Kg Of Milk Research Articles

INFLUENCE OF PARATYPIC FACTORS ON THE FERTILITY OF DAIRY COWS AND REPLACEMENT HEIFERS

The results of researching the influence of the season, air temperature, age, stage of lactation, insemination number and daily milk yield on the fertilization of heifers and cows under different housing technologies are presented. It was established that the best fertilization was demonstrated by heifers kept in tethered housing at PE Agroprogres. Nevertheless, the fertilization rate of cows among the farms under study was the highest under free housing (p<0.001). By months of the year, in general, on all farms, a trend of a greater number of inseminations of heifers was observed in spring and summer, although no clear dependence was established. The share of fertile inseminations of heifers of PE Agroprogress varied from 56% in October to 92% in June. Fertilization of heifers at SE EFs named after Dekabrists and Kutuzivka had less variability: from 47% in February to 70% in May in the first farm and from 46% in May to 60% in July in the second farm, respectively. At PE Agroprogres and SE EF named after Dekabrists, there was a tendency to increase the fertilization of heifers at the air temperature above 20 ºС. Cows of PE Agroprogres and SE EF named after Dekabrists had the lowest fertilization rate at temperatures below -10 ºC. There was also a trend of its increase with an increase in air temperature above 20 ºC. It was established that at PE Agroprogres (tethered housing) a clear trend of increasing the fertility of cows was observed during the period of summer open air housing, at SE RF named after Dekabrists this trend is almost imperceptible, and the opposite dependence has been established at SE EF Kutuzivka (year-round free housing keeping with feeding on walking platforms). At all studied farms, there was a clear tendency in decrease of the fertilization of cows during the period of high milk productivity. Cows of PE Agroprogres and SE EF Kutuzivka with a daily milk yield of more than 40 kg of milk were fertilized worse by 1-4% (р<0.1) and 5-6% (р<0.001) than animals with a lower milk yield. Cows of the SE EF named after Dekabrists with a daily milk yield of more than 30 kg also had 8-9% (p<0.001) worse fertilization compared to animals with lower productivity. At all studied farms, the highest percentage of fertilization was characterized by heifers at their first insemination, and among cows were animals of the first and second calving. According to all inseminations, the average day of lactation of cows with their artificial insemination was 38-54 days longer at SE EF named after Dekabrists in comparison with PE Agroprogres and SE EF Kutuzivka (p<0.001). The share of fertilized cows during the breeding period up to 90 days after calving was lower by 6% At PE Agroprogres, and by 9% at SE EF named after Dekabrists, and by 6% at SE EF Kutuzivka than in the mid-lactation period (91-180 days) (р<0.001).

Lizunts for cows of the dry and transit period of the southern forest-steppe zone of the Republic of Bashkortostan with pasture maintenance

The research was conducted in 2023 in the department of feed production and animal husbandry (laboratory of feed technology and feed additives) of the Ufa experimental station of the UFIC RAS on the topic: “Development of the formulation, technology of preparation of a feed additive and determination of its effectiveness in the diets of feeding farm animals.” Considering the natural and climatic conditions (soil composition, herbage with maturation phases, temperature regime, moisture content and chemical composition of pasture feed), 3 recipes of lizunts for this group of cows with a live weight of 600 kg with a planned milk yield of 6 thousand kg of milk have been developed. Based on the available components, their chemical composition and the corresponding structure, experimental versions of lizunts with a weight of 1 kg have been developed. A comprehensive assessment of the nutritional value of one of the lizunts variants was carried out according to many indicators. The prototype has been tested for licking with a small number of pregnant dry cows.

Cow productivity depending on the energy level of their feeding

This article presents the results of a scientific and economic experiment conducted on lactating cows of Holstein black-and-white breed during the second lactation period, in which the effect of increased energy levels of feeding dairy cows on their productivity was studied. Based on the conducted studies, it was revealed that an increase in the energy level of feeding lactating cows of the experimental group in the second lactation period by 33.3 MJ of metabolic energy due to a decrease in the yield of corn silage and concentrated feed, the replacement of mixed hay with alfalfa hay and the introduction of long-term grass haylage into the feeding diet contributed to a better consumption of metabolic energy by 31.3 MJ, dry matter – by 5.2 kg, crude protein – by 997 g, including digestible protein – by 613 g, crude fiber – by 1594 g, crude fat – by 237 g, sugar – by 553 g, compared with lactating cows of the control group. This led to an increase in gross milk production during the second lactation period in lactating cows of the experimental group by 275 kg, an increase in the fat content in milk by 0.02% and protein by 0.03%, respectively, then in lactating cows of the control group. One energy feed unit in the feeding diet of lactating cows of the control group accounted for 12.3 g less digestible protein than in the experimental group. The consumption of concentrates per 1 kg of milk in the control group was 25% higher than in the experimental group.

Influence of feed mixtures on the productivity of cows and chemical composition of milk during the period of increasing the milk yield

There is a wide variety of climatic zones in the huge territories of our country, which require special approaches to feeding and housing of animals. Providing animals with adequate and rationed feeding under the conditions of the Northern Trans-Urals and Siberia is a difficult task due to the long stall period. The purpose of the work was to determine the infl uence of diff erent methods of feed distribution such as separate and feed mixture on milk productivity of cows and the chemical composition of milk during the period of increasing the milk yield. It was found that the milk yield of natural fat content during the fi rst 100 days of lactation in the experimental group of cows was 325 kg or 10,21 % higher than in the control group. Milk fat yield was obtained from the cows of the experimental group by 16,5 kg or 13,80 % more compared to the animals of the control group. The mass fraction of fat in the milk of cows in the experimental group was higher by 0,12 abs.%. However, the difference between groups in milk yield, milk fat content and milk fat yield was statistically insignificant. The difference in the content of protein, ash, calcium and phosphorus in the milk of the experimental animals was also insignificant, although there was some advantage in the content of these indicators in the experimental group, where the feed was fed in the form of the feed mixture. It was found when analyzing economic indicators that for cows in the control group the prime-cost of 1 kg of milk was 16,49 rubles, which was by 1,53 rubles or 3,91 % more than in the experimental group. At the same time, the level of profitability of milk production in the experimental group was higher than 12,66 abs.% compared to the control group.

PRODUCTIVITY INDICATORS OF BUKOVINIAN TYPE EWES OF ASCANIAN MEAT-WOOL BREED WITH CROSS-BRED WOOL IN CONDITION OF BUKOVINA

Objective. Presentation of indicators Bukovinian type ewes of Ascanian meat-wool breed with cross-bred wool are given. As a result of research, it was established, that the animals are of a strong constitution, well adapted to conditions of Bukovinian humid climate. Ewes with high reproductive capacity: fertilization made 93.5%, multiple fertility – 131.5, yield of lambs per 100 ewes – 124 heads, with their high viability. The lambs are born of strong constitution, large enough, with high live weight. Live weight at birth is influenced by the sex of the animal. It is established, that the rams live weight is higher than that of ewe-lambs by 7.8%. Ewes have high milk productivity. From a single ewe for the milking period (137 days) 116.6 kg of milk was obtained, with average daily milk yield 0.883 kg, from which 25 kg of solid cottage cheese (brynza) was produced. In gross income, a part of sheep milk products makes about 60%, meat in live mass – 45%, when that of wool – only 3.0%. Conclusions. As the research result, we established, that the Bukovinian type sheep of Ascanian meat-wool breed with cross-bred wool have high indicators of a reproductive capacity and of a combined productivity. However, further Bukovinian type improvement and the increase of milk, meat, and wool productivity indicators requires effective selection methods. The research methods: zootechnical, economic, and biometric.

ECONOMIC USEFUL AND BIOLOGICAL SIGNS IN PUREBRED AND CROSS-BRED COWS OF THE UKRAINIAN BLACK-AND-WHITE DAIRY BREED UNDER THE EFFECTS OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AND TYPES OF FEEDING

The results of studies of economically useful and biological traits in purebred (Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed) and cross-breed (Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed x Swiss) cows are given, taking into account the effect of high temperatures and types of feeding. At the same time, it was established that purebred cows exceeded crossbred cows in terms of milk yield, but were inferior to the latter in terms of milk quality (fat content, protein content). In general, the advantage in milk fat and protein yield in favor of crossbred cows, in the section of three lactations, was from 3.0 to 9.5 kg and from 2.6 to 6.4 kg, respectively.
 Along with this, the dependence of heat resistance of cows on their genotype was established. Cross-breed cows were characterized by better adaptation properties to the effects of hot weather conditions, as they had more balanced indicators of heat resistance.
 Analysis of indicators of milk productivity of cows with different types of feeding showed that the use of the same type of feeding provides an increase in milk yield per 533 kg of milk, fat content by 0.14% and protein by 0.01% compared to traditional feeding technology.

Pedigree base of brown Swiss cattle breed in the Smolensk region

The current state by the end of 2020of the Brown Swiss breed of cattle in pedigree farms of the Smolensk region was studied. The average milk yield in herds for the last completed lactation is 4045 – 6626 kg of milk, the yield of milk fat and protein is 158 – 268 kg and 134 – 236 kg, respectively. In the best farm of the SPK “Druzhba”, the average milk yields of cows for the highest lactation exceed 7000 kg of milk, eight animals have record results of 10016 – 11720 kg. Cows are born from fathers of high breeding value. The average milk yield mothers of fathers in herds is 9767 – 12333 kg. The average age of cows according to the last completed lactation in the studied herds is 2.3 – 3.9 lactation. The age of the first fruitful insemination in the best farm is 16.5 months. From 87.8 to 98.3% of cows belong to lines of foreign origin.

Cactus Cladodes and Sugarcane Bagasse Can Partially Replace Earless Corn Silage in Diets of Lactating Dairy Cows

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing earless corn silage (ECS) with cactus cladodes (CC; Opuntia spp.) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) on nutrient intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, milk yield (MY), and composition of lactating dairy cows. Ten Holstein cows, weighing 571 ± 97.0 kg and producing 23.0 ± 4.4 kg of milk per day, were assigned to two contemporaneous 5 × 5 Latin squares. Treatments consisted of five levels of ECS replacement with CC plus SB (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). The results showed a linear increase in dry matter (DM) intake (p < 0.05) (15.98 and 18.73 kg/day) and a quadratic increase (p < 0.05) in crude protein and energy intake (2.97 kg/day and 27.52 Mcal/day at 95.4 and 88.6% substitution, respectively). Apparent DM digestibility increased (p < 0.05), but fiber digestibility decreased linearly (p < 0.05). Treatments had a quadratic effect (p < 0.05) on MY and fat-corrected MY (24.17 kg/day and 21.9 kg/day at 63.9% and 38.6% CC plus SB, respectively). Milk fat (3.26 and 2.35%) and total solids content decreased linearly (p < 0.05), whereas the percentages of protein, lactose, and nonfat solids increased (p < 0.05). Additionally, the CC–SB diets linearly reduced the time spent on feeding and rumination and total chewing time. For Holstein cows fed common semiarid diets, milk production can be maximized by replacing 38.6% of ECS with CC plus SB.

Effects of monensin and cashew nut-shell extract on bacterial community composition in a dual-flow continuous culture system.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including monensin and two doses of CNSE in a high producing dairy cow diet on ruminal bacterial communities. A dual-flow continuous culture system was used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square design. A basal diet was formulated to meet the requirements of a cow producing 45kg of milk per d (17% crude protein and 27% starch). There were four experimental treatments: the basal diet without any feed additive (CON), 2.5 μM monensin (MON), 100ppm CNSE granule (CNSE100), and 200ppm CNSE granule (CNSE200). Samples were collected from the fluid and solid effluents at 3, 6, and 9h after feeding; a composite of all time points was made for each fermenter within their respective fractions. Bacterial community composition was analyzed by sequencing the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Treatment responses for bacterial community structure were analyzed with the PERMANOVA test run with the R Vegan package. Treatment responses for correlations were analyzed with the CORR procedure of SAS. Orthogonal contrasts were used to test the effects of (1) ADD (CON vs. MON, CNSE100, and CNSE200); (2) MCN (MON vs. CNSE100 and CNSE200); and (3) DOSE (CNSE100 vs. CNSE200). Significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. We observed that the relative abundance of Sharpea (P < 0.01), Mailhella (P = 0.05), Ruminococcus (P = 0.03), Eubacterium (P = 0.01), and Coprococcus (P < 0.01) from the liquid fraction and the relative abundance of Ruminococcus (P = 0.03) and Catonella (P = 0.02) from the solid fraction decreased, while the relative abundance of Syntrophococcus (P = 0.02) increased in response to MON when compared to CNSE treatments. Our results demonstrate that CNSE and monensin have similar effects on the major ruminal bacterial genera, while some differences were observed in some minor genera. Overall, the tested additives would affect the ruminal fermentation in a similar pattern.

Genetic monitoring cattle a herd of the sychev breed

According to the results of immunogenetic studies (2006-2020), the dynamics of changes in the herd allelofond according to genetic markers of blood groups with a period of five years was studied in JSC Smolenskoye for breeding work. A reduction in the number of EAB alleles in breeding bulls from 29 to 16, in cows from 39 to 33 was revealed. The frequency of occurrence of 12-13 main EAB alleles in the herd is 0.737 - 0.753, in the breed - 0,778. During all monitoring periods, the EAB alleles - G2Y2E/1Q/, Y1A/1, E/3G/G//, Q/ were found with a frequency of 4% and higher. There was an increase in the level of homozygosity for dam stock by 1.1%, for producing bulls - by more than 3%. It was found that in the herd for 2020 with a total frequency of 0.318, there are alleles of the EAB locus B2±G2O1Y2D/E/2G//, E/3G/, E/3G/G//, G2T2Y2A/1B/G/I/Q/Y/B//, G1A/1. The frequency of their occurrence by breed is 0.120. In 13% of cows of the herd, there are EAB alleles A1B/, B1I1Q, O1I/Q/, G3O1T1A/2E/3F/2K/G//, I1Y2I/, in the breed they occur in 22.3% of animals. It was revealed that alleles of the Holstein breed in different periods were found, respectively, in 43.3, 25.9, 61.7 percent of cows, alleles of the breed of Sychevka - in 19.2, 36.0, 23.2%. The index of genetic similarity between the breeding farms of the breed of Sychevka varied from 0.632-0.884, between the animals of the herd and the breed it was 0.750-0.855. We note that in bulls evaluated by the quality of offspring, the difference in the productivity of daughters in favor of one or another preferential allele from the producer was 61-1403 kg of milk, 0,01-0,15% fat and up to 0.06 percent protein for the first lactation. According to the highest lactation, the differences in milk yield are 26-1083 kg of milk, in fat content - 0,02-0,19%, protein 0,01-0,06%.

The impact of controlling diseases of significant global importance on greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production

BackgroundA considerable body of evidence has reported the beneficial effects of improving productivity on reducing environmental impacts from livestock production. However, despite the negative impacts of animal diseases on reproduction, growth and milk production, there is little information available upon the impacts of animal disease on greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe). This study aimed to partially address this knowledge gap by investigating the effects of globally important vaccine-preventable diseases on GHGe from various livestock systems, namely: intensive dairy, extensive beef, commercial swine and backyard poultry production.MethodsSimple deterministic models were developed within Microsoft Excel to quantify the impacts of livestock disease on productivity (defined as total milk and/or meat yield, MMY) adjusted for disease prevalence both at the population level (high or low), and at the herd or flock level. Disease-induced changes in MMY were applied to the GHGe per kg of milk or meat according to the consequent changes in livestock populations required to maintain milk or meat production. Diseases investigated comprised foot and mouth, brucellosis, anthrax, lumpy skin disease, classical swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), low and high pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI and HPAI), avian infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease.ResultsAll diseases investigated had multifactorial impacts on total MMY, yet diseases that increased mortality in breeding or growing livestock (e.g. anthrax, classical swine fever and HPAI) showed greater impacts on GHGe per unit of milk or meat produced than those that primarily affecting yields or reproduction (e.g. brucellosis or LPAI). Prevalence also had considerable effects on potential GHGe. For example, maintaining backyard poultry meat production from a 100,000 hen population with 70% prevalence of HPAI increased GHGe by 11,255 MT CO2eq compared to a 30% prevalence at 3475 MT CO2eq above the baseline (0% prevalence). Effective reduction of the prevalence of PRRS in swine from 60 to 10%, FMD in beef cattle from 45 to 5% prevalence, or AIB in poultry from 75 to 20% prevalence would reduce GHGe intensities (CO2eq/kg CW) by 22.5%, 9.11% and 11.3% respectively.ConclusionsControlling livestock disease can reduce MMY losses at the farm level, which improves food security, reduces GHGe and enhances livestock system sustainability.

Assessing the carbon footprint in dairy cattle farms in the northern temperate region of Spain

The availability of models constitutes a key factor when selecting a decision support tool aimed at improving the production and environmental aspects of farms. There is a need for robust models that are user-friendly, facilitating the estimation of farm emissions and the analysis of their temporal fluctuations. The objectives of this study were i) to calculate both the partial (PCF) and total carbon (TCF) footprints of 212 dairy farms, distinguishing those with and without maize cultivation; ii) to identify critical variables related to feed, nutrition, productivity and environmental efficiency; and iii) to formulate and validate prediction equations based on available data from dairy farms. The database encompasses information from 212 dairy cattle farms situated in the temperate-humid zone of northern Spain, spanning the period from 2014 to 2018. Farm classification was based on the presence (CcMz) or absence (ScCMz) of maize cultivation for silage production, resulting in 96 farms in the CcMz category and 116 farms in the ScCMz category.Among the variables considered, the variable herd N-use efficiency (NUECR) for (PCF) showed the lowest root mean square error of prediction at 0.39% and the correspondingly lowest root men. The root mean squared percentage error (RMSPE): standard deviation ratio (RSR) at 0.52. In the case of total carbon footprint (TCF), herd N-use efficiency (NUECR) again showed the lowest root mean square error of prediction at 0.52%. Regarding TCF, herd feed efficiency (EACR) was the variable with the lowest both RMSPE and RSR, with 0.65 and 0.64, respectively. Consequently, the estimation of the PCF and TCF of 1 ​kg of milk from the temperate-humid zone of northern Spain at the farm gate can be feasibly accomplished utilizing NUECR and EACR, respectively.

Eco‐efficiency of leys—The trigger for sustainable integrated crop‐dairy farming systems

AbstractThe specialisation of agricultural systems in Western Europe and the intensification of livestock and cropping production are intrinsically linked to substantial resource inputs. This intensified approach frequently leads to nutrient surpluses and biodiversity loss, resulting in detrimental environmental impacts. A transformative agricultural shift is imperative in light of climate and environmental protection objectives. Addressing this need, the Lindhof eco‐efficient pasture‐based milk production initiative, initiated in 2016, is a tangible manifestation of a productive and profitable dairy system integrated within a ley‐based Integrated Crop‐Livestock System (ICLS). Operational at the organically managed Lindhof farm, this approach involves a rotational stocking system of spring‐calving Jersey cows stocked on grass‐clover‐herb leys embedded within a cash crop rotation. The dairy cows benefit from these highly productive swards, rich in nutritive value comparable to concentrate feeding. At the same time, the cultivated crops derive advantages from the legacy effect of leys due to nutrient exchange facilitated by grazing excreta and residual crop matter. Compared to specialised systems, the ley‐based ICLS emerges as an alternative dairy production paradigm that supports many ecosystem services – including minimised nutrient losses, a lower carbon footprint and positive contributions to agro‐biodiversity. These outcomes are realised without compromising overall land‐use efficiency while reducing environmental and social costs of 20–30 Eurocent per kg of milk produced compared to specialised systems. Thus, the ley‐based ICLS conforms to the principles of ecological intensification, enhancing functional diversity within the agricultural landscape. Essentially, the Lindhof initiative represents a holistic and environmentally responsible approach to farming that could contribute to realising the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.

Ethological and pathophysiolocal justification of the calcium gluconate usage for the treatment of calves with bronchopneumonia

A prominent feature of the pathogenesis of bronchopneumonia in calves is the development of an inflammatory reaction that negatively affects the structure (consolidation) and function of lung tissue. Due to the spread of the inflammatory reaction, structural and functional changes can become irreversible. The purpose of the study was to compare the effectiveness of calcium gluconate and the nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory drug ketoprofen in the treatment of calves with bronchopneumonia. The research was conducted on the basis of a dairy farm with an average annual yield of 8,500 kg of milk per cow and a scientific laboratory of the Department of Normal and Pathological Physiology of Animals of Bilotserkivsky Bila Tserkva National University. Sick animals aged 3–4.5 months were divided into two groups, control (16 heads) and experimental (12 heads). All sick calves were prescribed antibiotic therapy using the preparation Clamoxan (BioTestLab). Calves of the control group were additionally prescribed the non–steroidal anti–inflammatory drug Kefen (Merial, France), and calcium gluconate (UkrZooVet–organisation ) was prescribed to the calves of the experimental group. The course of bronchopneumonia in calves is characterized by the development of characteristic clinical signs (depressed general condition, tachypnea, tachycardia, cough, secretion of mucus from the nasal passages), minor leukocytosis (13.38±0.46) and signs of dehydration, which is evidenced by relatively high indicators of hematocrit (45.47±2.18%) and total protein (61.14±2.22 g/l). The dynamics of clinical and laboratory indicators were similar in sick calves of both groups. The pathogenetic effect and anti–inflammatory activity are equally effective in both studied drugs: caffeine and calcium gluconate. In calves with bronchopneumonia, a 3–10–fold delay in the conditioned feeding reflex was established. The normalization of clinical and laboratory indicators was accompanied by the restoration of the duration of the implementation of the conditioned feeding reflex, which allows recommending the use of the studied ethological indicators for monitoring the course of bronchopneumonia in calves. We consider the study of the effectiveness of calcium gluconate preparations in other inflammatory pathologies in animals and the extension of indications to the use of ethological indicators to monitor the course of diseases in domestic animals to be a promising direction for further research. Key words: calves, bronchopneumonia, treatment, calcium gluconate, behavior.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of cows of Holstein breed

According to the latest regulatory documents for conducting a breed inventory of breeding livestock for dairy cattle, all animals with Holstein blood of 75 % or higher are classified as Holstein breed. In the Sverdlovsk region, such animals consist of more than 75 % of the total dairy cattle population. The study of their effectiveness when used under the conditions of the Middle Urals is relevant and has both scientific and practical significance. The purpose of the work was to assess the efficiency of Holstein cows in the Middle Urals zone, taking into account the age dynamics in lactations. Productive longevity on average for the farm where the research was conducted was 2,45 lactations, i.e. the majority of animals did not survive to mature lactation. The highest milk yield indicators were for cows in their 3rd mature lactation. However, intensive rearing of replacement heifers, their early insemination and further intensive use to obtain high milk yields with increasing lactation duration leads to rapid wear and tear of the body. They culled out of the herd without reaching physiological maturity. As a result, there is a shortage of off spring, lifetime milk yield and a decrease in the efficiency of the industry. A low positive correlation was established between the duration of the period of open days and the frequency of insemination of cows in the fi rst 6 lactations, which ranged from 0,002 (2 lactation) to 0,12 (6 lactation). The highest milk production rate was in the 2nd lactation, and then it decreased. The optimal ratio of milk yield and live weight is a milk yield of 9800 kg of milk or more with a live weight of cows of 617 kg. The increase in milk yield with a simultaneous increase in live weight leads to a slight but decrease in this indicator.

Genetic characteristics of the herd of KP "Rybkovskoe" by alleles of the EAB-locus of blood groups

The analysis of the genetic structure of the herd to the marker alleles of the EAB locus - blood groups was according. The EAB-allele G2Y2E/1Q/according to the results of the study with a high frequency of 11.9 – 15.7%, in the herd, whereas its frequency is 18% for the breed was found. In the period 2011-2015 sixteen main alleles of the EAB-locus of blood groups with a total frequency of 0.802 in the herd were found. In 2016-2020, the main EAB-alleles were 12 and the frequency of their occurrence was equal 0,752. The number of four main alleles of the Red-and-White Holstein breed Y1A/1, O2A/2J/2K/O/, I1Y2E/3G/G//, B1O1 decreased from 0,213 to 0,102. With the highest frequency, totaling 40.6% marker EAB - alleles G2T2Y2A/1B/D/G/I/Q/Y/B// (0.052), E/3G/G// (0,070), B1I1Q (0,053), O1I/Q/ (0,080), B2G2O1Y2D/E/2G// (0,056), b (0.095) in KP "Rybkovskoe" are found. In the breed, these alleles occur with a frequency of 29.8%. There are no significant differences between the breed and the herd in the frequency of EAB alleles. The difference did not exceed 2.4 – 2.7%. From a genetic standpoint, the animals of the herd and the breed are close. The index of genetic similarity between them is 0.95. The level of homozygosity was 6.2% in the herd in the period 2016-2020, but its increase over the past five years was 1,2%, indicating a decrease in the genetic diversity of animals. The number of producer sires used by the pedigree farm decreased to 14 and the total diversity of their alleles decreased to 15. Comparative analysis showed that the difference in productivity of the daughters of bulls with alternative EAB-alleles was from 7 to 710 kg of milk, 0.01 – 0.19% fat and 0.02 – 0.09% protein for the first lactation in favor of one or another marker allele from the producer. By the highest lactation, the differences in milk yield are 55 – 1034 kg of milk, in fat content – 0.01 – 0.22%, protein – 0.02 – 0.14%.

Comparison of selected parameters of automated milking in dairy cattle barns equipped with a concentrate feeding system

Automatic milking systems (AMSs) give cows relative freedom to choose the time and frequency of milking throughout the day. Feeding stations also may improve the management of farms. Combining milking robots and feeding stations (FS) may improve milking efficiency and milk yield. Therefore, combining AMS and FS may be beneficial for farmers. The objective of the research was to compare selected automatic milking parameters (daily indices per cow) registered by an AMS in relation to selected features including the presence of concentrate feeding stations. We analysed 931 cows born in 2013–14, in lactations 1–8. In total, we collected data from 357 318 milking days. The following parameters were examined: milking frequency (n/24 h), number of rejected milking (n/24 h), the average number of nipple attempts (n/milking), milking speed (kg/min), time spent in the milking box (s/24 h), milk yield (kg/24 h), milking efficiency (kg/min), rumination time (min/24 h), and concentrate intake (kg) per 100 kg of milk produced. The statistical analysis was conducted using a multi-factor analysis of variance. The analysis confirmed a statistical effect of the concentrate feeding system on most of the investigated traits, except for nipple attempts, box time and rumination time. In cows in barns with an FS, the following parameters were statistically higher compared to cows in non-FS barns: milking frequency (3.04 vs 2.73n/24 h), number of rejected milking (2.24 vs 1.51n/24 h), milking speed (2.98 vs 2.64 kg/min), milk yield (33.48 vs 30.14 kg/24 h), milking efficiency (1.80 vs 1.67 kg/min), and concentrate intake per 100 kg of milk produced (14.67 vs 12.67 kg). The study results indicate that using feeding stations in combination with an AMS can increase milking efficiency, hence the milk output from a milking robot.

Characteristics of the families of the herd of the Sychevka breed by productive and genetic indicators

An analysis of the genetic structure using marker alleles of the EAB locus and an assessment of the productive qualities of the families of cows of the Sychevka breed of the pedigree farm KP "Rybkovskoe" of the Smolensk region is presented. In the genotypes of representatives of families with a frequency of more than 5%, there are EAB alleles of the Holstein breed: Y1A`1, G2Y2E`1Q`, O2A`2J`2K`O`, B2O1, and the Sychevka breed: O1I`Q`, b, O1Y2E`3G`G``, which indicates the presence of hereditary material of both breeds. The average milk yield for maximum lactation in cows of the families was 5624kg of milk, with a fat content of 3.91%, protein 3.28%. In the best cows of the families, milk productivity reached 9651kg of milk, 3.71% fat, 3.28% protein for maximum lactation. Thirty percent of descendants from the families of Laskovaya 7114 and Kladi 8080 have a milk yield of over 6000 kg, with a fat content in milk of 3.82% and higher, and protein - over 3.35%. Milk yield in cows, on average in the group by the third lactation compared to the first increases by 970 kg of milk or 22%, which is largely due to the milking of animals in the process of their use. The greatest increase (41%) in milk yield to full-age lactation is observed in animals with the alleles E`3G`G`` (+1681kg) and B1G3O1T1A`1B`E`3F`2Q` (+1706kg). Cows with the EAB allele B1G2O1 are different by an increased (by 40%) period of productive use, and, as a result, lifetime milk yield, they are 42% higher than the average for families. Cows with the marker allele P1QA`1J`2E`1I` have lifetime milk yield indicators 69.5% higher than the average for families.

Uncovering genetic parameters and environmental influences on fertility, milk production, and quality in autochthonous Reggiana cattle

Reggiana is a local cattle breed from northern Italy known for its rusticity and profitability, due to the production of branded Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. To ensure the persistence of such profitability in the long term, an adequate breeding program is required. To this aim, in the present study we estimate the genetic parameters of the main productive and reproductive traits, and we evaluate the effect of genotype by environment interaction (GxE) on these traits using 2 environmental covariates: (1) productivity and (2) temperature-humidity index (THI). Milk, fat, protein, and casein yield were considered as daily production traits, whereas protein, fat, casein percentage, casein index, and somatic cell score were considered as milk quality traits. Finally, reproductive traits such as the number of inseminations, days open, calving interval, and calving-to-first-insemination interval were evaluated. Reggiana cattle produce an average of 19 kg of milk per day with 3.7% fat and 3.4% protein content and have excellent fertility parameters. Compared with other breeds, they have slightly lower heritability for production and quality for production traits (e.g., 0.12 [0.09; 0.15] for milk yield), but similar heritability for fertility traits. Milk, protein, and fat daily yields are highly correlated but negatively correlated with the percentage of protein, fat, and casein, whereas fertility traits have an unfavorable genetic correlation with daily production traits. When considering productivity, a consistent amount of variability due to GxE was observed for all daily production traits, somatic cell count, and casein index. A modest amount of GxE was observed for fertility parameters, while the percentage of solid content showed almost no GxE effect. A similar situation occurred when considering the THI, but no GxE interaction was observed for reproduction traits. In conclusion, this study provides useful information for the implementation of accurate selection plans in this local breed, accounting for environmental plasticity measured through the consistent GxE interaction observed.

Phenotypic parameters of the mother stock of the Jersey breed

Recently, in connection with the transition to an industrial approach in animal husbandry and an increase in demand for planned breeds bred in Ukraine, high requirements have arisen for their productivity, feed cost, suitability for machine milking and other characteristics. Breeding of the Jersey breed can serve as an important reserve for the further development of dairy cattle breeding in Ukraine. The Jersey breed is characterized by high productivity and is the most fat-milk breed in the world, with high feed value and good technological properties of the udder. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the phenotypic parameters of the Jersey cattle herd and to study the influence of the duration of the service period on the efficiency of milk production. 1,331 head of breeding stock of the Jersey breed are kept in the APNVP “Vizit” of the Khmelnytskyi district of the Vinnytsia region, of which 68.4 % are cows. Youngsters are rated elite-record and elite – 99.3 %. Up to 3 lactations are kept in a herd of Jersey cows. Hope per cow is 5819 kg of milk, with a fat content of 6.05 % and a protein content of 4.2 %. The milk productivity of cows exceeds the minimum requirements for the Jersey breed by 83 % for the first lactation, by 82.1 % for the second, and by 73.1 % for the third. The hope for 305 days of lactation in cows with a service period of 90 days in the second lactation is 11.8 % less than the data of cows with a service period of 120 days, for the third lactation – by 11.4 %. The average daily survival of cows with a service period of 120 days was lower than that of control cows by 7.0 %. The efficiency of using cows when extending the service period beyond the 90-day limit recommended by experts reduces the milk productivity of cows. The ratio of fat to protein is higher in Jerseys by 0.3, fat to dry skimmed milk residue by 0.2, and protein to dry skimmed milk residue by 0.06.