Large Dairy Research Articles

Abstract B30: Bovine leukemia virus in breast tissue linked to increased cell proliferation and breast cancer risk

Abstract Purpose: To compare recent data sets on frequency of bovine leukemia virus (BLV) detection in breast tissue in different human populations, and association of BLV with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer and expression of common clinical biomarkers. Many risk factors are associated with breast cancer, but what causes initial molecular/cellular changes from normal to malignant is not well understood. Six types of human cancer are caused by viruses, and several viruses have been studied for a role in breast cancer. BLV is a common virus of US cattle (38% of beef herds, 89% of dairy herds, 90-100% of large dairy operations). BLV DNA and protein were previously identified in human tissues. Methods: Breast tissue specimens were archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from sources mentioned below. In situ PCR (IS-PCR) was performed on intact deparaffinized sections on glass slides, using primers from the tax region (transforming gene), highly conserved and rarely deleted, as are most BLV genome regions as tumor progression occurs. BLAST sequence comparisons indicated primers had high homology only with BLV, and extremely low homology with human genomic sequences, including human endogenous retroviral sequences. Previous laboratory experiments confirmed this specificity and established appropriate controls for the assay. Sections were semiquantitatively scored for density of the digoxygenin-labeled IS-PCR product within mammary epithelial cells, upon microscopic examination by two independent examiners. Results: Previous data sets using samples from the Cooperative Human Tissue Network, USA (n=239) and New South Wales, Australia (n=96), showed BLV presence significantly more frequently in malignant tissue than in normal breast tissue from women with no breast cancer history. Odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) were 3.07(1.66-5.69), p≤.001 and 4.72(1.71-13.05), p≤.003, respectively. New unpublished data indicate specimens from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX (n=216) show an even higher OR (CI) of 5.59 (2.76-11.30), p≤.0001. Argentinian specimens showed lower frequency (22%) in malignant tissues than US (58%) and Australian specimens (80%). Cell proliferation markers, KI67 and HER2 overexpression were significantly associated with BLV presence in Argentinian malignant breast tissues. For 31 Australian subjects with breast cancer, archived normal breast tissues were available from surgery 3-10 years previous for an unrelated condition. For 23 (74%) of these, BLV was already present in normal tissue at least 3 years before cancer diagnosis, consistent with a causative temporal relationship between BLV presence and subsequent cancer development. Conclusions: New unpublished data indicate BLV in some Argentinian women, but the frequency in breast cancer tissue is lower than in US and Australian women. Tests for conventional prognosis/proliferation biomarkers (ER, PR, HER2, Ki67) in Argentinian specimens showed BLV presence significantly associated with moderate-high Ki67 level (p≤0.009) and HER2 overexpression (p≤0.0442), consistent with possible BLV role in enhanced cell proliferation. BLV’s mode of transformation is via the oncogenic protein (Tax), which inhibits host cell DNA repair via the base excision pathway. DNA damage observed in breast cancer cells, including driver mutations, could theoretically have been initiated due to DNA repair inhibition by BLV infection. Elucidating initiators for any cancer opens opportunities for primary and secondary prevention. For viruses, the reservoir (e.g., BLV-infected cattle) could be reduced, transmission to humans could be intercepted (e.g., education to avoid raw milk, raw beef appetizers), vaccines could be developed, and elimination of the virus might be achieved by developing BLV-targeting agents. Driver mutations already initiated by BLV might be targeted as part of personalized secondary prevention and/or therapy. Note: This abstract was not presented at the conference. Citation Format: Gertrude C. Buehring, HuaMIn Shen, Kimberly Baltzell, Jennette Sison, Savitri Krishnamurty, Pamela Lendez, Lucia Matinez-Cuesta, MariaVictoria Nieto-Farias, GuillerminaLaura Dolcini, MariaCarolina Ceriani. Bovine leukemia virus in breast tissue linked to increased cell proliferation and breast cancer risk [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Breast Cancer Research; 2017 Oct 7-10; Hollywood, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2018;16(8_Suppl):Abstract nr B30.

Industrial Heat Pump Integration in Non-Continuous Processes Using Thermal Energy Storages as Utility – A Graphical Approach

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate a practical methodology for heat pump (HP) integration in non-continuous processes which is not expensive in terms of computation time and resources. Therefore, a methodology is developed based on graphical Pinch Analysis techniques and further on the developed COP Curves. The methodology is applied to an AMMIX butter production of a large dairy factory. It is shown, that by integrating a HP and using thermal energy storages (TESs) to compensate for the non-continuous behavior, the capital cost for the system is approximately reduced by the factor of 2.2. Further, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be reduced with a slight decrease in total annual cost (TAC). However, by considering future natural gas and electricity prices, it is shown that the TAC can be reduced further.

Economic analysis of dairy farming in Bangladesh.

A study was conducted to analyze the dairy farming sector of Bangladesh from an economic viewpoint. Primary data was collected from smallholder dairy farms using survey questionnaires. A Cobb-Douglas production function and multiple regression models were estimated to analyze farm milk productivity and gross margin of the dairy farms. Surveyed dairy farms owned on an average 3.07 milking cows comprising 0.37 indigenous and 2.70 crossbred cows. Average milk productivity was 7.80liter per cow per day, in which indigenous cow milk productivity was 1.91iter per day and crossbred cow milk productivity was 6.48liter per cow per day. The study found that average daily milk production of small, medium, and large dairy farms were 5.45, 32.50, and 59.83liter, respectively. Average monthly revenue and cost of milk production were US$ 79 and US$ 21 per cow, resulting in the average net return of US$ 58 per cow per month. Both quantitative estimation and t test results indicated a positive and statistically significant relationship between farm size and milk productivity and gross margin. The study findings also indicate that crossbred cows are providing higher economic benefits to the dairy farmers compared to the indigenous breeds. Despite being smallholder and subsistence, dairy farming shows potential for increasing returns to scale, and hence, there is a scope for further growth of the sector.

Can neutral dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) decrease occurrence of clinical periparturient hypocalcaemia in dairy cattle?

Adjusting the dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) is one of the most efficient ways to stimulate calcium homeostasis in periparturient dairy cattle. However, adjusting DCAD to the recommended negative values (-100 to -150 mEq/kg) is associated with decreased food intake and metabolic acidosis. The critical conditions of the animals at peripartum (i.e. drastic hormonal changes, decreased appetite and negative energy balance) can be detrimental to the health, productivity and welfare of the animals if combined with decreased feed intake caused by unpalatable acidogenic salts. In a cross-sectional study, we analysed the ration of eight small to large dairy herds with intensive husbandry systems, including 6949 dry cows. Sodium, potassium, chlorine and sulfur concentrations in the feed were determined and DCAD was calculated. The DCAD of the ration of the farms ranged from -33.5 to +24.7 mEq/kg. Parturient paresis (PP, or milk fever) prevalence was investigated and correlated to DCAD values. Clinical PP occurrence in the dairies of this investigation on average declined by 87% (ranging from a 97% decline to 5% increase). This indicates that adjusting DCAD at neutral values (0 ± 30 mEq/kg range) may both lower the PP prevalence and increase ration palatability by lowering acidogenic salts in the ration. Further research is recommended to investigate the effects of neutral DCAD on subclinical hypocalcaemia and food intake of the cattle.

An overview and impact assessment of OSHA large dairy local emphasis programs in New York and Wisconsin.

Farming has been exempted from most labor regulations and shielded from regulatory scrutiny by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Yet, agriculture and dairy in particular, has relatively high injury and fatality rates. A recent shift in OSHA's approach to agricultural worker safety and health includes two dairy-focused Local Emphasis Programs (LEPs), one launched in Wisconsin in 2011 and the other in New York in 2014. We examine data from LEP-related, OSHA consultations and inspections as well as non-governmental audit programs, and review farmer perceptions about the LEP. Inspections conducted by OSHA and private consultation programs highlight the presence and variety of hazards on dairy farms in Wisconsin and New York. The LEPs helped raise dairy producers' awareness of inherent hazards and methods to correct them. Farmers cited the LEP as beneficial, identifying it as a catalyst to reduce hazards on their farms.

Manure management coupled with bioenergy production: An environmental and economic assessment of large dairies in New Mexico

Consolidation in livestock production generates higher net farm incomes due to economies of scale. However, it also brings manure disposal problems. New Mexico ranks number one in the U.S. in dairy herd size. Dairy manure is a significant source of nitrates, and improper management of manure from large dairy farms can produce adverse environmental and health effects. We use a combination of life-cycle assessment, cost-benefit analysis, and sensitivity analysis to assess environmental and economic impacts of three alternative dairy manure management cases: direct land application (DLA), anaerobic digestion (AD), and anaerobic digestion coupled with microalgae cultivation (ADMC). By modeling a typical large dairy farm in New Mexico, four environmental impacts and the present value of net benefits of each case are evaluated under a baseline scenario and different policy scenarios. Our results show that, for a typical large dairy farm in New Mexico, the DLA case is the least sustainable regarding any of the environmental impacts. AD is most profitable in the baseline, tax credit, and carbon credit scenarios while ADMC is most profitable in the presence of a market for nutrient credits. Policy implications are discussed for dairy manure management coupled with bioenergy production on large dairy farms in arid regions.

A Proposal for a UK Ethics Council for Animal Policy: The Case for Putting Ethics Back into Policy Making.

Simple SummaryAnimal health and welfare policy in the UK often raises important ethical questions. Bovine tuberculosis and badger culling and the use of wild animals in circuses are good examples of controversial policy issues. In the UK, animal health and welfare advisory bodies such as the Farm Animal Welfare Committee do no not have adequate expertise to inform the moral dimensions of such policy issues. This paper proposes a body to be termed the “Ethics Council for Animal Policy” to inform the UK government on policy that significantly impacts sentient species. We review existing ethics Councils (e.g., the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and The Netherlands Council on Animal Affairs) and examine some widely used ethical frameworks (e.g., Banner’s principles and the ethical matrix). We conclude that the Ethics Council for Animal Policy should be independent of government and its members should have substantial expertise in ethics and related disciplines. A six-stage ethical framework is proposed that would help the Council to reach conclusions about such issues as whether badgers should be culled in an attempt to control bovine TB and whether wild animals should be permitted to perform in circuses.Substantial controversy is a consistent feature of UK animal health and welfare policy. BSE, foot and mouth disease, bovine TB and badger culling, large indoor dairies, and wild animals in circuses are examples. Such policy issues are inherently normative; they include a substantial moral dimension. This paper reviews UK animal welfare advisory bodies such as the Animal Health and Welfare Board of England, the Farm Animal Welfare Committee and the Animals in Science Committee. These bodies play a key advisory role, but do not have adequate expertise in ethics to inform the moral dimension of policy. We propose an “Ethics Council for Animal Policy” to inform the UK government on policy that significantly impacts sentient species. We review existing Councils (e.g., the Nuffield Council on Bioethics and The Netherlands Council on Animal Affairs) and examine some widely used ethical frameworks (e.g., Banner’s principles and the ethical matrix). The Ethics Council for Animal Policy should be independent from government and members should have substantial expertise in ethics and related disciplines. A pluralistic six-stage ethical framework is proposed: (i) Problematisation of the policy issue, (ii) utilitarian analysis, (iii) animal rights analysis, (iv) virtue-based analysis, (v) animal welfare ethic analysis, and (vi) integrated ethical analysis. The paper concludes that an Ethics Council for Animal Policy is necessary for just and democratic policy making in all societies that use sentient nonhuman species.

Short communication: Identifying challenges and opportunities for improved nutrient management through the USDA's Dairy Agroecosystem Working Group

Nutrient management on US dairy farms must balance an array of priorities, some of which conflict. To illustrate nutrient management challenges and opportunities across the US dairy industry, the USDA Agricultural Research Service Dairy Agroecosystems Working Group (DAWG) modeled 8 confinement and 2 grazing operations in the 7 largest US dairy-producing states using the Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM). Opportunities existed across all of the dairies studied to increase on-farm feed production and lower purchased feed bills, most notably on large dairies (>1,000 cows) with the highest herd densities. Purchased feed accounted for 18 to 44% of large dairies' total operating costs compared with 7 to 14% on small dairies (<300 milk cows) due to lower stocking rates. For dairies with larger land bases, in addition to a reduction in environmental impact, financial incentives exist to promote prudent nutrient management practices by substituting manure nutrients or legume nutrients for purchased fertilizers. Environmental priorities varied regionally and were principally tied to facility management for dry-lot dairies of the semi-arid western United States (ammonia-N emissions), to manure handling and application for humid midwestern and eastern US dairies (nitrate-N leaching and P runoff), and pasture management for dairies with significant grazing components (nitrous oxide emissions). Many of the nutrient management challenges identified by DAWG are beyond slight modifications in management and require coordinated solutions to ensure an environmentally and economically sustainable US dairy industry.

Prevailing practices in the use of antibiotics by dairy farmers in Eastern Haryana region of India.

Aim:The aim of the study was to assess the antibiotic use in dairy animals and to trace its usage pattern among the small, medium, and large dairy farmers in Eastern Haryana region of India.Materials and Methods:Karnal and Kurukshetra districts from Eastern region of Haryana state were purposively selected, and four villages from each district were selected randomly. From each village, 21 farmers were selected using stratified random sampling by categorizing into small, medium, and large farmers constituting a total of 168 farmers as respondents. An antibiotic usage index (AUI) was developed to assess usage of antibiotics by dairy farmers.Results:Frequency of veterinary consultancy was high among large dairy farmers, and they mostly preferred veterinarians over para-veterinarians for treatment of dairy animals. Small farmers demanded low-cost antibiotics from veterinarians whereas large farmers rarely went for it. Antibiotics were used maximum for therapeutic purposes by all categories of farmers. Completion of treatment schedules and follow-up were strictly practiced by the majority of large farmers. AUI revealed that large farmers were more consistent on decision-making about prudent use of antibiotics. Routine use of antibiotics after parturition to prevent disease and sale of milk without adhering to withdrawal period was responsible for aggravating the antibiotic resistance. The extent of antibiotic use by small farmers depended on the severity of disease. The large farmers opted for the prophylactic use of antibiotics at the herd level.Conclusion:Antibiotic usage practices were judicious among large dairy farmers, moderately prudent by medium dairy farmers and faulty by small farmers. The frequency of veterinary consultancy promoted better veterinary-client relationship among large farmers.

Personal exposure of dairy workers to dust, endotoxin, muramic acid, ergosterol, and ammonia on large-scale dairies in the high plains Western United States

ABSTRACTDairy workers experience a high degree of bioaerosol exposure, composed of an array of biological and chemical constituents, which have been tied to adverse health effects. A better understanding of the variation in the magnitude and composition of exposures by task is needed to inform worker protection strategies. To characterize the levels and types of exposures, 115 dairy workers grouped into three task categories on nine farms in the high plains Western United States underwent personal monitoring for inhalable dust, endotoxin, 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OHFA), muramic acid, ergosterol, and ammonia through one work shift. Eighty-nine percent of dairy workers were exposed to endotoxin at concentrations exceeding the recommended exposure guidelines (adjusted for a long work shift). The proportion of workers with exposures exceeding recommended guidelines was lower for inhalable dust (12%), and ammonia (1%). Ergosterol exposures were only measurable on 28% of samples, primarily among medical workers and feed handlers. Milking parlor workers were exposed to significantly higher inhalable dust, endotoxin, 3-OHFA, ammonia, and muramic acid concentrations compared to workers performing other tasks. Development of large modern dairies has successfully made progress in reducing worker exposures and lung disease prevalence. However, exposure to endotoxin, dust, and ammonia continues to present a significant risk to worker health on North American dairies, especially for workers in milking parlors. This study was among the first to concurrently evaluate occupational exposure to assayable endotoxin (lipid A), 3-hydroxy fatty acids or 3-OHFA (a chemical measure of cell bound and noncell-bound endotoxins), muramic acid, ergosterol, and ammonia among workers on Western U.S. dairies. There remains a need for cost-effective, culturally acceptable intervention strategies integrated in OHS Risk Management and production systems to further optimize worker health and farm productivity.

Factors associated with the bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) status in cattle herds in Northwest Germany

In Germany, all calves are tested for the presence of bovine viral diarrhoea/mucosal disease virus (BVDV) virus since January 1, 2011. The basis for this compulsory investigation is the BVDV Federal Regulation (BVDVV), which demands testing of calves before the age of six months and according to the new regulation of June 2016 within four weeks or before entering another stock. In 2012, a questionnaire was sent to 7250 Lower Saxony cattle farmers to identify potential factors associated with the presence of BVDV. Completed questionnaires were received from 2542 farms for further analysis. For BVD status determination of these farms, the diagnostic results of 425,911 ear notch samples of calves as part of the BVD eradication period from June 2010 to December 2013 were used.For the analysis of the completed questionnaires, a univariable analysis was performed by the chi-square or Wilcoxon test for each variable studied. In addition, a multivariable logistic model was performed. Four potential risk factors remained after a backward selection in the final logistic regression model: the dairy production compared to the suckling and other types of production, the herd size, the purchase of animals and the location in western region in comparison with the central and eastern regions. In summary, according to the results of this study, the farm with the highest probability of a BVDV infection in Lower Saxony is a large dairy farm that purchases cattle and is located in a cattle-dense region. When the complete eradication of the virus will be achieved, the results of the present study may help to conduct a risk-oriented monitoring programme.

\u03b1-Tocopherol and \u03b2-carotene concentrations in feed, colostrum, cow and calf serum in Swedish dairy herds with high or low calf mortality

BackgroundA study of herd-level risk factors for calf mortality in large Swedish dairy herds showed low serum concentrations of α-tocopherol and β-carotene in 1–7 day old calves to be more common in high mortality herds. Therefore, we aimed to investigate if calf mortality risk at herd level is associated with concentrations of α-tocopherol and/or β-carotene at individual level in feed, colostrum, cow and calf serum, while controlling for herd level covariates. Inclusion criteria were affiliation to the Swedish official milk recording scheme, herd size of ≥ 120 milking cows/year, calf mortality risk (day 1–90) of at least 6% (high mortality; HM) or less than 1% (low mortality; LM) and located within one of two regions in southern Sweden. This cross-sectional study was performed in 2010 in 19 (nHM = 9; nLM = 10) dairy herds. Questionnaires were used to collect information about feed and routines for colostrum feeding. Feed (n = 57), colostrum (n = 162), cow serum (n = 189) and calf serum samples (n = 187) were collected and analysed for α-tocopherol and β-carotene. Other analyses e.g. total serum protein, fat content, and total solids in colostrum were also performed. Linear regression models with vitamin concentrations in feed, colostrum, cow and calf serum as outcome were performed.ResultsCalves in HM herds had lower concentrations of α-tocopherol in serum than calves in LM herds, but the effect depended on total protein status in serum of the calf (P = 0.036). Calves from herds that fed transition milk for 3 days or more had higher α-tocopherol concentrations in serum than calves from herds feeding transition milk up to 2 days (P = 0.013). Fat percentage in colostrum was positively associated with α-tocopherol (P < 0.001) and β-carotene concentrations in colostrum (P < 0.001). A diet containing ≥ 20% (in kg dry matter) maize silage of the total ration was negatively associated with β-carotene concentration in cow serum (P = 0.001).ConclusionsHigh calf mortality risks were associated with lower concentrations of α-tocopherol in calf serum for calves with failure of passive transfer. Feeding transition milk longer was associated with higher concentrations of α-tocopherol in calf serum. In HM herds, evaluation of the calves’ α-tocopherol status is recommended.

Management practices associated with reproductive performance in Holstein cows on large commercial dairy farms

As a result of the increase in herd size and the intensification of production, the complexity of reproductive management has been growing in dairy herds. The aim of our study was to examine the associations of management practices and reproductive performance in Holstein cows on large commercial dairy farms. Management practices applied to cows were surveyed between 22 May and 6 November 2015 in 34 large Holstein-Friesian dairy herds in Hungary. Individual data of 23 784 cows that calved between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2014 in the surveyed herds were gathered. Associations between the management practices and the reproductive parameters were analyzed by mixed effects models. Regarding heat abatement we found that ventilation with sprinklers was associated with the shortest breeding interval (P<0.01), the shortest calving to conception interval (P<0.01), and the highest odds of being pregnant by 200 days in milk (P<0.01). Solely ventilation showed similar (P>0.05) results to lack of heat stress protection. It was also revealed, that lack of a well-established voluntary waiting period (VWP) or a VWP shorter than 50 days was associated with less days to first service (P<0.01), shorter breeding interval (P<0.01) and calving to conception interval (P<0.05), as well as higher odds of carrying a calf by 200 days in milk (P<0.01) compared with those using a VWP of at least 50 days. Those farms that applied transrectal ultrasonography were more likely to use ventilation with sprinklers (P<0.05), hormonal synchronization (P<0.01) and to perform early pregnancy diagnosis followed by pregnancy recheck (P<0.05). The application of transrectal ultrasonography with one of the aforementioned practices was associated with reduced days to first service (P<0.05), shorter breeding interval (P<0.05) and higher odds of pregnancy at 200 days in milk (P<0.05). Our study highlights the management practices most closely related to improved reproductive performance, which are, therefore, suggested to be applied on dairy farms, considering the local circumstances of the individual farms.

Fizikalna svojstva i fermentacijski profil silaže cijele biljke kukuruza s velikih farma Republike Hrvatske

Maize silage is the main forage for ruminant livestock in Croatia. Production of substances determines quality of ensiling during the process and, therefore, has an impact on nutritive value, consumption, and health of cattle. Since in Croatia there is no systematic research of ensiling quality, this study aimed to determine quality parameters values of maize silage from large farms in continental Croatia during the spring of 2016. In total 33 samples of maize silage were representatively sampled by taking silage from the entire cross-section of the silo. Selected quality parameters included dry matter (DM) and ash contents, pH and titratable acidity, water holding capacity, particle size of the whole silage and separated grains, and aroma according to the "Sil-All for corn silage" (Danstar Ferment Ag, Switzerland). Nearly half of the analyzed samples had DM content outside the optimal range (300 – 400 g*kg-1). The pH value of silages was within the optimal range (3.5 – 4.2) which indicated that the active phase of ensiling was properly done. However, two-thirds of samples had an undesirable aroma which indicated changes of fermentation products occurred during the stable phase. Titratable acidity of tested silages, with a range from 11.61 to 128.93 meqv. NaOH*100 g-1 DM, indicated their different buffering properties in the rumen. Water holding capacity varied from 4.4 to 8.57 g*g-1 DM and this range implied variable fiber content in analyzed samples. Grain content in silages ranged from 23.86 to 45.05% whereas its geometric particle size was in a range from 2.15 to 4.3 mm. When considering particle distribution of whole silage on PSPS (Penn State Forage Particle Separator) sieves, a half or more than half samples had content on individual sieves outside the optimal ranges. In conclusion, maize silages on large dairy and fattening farms in continental Croatia are very variable in quality and, in many parameters, of lower quality than the standards implying that more attention must be given to the silage production procedures.

Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of E. coli and Enterococcus from Dairy Cattle in Different Management Units on a Central California Dairy

The objective of the study was to characterize profiles of phenotypic antimicrobial resistance of enteric bacteria from dairy cattle in different ages and management units. Feces were collected from Holstein and Jersey cattle in different management units on a large Central California dairy including hutch calves (pre-weaned), post-weaned heifers, breeding heifers, springer’s (pregnant nulliparous females due to calve), fresh (recently calved) uniparous (first lactation) cows, fresh multiparous (second or greater lactation) cows, mid-lactation multiparous cows, pregnant late lactation multiparous cows, far-off (recently) dry cows (non-lactating), close up (1-3 week due to calve) dry cows, hospital pen, and mid to late lactation multiparous cows. E. coli and Enterococcus were isolated from fecal samples from cattle in different management units and tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. E. coli from hutch calves showed a wide spectrum of resistance to antimicrobial drugs compared to isolates from other management units. Enterococcus isolated from all management units was resistant to a wide spectrum of antimicrobial drugs. The drugs that E. coli and Enterococcus were most likely resistant to were tetracycline and lincomycin, respectively. Results of this cross-sectional study showed different antimicrobial resistance profiles of bacteria from dairy cattle of different ages and in different management units. Information can be considered for farm managements to mitigate antimicrobial resistance.

Factors affecting the milk urea nitrogen concentration in Chinese Holstein cows

AbstractIn order to investigate the factors affecting milk urea nitrogen in Chinese Holstein cows, a large commercial dairy farm participated in a 30-month study. In this study, the mean milk urea nitrogen concentration was 11.75 mg/dl. The milk urea nitrogen reached its maximum value on day 90 of lactation for the first parity and the third or higher parities, but it peaked at the end of lactation for the second parity. The milk urea nitrogen of the first parity was lower than that of other parities. The milk urea nitrogen showed its minimum level in January, and reached its maximum in July. The milk urea nitrogen at the first month of lactation in cows calving in summer was higher than other seasons, while at the fourth month of lactation, the milk urea nitrogen of cows calving in autumn was significantly lower than in cows calving in other seasons. Positive correlations were observed between daily milk yield, net energy for lactation, crude protein and milk urea nitrogen for the first and third parities, but negative correlations were observed in the second parity. The milk urea nitrogen showed significantly positive correlations with fat content, total solid content and daily matter intake for all parities. A negative correlation was observed between milk urea nitrogen and protein content, with the exception of the second parity. For all data, as milk urea nitrogen concentration increased, milk protein content decreased. It has been recommended that milk urea nitrogen concentration should be evaluated in combination with parity, days in milk, season (or month), daily matter intake and dietary nutritional components, in order to improve the management and economic benefits of dairy farm.

Adoption of Good Dairy Farming Practices among Commercial Dairy Owners of Karnataka

Karnataka has been purposively selected due to the highest milk producing state in South India where commercial dairy farming is also in developing stage. In all, 135 respondents from 3 districts form the total sample size for the study having equal representation of small (10-20 milch animals), medium (20-40 milch animals) and large (>40 milch animals) commercial dairy farmers. Questionnaire was prepared on animal health, hygienic milking, animal feeding, animal welfare and environmental friendly practices according to “Guidelines on good dairy farming practices” by FAO (2014). The study shows that average adoption score of animal health practices,hygienic milking practicesand environmental practices was medium. The average adoption score of animal feeding and animal welfare practices was high. The average overall adoption score of good dairy farming practices was medium whereas average overall adoption score of both small and medium farmers group was medium and large farmers group was high. The study also shows that education, occupation, herd size, annual income and extension agency contact were highly significant and positively correlated with adoption level of good dairy farming practices, whereas livestock rearing experience, land holding, social participation and mass media were positively and significantly associated with adoption. The study further reveals that annual income, herd size, education and extension agency contact were the main contributing factors to adoption of good dairy farming practices.

Strategies for increasing fertility in high productivity dairy herds.

Over the years, the dairy cow has been selected and managed for high performance and efficiency in milk production. Thus, different factors influence the fertility of dairy cows of high productivity. It has been observed that genetic selection for large productions and metabolic adaptations may explain the greater requirement to maintain reproduction at satisfactory levels. Also, these animals are more susceptible to environmental factors such as increased temperature and humidity. Studies have shown that heat stress results in reduced estrous expression and impairs ovarian function, interfering with folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. Likewise, under heat stress conditions, dry matter intake is reduced, prolonging the after calving negative energy balance and calving-conception interval. Thus, suboptimal reproductive performance is one of the main factors responsible for the economic losses in large dairy farms. In this context, numerous management practices have been introduced to improve reproduction in high productivity animals, making reproductive management increasingly complex in dairy farms. Among them, we can mention the implementation of management and nutrition conditions adapted to the periods of heat stress, as well as protocols and biotechniques that improve the quality of the follicles and oocytes. Thus, because genetic selection for better fertility animals is a characteristic of low heritability, the success of reproductive programs in highly productive herds depends on the association of the control of genetic and physiological factors with those of environmental, nutritional and management. This paper aims to discuss reproductive aspects of dairy cows of high productivity, the role of heat stress in this context, and the implementation of management, nutrition and biotechnology conditions, to minimize the adverse effects on the reproduction of these animals.

Hungarian dairy and beef production sector technical efficiency comparsion using DEA

To examine and compare the technical efficiency of dairy sector and the beef sector, this research introduced the main indicators of milk and beef production in the world, EU and Hungarian aggregates. Based on the data it can be said that the milk and beef production of Hungary does not occupy any significant position in the world as well as in the European Union neither today nor even in the past. If Hungry must compete in the European counties and international market, their dairy sector must focus to increase of their production efficiency as the key breakthrough point. This paper we compared technical efficiency of both dairy and beef sectors in total, for the year 2014 and 2015 separately and based on the farm size. The specific objectives of the research are: comparing dairy and beef farms efficiency in Hungary. Based on the results, we can determine which sector in Hungary is more effective. The second objective is to compare the efficiencies of both the sectors in 2014 and 2015 separately and from the results we can determine which year was more effective in terms of production efficiency and the third objective of the research is technical efficiency comparison of certain economic sizes for both sectors. In the research, we used (KOVACS, 2009) deterministic (DEA) model adapted to the Hungarian dairy farms and beef farms. For the dairy farms milk and dairy products as well as meat (other income). The input factors originated from the domestic AKI - FADN database. Summarizing the results of the research it can be conclude that the dairy sector is more effective than the beef sector in Hungary. In terms of years compared 2014 was more effective for both sector as compared with 2015. In regards to the farm size almost the same result in evaluating the scale of efficiency, which means that large economies can in most cases, manage resources more efficiently than small farms. In the examined years, based on the results of the DEA model, the VRS technical efficiency of the test for these two years was 72.90% for the dairy farms and 63.60% for the beef farms, which means that the dairy sector is more efficient than the beef sector in Hungary. The VRS technical efficiency of the research was 82.10% in 2014 and 75.10% in 2015 for the dairy farms and 77.50% in 2014 and 68.90% in 2015 for the beef farms, which means that both the dairy sector and the beef sectors followed the same trend and were more efficient in 2014 compared to the efficiency in 2015. The large size dairy farms were most effective in Hungary in the examined period (90.90%). VRS technical efficiency for small farms is 88% and the total number of small, the technical efficiency medium farms was 72.80% For the beef sector VRS technical efficiency for small farms is 71.30% and the technical efficiency medium farms was 74.40% and 70% of the beef meat producing farms in Hungary are medium sized. So, the conclusion is the small size dairy farms have a higher VRS efficiency than the small size beef farms whereas medium sized beef farms had higher VRS efficiency than the medium size dairy farms. As a conclusion, both dairy and beef sectors in Hungary have the potential to overcome technology and knowledge constraints and attain the upmost attainable productivity level through improvements in; farmer volume of production i.e. output, beef cattle technologies, and advertising, and the efficiency of the technology transfer process.&#x0D; JEL Code: Q13

Cryptosporidium outbreak in calves on a large dairy farm: Effect of treatment and the association with the inflammatory response and short-term weight gain

Cryptosporidium spp. infections in neonatal dairy calves can cause diarrhoea and, in rare cases, death. The infection is usually self-limiting, but halofuginone lactate (HL) can be used prophylactically. Calves (n=144) in the study were born during a 2-month period on one farm. A total of 901 serum and 767 faecal samples were collected. Based on HL treatment, the calves were divided into 3 groups: I) not treated, II) treated incorrectly (treatment started >48h after birth, or lasted <7days), and III) treated correctly (started <48h after birth, and lasted ≥7days). Over the 3-month observation period, 14.6% (n=21) of the calves died, of which most (67%) had not been treated with HL. Correctly performed treatment of cryptosporidiosis significantly delayed the onset of oocysts shedding (P<0.001) and reduced haptoglobin (HP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) concentrations in the second week of life. HP concentration and HL treatment were negatively associated with weight gain at 3months of age. Cryptosporidium positive faecal samples were significantly (P<0.001) more likely to be diarrhoeic but Giardia or Eimeria positive samples were not. Correct prophylactic treatment with HL delayed the shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts and improved survival, but was negatively associated with weight gain. Incorrect treatment had a low impact on mortality and resembled no treatment regarding the proportion of calves shedding oocysts. Acute phase response (APR) in the second week of life seemed to be positively associated with shedding high amounts of Cryptosporidium oocysts.