.31 ± 0.06 (0.84-2.83) cm, MWTd 1.89 ± 0.06 (1.23-3.03) cm, MWTs 2.76 ± 0.06 (1.85-3.74) cm, IVS % (46.17 ± 2.46), LVPW % (60.39 ± 2.64 ), LVM (1007.35 ± 53.78) g, LV myocardial fraction (0.33 ± 0.01), EPSS (0.86 ± 0.02) cm, FS % (40.68 ± 1.20), heart rate (66.15 ± 0.96) beats /min and body weight was 426.78 ± 7.79 kg. The correlation with the body weight revealed negative correlation (p less 0.01) for the parameters viz RWTs.

CORRELATION BETWEEN BLOOD METABOLITE AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN CROSSBRED COWS IN SMALLHOLDER FARMERS

This study examined the correlation between the concentration of blood metabolites (triglyceride, albumin, phosphorous) on the reproductive performances (S/C and PPM) of lactating Holstein Friesian crossbred (HFC) cows. Blood samples were collected through the caudal vein 8 hours after feeding and the plasma was analyzed at the Integrated Research and Testing Laboratory of Universitas Gadjah Mada (LPPT UGM). Samples were stored at 5° C. Triglyceride, albumin, and phosphorous were measured using glucose oxidase-phenol 4-aminoantipyrine (GOD-PAP) method, photometric bromocresol green method, and cypress diagnostic, respectively. Blood metabolites data were analyzed using Pearson correlation model. The results showed that the correlation coefficients of triglycerides, albumin, and phosphorus levels on PPM and S/C were -0.521 and -0.650; -0.447 and -0.612; -0.513 and -0.700, respectively. In conclusion, there are significant negative correlation between triglyceride, albumin and phosphorus levels on the PPM, and very significant negative correlation between triglyceride, albumin and phosphorus levels on the S/C of lactating HFC cows.

Effect of weather on activity and lying behaviour in clinically healthy grazing dairy cows during the transition period

Lying behaviour and activity were measured in healthy grazing dairy cows during the transition from late gestation to early lactation (i.e. the transition period). Behaviour data derived from IceTag® or IceQube® (IceRobotics, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK) tri-axial accelerometers were collated from 311 cow parities of mixed age and breed (Holstein–Friesian, Jersey and crossbred Holstein–Friesian × Jersey) cows from four experiments. The IceTag and IceQube devices captured lying and step data at 1- and 15-min intervals respectively. Behaviour was recorded during the transition period (Day –21 prepartum to Day 34 postpartum) to determine daily lying time, number of lying bouts (LB), mean LB duration and number of steps. The effect of rainfall and air temperature on lying behaviour and activity during two periods, namely, prepartum (Day –21 to Day –3) and postpartum (Days 3–34) was evaluated. Multiple-regression analysis determined that decreased air temperature and increased rainfall is associated with a decline in daily lying time, number of LB and LB duration during both prepartum and postpartum periods. Exposure to both wet and cold conditions exacerbated the behavioural response. The results highlighted the importance of considering the effects of air temperature and rainfall and the interaction of these two climate variables when analysing lying behaviour and activity. Further work is required to quantify the trigger points for this activity modulation, to help understand the balance of welfare experiences in the life of a grazing cow.

Selection Criteria for Holstein Friesian and Crossbreed Dairy Cattle Objective Traits in Ethiopia

There was no research regarding selection criteria for the economically relevant dairy cattle objective traits in Ethiopia. Therefore, the goal of this paper was to determine the selection criteria for Holstein Friesian and crossbreed dairy cattle economically relevant traits. The research was based on 236 respondents of large, medium and small scale dairy farms from Dire-Dawa, Harar, Bishoftu, Holeta agricultural research center and Mekele. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis software and traits preferences were ranked by calculating index values with the principle of weighted average. For Holstein Friesian preducers, the most preferred breeds were pure Holstein Friesian, Holstein Friesian crossbreeds and local cattle breeds with an overall index value of 0.47, 0.36, and 0.13, respectively. Similarly for crossbreed producers, pure Holstein Friesian (0.46), Holstein Friesian crossbreed (0.37) and local cattle (0.15), respectively, were their main breed preferred. In the present study, both Holstein Friesian and crossbreed producers were used milk yield (0.61, and 0.64) and milk yield composition (0.39, and 0.34), as the main preferred selection criteria for milk composition, respectively. On the other situations, age at first calving (0.45, and 0.39), age at first service (0.38, and 0.37), and service per conception (0.08, and 0.17), were the preferred selection criteria for economically relevant reproduction traits both for Holstein Friesian and crossbreed, respectively.

Effect of Alternative Milk Recording Strategies on Genetic Evaluation of Sires of Holstein Friesian Crossbred Cattle

Effect of Alternative Milk Recording Strategies on Genetic Evaluation of Sires of Holstein Friesian Crossbred Cattle

English

English

Effect of Intron 3 and Exon 5 Polymorphism in GH1 Gene on Milk Production and Milk Composition Traits in Karan Fries (Holstein Friesian Crossbred) Cattle

The present study was undertaken to study the effect of SNPs in intron 3 and exon 5 region of GH1 gene on milk production and milk composition traits in Karan Fries (HF crossbred) cattle. DNA was isolated from the blood samples of 78 pedigreed animals and PCR amplification was done, followed by PCR-RFLP. The phenotypic data was adjusted for non- genetic factors and regression analysis was done. Multiple regression of SNPs in intron 3 and exon 5 region of GH1 gene revealed that on an average, test day milk yield increased by 1.199 kg, test day fat yield by 51 gms and test day SNF yield increased by 113 gms. Both of these SNPs could be considered as potential genetic markers for early selection of animals based on test day milk production and milk composition traits and could be incorporated in the Marker Assisted Selection strategy in future.

Production Performances of Holstein Friesian Crossbred Dairy Cows in Hadiya Zone, (Southern Ethiopia)

This study was conducted to assess productive performances of crossbred (Holstein-Friesian) dairy cows and factors affecting their performances in Shashogo and Anlemo distinct of Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select district and kebeles. A total of 196 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed with semi-structured and structured questionnaire to obtain information on the management practices of farmers, productive performances of crossbred dairy cows. The data were analyzed using the general model of SAS version 9.2. Chi-square test was carried out to assess the statistical significance among categorical variables. Pro LSD test was used to identify a significant difference between districts and seasons mean. Mean herd size of crossbred (HF) dairy cows for Shashogo and Anlemo per households was 4.74 ± 0.114 TLU and 3.63 ± 0.115 TLU, respectively. The major feed resources were natural pasture, crop residues, and crop-after math, concentrate feeds, improved forages and non-conventional feeds, whereas zero-grazing/stall feeding, semi-grazing and free grazing system practiced in both districts. The major sources of water in the study area were river, wells, ponds and tap water. The overall means ± SE of milk yield per day/cow, lactation length and lactation milk yield was 7.61 ± 0.19 liters, 8.99 ± 0.14 months and 2057.16 litres, respectively. In the study period the main constraints were Shortage of feeds, diseases, poor management practices, Lack of services, like Seasonal fluctuation are the main factors hindering dairy productive and reproductive performances in the study areas. Generally, productive performances obtained in current study were low. Therefore, the Sustainable extension service should be established to improve feed resources and management practices in the study area.

Development of breeding strategy based on body coloration and phenotype in Holstein Friesian crossbreds for sustainable milk production

Development of breeding strategy based on body coloration and phenotype in Holstein Friesian crossbreds for sustainable milk production

Effects of aging treatment and freezing/thawing methods on the quality attributes of beef from Limousin × Holstein-Friesian and Hereford × Holstein-Friesian crossbreeds

The objective was to investigate combined effects of aging-, freezing-, thawing- treatments on the water-holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sensory properties of beef. Semitendinosus muscles from two crossbreeds were analysed. Carcasses were conventionally aged (4days post mortem), muscles were separated and divided into samples. Part of the samples were frozen without wet-aging and the others were wet-aged for 3 or 6days (and then also frozen). Two freezing methods (conventional and cryogenic) and two thawing methods (at 4°C and 20°C) were applied. Stepwise conventional/wet-aging just as thawing at 20°C, decreased the WBSF (P<0.05) and increased the scores for tenderness (P<0.05). Moreover, wet-aging for 3days gave an equal effect on tenderness (P>0.05) as the 6-days period. Meat from Hereford-crosses scored significantly higher for juiciness, compared with Limousin-crosses. These tips may be applied in the meat industry to reduce time of aging process and ensure a consistent high quality of frozen beef.

Succesfull Management of Dystocia due to Foetal Anasarca in Holstein Friesian Crossbred Cows

Succesfull Management of Dystocia due to Foetal Anasarca in Holstein Friesian Crossbred Cows

Feeding values of conventional diets and their effects on the performances of dairy cows in Central Myanmar

The conventional diets have been fed to dairy cows since many years ago in Myanmar, however there is a little scientific information regarding the use of those diets as feed. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the feeding values of conventional diets and their effects on the performances of dairy cows in Central Myanmar. Nine cross-bred Holstein Friesian cows (460±22kg) with the 12th week of lactation were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups with three replicates in a completely randomized design. The three treatments were Diet-ST (common diet from Sin Tel, Tatar U Township), Diet-MN (common diet from Myay Ngu, Tatar U Township) and Diet-AM (common diet from Amarapura Township). Cows were fed treatments for 60 days. The roughage to concentrate ratios ranged from 53:47 to 72:28 and the nutritive values were significantly different (p&lt;0.05) each other. The highest nutrient intakes were observed in dairy cows fed on Diet-MN, however the nutrient digestibility were not different (p&gt;0.05) except the CP and ether extract digestibility (CPD and EED). The nitrogen utilization was highest in dairy cows fed on Diet-ST and the lowest value was observed in the dairy cows fed on Diet-AM. Although the milk compositions were not different (p&gt;0.05), the average milk yield of dairy cows offered the Diet-MN was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than those of dairy cows fed on other diets. The highest total feed cost (p&lt;0.05) was found in Diet-AM and the lowest value (p&lt;0.05) was in Diet-MN. According to these findings, it was concluded that the highest feeding value was observed in Diet-MN and its effect on the performances of dairy cows was also greater than others. Moreover, it would be suggested that better bean residues and sesame residues could be used as fibre sources in the diets of dairy cows.

Prevalence of ketosis in dairy cows in milk shed areas of Odisha state, India.

Aim:The present study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of ketosis in dairy cows in dairy herds, milksheds, and mixed population of milk cows selected randomly in milkshed areas of Odisha state, India.Materials and Methods:The investigation was conducted in 280 private dairy herds with variable herd size of 10-15 cows comprising crossbred Jersey cows (CBJ), crossbred Holstein Friesian (CHF) cows, and indigenous local breeds. The analysis of urine (Rothera’s test), milk (Ross test), and blood samples of 2760 test cows were conducted through qualitative assessment by Rothera’s test and Ross test, respectively, for the presence of ketone bodies to screen the ketotic animals. Cut-points have been decided based on β-hydroxybutyric acid level (≥1.2-1.4 mmol/L) in milk.Results:We noted positive cases of ketosis with a prevalence rate of 36.7% (1014/2760) entailing 27.2% in clinical ketosis and 9.6% in subclinical ketosis. The breed wise incident rate was recorded to be the highest (38.0%) in CBJs. The age-wise prevalence rate was found to be the highest (40.8%) in the age group of 5.5-6.5 years. The season wise prevalence rate in 5th calver was recorded to be the highest (38.6%) in summer season as compared to other seasons. The prevalence of ketosis was observed to be the highest at 56.7% on the first stage of lactation at the 1st month after 2 weeks. The incidence rates for clinical and subclinical ketosis were found to be 25.2%; 12.2%, 26.6%; 11.2% and 30.3%; 2.9% in CBJ, CHF and indigenous cows, respectively. The breed wise overall prevalence rate was recorded to be 38.0% in CBJ, 37.8% in CHF, and 33.2% in indigenous cows.Conclusion:Ketosis and subclinical ketosis is highly prevalent metabolic disorder and has severe effect on the production status of affected animal and needs to be prevented, rather than treated, by maintaining cows in good and healthy conditions. We have attempted to give great attention for diagnosis, management, and control of this disease during risk stage to prevent economic loss sustained by the dairy farmers of Eastern India.

Effect of leucaena forage and silage substitution in concentrates on digestibility, nitrogen utilization and milk yield in dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding leucaena forage and silage substitution in concentrate on the performances of dairy cows. Nine cross-bred Holstein Friesian cows (410±12kg) in the 12th week of lactation were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups with three replicates/treatments in a completely randomized design. The three treatments were control diet without substitution of leucaena forage and silage (DLFS0), diet with substitution of leucaena forage 10% (DLF10) and diet with substitution of leucaena silage 10% (DLS10). Cows were fed treatments for 60 days. Although nutrient intakes were not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) each other, digestibility of DLFS0 was significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) than others. Conversely, nitrogen utilization and average milk yield of cows offered DLFS0 were significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) than those of cows fed on DLF10 and DLS10. The highest feed cost (p&lt;0.05) per kg of milk was found in DLFS0 and the lowest cost was observed in DLF10. Therefore, although the leucana forage and silage could be substitute up to 10% of concentrates without adverse effects on the performances of dairy cows, the substitution of leucaena forage gave the better performances than that of leucaena silage.

TLR4 Gene Polymorphism and its Association with Mastitis Resistance in Indigenous and Crossbred Cattle of Tamil Nadu, India

TLR4 gene is one of the candidate genes for mastitis resistance in cattle. This gene has three exons and PCR with nine sets of primers produced nine amplicons. The amplicons were sequenced from both ends, assembled and screened for SNPs. Totally, 221 dairy cows (Jersey crossbreds, Holstein Friesian crossbreds and indigenous breeds) were genotyped either by PCR-RFLP or tetra-primer ARMS-PCR. Genotyping results showed that one SNP was in 5’UTR region, two SNPs in intron 1, one in exon 2 and seven in exon 3. Out of 11 SNPs, allele frequencies were found to differ between healthy and mastitic cows in six SNPs viz. SNPs 245, 5053, 5134, 9422, 9787 and 9794. At SNP position 5134, the G allele frequency got reduced from 0.71 in healthy cows to 0.50 in mastitic cows but the A allele frequency increased from 0.29 in healthy cows to 0.50 in mastitic cows. The SNP 5053T>G resulted from transversion while the SNPs 5087G>A and 5134G>A resulted from transitions. In SNP 5134G>A, the frequency of both the alleles were in equal proportions in mastitic animals. The SNP 9787C>T in exon 3 had shown no appreciable change in the allele frequencies in both normal and mastitis animals. Homology modeling of TLR4 gene revealed no change in the length of the amino acids of TLR4 protein. The amino acid tyrosine present in the position 674 in the protein chain of Bos tauruswas replaced lysine in crossbreds. No association was found between TRL4 genotypes and somatic cell scores in the breeds studied.

Effect of Inclusion of &lt;i&gt;Albizia saman&lt;/i&gt; Pods in the Diet on the Performances of Dairy Cows

Ruminants can achieve high productivity when the diet includes concentrates; however these are often expensive due to competition with humans and mono-gastric animals. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of partial inclusion of Albizia saman pods (ASP) in a Commercial Concentrate (CC) on the performances of dairy cows. Twelve cross-bred Holstein Friesian cows (472±13 kg) in the 12th week of lactation were randomly allocated into four treatment groups with three replicates accoding to the completely randomized design. The four treatments were control diet-CD [35% urea-treated-rice-straw (URS; 79g crude protein (CP)/ kg dry matter (DM)) and 65% CC (contained 40% cottonseed cake, 35% broken chickpea and 25% chickpea husk on an as fed basis and provided 200g CP/kg DM)], D1[35% URS + 60% CC + 5% ASP (189g CP/kg DM)], D2 (35% URS +55% CC + 10% ASP) and D3 (35% URS + 50% CC + 15% ASP). Cows were fed treatments for 60 days. Dry matter intake was significantly higher (p<0.05) for cows in the D3 treatment compared with the other three treatments, however there were no significant differences in the DM digestibility of treatments. Nitrogen intake and faecal-nitrogen of cows offered the D3 treatment were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of cows offered the other three treatments. In contrast urine-nitrogen and nitrogen utilization were not significantly different among the treatments. The average milk yield (4% fat-corrected-milk) increased as the percentage of ASP was increased in the diets, however the composition of milk did not differ significantly between treatments. The costs of TDN/kg and per kg of milk was highest for the CD treatment and the lowest was found in D3 treatment (p<0.05). These results suggest that Albizia saman pods could be replace up to 15% of the commercial concentrate fed to lactating Holstein Friesian cross-bred cows without detrimental effects.

Effects of Using Indian Mulberry Leaves as Feed Additives on Feed Digestion, Ruminal Fermentation and Milk Production in Dairy Cattle

The study considers the effects of the use of Indian mulberry leaves as feed additives on dairy cattle performances. Eight Holstein-Friesian crossbreeds with an average of 475.7 kg/BW were used. The experiment utilized 4 x 4 Replicated Latin Square Design (LSD) that consisted of 4 levels of Indian mulberry leaves additives: 0, 7.5, 10 and 12.5 g/kg DM in total mixed ration (TMR) diet based on rice straw was used as the main roughage source. The trial consisted of four periods of 21 days each. The results from this study showed that there was no effect on DMI. However, the digestibility of DM showed significant difference (p0.05). However, Indian mulberry leaves at 10 g/kg DM could be used in dairy cattle feeding to improve the digestibility of feed DM and maintaining ruminal pH without affecting ruminal fermentation and milk production.

Incidence of resistant mastitis in dairy cows in Tamil Nadu, India

The incidence of resistant mastitis in dairy cows in Tamil Nadu, India was 56.l %. The predominant resistant causative pathogen was Escherichia coli (50.64 %) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (44.25 %) and Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (5.11 %). Incidence of resistant mastitis was high in Holstein Friesian cross breed followed by Jersey cross breed and non descript. Highest incidence was observed in early stage of third lactation. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test revealed the E. coli, S. aureus and MRSA organisms showed more sensitivity to enrofloxacin, amoxicillin+sulbactam, gentamicin and ceftriaxone and had highest resistant to penicillin followed by amoxicillin, oxytetracycline and methicillin. The study highlights the need for preventing the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.

FROZEN SEMEN PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF KARAN FRIES BULLS

A study was conducted to assess semen output characteristics of 4648 ejaculates of 52 Karan Fries bulls (Holstein Friesian crossbreds with 50 to 75% exotic inheritance) maintained at Artificial Breeding Research Centre, NDRI, Karnal, India. The objective of this study was to estimate expected frozen semen dose production. Semen production data were analysed using standard statistical tools. Age of the Karan Fries bulls (KF) at the time of collection ranged from 1.90 to 8.13 years, with a mean of 3.32 ± 0.18 years. The average ejaculate volume (VOL, ml), mass activity (MA), initial motility (IM, %), sperm concentration per ml (SPC, millions) and total sperm output per ejaculate (SPCE, millions) from 52 KF bulls were 4.68 ± 0.14 (2.74 - 6.98); 2.84±0.02 (2.57 - 3.08); 65.55 ± 0.01 (61.40 - 69.65); 965.71 ± 7.61 (865 - 1067.72) and 4516.90 ± 128.34 (2600 - 6603.41, respectively). The average dilution rate for preservation was found to be 1: 12.07 ± 0.10 with a range of 1:10.81 to 13.35. The expected number of ejaculates that could be frozen per year per bull was 44.46 (21 - 90) and correspondingly expected frozen dose produced per year per bull could be 10048.39 (3500 - 24669) in Karan Fries bulls.