Dry Buffaloes Research Articles

Alterations in the Hemato-biochemical, Endocrine, Somatic Cell Count and Milk Composition in Lactating Tarai Buffaloes during Different Lactation Stages

Background: Tarai buffalo is indigenous buffalo breed of Uttarakhand state, dual purpose, well adapt to hot-humid climatic condition of Tarai area. This study aimed to evaluate the alterations in the hemato-biochemical, endocrine, milk somatic cell count and milk composition in lactating Tarai buffaloes. Methods: Thirty-six healthy Tarai buffaloes were selected from four different Gujjar farms and divided into four groups consisting nine buffaloes in each group as early (60±30 days), mid (120±30 days) and late (180±30 days) lactation stages and dry buffaloes. Both blood and milk samples were collected once from each lactation stage of selected animals. Hematological parameters and milk composition were evaluated by standard procedures and methods. Biochemical and endocrine parameters were evaluated using commercially available kits as per manufacturer’s protocol. Milk somatic cell count (SCC) was done by direct microscopic counts using Newman Lampert stain. Result: It observed significantly (p less than 0.05) higher TLC value but lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus and urea levels during early lactation stage. Significantly (p less than 0.05) declined in plasma total protein during late lactation stage and triglyceride in dry cows. Plasma hormone significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in cortisol during early lactation while higher T4 and insulin in late lactation stages. Milk fat, urea and total solids were significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased during early lactation and again increased during late lactation while milk SCC significantly (p less than 0.05) higher during early and late lactation stages.

The Association of the Potential Risk Factors and Nutrition Elements with Abortion and Calving Rates of Egyptian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

Simple SummaryThe association of the risk factors, serum constituents related to abortion and calving rates were investigated. Multiparous buffaloes were less likely to abort and more likely to calving than primiparous. Dry buffaloes had lesser odds of abortion and were six times more likely to give birth than those lactating. Conversely, the sex of the fetus had no impact. In aborted animals, serum glucose and copper were higher, whereas urea, uric acid, total proteins, total cholesterol, phosphorus, magnesium and iron were lower than in normal pregnancy. This emphasizes that risk factors and serum constituents associated with abortion aid to construct suitable preventive measures to raise reproductive performance.The aim of the present study was to investigate risk factors, serum minerals, and metabolites associated with non-infectious abortion and calving rates of Egyptian buffaloes. Data were obtained from 364 pregnant buffaloes of different ages and parities over 7 years from 2014 to 2020. Body condition score (BCS) was a risk factor regarding abortion and calving; the thinnest buffaloes were more likely to abort and less likely to calving than those with body energy reserves. In comparison with the spring season, aborting probability decreased 49.7% the odds ratio (OR = 0.503), while the chance of calving increased 72.1% (OR = 1.721) during winter. The parity was another significant factor related to abortion and calving rates; multiparous buffaloes were less likely to abort and more likely to calving than primiparous. Dry buffaloes had 88.2% (OR = 0.118) lesser odds of abortion and six times (OR = 6.012) more likely to give birth than those lactating. The sex of the fetus was not a risk factor regarding abortion or calving. Other variables significantly associated with abortion rate were glucose and copper in the sera of aborted buffaloes were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and those of urea, uric acid, total protein, total cholesterol, phosphorus, magnesium and iron were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than a normal pregnancy. In conclusion, the present results emphasize that the identification of the risk factors, serum minerals and metabolites associated with fetus abortion of Egyptian buffalo may provide useful information, which assists to construct suitable preventive measures to raise reproductive performance.

Study of Purchase-sell of Livestock and Availing of Subsidy Benefits among Commercial Dairy Farmers of Gujarat

A field survey was conducted in Navsari district by selecting 40 commercial dairy farmers randomly from Navsari and adjoining areas. The commercial farm that possessed 20 Adult Unit of either cattle or buffalo was considered for the study. The desired information pertaining to livestock purchase-selling practices with criteria was collected with the help of pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire. The data regarding problems found in purchased animals were collected by using 5 point Likert agreement scale. Analyzed data revealed that overall total herd strength was 52.07±5.24. It included 16.48±2.44 milch buffalo, 4.82±0.82 dry buffaloes, 5.90±0.76 milch cows and 2.12±0.33 cows. The herd strength across both regions was nonsignificant. Many livestock keepers were availing subsidies for construction of shed, purchase of chaff cutter, milking machine, rubber mats and livestock. Subsidy for purchase of chaff cutter was enjoyed by 20% respondents, whereas 12.5% respondents were benefited by subsidy for construction of shed and purchase of livestock. However, about 47% of them were not taken any kind of subsidy for their farm. The reasons for not availing subsidy showing that 17.5% respondents were not knowing/not tried to avail subsidy benefits. The analyzed data on livestock prizing showed that buffaloes were costlier than cows. The average purchase price was Rs. 72161±2195 and 58291±5233 for buffaloes and cows, respectively. Average selling price was quite lower than purchased price for cows and buffaloes. It was Rs. 28463±625 and 27083±2083 for buffalo and cow, respectively. Further, the livestock buyer was not much satisfied with purchased animals as they were having many problems like mastitis, repeat breeding, less milk production etc.

9 Fixed timed artificial insemination during different seasons in Argentina (2016–2019)

The objective of this work was to evaluate pregnancy rates in buffaloes subjected to fixed-time AI (FTAI) during the year in Argentina. The data analysed was collected between 2016 to 2019 in a farm located in Paso Florentin City (27°20′33″ latitude and 58°08′27″ longitude) in Corrientes, Argentina. The animals were grazing native pastures (Andropogon lateralis, Paspalum almum). Ten fixed-time AI (FTAI) sessions were performed, 6 within the favourable season (BS, March–June) and 4 in the outbreeding season (OBS; September–December). Murrah and Mediterranean breed (n=141) buffaloes were used. All animals were healthy, without anatomical alterations and with normal reproductive tracts. Heifers (H), adult females with calf (AFC), and dry buffaloes (DB) were used. The average (±s.d.) weight of the animals were 459.0±37.5kg, 581.3±53.6kg, and 583.3±53.1kg, respectively. The presence of corpus luteum (CL) or a dominant follicle (≥8mm) at the beginning of the protocol was recorded. BS ovulation induction: Ovsynch (n=182); Day 0 gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH; 100μg, busereline acetate), Day 7 prostaglandin F2α (150μg, cloprostenol), Day 9 GnRH and FTAI 16h after the last GnRH injection. For the OBS (n=85): Day 0 intravaginal device (700mg of P4) + oestradiol benzoate (0.2g), Day 8 removal of the device + prostaglandin F2α + oestradiol cypionate (0.1g) + eCG (400IU) and Day 10 FTAI (52–56h) after device removal. Semen from 5 bulls of proven fertility was used, and the same technician performed all the inseminations. A specifically designed format to record the data were used and the average±s.d. of the physiological and the meteorological parameters were calculated. Pregnancy was detected 40 days after FTAI using ultrasonography. Comparison within variables were performed using ANOVA and Tukey test, with InfoStat-Statistical Software. A total of 267 inseminations were performed, and the overall pregnancy rate (PR) was 37.45% (100/267). Comparing BS with OBS, PR were 40.7% (74/182) and 30.6% (26/85) (P&amp;lt;0.005). Heifers had a higher PR (51.5%) than suckled buffaloes (38.8%) and dry buffaloes (20%) during the BS (P&amp;lt;0.05). In the OBS, there were no differences among categories on PR for [36.36 (4/11) H, 28.57 (12/42) AFC, 19.51 (8/41) DB; P&amp;gt;0.05]. The presence of a CL at the beginning of the FTAI protocol had a positive effect on PR during the year in all categories [31.79% (55/173) H, 40.42 (38/94) AFC, 21.51 (17/79) DB vs. 25.45% (28/110) H, 29.68 (19/64) AFC, 19.56 (9/46) DB; P&amp;lt;0.05]. Season had a significant effect over PR, but rain, temperature, daylight, and humidity did not differ during the year. These results show the feasibility of FTAI in water buffalo, confirm that it is possible to maintain the PR during the year, and demonstrate successful performance of protocol induction in cyclic females during the year. More research is needed to improve PR in buffaloes in Argentina, to explain the low results in suckled and dry adult buffaloes, and to analyse the effect of meteorological conditions over the breeding performance of the animals.

Assessment of Trace Metal Contents of Indigenous and Improved Pastures and Their Implications for Livestock in Terms of Seasonal Variations

The research was aimed to determine seasonal effects on trace metals levels in soil, forages and blood plasma of animals. The mean cadmium, chromium and copper values in soil samples in different sampling seasons were ranged from 6.97 to 4.10, 0.060 to 0.72 and 3.54to 4.08 mg/kg, respectively, while, in forage samples were between 0.671-0.697, 1.57-2.22 and 6.75-7.06 mg/kg, respectively. Higher Cd, Cr and Cu concentrations were observed in blood plasma of young buffaloes during summer season, in dry buffaloes during spring season and in young buffaloes during autumn season, while lower Cd, Cr and Cu contents were noticed in blood plasma of lactating buffaloes in summer season. The highest bio-concentration factor value from soil to forage was determined for Cr while from forage to blood plasma of buffaloes was detected for Cd. The Cd, Cr and Cu correlation of soil with blood plasma were positive for all samples.

Antibiotic dry buffalo therapy: effect of intramammary administration of benzathine cloxacillin against Staphylococcus aureus mastitis in dairy water buffalo

BackgroundMastitis is one of the most costly diseases in Mediterranean buffalo (MB). At present, just a few specific antibiotics registered for this dairy specie have been synthetized. Efficacy of an antibiotic dry buffalo therapy (aDBT) against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) mastitis, based on intra-quarter administration of 600 mg of benzathine cloxacillin, have been evaluated for the first time. Eighty MB’s quarters received a drying-off therapy (aDBT-group) and 80 were left untreated (no-aDBT-group). They were sampled at drying-off (pre-treatment) and at the resumption of milking [< 10 days in milk (DIM)]. Fresh calver mastitis rate, dry period new mastitis rate, dry period cure rate, and persistent mastitis rate were calculated for clinical monitoring. Overall proportion of positive quarters/animals, quarters affected by mastitis or intramammary infections (IMI), effects on somatic cell count (SCC) and milk yield were also assessed.ResultsAn inter-group difference (aDBT vs. no-aDBT) was recorded for all the indexes considered. An intra-group (drying-off vs. < 10 DIM) difference was detected in aDBT-group regarding the proportion of positive-cultured quarters and animals. Concerning the latter, an inter-groups difference was also recorded at second sampling. No clinical mastitis due to the S. aureus was observed. Regarding the subclinical ones, a higher intra-group difference was observed in aDBT than no-aDBT group, while an inter-group difference was recorded at second sampling. No protective effect was observed against IMI. SCC showed an inter-group difference at second sampling, while none difference was instead detected for milk yield.ConclusionsThe effects against S. aureus mastitis of benzathine cloxacillin administration at drying-off were assessed for the first time in MB. Its use shows encouraging results in reducing the proportion of mastitis and positive animals at the resumption of the lactation.

Effect of Dietary Monensin Supplementation on Methane and Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Fresh Dung of Non Pregnant Non Lactating Dry Buffaloes

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary monensin supplementation on methane and nitrous oxide emissions from fresh dung of non pregnant non lactating dry buffaloes. Fourteen dry Murrah buffaloes were randomly divided into two groups of seven animals each based on body weight. Both groups were fed as per ICAR without and with monensin supplementation (350 mg/head/day) in control and treatment group, respectively for sixty days. The daily dry matter intake (kg/d) was similar (P>0.05) in both the groups. Methane emission (g/kg DM, g/kg OM and g/kg NDF) from anaerobic incubation of fresh dung (24 h at 39°C) was decreased in treatment group 0.36, 0.45, 0.58 as compared to control 0.45, 0.56, 0.73, but difference was not significant. N 2 O production (mg/kg DM, mg/kg OM and mg/kg N) from fresh dung were lower for treatment group 0.02, 0.11 and 4.99 than control 0.016, 0.13 and 5.56 but difference was not statistically significant. In conclusion, dietary monensin supplementation to non pregnant dry Murrah buffaloes decreased (P>0.05) methane and nitrous oxide emission from fresh dung which will reduce the contribution of buffaloes to nitrous oxide emissions and its negative impact on environment.

Comparative Evaluation of Oat Hay and Silage Based Rations on Nutrient Utilization and Methane Emissions in Murrah Buffaloes

In the present study oat hay and silage were compared for their methane (CH4) production and nutrient utilization potential in Murrah buffaloes. Sixteen dry buffaloes (566.5± 12.5 kg live weight) were selected from Livestock Research Centre of the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal. Animals were distributed randomly into two groups (T1 and T2) based on body weight. Animals in group T1 and T2 were offered oat hay and oat silage, respectively along with supplementation of mineral mixture and salt. After feeding for a duration of 60 days, a digestibility trial was conducted followed by methane emission measurement by SF6 tracer technique. Average daily DM intake was similar in both the groups, whereas, fibre (NDF, ADF) intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in hay fed group. Digestibility of nutrients (DM, OM, EE, NDF and ADF) except CP was not affected by hay or silage; CP digestibility was higher (60.59%) on silage feeding as compared to hay (58.28%) feeding. Feeding of hay resulted in more (P<0.05) enteric CH4 emissions (341.35 l/d) than silage feeding (317.86 l/d). Total CH4 production was reduced by 6.86% on oat silage than hay. Higher (P<0.05) percent of ME was lost in methane in group T1 (16.41) as compared to T2 (13.97). Thus, Oat could be stored as silage than hay for lowering methane emission from Murrah buffaloes.

Effect of age, sex and physiological stages on hematological indices of Banni buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Aim:To determine the physiological baseline values for hematological indices of Banni buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) as well as to assess their alteration due to age, sex and physiological stages.Materials and Methods:A total of 42 clinically healthy Banni buffaloes were categorized into seven groups (n=6): Group I (male calves ≤1 year), Group II (bulls >1 year), Group III (female calves ≤1 year), Group IV (pregnant lactating buffaloes), Group V (non-pregnant lactating buffaloes), Group VI (pregnant dry buffaloes), and Group VII (non-pregnant dry buffaloes). Blood samples collected aseptically from all the experimental groups were analyzed employing automated hematology analyzer. The data obtained were statistically analyzed; the mean and standard deviations were calculated and set as the reference values.Results:The erythrocytic indices viz. total erythrocytes count (TEC), hemoglobin, and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly higher in bulls as compared to that of male calves unlike mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and MCH concentration. The female calves had higher TEC and PCV than the adult buffaloes irrespective of sex. The total leukocyte count (TLC) and neutrophil counts in male calves were significantly lower than the bulls unlike the eosinophil, while monocyte and basophil remained unchanged with age. The TLC, differential leukocyte count and platelet count varied non-significantly among the adult female groups at different physiological stages. However, neutrophils were found to be apparently higher in lactating buffaloes.Conclusion:The present study would be helpful for physiological characterization of this unique buffalo breed of Gujarat. Further, data generated may be a tool for monitoring the health and prognosis as well as diagnosis of diseases.

Nutritive value of maize and sorghum silages: fibre fraction degradation and rumen microbial density in buffalo cows

Sorghum could be a potential substitute to maize in Mediterranean buffaloes feed in order to improve sustainability of buffalo-based agriculture, due to its reduced water and nitrogen requirements compared with maize, which is currently fed primarily. The aim of this study is to obtain information on rumen degradability of fibre fraction of maize and sorghum silages and to investigate the relationship between degradability and rumen microbial populations. As such four cannulated buffalo milking cows were fed ad libitum two different iso-energetic and iso-proteic diets based on maize silage (MS) and sorghum silage (SS). Based on plate counts, values of cellulolytic bacteria showed to be higher within the rumen of SS fed buffaloes compared to MS fed buffaloes (4.4 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;9&lt;/sup&gt; vs 1.9 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;9 &lt;/sup&gt;cfu/ml, P &amp;lt;0.05), on the contrary, those of xylanolytic bacteria (3.2 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;9&lt;/sup&gt; vs 1.3 &amp;times; 10&lt;sup&gt;9&lt;/sup&gt; cfu/ml, P &amp;lt; 0.01) were higher in MS possibly due to the different fibre degradability. Real-time PCR of total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, and Ruminococcus flavefaciens revealed no statistical difference in their 16S rDNA concentrations between diets. MS and SS were subsequently utilized for a degradability experiment. For this trial three cannulated Mediterranean dry buffalo cows were used (body weight 580 &amp;plusmn; 8.5 kg). The MS was found to have an effective degradability of acid detergent fibre, hemicelluloses, and cellulose which were always lower than SS. Maize neutral detergent fibre degradability and slowly degradable fraction were significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.01) higher, on the contrary the immediately degradable fraction was found to be significantly (P &amp;lt; 0.001) lower compared with sorghum. The better sorghum relative feed value (P &amp;lt; 0.001) was related to the major content of fibre fraction compared to maize. As recommended by the IPCC Guidelines (in IPCC 2006), Tier 2 was chosen to estimate the enteric CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; emission factor. The estimate of methane production is significantly lower in animals eating sorghum rather than maize (63.48 and 103.00&amp;nbsp;kg CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;/head/year respectively, P &amp;lt; 0.001). In conclusion, as no difference was observed in animal weight gain and milk yield, rumen microbiota or degradability, it could be possible to substitute MS with SS in buffalo diet. &amp;nbsp;

Validation and Application of an Immunofluorimetric Assay for Detection of Serum Free Triiodothyronine and Free Thyroxine Concentrations in Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis) under Various Physiological Conditions

The current study was designed to validate an immunofluorimetric method to measure free triiodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4) concentrations in the serum of buffalo and to develop a better understanding of thyroid metabolism in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) of different ages and reproductive statuses. Free triiodothyronine and fT4 were determined in sera from 4 groups of 10 animals, each representing 5-10-year-old lactating buffalo, 2-3-year-old first calf heifers, 1-1.5-year-old virgin heifers, and 5-10-year-old dry buffalo. The average sensitivity of the immunofluorimetric assay was 5.9 pmol/l for fT3 and 14.7 pmol/l for fT4. Intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation were 5.6% and 5.1% for fT3 and 1.5% and 4.3% for fT4, respectively. Virgin heifers had higher average values for fT3 and fT4, while lactating buffalo had the lowest average values. Dry buffalo and first calf heifers had intermediate fT3 and fT4 values. The findings of this study suggested that lactating buffalo were in a state of low thyroid activity, while virgin heifers had increased thyroid activity.

A Case Study of Milk Processing: The Idara-e-Kissan Cooperative

The paper focuses on Idara-e-Kissan, a vertically integrated cooperative in the dairy sector, which procures fresh milk, processes it and uses the profits earned in urban milk product markets to provide development services to member farmers. The analysis suggests that, compared to a control group of non-members, the cooperative’s members had 29% higher net returns per milk animal, 9% more milk buffaloes, 6% fewer dry buffaloes and they used three times more milk fat-enhancing cottonseed cake. The members had better access to animal vaccination, artificial insemination, and visits from livestock extension workers; they were able to secure more animal treatments per year, and reported greater satisfaction with service provision. The cooperative’s successes were more modest in areas where the benefits of inputs and services provided were more public, e.g. livestock breed improvement and enhancing fodder productivity, indicating that there is an important role for the government in supplying public goods such as livestock/agriculture R&amp;D.

Urinary excretion of purine derivatives in dry buffalo and Fresian cows

Aim of this paper was to compare urinary purine derivatives (PD) excretion in Italian Mediterranean dairy buffaloes and Fresian dairy cows during dry period. Six buffalo and six dairy cows at about 60 days to delivery were housed in individual cages and fed the same diet. Feed intake was monitored daily. After a period of adaptation, total daily urine was collected, weighed, sampled in test-tubes and frozen up to HPLC analysis. During the urine recovery period the daily feed intake was higher for dairy cows (kg/DM 9.0 vs 7.6) even if differences were not significant due to the high individual variability. Urine excretion was significantly (P<0.01) higher in buffaloes than in cow. Total urinary excretion of PD in buffalo was 11% of that of dairy cow (23.707 mmol/l vs 2.711 mmo/l in dairy and buffalo cows, respectively), however the incidence of uric acid was similar in both species. In order to explain the low concentrations of PD in the urine of buffaloes, we investigated also the presence of allantoic acid, final product of purine degradation in several fish species. However it was not detected.

Relationship between faecal scoring and in vitro digestibility of the diet in buffalo cows

Samples of faeces were collected monthly for 3 and 2 times respectively from 12 lactating and 12 dry buffalo cows. The samples, evaluated for faecal scoring (Faecal Consistency, FC and Undigested Fractions, UF), were used as inocula (dilution 1:2 with anaerobic medium) to determine in vitro digestibility (IVTD) of organic matter, crude protein and NDF after 48 h of incubation using the apparatus DaisyII ANKOM. The IVTD of organic matter was significantly higher (46.5 vs 32.9 and 33.0 %, P<0.01) in lactating (FC = 3) than in dry animals (FC = 3.5 and 4), probably due to the higher fibre content of diet of the latter. The higher crude protein digestibility obtained for dry animals (59.1 vs 65.6 and 66.4 %, respectively for FC = 3 – 3.5 and 4, P<0.01) could be due to the higher efficiency of nutrient utilisation of the micro organisms. Faeces with higher UF showed significantly higher organic matter digestibility (35.6 vs 38.8 %, respectively for UF=1 and 2, P<0.01). Finally, the equations able to estimate IVTD from faecal scores were always statistically significant (P<0.01) and the highest R2 value was reached for organic matter (about 0.83). The latter results suggest that the combination of FC and UF scores allows a good estimation of in vitro digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and NDF.

Characteristics of foodstuffs and diets, and the quanti-qualitative milk parameters of Mediterranean buffaloes bred in Italy using the intensive system: An estimate of the nutritional requirements of buffalo herds lactating or dry

The work concerned 20 buffalo farms situated in central Italy; these were divided in three categories: farms with low, intermediate and high milk yield (<8, 8–9, >9 kg/day). Samples of all forages (146) and feeds (134), used by the farms, were taken and analysed; the net energy was calculated and 258 lactating buffaloes were utilised for the experiment (≈20% were primiparae). The milk yield was controlled monthly as also was the number of somatic cells. In 2258 milk samples, protein (N×6.38), fat, pH and coagulation parameters were determined. To estimate the requirements of the lactating herd, regression equations were drawn up between the daily milk yield ( X) and the daily net energy, crude protein, carbohydrates both structural and non-structural ( Y) intake. The diets of the lactating buffaloes were administered ad libitum, a significant difference was evident relative to the energy level (0.82, 0.77, 0.73 Milk FU/kg DM; P<0.05) and protein values (134.78, 113.96, 101.40 g/kg DM; P<0.05) on farms of high, intermediate and low milk yield, respectively. The average daily intake of dry matter was 16.75 kg/head/day and significant differences resulted between farms of high and low milk yield (17.16 vs. 16.36 kg/head/day, P<0.05). Considering the average daily yield, a difference has been observed between categories (10.46, 8.21, 7.27 kg/head/day; P<0.01); the average value of milk protein was of 47.71 g/kg; significant differences emerged between the intermediate–high yield farms compared to those of low milk yield (47.97, 47.66 vs. 47.02 g/kg; P<0.01); the highest fat values were found on the high yield farms, statistically different to those of intermediate yield but not to those of low yield (88.29, 88.26 vs. 84.69 g/kg; P<0.01). The intermediate yield farms showed the highest somatic cell value (266.38 vs. 182.96, 193.22 n×1000/ml; P<0.01). Milk showing the best clotting ability was produced on the high yield farms ( A 30=49.42 mm, r=14.88 min, K 20=3.06 min). The requirements of dry buffalo herds were reported: dry matter intake of 10.61 kg/day, energy concentration of 0.63 Milk FU/kg DM and protein of 78.96 g/kg DM; for a milk yield which oscillates between 7 and 12 kg/day (average yield for the whole lactation period), the energy–protein concentrations vary from 0.74 to 0.89 Milk FU/kg DM and from 101.64 to 150.76 g/kg DM.