Czech Fleckvieh Research Articles

QTL mapping for production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle

The objective of this study was to find QTL for milk production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle on chromosomes 6, 7, 11, 14, and 23 where QTL were previously identified in other dairy cattle populations. Sixteen grandsire families were genotyped for 38 microsatellite markers on the selected chromosomes. A QTL mapping model based on variance component analysis was implemented via restricted maximum likelihood (REML) to estimate QTL positions and their effects. A significant QTL affecting fat percentage was found at the beginning of chromosome 14 (0 cM), near marker ILSTS039. Suggestive QTL associated with milk production traits appeared on other studied chromosomes (BTA6, BTA7, BTA11, and BTA23). This first QTL search on five chromosomes in Czech Fleckvieh population showed several suggestive QTL that can be promising for further studies and contribute to better understanding of genetics of milk production in the Czech Fleckvieh cattle.  

Innovation of prediction equations for milk composition estimation in milk recording at alternative sampling and half a day milking interval

At dairying cost reduction and effort about maintenance of milk recording (MR) range the MR cost decrease is also important. Aim was to revise the older prediction equations for alternative reduced milk sampling (morning – M or evening – E) for assurance of MR reliable results at twice milking a day (TMD) with balanced interval 12/12. Individual milk samples (n = 619 animals) were obtained during TMD (M, E and REF; n = 1 857 samples). Fat (F), protein (P), lactose (L) and somatic cell count (SCC) were analysed. Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein breeds were included. The reference values (REF) of day milking were obtained in regular MR (A4P). M and E milking results were related to the REF. Older prediction equations with lower validity because of time and breeding were revised: a) for F from M on REF y = 0.6932x + 1.381, where r = 0.752 and P ≤ 0.001; b) for P from M on REF y = 0.9432x + 0.2274, where r = 0.949 and P ≤ 0.001; c) for L from E on REF y = 0.8145x + 0.9095, where r = 0.87 and P ≤ 0.001; d) for log SCC from E on REF y = 0.8829x + 0.2367, where r = 0.94 and P ≤ 0.001. MR cost reduction is possible using method of alternative sampling including corresponding prediction equations.

Relationship between energy status and fertility in Czech Fleckvieh cows

The aim of this study was to confirm that a negative energy balance expressed by declining body condition score (BCS) can lead to the deterioration of fertility results of Czech Fleckvieh cows. The BCS of cows was evaluated before calving and during the first five weeks of lactation. The evaluation was based on 338 Czech Fleckvieh cows calved between the October 13th, 2009 and April 27th, 2010 at one dairy farm. Analysis of relationships between the energy balance results and fertility score expressed by the reproduction results (pregnancy rate after the first and all inseminations, the insemination interval, service period, insemination index, calving period) of the observed group were performed. The higher body condition score of the Czech Fleckvieh cows before calving turned out advantageously regarding the energy source during the postpartal period. No negative effect of higher BCS in cows before calving was confirmed. The best reproduction parameters were attained in the group of cows with no change or marked increase of body condition after calving recorded. However, statistically significant differences between the groups were detected only in the third week of lactation. Significant differences in the level of body condition were detected in relation to the length and type of oestrus onset.

Porovnání rozdílného třídění mastných kyselin v mléce ve vztahu k tělesné kondici dojnic českého strakatého plemene

Fatty acids in milk are one of the most important components of milk. The aim of this study was to determinate relationships between groups of fatty acids and body condition score change in Czech Fleckvieh cows. Fatty acids were classification along its length of chain and its source of creation. To analysis was included total of 50 Czech Fleckvieh cows with different order of lactation. During the first 4 weeks of lactation, milk samples were collected at a weekly interval and body condition score was assessed. Statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Office Excel and the procedures MEANS and GLM of SAS 9.1. During the first four week of lactation, the proportions of short- and medium-chain fatty acids as well as de novo synthesised fatty acids increased. Moreover the cows with a greater body condition score change mobilized storage depot fat more intensively, which resulted in higher proportions of dietary and depot fatty acids since week 1 of lactation, and long-chain fatty acids since week 2 of lactation. On the contrary, the animals with only a small body condition score change exhibited high proportions of short- and medium-fatty acids as well as de novo synthesised fatty acids in the most part of the period analysed. This indicates abut negative energy balance in early part of lactation and its compensation. The results also confirm the relationships between different groups of fatty acids, body condition score and negative energy balance. As more accurate for evaluation of intensity of negative energy balance was confirmed rather classification along source of creation. These results further emphasize importance the monitoring of body condition, milk composition and good herd management in first part of lactation.

Histopathological alterations in the antral ovarian follicles in dairy cows with a tendency to emaciation.

The aim of the study was to define interrelationships between histopathological alterations in ovarian antral follicles and body condition in dairy cows with a tendency to emaciation (BCS 1 and 2) compared with dairy cows with normal body condition (BCS 3). The ovaries were recovered from slaughtered cyclic dairy cows (at the luteal phase of the cycle) of Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein breeds at different times of the post-partum period. The animals were estimated as belonging to certain grade of body condition score (BCS) according to a 5-point scale. Only dairy cows with BCS1 (emaciation; n=6), BCS2 (tendency to emaciation; n=5) and BCS3 (optimal body condition status; n=6) were available for the experiment. The ovarian samples were embedded into Technovit 7100 resin; the tissue sections were stained with buffered basic fuchsine with toluidine blue. For acidic mucopolysaccharides (aMPS) a combination of PAS-technique with Alcian blue was used. Histological analysis showed that emaciation was associated with an increased occurrence of late (cystic) and luteinization-related atresia in granulosa and theca cells and increased levels of aMPS in small atretic follicles. Our observations indicate that dairy cows with a tendency to emaciation (BCS 2) or emaciated (BCS 1) have elevated occurrence of late atresia and atresia with luteinization, while initial atresia is less. This expands our basic knowledge of ovarian histopathology providing new insight into the association of antral follicle atresia and body condition status in dairy cows.

Effects of a rumen-protected form of methionine and a methionine analogue on the lactation performance of dairy cows

The objective the present study was to determine the influence of a supplemental methionine analogue, the isopropyl ester of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)-butanoic acid, commercially available as MetaSmart<sup>TM</sup>, on lactation performance, particularly milk protein production. The effects of this preparation were compared with those of a rumen-protected form of methionine, marketed as Smartamine<sup>TM</sup> M. Experiments were conducted according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design and included 30 high-yielding dairy cows (22 Holstein and 8 Czech Fleckvieh) randomly allocated to three balanced groups. Cows were fed a basal diet based on maize silage, lucerne silage, lucerne hay, fresh brewer’s grains, and a concentrate mixture in the form of a total mixed ration ad libitum. The diet M was supplemented with MetaSmart<sup>TM</sup> (42.5 g/day) and diet S was supplemented with Smartamine<sup>TM</sup> M (19 g/day), while control diet C contained solvent-extracted soybean meal, which was added to achieve required levels of dietary protein. Each period lasted four weeks in total, including three preliminary weeks and one experimental week during which samples of milk and tail vein blood were taken. Supplementation of MetaSmart<sup>TM</sup> decreased dry matter intake of cows (18.96 kg) in contrast to the diet containing Smartamine<sup>TM</sup> M, for which dry matter intake was the highest (20.48 kg; P < 0.001). Despite decreased dry matter intake, the highest average milk yields were recorded for cows supplemented with MetaSmart<sup>TM </sup>(31.34 kg), which produced by approximately 1.14 kg (P < 0.001) and 0.78 kg (P < 0.01) more milk than cows fed diets C and S, respectively. As expressed by greater ratios milk/DMI, FCM/DMI, and ECM/DMI, the feed efficiency was improved in cows supplemented with MetaSmart<sup>TM</sup>.Both MetaSmart<sup>TM </sup>and Smartamine<sup>TM</sup> M dietary supplementation increased milk yield, milk protein concentrations, and yields and increased the prevalence of β-casein fraction in milk protein.  

Relationships among milk yield, body weight, and reproduction in Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh cows

The objective of this study was to determine the dynamics and relative body weight (BW) changes after parturition and their relationships to milk yield in Holstein (H) and Czech Fleckvieh (F) cows, and also the relationships between their BW changes in the first 8 weeks of lactation and reproductive performance. A retrospective, observational study comprised analyses of individual cow records from a computerised herd management system. Production, body weight, and reproduction data were collected between December 2004 and February 2009 from F and H cows kept in a single experimental station. A total of 475 calving interval records (F: N = 132; H: N = 343) were included in the analysis. The data were evaluated using the mixed linear model with repeated measures, and parameters were estimated by the REML method. Whereas BW changes in F first-parity cows significantly (P < 0.01) differed from those detected in greater-parity cows during the major part of lactation, no such differences were manifested for H first-parity animals. The average BW change in weeks 1 to 8 was closely correlated with the BW change in the lactation week, with the lowest BW (NADIR) (r > 0.83, P < 0.0001) in both breeds. In H cows, the average BW change in weeks 1 to 8 and in NADIR significantly (P < 0.01) negatively correlated with the length of postpartum anoestrus, days between parturition and conception, days between first service and conception, and calving interval (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In F cows, the only significant correlations were those with days between parturition and first service (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). It was concluded that BW changes postpartum might indicate reproduction problems particularly in H cows.  

The association of five polymorphisms with milk production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle

The aim of this study was to estimate allelic and genotypic frequencies of five DNA markers that are positional and functional candidates for milk production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle. In addition, we evaluated the association of these markers with milk production traits and breeding values for milk production traits and also estimated linkage disequilibrium (LD) between two markers within the prolactin (PRL) gene. As part of this study, 505 Czech Fleckvieh cows were genotyped. The markers in proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PPARGC1A), secreted phosphoprotein (SPP1), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily B hydroxylase (CYP11B1), and the two polymorphisms in the prolactin gene (PRL) showed evidence of segregation in our study. The PPARGC1A polymorphism was associated with milk yield, milk fat and protein traits. The polymorphism in SPP1 was significantly associated with milk protein percentage. The CYP11B1 polymorphism showed positive associations with milk composition traits and breeding values for milk yield, milk fat, and protein traits. Both polymorphisms within the PRL gene were associated with milk yield, milk fat and milk protein yield (individually and grouped). Linkage disequilibrium between the two polymorphisms in PRL was not observed. In conclusion, all markers examined in this study are important markers for milk production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle, and both markers within the PRL gene should be evaluated in future research.  

Association between CSN3 and BCO2 gene polymorphisms and milk performance traits in the Czech Fleckvieh cattle breed

Daily milk, fat and protein yield and amount of somatic cells in cow milk are very important factors that influence milk performance traits. An association between polymorphisms in the kappa casein (CSN3) gene and milk production, composition and technical properties has been previously reported; however, this type of information is not available for the bovine β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) gene--the BCO2 gene has relationship with milk color and meat fat color, which is dependent on content of β-carotene. We analyzed these two genes and their relationship with milk performance traits (daily milk, fat and protein yield, somatic cell count, SCC) in one cattle population, Czech Fleckvieh (N = 152). All animals were milked twice a day and kept in the same environmental conditions. The Fleckvieh is a typical Czech cattle breed farming for milk and meat production. It is the most common breed in the Czech Republic. DNA was isolated from milk or from hairs. Genes were analyzed using PCR-RFLP, frequencies of alleles and genotypes were calculated and association analysis was performed using a GLM Procedure in SAS. Statistical analysis established that the CSN3 gene has no statistically significant influence on daily milk, fat and protein yield and SCC. Compared to other references this result can be explained by, e.g., small group of animals and different cattle breed. The BCO2 gene (genotypes AA and AG) shows a statistically significant relationship (P = 0.05) with daily milk, protein yield and SCC.

Selected abiotic factors that influence raw cow milk freezing point depression

Freezing point depression (FPD) is an important property of milk that is influenced primarily by milk components connected to osmotic pressure. Under certain conditions it is possible to detect the addition of water to milk. It is necessary to have the right FPD limit in legislation for milk quality control. The aim of this study was to improve the estimation procedure of this limit. Apart from factors related to dairy cow nutrition, cattle breed and milk yield, it is important to take into account CO2 (6%), water steam evaporation and pasteurization under technological conditions. Bulk milk samples (1, 30, 6, 6, 10, 1 according to experiment) from Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh breed (1:1) were used in the experiments and technologically treated. The effects of water addition (water saturated and unsaturated by CO2), carbon dioxide evaporation and pasteurization (80 °C for 22 min) were quantified. Pasteurization aggravation of FPD was -0.00394 ± 0.00171 ºC (P < 0.001). Aggravation due to carbon dioxide evaporation could be -0.00383 ± 0.00095 ºC (P < 0.001) depending on practice. Increase in FPD is recorded after milking during technological procedures of milk storage, mixing, pumping, transport shaking and warming. During FPD shift, the acuteness of FPD data sets increases. This fact should be considered in the process of deriving standard raw cow milk FPD limits. Similar experimental analysis of milk FPD technological shifts has not been performed in this way until now.

The influence of condition on the metabolic profile of Czech Fleckvieh cows in the perinatal period

Abstract. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of Czech Fleckvieh cow‘s condition before parturition on chosen blood biochemical indices in perinatal period and at the beginning of lactation. The study was conducted on 38 multiparous cows 3–14 days prepartum. The cows were selected with respect to body condition score (BCS): BCS>4 points (group I, n=18) and BCS<4 points (group II, n=20). Blood was collected at 3–14 and 1–2 days prepartum and 1–2, 21 days postpartum and analyzed for lipid-carbohydrate, protein parameters and enzymatic activity. Cow‘s condition, milk yield and composition were also estimated. Changes in Czech Fleckvieh cow‘s condition in a transition period do not have any clear influence on milk yield and composition. An excessive BCS before calving leads to its higher decrease at the beginning of lactation and may indirectly point to a higher energy deficiency in the first period of lactation. It is confirmed by glucose concentration in blood serum decrease (P<0.01) in 3rd week of lactation when compared to cows with a proper condition before calving (3.39 vs. 2.45 mmol/l). Overnormative condition before calving also negatively influences the content of triacylglycerols, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin in blood serum in the first days postpartum. TAG transport from liver to blood is impaired at the beginning of lactation in cows with high condition prepartum. The study demonstrated that in Czech Fleckvieh dairy type cows intensified lipolysis and ketogenesis in perinatal period do not take place pointing to high adaptation possibilities of their metabolism.

Effect of sires on wide scale of milk indicators in first calving Czech Fleckvieh cows

Abstract. The possible genetic impact of sire on cattle populations, herd milk yield and milk traits (fat and protein) have been described in the literature along with its impact on some milk indicators (MIs) as somatic cell count, urea and ketones. There is a dearth of information on the impact on a series of other MIs (physical, chemical, health, technological). The goal of this study was to assess the possible effect of sire on a wide range of MIs including technological properties in Czech Fleckvieh to suggest future possible breeding trends. A series of MIs (n=37) was investigated in individual milk samples (MSs). 191 effective daughters (MSs) were included. The sire groups (n=13) were well balanced in terms of herd, lactation stage and sampling season. Only sires with >5 daughters were ranked. A linear model of analysis variance with the fixed effects, sire and combined factor (herd × year × season) was used. 19 MIs as log count of streptococci in fermentation ability of milk (log FAM–CS), FAM–CS, log total fine microflora count in FAM (log FAM–TCM), FAM–TCM, solids non fat (SNF), iodine content, citric acid (CA), titration acidity in FAM, lactose (L), crude protein (CP), true protein (TP), casein (CAS), dry matter, Mg and P content, milk alcohol stability, electrical conductivity (EC), titration acidity, casein numbers (for CP and TP), log count of lactobacilli in FAM (log FAM–CL), FAM–CL and pH in FAM were influenced by sire (P<0.05). However SNF, CA, L, CAS and perhaps EC could be newly reflected as information for genetic improvement of dairy cattle with connection to dairy milk recovery and cow health. CA (10.08±1.92 mmol×l−1) deserves special attention. The model variablity explanation moved from 6.97 (SCC) over 29.51 (CA) to 48.32 % (pH) for MIs. This is one of few studies to assess the impact of sire over a wide range of MIs and the results warrant careful evaluation and further study.

Post-thaw culture in presence of insulin-like growth factor I improves the quality of cattle cryopreserved embryos

The goal of this study was to examine the effect of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I; added during post-thaw culture (48 h)) on the preimplantation viability and quality of cryopreserved bovine in vivo recovered embryos. The morula stage embryos, non-surgically recovered from superovulated dairy cows of Czech Fleckvieh cattle breed, had previously been cryopreserved by a slow freezing technique and stored in liquid nitrogen since 1989-1990. Following thawing, the embryos were cultured for 48 h either alone (no IGF-I) or in the presence of IGF-I (10 or 100 ng/ml); non-cultured embryos served as a control. Thereafter, the embryos were analyzed for cleavage to the blastocyst stage, apoptosis (TUNEL), embryo cell number and quality of actin cytoskeleton. Following post-thaw culture 41% of embryos developed to advanced blastocysts. IGF-I increased this per cent and, at a higher dose, essentially reduced the per cent of degenerated embryos. In cultured embryos, IGF-I at both doses elevated the cell number compared with non-cultured embryos. However, in comparison with embryos cultured without IGF-I, only the higher IGF-I dose resulted in elevating the embryo cell number. The TUNEL index was significantly lowered by IGF-I treatment. Thawed embryos were mostly of the grade III actin type and fewer (12%) had grade II actin, whilst no grade I actin embryos were noted. The addition of IGF-I resulted in the appearance of grade I actin embryos (8.33 and 6.9% for 10 and 100 ng/ml, respectively). These observations indicate that the addition of IGF-I during post-thaw culture can improve the quality of bovine cryopreserved embryos.

The effect of breed, sex and aging time on tenderness of beef meat

Our study was conducted to determine the effect of production factors (breed, sex) and aging time on the textural properties of beef using instrumental measurement of tenderness. Meat was obtained from Galloway, Simmental, Charolais, Czech Fleckvieh breeds and their crossbreeds. Meat was either unaged or aged for 14, 28 or 42 days. The tenderness was characterized by Warner-Bratzler test and compression test using Tira-test device. The cooking loss of meat juice was also evaluated. Analysis of variance at 5% significance level showed that tenderness was influenced by all tested factors (breed, sex, aging time). The shear force decreased with aging of meat. The correlation between shear force and compression test was 0.257 (p ≤ 0.001). The differences in tenderness were found among breeds. The highest initial shear force was measured in Simmental (151.98 N). Compression test showed better tenderness in Czech Fleckvieh and Galloway than in Simmental, Charolais and crossbreeds. Meat from bulls was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) less tender than from heifers. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.001) increase of cooking loss of meat juice during aging from 25.3% after slaughter to 34.0% after aging period. The research results could be useful for determination whether specific cattle breeds can produce tender meat with good aging patterns. According to findings of the current study it is especially necessary to emphasize that factor of aging time exceeded the influence of breed and sex on tenderness. The study also suggests extending of aging period to 6 week to assure tenderness of beef.

Meat quality and fatty acid profile of the musculus longissimus lumborum in Czech Fleckvieh, Charolais and Charolais × Czech Fleckvieh bulls fed different types of silages

The effects of breed and diet containing different types of silages on meat quality parameters and fatty acid profile of m. longissimus lumborum (MLL) were evaluated in a total of 30 Czech Fleckvieh (CF), Charolais (CH) and Charolais × Czech Fleckvieh (CH × CF) bulls. The animals were fed two mixed diets: MS (based on maize silage) and LCS (based on legume-cereal mixture silage and lucerne silages) with different concentrations of dietary energy and fatty acids. The MLL from CH bulls had the lowest content of dry matter (P < 0.01), less protein (P < 0.01) and lighter meat (P < 0.01) compared to the CF. The extensive LCS diet reduced dry matter (P < 0.01) and intramuscular fat (P < 0.01) and increased the content of hydroxyproline (P < 0.05). The CH bulls exhibited higher PUFA n-3 (P < 0.05) and lower MUFA (P < 0.05) compared to the CF, with the CH × CF being intermediate. The LCS diet enhanced the proportions of PUFA (P < 0.05) and PUFA n-3 (P < 0.001) and reduced MUFA (P < 0.001). In conclusion, both breed and diet affected the meat quality and fatty acid profile of the intramuscular fat of the bulls. The replacement of maize silage with the legume-cereal mixture and lucerne silages in the diet reduced the concentration of intramuscular fat and improved its fatty acid profile from the human nutrition perspective.

Relationships of sire breeding values and cutting parts of progeny in Czech Fleckvieh bulls

Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the meat yield breeding values of sires on highly valued parts of carcasses in their progeny. The study was carried out on Czech Fleckviehs, a breed dual purpose milk-beef production. Cutting parts evaluated were: round, strip loin and tender loin (first-class meat); rib, shoulder blade (boneless), fore shank, flank, chuck roll + neck (second-class meat) and separable fat. The correlation analysis showed significant negative relationships only for the relative breeding values of trading classes and the rib (r=−0.2079); relative breeding values of net daily gain with strip loin (r=−0.2433). Although strip loin is an important first-class meat cut, the correlation is rather low. Correlations between other meat cuts with breeding values were non-significant. The correlation between meat cuts and age showed the same pattern as correlations between meat cuts and weight at slaughter. Significant negative correlations were found between first-class meat and increasing age (r=−0.1979) and weight (r=−0.2884). In contrast, for second-class meat there were positive correlation with increasing age and weight (r=0.3489 for age, r=0.4495 for weight). This also corresponds with the correlation between age or weight and specific first-class meat cuts (tender loin r=−0.2804, r=−0.3413, strip loin r=−0.3710, r=−0.2012) and second-class meat (sep. fat r=+0.2360, r=+0.2951, r for correlation with age and weight respectively). Based on the calculations of canonical analysis 27.75 % explained variability was found for variables relative breeding value of net daily gain (RBVndg), relative breeding value of trading class (RBVtc), age and weight using a linear combination of variables for individual cuts. At the same time, 14.25 % explained variability was found for cut variables which can be expressed using linear combinations of RBVndg, RBVtc, age and weight.

Changes in teat parameters caused by milking and their recovery to their initial size

Abstract. Dairy cows of 2 breeds, 74 Holstein (H) and 72 Czech Fleckvieh (C) cows in the 1st (H, n=38; C, n=38) and 2nd lactation (H, n=36; C, n=34) during the 1st period (n=74; H, n=40; C, n=34; to 150 days) and the 2nd period of lactation (n=72; H, n=34; C, n=38; above 150 days) were observed. Differences in external and internal proportions of teat closely before (the 1st measurement), immediately after (the 2nd measurement) and 3 h after milking (the 3rd measurement), udder conformation evaluated by linear description, somatic cell count, daily milk yield and the time of milking were evaluated in relation to the effect of breed and period of lactation. The length of the teat canal, area of the teat end, and wall thickness were measured from the axial picture recorded by ultrasound Aloka SSD500 (Aloka Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). Significant interbreed differences were detected in external as well as internal teat proportions (P<0.05–0.001). Relative changes of teat diameter, comparing C and H cows, differed significantly between the 1st and the 3rd measurement (P<0.05). The length of teat increased during milking and didn´t achieve the beginning size during 3 h after milking. Significant diiference in the length of teat between the 2nd measurement and the 3rd measurement was determined in H cows only (P<0.001). The most significant changes of the length of the teat canal and the area of teat were found in both breeds between values measured closely before and immediately after milking (P<0.5–0.001). Wall thickness was strengthen in C cows (+15.6 %) during the 2nd measurement according to the 1st (P<0.05), while difference represented +18 % (P<0.001) in H cows. Non-significantly higher values of external proportions of teat were measured in the 2nd period of lactation except diameter of teat closely before milking. Internal proportions of teat were always significantly higher in the 2nd period of lactation in relation to the 1st period. Prolongation of teat canal by 0.15 cm (P<0.01) closely before, by 0.16 cm (P<0.001) immediately after, and by 0.13 cm (P<0.01) 3 h after milking was measured in the 2nd period of lactation. The area of teat end measured before milking was significantly larger in the 2nd period of lactation (P<0.01).

Reasons for the culling of dairy cows on low-input mountain farms

Reasons for the culling of dairy cows on low-input mountain farmsReasons for the culling of dairy cows were scrutinized on thirty-four low-input farms in the Šumava mountains in the Czech Republic. An increase in the frequency of the most common culling category - category 58 (other health reasons) - was identified in both the Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh breeds between 2000 and 2007: from 35% to 59% in the Holstein cows and from 19% to 41% in the Czech Fleckvieh cows (X2 test; P<0.001). This brought the Czech Fleckvieh cows to the same level of frequency as in the Czech Republic population, while the frequency among Holstein cows was on average 11% higher than in the Czech Republic population. The frequency of category 58 was higher in the Holstein than in the Czech Fleckvieh cows, but category 52 (low milk production) was more frequent in the Czech Fleckvieh than in the Holstein cows (P<0.001). There is a link between category 58 ‘other health reasons’ and an increase in the milk productivity of the cows; this results eventually in a higher incidence of metabolic disorders and is discussed in this paper.

Analysis of longterm trends in the performance of dairy cows on low-input mountain farms

Analysis of longterm trends in the performance of dairy cows on low-input mountain farmsThe productive and reproductive performance of dairy cows was examined on thirty-four low-input farms in the Šumava Mts. between 2000 and 2007. Milk production increased by an average of 986 kg and 948 kg per lactation by Holstein and by Czech Fleckvieh cows, respectively (P<0.001), while the mean number of lactations decreased from 2.7 to 2.5 in Holstein and from 3.4. to 3.0 in Czech Fleckvieh cows (P<0.001) in the same period. The mean number of lactations decreased also in the culled cows - from 3.2 to 2.9 by Holstein and from 4.3 to 3.5 by Czech Fleckvieh cows (P<0.001). A higher cow milk yield was accompanied by a deterioration in reproductive performance. Between the periods 2000-2003 and 2004-2007 the number of days open lengthened by an average of 6 and 4 days (P<0.01) and the calving period by an average of 11 and 6 days (P<0.001) in Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh cows respectively. The results indicated an increased replacement of cows in the herds examined as a coincidental feature of the steadily rising milk performance. This may have a negative impact on the rentability of low-input mountain dairy farming in the region.

A comparison of the follicular dynamics in heifers of the Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein breeds

Differences in follicular development and repeatability of follicular growth pattern among Czech Fleckvieh (n = 20) and Holstein (n = 23) heifers were investigated. Follicular dynamics was evaluated by daily sonographic scanning during three interovulatory intervals. The mean duration of the interovulatory interval was 20.66 ± 0.32 days, no differences between breeds were observed. The proportion of the non-alterna-ting pattern was nearly the same as that of the alternating pattern (54% and 46%, respectively). The majority of IOIs ≤ 21 days were of the 2-wave pattern (71%) whereas only 29% of them were of the 3-wave pattern. Conversely, the majority of IOIs ≥ 22 days were of the 3-wave pattern (84%), whereas only 16% were of the 2-wave pattern. Differences could be observed in the Czech Fleckvieh heifers. Comparing 2- and 3-wave interovulatory intervals, 44.2% of the heifers exhibited 3 waves and 55.8% of the heifers exhibited 2 waves of follicular growth. The ratio of 3- to 2-wave heifers was about the same in the Holstein breed; in Czech Fleckvieh 2-wave cycles slightly dominated (11/12, 8/12; respectively). In Holstein heifers, the first follicular wave occurred 0.92 ± 0.15 days after ovulation in 2-wave interovulatory intervals, and the emergence of the first wave in 2-wave Czech Fleckvieh heifers appeared later (P < 0.05), 1.83 ± 0.3 days after ovulation. The maximal size reached by the dominant follicles in all animals and in the Czech Fleckvieh differed in the first and in the second wave of 2-wave cycles (P < 0.05). In 3-wave interovulatory intervals the dominant follicles in the second wave differed (P < 0.05) from the mean diameters of the first and the third wave in the Czech Fleckvieh. The ovulatory follicles were significantly (P < 0.05) smaller in 2-wave than in 3-wave interovulatory intervals among all animals and between the Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh heifers. In conclusion, we found a similar pattern of ovarian follicular dynamics in Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein heifers kept under identical nutritional and environmental conditions. Whether the significant difference in the emergence of the 1st fol-licular wave in 2-wave IOIs between C and H heifers is of real biological significance is ambiguous.