Higher Milk Production Research Articles

Association Between Herd Size and the Chemical Composition and Technological Properties of Milk Intended for Parmigiano Reggiano PDO Cheese

The aim of this research was to compare the chemical composition and the technological characteristics of milk for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese produced in herds with different numbers of cows. The research was carried out on 5760 Italian Friesian herd milk samples collected from a total of 160 farms (one sample per month in each farm for three years). On each milk sample, lactose, fat, protein, casein, titratable acidity, total bacterial count, somatic cells, coliform bacteria, clostridia spores, and rennet coagulation properties were determined. Increasing herd size was positively correlated with milk production and with milk somatic cell and clostridia spores’ contents (8133 kg/cow/lactation, 5.280 Log10cells/mL and 1.782 spores/L for herds with less than 30 cows; 9109 kg/cow/lactation, 5.548 Log10cells/mL and 2.138 spores/L for herds with more than 200 cows, respectively). Moreover, herd size was negatively correlated with milk fat content and with total bacterial and coliform bacteria counts (3.73 g/100 g, 4.931 Log10CFU/mL and 3.176 Log10CFU/mL for herds with less than 30 cows; 3.51 g/100 g, 4.770 Log10CFU/mL and 3.121 Log10CFU/mL for herds with more than 200 cows, respectively). Farms with more than 100 cows raised were characterised by higher milk production per cow per lactation, but the milk produced by them was also characterised by lower fat content. Finally, milk produced in the herds with a higher number of cows showed a higher frequency of optimal lactodynamographic types (better rennet-coagulation properties) than milk produced in the other herds.

Correlating Feed Efficiency with Ruminal Bacterial, Fungal, and Archaeal Community Composition in Dairy Cows over Two Lactations

Dairy cows rely on their complex rumen microbial community to convert host-indigestible feed into nutrients usable for host growth, maintenance, and milk production. Previous work by our group found that the rumen bacterial community is dynamic over the course of two lactations and that cows with high and low milk production efficiency (MPE) have different taxa associated with either phenotype. Here, we characterized the ruminal fungal and archaeal communities to determine if these microbial populations exhibit properties similar to that of the rumen bacteria with respect to MPE over time. Our results show a decrease in fungal diversity over the course of both lactation cycles with an increase during the transition period. The fungal community had only a few taxa associated with efficiency. For the ruminal archaea, we found no change in diversity across both lactation cycles and only taxa in the genus Methanospera were found to be more abundant in high-MPE cows. Given that our previous study used 454 pyrosequencing, we also sought to determine if a resequencing of these communities using Illumina-based technology would alter our previous findings. We found that resequencing showed no significant deviation from our original broad conclusions, with the exception of some minor taxonomic associations.

The Effect of Continuous Selection in KiwiCross® Composite Breed on Breed Ancestry and Productivity Performance.

Composite crosses result from the mating of two or more distinct cattle breeds. Breeding performance may improve rapidly using a well-organized composite breeding system and a clear selection index. The KiwiCross® is a popular composite cross in New Zealand, combining Holstein-Friesian (high milk production) and Jersey (high milk fat). Production efficiency (PR), a key selection index, is calculated by dividing milk solids produced by mature live weight. Over decades of genetic improvement, KiwiCross® increased milk production significantly. We hypothesized that certain genomic regions from Holstein-Friesian or Jersey breeds were preserved due to artificial selection based on PR. Analysis of genomic regions using XP-EHH, hapFLK, and ROH haplotype statistics revealed selection signatures on BTA 7 and 20 in both high- and low-performance animals, with distinct regions linked to Holstein-Friesian and Jersey ancestry. Our findings suggest that selection acted on different genomic regions across generations and that preserving key ancestry-specific haplotypes is crucial for maintaining performance in composite breeds. Breeders must recognize that selection for specific traits can alter allele frequencies and lead to the loss of beneficial breed-specific haplotypes over time.

Varieties and Physical Characteristics of Indigenous Cattle Breeds in Somalia: A Literature Review

The aim of this review was to find out the indigenous Somali cattle breeds in Mogadishu, Somalia and also what is the physical difference between them and what do other scholar wrote about them, this breeds have some unique characteristics and they have one thing in common which is important for pastoralist communities because pastoralists depend on these animals for their livelihood. This study found different types of indigenous breeds including Dawara, Surqo, Gassara, Saywal and Somali Boran those were originated in local community as well as other breeder were hybrid but all of them were resilient and sustainable for local pastoralists. The Somali cattle breeds occupy specific niches in terms of environment and diseases. They have cultural importance with milk and meat; and play roles in local economies supporting their livelihoods. The Boran breed, said to have originated from the Boran clan in south Ethiopia, is exposed to high temperatures and infectious diseases. They are not only good for meat but also produce substantial amounts of milk. The Gassara breed is smaller than other breeds and has been described as being less productive but able to survive under harsh conditions because they easily adapt and store fat – valuable features during droughts when pastures disappear. Similarly, the Dawara breed plays an important role among some pastoral Somali communities and remains culturally valued by them even though its milk yields have been recorded as being lower than those of other breeds. Saywal cattle is a local variety of the Sahiwal which is both a milk and meat producing breed that originated in India as evidenced by the history of trade activities on the livestock heritages in the region. The Surqo breed of cattle is a cross-breed between boran and dawara breeds hence their contribution to food security in certain regions of Somalia. Cattle hybrids, on the other hand, introduced in with the help of the Somali government through overseas artificial insemination have higher milk production but take time to adapt with the environment. Therefore, the protection of the genetic resources and unique characteristics of these locally developed breeds is of prerequisite importance to the livelihood of pastoralists and food security in Somalia. The study recommends establishing artificial insemination centers in all region were dominate with cattle husbandry to produce hybrids that combine the hardiness of local cattle breeds those have desirable productivity characteristics. Additionally, development international collaboration Such as agencies those have skilled in livestock biotechnology and also ability to enhance the effectiveness of breeding programs of cattle. Also make Improve management practices, including the rotational grazing and the development of water resources for rural areas, together with training for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists on modern husbandry techniques, are also essential.

Alterations in the Microbiomes and Metabolic Profiles of the Ileal Between the Hu Sheep and East Friesian Sheep.

The East Friesian sheep is a dairy breed known for its high fertility and high milk production and is currently one of the best dairy sheep breeds in the world. This breed is known to have a poor disease-resistant phenotype compared to Hu sheep. Gut microbiota and metabolites play a role in host disease resistance. The intestinal bacterial microbiota is essential for maintaining the health of sheep and ensuring their productive potential, and it may also help explain disease-resistant phenotypic differences related to breeds. However, the ileum microbiota and metabolite profiles of Hu sheep and East Friesian sheep have remained poorly characterized. The ileal is a significant organ in the intestinal tract, and most nutrients and minerals in food are absorbed through the small intestine. It is necessary to understand the composition of both species' ileal microbiota and metabolites using the same feeding conditions. Therefore, studying the differences in the ileal microorganisms between breeds is essential to decipher the mechanisms behind these differences and identify microorganisms that influence the disease-resistant phenotype drive of ruminants. Due to the poor disease-resistant phenotype in sheep during the weaning period, with diarrhea and other diseases most likely to occur, we selected dairy sheep that were just two months old and had recently been weaned. This study comprehensively examined differences between the ileal microbiota in a large cohort of two breeds of sheep, including six Hu sheep and six East Friesian sheep. Using 16S rRNA and non-targeted metabolomics analysis, we determined that the Hu sheep had more microorganisms, including Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, and Limmosilactobacillus, and more metabolites, including 2,7-Dihydroxy-5-methyl-1-naphthoic acid, Leu-Pro-Glu-Phe-Tyr, dodecanoic acid, Ala-Gln-Phe-Ile-Met, and Ala-Gln-Glu-Val-His, compared to the EF sheep group. Moreover, the Hu sheep were significantly enriched in amino acid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolites, and bile secretion compared to the EF sheep groups, which may have been the main driver of the observed differences in disease-resistant phenotypes between the Hu sheep and East Friesian sheep. In addition, we hypothesized that there may be multiple beneficial microbes and metabolites that modulate the immune response and ultimately affect disease resistance. Therefore, these findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying disease-resistant phenotype in sheep and may provide useful information for optimizing the composition of the ileal bacterial microbiota in sheep.

Awareness and perceived barriers to the adoption of best management practices for the transportation of lactating cull dairy cows of dairy producers in Ontario

The objectives of this study were to understand dairy farmers' awareness and perceived barriers to the implementation of best management practices (BMP) for the transportation of lactating culled cows being moved to auction or abattoir. An invitation to participate was emailed to all dairy farms in Ontario, Canada. Responses to this invitation were used to recruit additional participants through criterion purposive snowball sampling. In total, 28 dairy producers participated in one of 5 semi-structured focus groups. All focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with applied thematic analysis. Four themes were identified including 1) transfer of responsibility, 2) interpersonal relationships, 3) juggling priorities, and 4) complexities of long-term planning. While individual participant knowledge varied, participants described misconceptions that other producers held surrounding transport duration and distances, or the number of possible sales points for lactating culled cows. Participants did not agree whether the producer's responsibility ended once the cow left their property or if shared responsibility remained among all stakeholders from the farm to the final destination. Participants discussed the importance of existing trusted relationships with local cattle transporters and veterinarians to ensure information on best practices are shared. Participants also discussed how business pressures (e.g., production demands, space limitations) often challenge their ability to dry off lactating cows before transport; however, participants mentioned the degree of milk production may influence the destination of their animal (e.g., direct to slaughter for animals with high milk production). Some participants described a dynamic balance between business pressures and the potential for declining welfare of the animals under consideration to be culled during lactation. Participants posited that producers who did not prioritize proactive herd management and producers nearing retirement had limited long-term planning for culling individual cows, which might lead to transport of vulnerable or unfit animals. Finally, the lack of access to transportation direct to local slaughter was identified as an important barrier to adherence with the BMP for cull cows. In summary, many participants did not have an accurate understanding of what happens to cull cows after departing the farm and were unsure if they maintained a level of responsibility for an animal after being transported from their farm. Given the priority placed by participants on trusted interpersonal relationships, greater availability of peer-to-peer training of farmers and professional accreditation of animal transporters in addition to structural changes to increase local slaughter capacity may increase implementation of BMP and enhance lactating cull cow welfare.

Responses of dairy cows to weekly individualized feeding strategies for dairy cows regarding their metabolic status

In dairy farms, cows are commonly fed a mixture of forages and concentrates ad libitum. To improve the energetic status and productivity of dairy cows, individualized feeding strategies have been proposed. One of this strategy is providing supplemental concentrates to adjust the forage-to-concentrate ratio based on factors like individual milk yield or calculated energy balance. This strategy can affect milk production and cow health, though consistent rules for adjustment are lacking. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of an individualized feeding strategy, adjusted weekly based on the body weight gain of dairy cows, on production performance; and to determine if the metabolic status of the cows could be predicted early in lactation to take it into account into the decisions rules of the strategy. A total of 40 multiparous Holstein cows were involved in a 4-mo trial. The cows entered the experiment individually after calving and were initially fed a standard ration with a fixed 3 kg of extra concentrate per day for the first 8 d (on average). The cows were then paired based on calving date, parity (2 or 3), and body weight gain over the initial week. One cow from each pair was assigned to the Standard Feeding (SF) strategy, which continued receiving the fixed ration, while the other was assigned to the Precision Feeding (PF) strategy, which received a variable amount of extra concentrate adjusted weekly based on body weight gain. Measurements included weekly body weight, daily milk yield, and daily intakes of concentrates and forages. Blood samples were collected to measure metabolites (glucose, BHB, NEFA) for metabolic profiling. The results showed no significant differences in overall body weight gain, milk yield, or intakes (concentrates and/or forages). Two metabolic clusters were identified based on blood metabolites (glucose, BHB, NEFA), predicting cows' metabolic status with 90% accuracy. The balanced cluster had higher milk production, feed intake, and lost more body weight than the imbalanced cluster. Alternative variables like body weight gain and total feed intake can be used to predict metabolic clusters, achieving up to 70% accuracy. To conclude, cows fed this precision feeding strategy had similar performances than those fed the standard feeding strategy. Long-term effect of this strategy should be studied. Metabolic profiling predicted cows' metabolic status suggesting its potential for enhancing individualized feeding decisions.

Estimating environmental efficiency in dairy production using by-production technology

CONTEXTMilk production in developing countries is characterized by low per animal yield and disproportionately high GHG emissions. Specific policy recommendations are necessary to improve the technical as well as environmental efficiency of dairy production, especially for small farms. However, limited financial resources owned by producers lead to high transaction costs of introducing change. Both, concentrate feed and roughage, that is dry nonconcentrates, are used in milk production. These inputs are also responsible for methane emissions through enteric fermentation. Especially cellulose-rich dry nonconcentrates are fueling methane emissions through enteric fermentation. OBJECTIVEBased on a systems approach including nutritional foundations, we estimated technical and environmental efficiency of dairy producers in the rural-urban interface of Bengaluru, India. We studied the shortfall in milk production and excess methane emissions for each dairy farm and their drivers. METHODSUsing panel data of 245 dairy producers, we fitted the production frontier for estimating technical efficiency and treated the emission generating technology like a cost frontier for estimating environmental efficiency – using stochastic frontier analysis. This study uses the parametric application of by-production technology. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSHigh heterogeneity in enteric methane emissions at low levels of milk yield are related to excessive feeding of dry nonconcentrates by producers. Plotting excess methane emissions beyond the fitted frontier against the share of concentrates in the total feed ration indicated that a global low is reached at around 40 % concentrates in the cows' diet. Therefore, farmers should intensify production by increasing the share of concentrate feed in dairy cattle rations to this level. Also, we suggest promoting the construction of cattle sheds and increasing the proportion of cows with high milk production potential in the herd to improve environmental efficiency. SIGNIFICANCEWith economic growth as well as an increase in population, the demand for dairy products in developing countries will increase and lead to an expansion of dairy production. GHG emissions such as methane from livestock rearing will have to be managed and adequate policy measures will have to be implemented to reduce their share in global GHG emissions. By integrating animal nutrition perspectives and environmental efficiency from economics into a systems approach, we propose specific recommendations for public policy in terms of the target group of producers and the correct proportion of concentrate feed and dry nonconcentrates in total feed rations for dairy cattle in India. This will ensure that producers reach their full potential in milk production and environmental sustainability.

The effect of ambient temperature and relative humidity in postpartum dairy cows on productive and reproductive performance and biochemical blood indices in the subsequent lactation

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of ambient temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) during the postpartum transition period on dairy cows’ milk performance, fertility, and immunometabolic blood indices in the subsequent lactation. A total of 100 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows originating from five commercial dairy farms were categorized into three groups based on average T (<16 °C, 16-20 °C and >20 °C) and RH (<65%, 65-75%, and >75%) on the calving day (0d), and days 7, 14, 21 after calving. With increasing T and RH postpartum, the average daily milk yield during the first 150 days in milk decreased gradually, and the differences between T <16 °C and >20 °C and RH <65% and >75% groups were approx. 3.48 and 2.78 kg, respectively. Milk of cows exposed to increased T and RH was lower in protein, and lactose and higher in fat, milk urea, and somatic cell count. It was also characterized by altered fat composition. Ambient T during the postpartum period had a negative effect on cows’ fertility, which, however, was not affected by RH. The increasing T from <16 °C to >20 °C resulted in the later manifestation of the first estrous (by 27.7 days), a more extended artificial insemination service period (by 19.4 days), a higher number of insemination services per conception (by 0.92 on average), more days open (by 43.3 days), and a longer calving interval (by 43.3 days). Within ranges used in this study, increasing T and RH during the period from d 0 to d 14 postpartum led to decreased body condition score on day 21 by approx. 0.48 and 0.51 points, respectively. Furthermore, T and RH on a calving day were associated with altered biochemical blood indices on d 21 after calving, indicating a more severe negative energy balance and a state of inflammation. The results of this study suggest that dairy cows that calve when T >16 °C should be provided cooling to ensure optimal environmental conditions for high milk production and prevent economic losses associated with reduced milk yield and low fertility.

Optimizing the genetic evaluation criteria for the small herd of Saanen x Beetal crossbred dairy goats of Indian sub-tropic

This study focused on the accurate genetic evaluation of a small dairy flock of crossbred dairy goats, specifically developed for high milk production in the Indian sub-tropical climate. The study was conducted on Saanen x Beetal (SxB) crossbred goats, which utilized 12,660 test day records for first parity. Additionally, complete lactation records (N=1283) across multiple parities and for the first parity (N=659) were analyzed separately for genetic evaluation. The main traits examined were 150-day milk yield (150DMY), days in milk (DIM), peak yield (PY), and total milk yield (TMY), with averages of 198.80±2.83 kg, 227.90±4.18 days, 1.17±0.02 kg, and 262.40±6.12 kg, respectively, highlighting the genetic superiority of SB goats over native Indian goats. Across parities, the estimates for 150DMY, DIM, and TMY were 230±6.16 kg, 210±7.0 days, and 277±11.82 kg, respectively. Given the moderate heritability (0.24±0.08) and repeatability (0.29±0.04) estimates of 150DMY, the study recommends using 150DMY as the primary selection criterion for genetic improvement in SxB goats. The single-trait random regression model (RRM) utilizing various orders of orthogonal Legendre polynomials (LEG) and B-spline (BS) functions with heterogeneous residual variances was also employed. The test day milk yield (TDMY) showed a least squares mean of 1.30±0.01 kg, with moderate heritability estimates across test days (0.26±0.08). The optimal model was identified as a quadratic B-spline function with six knots (BS6Q). Positive genetic correlations were observed between consecutive test-day milk yield values, while correlations decreased for more distant test days. The study demonstrated the superiority of the B-spline model in genetically assessing Saanen x Beetal dairy goats, highlighting its benefits in curve fitting, genetic parameter estimation, and higher breeding value prediction accuracy. Looking into the moderate heritability and desirable genetic correlation of 150 DMY with other lactation traits, we recommend using 150 DMY for further selection programs. As the concordance of ranking between different approaches for breeding value prediction was high, we recommend using the random regression test day model (RR-TDM) when data recording across lactation is costly.

Usability of volatile organic compounds from exhaled breath compared to those from ruminal fluid, serum, urine, and milk to identify diet-specific metabolite profiles in lactating dairy cows

To investigate dietary influences on the volatilome, the volatile subcategory of the metabolome, we performed a comparative untargeted volatilome analysis of exhaled breath, ruminal fluid, serum, urine, and milk from lactating Holstein cows fed different diets. Thirty-two cows (79.4 ± 31.3 d in milk [DIM], 30.6 ± 4.83 kg milk/d) were assigned to 4 diets. The experiment lasted 16 weeks. Throughout the experiment, half of the animals were fed a hay-based diet (HAY; n = 16), and the other half were fed a silage-based diet (SIL; n = 16). In experimental wk 5 to 12, half of the animals in each group received the control concentrate (CON), and the other half was fed with the CON supplemented with a blend of essential oils (EXP). We hypothesized that the basal diet and the essential oils influence the VOC profiles of the cows through potential changes in ruminal fermentation, digestion, and metabolism (hypothesis 1). Furthermore, we hypothesized that the potential effects of essential oils would have a delayed onset and a carryover effect (hypothesis 2). Every 4 experimental weeks, i.e., in W4, W8, W12 and W16, samples of exhaled breath, ruminal fluid, serum, urine, milk, and feed were collected for dynamic headspace extraction and gas chromatographic analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in their gaseous phase. Milk yield, milk composition, body weight, and feed intake were recorded regularly. Linear mixed models and multivariate and univariate data analyses were performed. The total DMI and basal diet intake was similar between HAY and SIL cows. However, SIL cows consumed less of the concentrate, neutral detergent fiber, and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and more starch than HAY cows. The SIL cows had a higher milk production than the HAY cows. No effect was found regarding the concentrate type on feed intake or milk production. Irrespective of diet, 2,957 VOC were detected in the gaseous phase of serum; 2,771 in exhaled breath; 1,016 in urine; 1,001 in milk; and 921 in ruminal fluid. Across the experimental wk 4, 8, 12 and 16, the basal diet altered the VOC profiles of ruminal fluid, urine, and exhaled breath but not those of serum and milk. The concentrate type affected only the VOC profiles of the exhaled breath. Most diet-influenced VOC in the affected biological matrices were identified as dietary components. The experimental week influenced the VOC profiles of all matrices, especially those of exhaled breath. The VOC profile of exhaled breath strongly correlated with that of urine, followed by that of ruminal fluid, milk, and serum. This study provides the first description of diet- and time-specific VOC profiles from the biological matrices of dairy cows. The identified discriminatory VOC seem suitable as markers to discriminate between HAY and SIL cows. Exhaled breath may be a promising, sensitive, and less invasive tool to follow diet- and time-related metabolic changes.

The influence of paratypical factors on the character of the lactation curve of Simmental ? Holstein cows

The nature of the lactation curve and milk productivity have been studied in hybrid “Simmental ? red-and-white Holstein” cows with the genotype 1/4 of Simmental breed +3/4 red-and-white Holstein breed and 1/8+7/8 of the same pedigree. The experiment was carried out at Agrosoyuz LLC in Ruzaevka district of Mordovia Republic. According to the study, cows with the 1/8 Simmental +7/8 red-and-white Holstein genotype of autumn-winter calving had the highest milk productivity. Their milk yield amounted to 8224 kg. The milk yield of cows with the 1/4 Simmental + 3/4 red-and-white Holstein genotype was 6901 kg. The coefficient of lactation constancy (CLC) in cows of autumn-winter calving was 96.0 and 97.9%. Next in terms of productivity are winter calving cows, whose milk yield amounted to 6800-8031 kg, with CLC of 94.9 - 97.8%. The lowest productivity was obtained from cows of summer calving period. The LP increases from 88.7 to 97.0% with the increase in cows live weight at first calving in the group of animals with the 1/4 Simmenta l +3/4 red-and-white Holstein genotype. In animals with the 1/8 Simmental +7/8 red-and-white Holstein genotype, the CLC increases from 97.6 to 98.1%. Based on the research conducted, we can conclude that the live weight of first-calf cows should be 580-600 kg. Under these conditions, high milk productivity is very likely. Analysis of the degree of influence of the service period value on the CLC showed the following: this indicator increased by 6.0% in 3/4 Holstein-bred genotype animals with the extension of the service period from 110.7 to 169.9 days; the increase of this indicator was only 1.1% in cows with 7/8 red-and-white Holstein genotype with a service period of 116.0-173.3 days. In highly productive cows, regardless of genotype, an increase in milk yield is associated with higher CLC.

Produção de vitelos

In the countries with high milk production, like in Europe and the United States of America, in the past 30 to 40 years, the abundance of male dairy calves from the big herds have encouraged the farmers to produce veal meat. Without discarding these animals, it is possible to produce a highly-demanded product for the market, however, with few suppliers, besides attending to the demand of consumption of low-cholesterol meat. It also opens the producers to a new market, till now not explored, providing an option of income to the dairy producers of many regions of the world, including Brazil. To make economically viable to raise dairy calves to produce veal, many aspects must be controlled. Maybe the first is to buy animals well immune by the ingestion of colostrums in the first hours of life, decreasing the mortality and the morbidity. Second, the substitution of milk for a commercial substitute during the initial phase of life, that is the most delicate and expensive one of the process, to minimize the costs of the producer.

Optimizing tropical dairy goat diets: balancing rumen degradable protein, non-fiber carbohydrates, and sulfur requirements.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of rations incorporating rumen degradable protein (RDP), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), and sulfur on nutrient utilization, milk production, milk quality, and the economic aspects of dairy goats. In the first study, five treatments were tested in a block-randomized design to examine in vitro fermentability and digestibility. Treatments included P0 (control diet), P1 (P0 + 7.5% cassava-NFC), P2 (P0 + 7.5% cassava-NFC and 5% soybean), P3 (P0 + 7.5% cassava-NFC and 5% autoclaved soybean), and P4 (P0 + 7.5% cassava-NFC, 5% autoclaved soybean, and 0.1% sulfur). In the second study, sixteen lactating Saanen-Ettawa crossbreed dairy goats (initial milk production = 0.97 ± 0.25 L/head/day, 30 DIM; body weight = 44.44 ± 7.20 kg) were assigned into four groups and fed treatment diets: R0 (basal diet), R1 (R0 + 12% autoclaved soybean), R2 (R0 + 12% autoclaved soybean and 9% cassava-NFC), and R3 (R0 + 12% autoclaved soybean, 9% cassava-NFC, and 0.11% sulfur). The diets were offered for 7 weeks with a two-week adaptation period. Parameters observed include milk production and quality, milk fatty acids, blood hematology and metabolites, and economic aspects. The study used a block randomized design with initial weight as a block. The treatment diets in the first study had no effect on in vitro fermentability and digestibility. Treatments R2 and R3 resulted in higher milk production than R0 and R1. Milk quality remained consistent across treatments, while solid non-fat, lactose, and protein was higher in R2 and R3. Blood hematology was unaffected by the treatments. Nutrient efficiency and income over feed cost were enhanced by R2 and R3 treatments. Protected RDP using autoclaved soybean and cassava-NFC maintained in vitro digestibility, even though it did not improve in vitro fermentability. Precision dairy ration based on RDP, NFC, and sulfur positively impacts milk production, nutrient efficiency, and animal health in dairy goats.

DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY FOR SALT-LICKER BRIQUETTES WITH BENTONITE FOR THE PREVENTION OF MINERAL DEFICIENCY IN CATTLE

Technologies have been developed for the production of salt briquettes with the addition of crushed bentonite for cattle, which are fed to animals during the winter stall period. Bentonites contain a significant amount of macro and microelements, of which the most important in the physiology of the animal body are oxides of iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, etc.), briquettes measuring 15x15 cm and 12 cm thick are obtained, which have a yellowish tint. The greatest attraction for cows to lick is observed with lick briquettes containing 10% bentonite. The use of salt briquettes-licks with the addition of bentonite in the specified amount to cows during the winter stall period has a beneficial effect on the body of cows. The animals had less morbidity after calving and subsequently had higher milk production. Calves born from these cows had greater vitality, were less sick, and had higher weight gain. Keywords: technology, bentonites, salt briquettes, macro and macroelements, cattle, productivity.

Milk production of goats with different tone of the autonomic nervous system

The active development of goat breeding is rapidly moving from small enterprises to large farms. This development is ensured by the rapid growth of demand for these products for ordinary consumers and people looking for an alternative to cow's milk. Therefore, a significant amount of effort is being made to improve the yield of dairy products from goats. This is because this farm cannot rapidly increase the number of livestock, and the demand for this product is constantly growing. Our study aimed to establish the dependence of the autonomic nervous system tone on the indicators of goat milk production. To form the experimental groups of animals, a variational pulse oscillometric study was used to calculate the following indicators: mode (Mo), mode amplitude (AMo), variation range (∆x), autonomic rhythm index (ARI), autonomic balance index (ABI), and tension index (TI). Subsequently, three experimental groups of animals were formed according to the tone of autonomic nervous regulation using the Baevsky method: sympathotonics, normotonics, and vagotonics. Statistical analysis of the results and calculation of Student's t-test to establish correlation and one-factor analysis of variance between milk production and autonomic nervous regulation tone were performed using Microsoft Excel. According to the results of the study, it was found that the highest milk production was determined in the experimental group of normotonics 1058 ± 9.76 l/year (P < 0.001), and the lowest in sympathotonics 845.5 ± 27.71 l/year (P < 0.001). Also, according to the initial data's statistical processing results, a correlation was established between milk production indicators and the tone of autonomic nervous regulation. Thus, the experimental group of normotonics had a correlation r = (-0.649) (P < 0.001), sympathotonics r = (-0.572) (P < 0.001), and vagotonics r = 0.865 (P < 0.001), which is confirmed by one - factor analysis of variance.

Влияние возраста первого отела на молочную продуктивность и качество молока

Nowadays, in order to reduce the cost of replacement heifers raising, early insemination and, accordingly, earlier use of cows are practiced in many farms. The purpose of the research is to study the relationship between milk productivity and the age of the first insemination of Holstein heifers under the conditions of OOO Kaluzhskaya Niva (a limited liability company under the laws of Russian Federation) in the Peremyshl district. The experimental groups were formed from cows with completed fourth lactation, taking into account the age of the first fruitful insemination. As the result of the study, it was found out that the optimal insemination index is observed at heifers of the first and second groups upon reaching the age of 12-14 months with a live weight of 337.6-340.9 kg. The shortage of live weight of heifers by the age of 12 months lengthens the time of raising, and reduces the effectiveness of their insemination (group 4 – the multiplicity of insemination is 3.3). The maximum growth rate was observed at heifers of the first group and made 865-931 g/day, which is 6.1-32.1% higher than in heifers of the other groups. When analyzing the dairy productivity of cows, there is a tendency to decrease the level at the second and third lactations, and an increase in the fourth lactation in comparison with the first one. More balanced lactation activity in a number of lactations is observed in cows of the third group (II lactation decreased by 2%, III - decreased by 5%, IV – increased by 17.5%, compared with the first lactation). At the same time, the variation in milk yield in cows of the other groups ranges from -9.2% to +20.6%. The differences in the indicators of the mass fraction of fat and the mass fraction of protein in milk of cows of different groups are not significant. The tendency of decrease of the mass fraction of fat in milk in cows of all groups is noted by the 4th lactation, with increase in the mass fraction of protein. Thus, for the manifestation of high milk productivity and its preservation in a number of lactation, the optimal age for the first insemination of Holstein heifers is 15-16 months.

Evaluation of the slaughter indicators of the Edilbaevsky sheep breed depending on the milk productivity of sheep

Relevance. Increasing the milk productivity of ewes is an important factor for improving the meat qualities of the offspring. The study of the influence of the milk productivity of ewes on the results of the control slaughter of rams of the Edilbaev breed, as well as the morphological and chemical composition of lamb, will allow optimizing the technology of growing and fattening young animals to obtain high-quality meat.Methods. A scientific and economic experiment was carried out. The material for the experiment was sheep at the ages of 4 and 7 months. 3 groups of sheep were formed, obtained from abundant dairy queens with milk productivity per lactation (120 days) — 89.55 liters (group I of sheep), medium-dairy — 71.6 liters (group II), low-dairy — 48.4 liters (group III). To conduct the experiment, in accordance with generally accepted methods, young animals were selected according to the principle of analogues, taking into account gender, age, type of birth (males), and body weight.Results. The results obtained indicate that an increase in the milk productivity of ewes leads to an improvement in the meat qualities of rams of the Edilbaev breed. Lambs born from ewes with high milk productivity have higher slaughter weight, slaughter yield and meat quality compared to rams born from ewes with lower milk productivity. These data can be used to develop optimal technologies for growing and fattening young animals to produce high-quality meat.

Sero-Prevalence of Hemorrhagic Septicaemia in Cattle and Buffalo Population of Indian States Karnataka and Gujarat.

Hemorrhagic septicemia (HS) is a highly contagious and fatal disease of cattle and buffaloes caused by P. multocida. Both conventional and molecular methods are applied in parallel for rapid diagnosis of HS outbreaks and the periodical surveillance strategy to identify risk areas for HS is ignored. The current cross-sectional study aimed to estimate sero-prevalence and associated risk factors for HS in cattle and buffaloes in non-vaccinated regions of two Indian states. HS surveillance was carried out through the multi-stage random sampling technique at different strata. The study employed a questionnaire incorporating host factors (species, breed, sex, age, and lactation) and demographic parameters (state, district, block/cluster and village/epiunits, and household). First, two Indian states known for high milk production were selected followed by two districts within each state, subsequently four clusters within each district, finally 5-10 epiunits within clusters and 5-8 households within clusters were randomly selected to collect cattle and buffalo samples. The chi-square/p values and maps were prepared to represent disease prevalence and to correlate disease risk factors at different strata. A total of 692 cattle and buffalo serum samples were sourced from two states of the country (Karnataka-285 and Gujarat-407). In the first strata, antibodies to P. multocida were high in Gujarat (14.49%, CI: 11.22-18.30) compared to Karnataka (3.85%, CI: 1.94-6.80) with significant (p < 0.0001) association between the states. In the second strata, one of the four districts investigated revealed the highest sero-prevalence (18.61%, CI: 13.81-24.24) with statistical significance (p = 0.01) between the districts. Among clusters, one out of eight clusters showed the highest sero-prevalence (23.02%, CI: 16.59-30.54) with statistical significance (p = 0.03) between the clusters in the third strata. At epiunit level (fourth strata), 9 out of 27 epiunits (33.33%) visited in Karnataka and 24 out of 29 epiunits sampled in Gujarat were sero-positive (82.75%) in iELISA. At the household level, out of 306 HH visited, 40 HH had at least one positive animal (13.07%) and the p value between HH in the two states was highly significant (p = 0.0002). Chi-square analysis did not find any association of HS sero-prevalence to species, age, and lactation. However, significantly higher (p < 0.05) sero-prevalence was recorded in indigenous cattle breeds (16.56%) compared to crossbreeds (6.59%). Various immunoprophylactics and antibiotic therapies are effective against HS, but inappropriate disease reporting and failure to implement adequate vaccination control measures are the gaps identified. The present study highlights the current scenario of HS sero-prevalence in two of the high milk-producing states of India, which will be useful for stakeholders for undertaking the implementation of surveillance and control strategies for the regions.

What Determinants Are Related to Milk and Dairy Product Consumption Frequency among Children Aged 10-12 Years in Poland? Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study.

Due to their high nutritional value, milk and dairy products should be a permanent element of a properly balanced diet for children and adolescents. The study aimed to identify (i) the frequency of milk and dairy product consumption by children aged 10-12 years in the opinion of children and their parents and (ii) the determinants related to the consumption of these products (including lifestyle, nutrition knowledge, and the nutritional status of children's as well as parents' nutrition knowledge). A cross-sectional study was conducted with 12,643 primary school students aged 10-12 and 7363 parents. Dietary data were collected using the Food Frequency Consumption and Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire (SF-FFQ4PolishChildren® and KomPAN®). Anthropometric measurements were taken and body mass index (BMI) and waist/height ratios (WHtR) were calculated. A logistic regression model was used to assess the likelihood of the frequent consumption of dairy products in the opinion of both the children and their parents, and the quality of the obtained models was assessed using model fit statistics and the Hosmer and Lemeshow test. The frequency of consuming milk and milk products (every day and more) was low in the opinion of children aged 10-12 years (29.6%). According to their parents, the frequency of the consumption of dairy products was slightly higher (44.8%). Six factors associated with the frequency of milk and dairy product consumption were identified independently. These included schoolchildren and their parents' nutrition knowledge, physical activity, sleep, gender, and place of residence. More of these products were consumed by children with greater nutrition knowledge-both their own and their parents'-higher physical activity, longer sleep duration, males, and those living in the city. Family eating habits, particularly eating meals together, also played an important role in the consumption of milk and dairy products. According to the parents, the children in older grades were less likely to consume dairy products more frequently. The obtained results suggest an insufficient consumption of milk and dairy products. The identification of modifiable factors, such as nutrition knowledge, physical activity, sleep duration, and eating meals with the family, suggests the need to improve the existing strategies, including activities encouraging nutritional education for both schoolchildren and their parents.