Milk Yield In Dairy Cows Research Articles

Replacing stearic acid with oleic acid in supplemental fat blends improves fatty acid digestibility of lactating dairy cows

The objective of our study was to determine the effects of altering the ratio of stearic (C18:0; SA) and oleic (cis-9 C18:1; OA) acids in supplemental fatty acid (FA) blends on FA digestibility and milk yield of dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (mean ± SD; 157 ± 11.8 d in milk) were randomly assigned to treatment sequence in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with 14-d periods. Digestibility and production data were collected during the last 4 d of each period. The treatments were an unsupplemented control diet (CON), and 3 diets incorporating FA supplement blends at 1.4% of diet dry matter (DM) containing (as a % of total FA) 50% SA and 10% OA, 40% SA and 20% OA, or 30% SA and 30% OA. The FA blends were balanced to contain 33% palmitic, 5% linoleic, and <0.5% linolenic acids. The FA supplements replaced soyhulls in the CON diet. Preplanned contrasts were as follows: (1) overall effect of FA treatments [CON vs. the average of the FA-supplemented diets; (50:10 + 40:20 + 30:30)/3], (2) the linear effect of OA inclusion in the supplemental FA blend, and (3) the quadratic effect of OA inclusion in the supplemental FA blend. There was no effect of treatment on DM intake, but the replacement of soyhulls in the FA treatments decreased neutral detergent fiber intake. Overall, compared with CON, FA treatments increased DM and neutral detergent fiber digestibility, and increasing OA within FA treatments quadratically increased digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber. Overall, FA treatments increased the intake of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA, decreased the digestibility of total and 18-carbon FA, but increased absorption of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA. Within FA treatments, increasing OA linearly increased the digestibility of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA, as well as the absorption of total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA. Overall, FA treatments increased the yields of milk, energy-corrected milk, and milk fat, and tended to increase milk protein yield. Compared with CON, FA treatments had no effect on the yield of de novo milk FA and increased the yields of mixed and preformed milk FA. Within FA treatments, increasing OA did not affect the yields of milk or milk components, linearly decreased the yield of de novo FA, and quadratically affected the yield of mixed and preformed milk FA. Overall, FA treatments increased plasma nonesterified fatty acids but did not affect β-hydroxybutyrate or insulin. Within FA treatments, increasing OA quadratically affected plasma nonesterified fatty acids, and tended to linearly increase β-hydroxybutyrate and quadratically affect insulin. In conclusion, supplemental FA blends containing different ratios of SA and OA did not affect DM intake but increased the yields of milk and milk components. Supplemental FA blends also increased digestibility of DM and neutral detergent fiber and decreased digestibility of total and 18-carbon FA compared with CON. Although increasing OA within FA supplements did not alter milk production, increasing OA within FA supplements increased total, 16-carbon, and 18-carbon FA digestibility and FA absorption. Further research is required to determine longer term effects of SA and OA on nutrient digestion and partitioning and opportunities for maintaining or improving FA digestibility with increasing SA intake and availability in the small intestine.

Random Forest Modelling of Milk Yield of Dairy Cows under Heat Stress Conditions.

Simple SummarySustainability is a necessary goal for animal-derived products due to the mounting pressure on the livestock sector to meet the growing demand of an increasing population with rising incomes and the need to reduce the exploitation of resources and environmental impact, while safeguarding animal welfare. We found that by considering a precision livestock farming approach to feeding, advanced numerical methods could represent a reliable and viable tool for the evaluation of future productive scenarios of dairy cows in the presence of changing climate conditions. We believe that the model proposed here could help to develop and improve decision support for farmers to increase both milk yield and animal welfare and, on the other hand, to reduce the resources needed, hence increasing sustainability of the dairy sector.Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) relies on several technological approaches to acquire, in the most efficient way, precise and real-time data concerning production and welfare of individual animals. In this regard, in the dairy sector, PLF devices are being increasingly adopted, automatic milking systems (AMSs) are becoming increasingly widespread, and monitoring systems for animals and environmental conditions are becoming common tools in herd management. As a consequence, a great amount of daily recorded data concerning individual animals are available for the farmers and they could be used effectively for the calibration of numerical models to be used for the prediction of future animal production trends. On the other hand, the machine learning approaches in PLF are nowadays considered an extremely promising solution in the research field of livestock farms and the application of these techniques in the dairy cattle farming would increase sustainability and efficiency of the sector. The study aims to define, train, and test a model developed through machine learning techniques, adopting a Random Forest algorithm, having the main goal to assess the trend in daily milk yield of a single cow in relation to environmental conditions. The model has been calibrated and tested on the data collected on 91 lactating cows of a dairy farm, located in northern Italy, and equipped with an AMS and thermo-hygrometric sensors during the years 2016–2017. In the statistical model, having seven predictor features, the daily milk yield is evaluated as a function of the position of the day in the lactation curve and the indoor barn conditions expressed in terms of daily average of the temperature-humidity index (THI) in the same day and its value in each of the five previous days. In this way, extreme hot conditions inducing heat stress effects can be considered in the yield predictions by the model. The average relative prediction error of the milk yield of each cow is about 18% of daily production, and only 2% of the total milk production.

Effects of seeding rate and hybrid relative maturity on yield, nutrient composition, ruminal in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility, and predicted milk yield of dairy cows in whole-plant corn forage in subtropical conditions

We aimed to evaluate the effects of season (SEA), relative maturity (RM), and seeding rate (SR) on yield, nutrient composition, ruminal in vitro NDF digestibility at 30 h, and predicted milk yield in whole-plant corn forage grown in subtropical regions. During the summer of 2016 and spring of 2017, 3 hybrids varying in RM [118 (RM118); 124 (RM124); and 130 (RM130) d] were planted at 2 different SR [63,000 (63K) or 73,000 (73K) plants/ha] in a randomized complete block design with 4 blocks. Data were analyzed as a 2 (SEA) × 3 (hybrid RM) × 2 (SR) factorial using linear mixed model procedures, where hybrid RM, SR, SEA, and all their interactions were fixed effects, and block was the sole random effect. A 3-way interaction was observed for DM yield, which was greatest (18.0 Mg/ha) for RM130 planted at 63K for summer and RM130 planted at 73K (27.0 Mg/ha) for spring. Later RM hybrids had lower starch concentration and yield, but both were also influenced by season. The NDF concentration was lowest for hybrid RM118. The NDF and TDN yield were both greater for the spring season compared with the summer, but both were influenced by SR. Predicted milk yield per megagram of forage (kg/Mg) and starch yield were both lowest when planted at 63K for hybrid RM130. Greater NDF and lower undigested NDF concentrations were observed in 63K compared with 73K for SR. Seeding rate can be used to increase DM yield, but yield is also affected by hybrid RM and season. Hybrid RM can also be used to increase DM yield with later RM or improve nutrient composition with an earlier RM hybrid by increasing starch concentration and decreasing NDF concentration. Additionally, the greater starch concentration combined with the greater DM yield observed for treatments in the spring season suggest producers should focus their efforts on growing the bulk of corn silage during the spring. Last, different levels of SR and different hybrid RM combinations can be used during different seasons to maximize corn silage productivity.

Association between early postpartum rumination time and peak milk yield in dairy cows

Limited information is available on the relationship between rumination time (RT) in the early postpartum period and milk production later in lactation. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the association of change in RT and average RT during the immediate postpartum period with peak milk yield (PMY) in dairy cows, and (2) determine the best model based on days in milk (DIM) to evaluate this association. Cows from 33 free-flow automatic milking system farms were included in this study, where retrospective milk production and RT data were collected for 12 mo. Cows were categorized by parity number into parity 1 (P1, n = 1,538), parity 2 (P2, n = 1,354), or parity ≥3 (P3+, n = 1,770). For each cow, PMY was identified as the highest daily milk yield up to 180 DIM for P1 and 120 DIM for P2 and P3+ cows. Five change in RT variables and 5 average RT variables were created corresponding to the first 2 to 6 DIM. Change in RT variables were the slope coefficients for change in RT/d related to DIM = 1 extracted from simple linear regressions, and average RT variables were the arithmetic mean RT. Five models analyzing PMY and corresponding variables calculated over the first 2 to 6 DIM had fixed effects of average RT, change in RT, parity, average RT × parity interaction, change in RT × parity interaction, and a random intercept for farm. Peak milk yield occurred at (median) 75, 44, and 46 DIM for P1, P2, and P3+, respectively. Overall PMY was (mean ± standard deviation) 54 ± 11 kg and it increased as parity increased. A positive association was found between change in RT and PMY, and average RT and PMY for P2 and P3+ cows in all 5 models corresponding to the first 2 to 6 DIM, indicating that greater average RT and quicker increase in RT after calving are associated with greater PMY for multiparous cows. Although the model including all 6 DIM had the greatest accuracy, results indicated that rumination data collected over the first 2 DIM may also provide adequate information for the association of average RT and change in RT with PMY in P2 and P3+ cows. For each 100 min/d increase in change in RT over the first 6 DIM, PMY increased by 4.3 (95% confidence interval: 2.2-6.3) and 4.8 (95% confidence interval: 3.2-6.5) kg for P2 and P3+ cows, respectively. Peak milk yield increased by 2.3 (95% CI: 1.7-2.8) and 2.2 (95% confidence interval: 1.7-2.6) kg for each 100 min increase in average RT over the first 6 DIM for P2 and P3+ cows, respectively. No association was observed between rumination behaviors and PMY for P1 cows. Results from this study indicate that the length of time for multiparous cows to achieve a stable RT in the early postpartum period combined with average RT during the same period may be useful in predicting their overall lactation milk production.

Evaluation of the efficiency of using black-mottled cows of the Ural type

The article assumes that in the Sverdlovsk region, breeding bulls of the Holstein breed with high efficiency according to their maternal ancestors were used on the breeding stock of the black-mottled breed of the Ural spawn. Animals of this type are of high efficiency. The efficiency evaluation of Ural type cows is urgent. The aim of the work is to evaluate the efficiency of the new genotype cows in terms of their milk yield qualities. It has been found that dairy cows show high milk yields. In accordance with physiological laws, they increase until the fourth lactation, and then gradually go down. The first insemination of replacement heifers on the farm is carried out at the age of 18-19 months with a live weight of over 400 kg. This makes it possible to breed healthy strong animals capable of breeding for a long time and having high milk yield. The maximum milk yield is from 21 kg to 1986 kg (from 0.2% to 35.3%); it is more than the actual one. The farm has reserves for increasing milk yield due to measures for the milk efficiency of the first-year heifers and other cows. It will significantly increase the milk yield in the third and further lactation. The authors calculated the life-long milk yield. It turned out that in fact, 84,450 kg of milk can be obtained from a dairy cow during 10 lactations. The efficiency potential of lifetime productivity, based on the maximum milk yield per lactation, was 7077 kg or 8.4% higher. The predicted potential shows that 104 101 kg of milk can be obtained from a dairy cow during 11 lactations. The efficiency fluctuations by lactation are significant; and from the first to the 5th lactation they exceed 150% of the minimum milk yield of dairy cows to the maximum in the same lactation. So, it is possible to make a conclusion about the great changeability of this feature in the herd and the great possibilities of selection at carrying out selection and breeding work on the farm.

Impact of lameness on milk yield in dairy cows in Austria - results from the Efficient-Cow-project

Introduction The impact of lameness on milk yield in dairy cows has been investigated already in many countries by several authors, taking into consideration almost exclusively locomotion scores ≥ 3. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of lameness and of the various lameness scores (2-5) on milk yield and milk solids in cows of the three most important dairy cattle breeds (Fleckvieh, Braunvieh, Holstein-Friesian) in Austria within one lactation period. Material and methods Locomotion scoring of dairy cows was performed by trained personnel every 30-40 days in 2014 during the course of routine performance testing. From the recorded locomotion scores (1-5) and the number of lameness episodes, the cows were classified into five lactation-locomotion-score-groups (LLS-G1-5). In total, data sets of 4005 cows from 144 dairy farms across Austria could be evaluated. Using two statistical models the fixed effects on LLS group, breed (evaluation across all breeds in model 1), farm, year and season of calving, parity and the «continuous effect» number of milking days were included in the analyses of milk, fat and protein yield. Results The mean, cumulative lameness prevalence during the observation period was 51.0%, and 8.1% were cows from the LLS-G5 group showing repeated and severe locomotion scores. During the first 100 days in milk 34.7% of all cows were lame. In model 1, all effects considered had a significant impact (P .

The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae additive to cattle ration on milk yield of dairy cows

The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae additive to cattle ration on milk yield of dairy cows

Epidemiology and Classification of Mastitis.

Simple SummaryFarmers should focus on milk quality over quantity. However, in some situations, more attention is focused on the amount of milk produced. In the long term, this approach might represent an important economic cost as it leads to increased incidence of mastitis. Mastitis affects herds in all countries and is the most economically burdensome disease encountered by dairy farmers. The current review focuses on the main pathogens that cause this inflammation and their prevalence as well as strategies to prevent their proliferation. We discuss economic loss, with the goal of demonstrating that prevention is always better than disease management.Farmers should focus on milk quality over quantity because milk that contains unsuitable components and/or antibiotic residues, or has a high somatic cell count, cannot be used in food production and thereby results in reduced milk yield. One of the main problems affecting the ultimate milk yield of dairy cows is mastitis. This disease is the most serious economic and health problem associated with dairy cow herds and is a major reason for excessive culling. Therefore, many studies have addressed this problem to further our understanding of the agents causing mastitis and their classification and virulence factors. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding mastitis prevalence, the characteristics of its main causative agents, and the effects of mastitis on dairy production. The review also intends to provide guidance for future studies by examining external effects influencing dairy production in cows under field conditions.

In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Rumen-Protected Microencapsulated Supplement Comprising Linseed Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary Extract, and Hydrogenated Palm Oil on Rumen Fermentation, Physiological Profile, Milk Yield, and Milk Composition in Dairy Cows.

Simple SummaryIn this study, in vitro and in vivo analyses on the supplementation of rumen-protected microencapsulated fatty acids from linseed oil (MO) on rumen fermentation, physiological profile, milk yield, and milk composition in Holstein dairy cows were performed. We revealed that the supplementation of 2% MO incorporated into the diet is beneficial due to promoting omega-3 fatty acids in ruminant milk without negative/regressive effects on ruminal fermentation or the animal productivity of dairy cows.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of adding dietary rumen-protected microencapsulated supplements into the ruminal fluid on the milk fat compositions of dairy cows. These supplements comprised linseed oil, vitamin E, rosemary extract, and hydrogenated palm oil (MO; Microtinic® Omega, Vetagro S.p.A, Reggio Emilia, Italy). For in vitro ruminal fermentation, Holstein–Friesian dairy cows each equipped with a rumen cannula were used to collect ruminal fluid. Different amounts (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%) of MO were added to the diets to collect ruminal fluids. For the in vivo study, 36 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows grouped by milk yield (32.1 ± 6.05 kg/d/head), days in milk (124 ± 84 d), and parity (2 ± 1.35) were randomly and evenly assigned to 0.7% linseed oil (LO; as dry matter (DM) basis) and 2% MO (as DM basis) groups. These two groups were fed only a basal diet (total mixed ration (TMR), silage, and concentrate for 4 weeks) (period 1). They were then fed with the basal diet supplemented with oil (0.7 LO and 2% MO of DM) for 4 weeks (period 2). In the in vitro experiment, the total gas production was found to be numerically decreased in the group supplemented with 3% MO at 48 h post in vitro fermentation. A reduction of total gas production (at 48 h) and increase in ammonia concentration (24 h) were also observed in the group supplemented with 4% to 5% MO (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the in vitro fermentation results, including pH, volatile fatty acids, or CH4 among groups supplemented with 0%, 1%, and 2% MO. The results of the in vitro study suggest that 2% MO is an optimal dosage of MO supplementation in cows’ diets. In the in vivo experiment, the MO supplement more significantly (p < 0.01) increased the yield of total w3 fatty acids than LO (9.24 vs. 17.77 mg/100 g milk). As a result, the ratio of total omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was decreased (p < 0.001) in the MO group compared to that in the LO group (6.99 vs. 3.48). However, the milk yield and other milk compositions, except for milk urea nitrogen, were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Collectively, these results suggest that the dietary supplementation of 2% MO is beneficial for increasing omega-3 fatty acids without any negative effects on the milk yield of dairy cows.

Modelling the Effect of Mastitis on Milk Yield in Dairy Cows using Covariance Structures Fitted to Repeated Measures

The objective of the present study was to study the effect of mastitis on milk yield in dairy cows by accounting the correlations among repeated records on monthly milk yield. The data were collected from monthly milk yield records of 482 dairy cows maintained at three Military Dairy Farms at Agra, Bareilly and Lucknow of Uttar Pradesh (India) for the period from 2011 to 2013. The overall prevalence of mastitis during study period was observed as 24.69%. Mixed modelling using four covariance structures (simple, compound symmetry, autoregressive and unstructured) was used to estimate effect of mastitis on milk yield by adjusting the effects of breed, mastitis, age, calving season, farm, month in lactation and random effects of each cow. On the basis of goodness fit criteria, unstructured covariance structure showed reliable results and estimated 36.76 kg losses due to mastitis in monthly milk yield in dairy cows.

Short Communication: Effects of planting density on nutritive value, dry matter yield, and predicted milk yield of dairy cows from 2 brown midrib forage sorghum hybrids

ABSTRACT Objective Our objective was to evaluate the effects of 5 planting densities (148,000, 198,000, 247,000, 297,000, and 346,000 seeds/ha) on the nutritive value, DM yield, and predicted milk yield from 2 brachytic dwarf (shortening of plants by reducing length between internodes) brown midrib-6 forage sorghum hybrids (Advanta Seeds, AF7401; Advanta Seeds, ADV F7232; Irving, TX). Materials and Methods Replicated plots were planted and harvested on the same day. At harvest, weights of whole-plant sorghum forage were obtained to calculate DM yields. A commercial laboratory (Dairyland Laboratories Inc., Arcadia, WI) analyzed nutrients and predicted ruminal NDF digestibility at 30 h using near-infrared spectroscopy. Estimated milk yield per unit of forage and per hectare were calculated using Milk2006. Summative equations were used to predict TDN and NEl. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with a 5 (planting density) × 2 (hybrid) factorial arrangement of treatments. Results and Discussion Differences were detected between hybrids for DM, starch and NDF concentrations, NDF digestibility at 30 h, DM yield (Mg/ha), kilograms of predicted milk per megagram of DM, and kilograms of predicted milk per hectare, highlighting the importance of hybrid selection. Because of increased tillering at lower planting densities, reductions in NDF concentration and uNDF240om were observed as well as a lack of effects on DM yield and predicted milk yields, emphasizing the tolerance of brachytic dwarf brown midrib-6 forage sorghum to decreases in planting density. Implications and Applications Because of greater DM yield and predicted milk yield, Advanta Seeds ADV F7232 outperformed Advanta Seeds AF7401. Furthermore, increasing planting density above 247,000 seeds∙ha−1 may not be feasible during a summer planting in Florida as biomass yield was not increased. Due to tillering, increasing planting density above 247,000 seeds∙ha−1 may be unnecessary and production costs may be reduced with the use of these reduced densities when similar hybrids are planted during the summer in the southeastern United States and grown under irrigation.

Inline changes in lactate dehydrogenase, milk concentration according to the stage and number of lactation periods, including the status of reproduction and milk yield in dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to investigate inline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) dynamic changes based on different cow factors - different number and stages of lactation, milk yield, and the status of reproduction in clinically healthy dairy cows. In the Herd Navigator system, LDH activity levels (μmol/min per litre) were measured using dry-stick technology. A total of 378 cows were selected. According to their reproductive status, the cows were classified as belonging to the following groups: Fresh (1 - 44 days after calving); Open (45 - 65 days after calving); Inseminated (1 - 35 days after insemination); Pregnant (35 - 60 days after insemination and pregnant). According to their productivity, the cows were classified into the following groups: ⟨15 kg/day, 15 - 25 kg/day, 25 - 35 kg/day and >35 kg/day. The cows were milked with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc. Tumba Sweden) in combination with a Herd Navigator analyser (Lattec I/S. Hillerød Denmark). In conclusion inline dynamic changes in the milk LDH concentration may increase together with the rise in the lactation period frequency. The highest LDH level determinated in the group of the fresh cows ranged from 5 to 10 DIM, while the highest LDH concentration level was found in the fresh cow milk. Thus, there was a positive relationship between the milk concentration of LDH and the milk yield.

Forecasting the milk yield of cows on farms equipped with automatic milking system with the use of decision trees.

The purpose of this paper was to utilize the decision trees technique to determine the factors responsible for high monthly milk yield in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows from 27 herds equipped with milking robots. The applied statistical method-the decision tree technique-showed that the most important factors responsible for monthly milk yield of dairy cows using robots were, in descending order of importance: milking frequency, lactation number, month of milking, and type of lying stall. At the same time, it has been ascertained that the highest monthly milk yield (47.24kg) can be expected from multiparous cows kept in barns with a deep bedding that were milked more frequently than three times per day. On the other hand, the lowest milk production (13.56kg) was observed among dairy cows milked less frequently than two times a day, with an average number of milked quarters lower than 3.97. The application of the decision trees technique allows a breeder to select appropriate levels of environmental factors and parameters that will help to ensure maximized milk production.

Effect of Dietary Pomegranate Peel (Punica granatum) Supplementation on Milk Production and Quality of Labneh of Friesian Dairy Cows

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding different levels of pomegranate peel (2, 3 and 4%) to dairy cows diets on milk production, chemical composition and quality of labneh. Sixteen crossbreed Friesian cows (3rd – 4th season) the first week of lactation were randomly chosen and divided into four groups (4 cows in each group) Latin square design (4x4) (28 days for each period). The groups were fed the following rations: (1)control ration (40% concentrate feed mixture + 40% corn silage + 20% rice straw, (2) control ration + 2% pomegranate peel. (3) control ration + 3% pomegranate peel, and (4) control ration + 4% pomegranate peel. The rations were formulated according to NRC (2001). The results show that diet containing 2% of pomegranate peel increased (P<0.05) the milk 4% FCM production. The use of pomegranate peels with the cow rations up to 2% to have higher yield of labneh with keeping the quality acceptable for the consumers. This study concluded that pomegranate peels at the level of 2% can be used for dairy cow rations to increase milk yield of dairy cows without any harmful effects health status of animals. Therefore, Further long-term studies on lactating animals are required to confirm the obtained results. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding different levels of pomegranate peel (2, 3 and 4%) to dairy cows diets on milk production, chemical composition and quality of labneh. Sixteen crossbreed Friesian cows (3rd – 4th season) the first week of lactation were randomly chosen and divided into four groups (4 cows in each group) Latin square design (4x4) (28 days for each period). The groups were fed the following rations: (1)control ration (40% concentrate feed mixture + 40% corn silage + 20% rice straw, (2) control ration + 2% pomegranate peel. (3) control ration + 3% pomegranate peel, and (4) control ration + 4% pomegranate peel. The rations were formulated according to NRC (2001). The results show that diet containing 2% of pomegranate peel increased (P<0.05) the milk 4% FCM production. The use of pomegranate peels with the cow rations up to 2% to have higher yield of labneh with keeping the quality acceptable for the consumers. This study concluded that pomegranate peels at the level of 2% can be used for dairy cow rations to increase milk yield of dairy cows without any harmful effects health status of animals. Therefore, Further long-term studies on lactating animals are required to confirm the obtained results.

Performances Holstein Frisien (FH) dairy Cow in different agricultural ecosystem

This research was about the performance Friesian Holland dairy cow in different agricural ecosystems inIndonesia. The objective of research was to study growth performance, body weight and milk production FH in Indonesia. The method of the research was survey method, with the technique of determining farmers proportionally. Sampling farmers and their livestock by random sampling method. The data was processed using SPSS 22.0 for the simple descriptive analysis and then tested statistically used T-Test. The results it was concluded that growth, body weight, and milk yield of dairy cows were influenced by agroecosystems, in the dry land agroecosystems and located on or adjacent to forests (dryland and tropical forest/AES DL-Forest), productivity of dairy cows was better than irrigated and dry land with wide balanced rice agroecosystems (DL-IRF) and rainfed and dry land agroecosystems (AES DL-Rainfed).

Methionine and arginine supplementation alter inflammatory and oxidative stress responses during lipopolysaccharide challenge in bovine mammary epithelial cells in vitro

Mastitis, inflammation of the udder, is one of the most common diseases hampering milk yield of dairy cows. Methionine (Met) and arginine (Arg) are key nutrients with potential to regulate inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of increased supply of Met and Arg on mRNA and protein abundance associated with innate immune response and redox balance during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in primary bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC). Primary BMEC (n = 4 replicates per treatment) were pre-incubated for 12 h in media with the following amino acid combinations: ideal profile of amino acids (control; Con), increased Met supply (incMet), increased Arg supply (incArg), and increased supply of Met and Arg (incMetArg). Subsequently, cells were challenged with or without LPS (1 µg/mL) and incubated for 6 h. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The downregulation of SLC36A1 and SLC7A1 mRNA abundance induced by LPS was attenuated in the incArg cultures. Although challenge with LPS led to lower abundance of proteins related to the antioxidant response (NFE2L2, NQO1, GPX1), lower levels of ATG7, and lower mRNA abundance of GPX3, we found little effect in cultures with incMet or incArg. Cultures with incMet, incArg, or incMetArg led to attenuation of the upregulation of SOD2 and NOS2 induced by LPS. Abundance of phosphorylated p65 (RELA) was greater after LPS stimulation, but the response was attenuated in cultures with incMet. The greater ratio of pRELA to total RELA in responses to LPS was also attenuated in cultures with incMetArg. The greater mRNA abundance of the proinflammatory cytokine IL1B induced by LPS was attenuated in cultures with incMet, and the same trend induced by LPS on CXCL2 was also alleviated in cultures with incArg. Overall, the data suggest that greater supply of Met and Arg alleviated the proinflammatory responses triggered by LPS through controlling the abundance of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and activity of NF-κB. Little benefit on oxidative stress induced by LPS challenge in BMEC was detected with greater supply of Met and Arg.

Relationship between body condition score, sub-clinical endometritis and milk yield of dairy cows after parturition

The objective of this study was to diagnose sub-clinical endometritis (SCE) via endometrial cytology on day 42 after parturition and its impact on milk yield (305 days) of dairy cows (parity 2–4). Endometrial cytology was performed in 20 dairy cows, out of which 6 cows were found positive for sub-clinical endometritis. Mean number of polymorphonuclear cells was significantly higher in sub-clinical endometritis positive cows (22.00±4.77%) when compared to cows found negative for sub-clinical endometritis (2.58±0.76%). Sub–clinical endometritis positive cows had a significantly lower (P&lt;0.01) 60 days milk yield as compared to sub–clinical endometritis negative cows. Similarly, cows found positive for sub-clinical endometritis (n=6) also had an average milk yield of 1772.38±111.22 litres which was significantly lower to those diagnosed negative for SCE (2392.34±65.16 litres).

Environment (Year and Season of Birth) Effects on First-Lactation Milk Yield of Dairy Cows

Nutritional status (protein and energy) during early life has important effect on milk yield of dairy cows. Feed quantity and quality is often influenced by season representing the fluctuation of water supply which is essential for plants including forage. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of year and season of birth on first-lactation milk yield of Holstein Friesian cows. The data included 1005 records of first-lactation daily recorded milk yield available in National Breeding Centre for Dairy Cows and Forages of Baturraden (the so-called BBPTUHPT Baturraden) database. The milk yield was recorded within the years of 2004 to 2014. Milk yield data were adjusted to 305 standard days of milking using multiplicative-local correction factor. Animals’ date of birth was grouped divided into years and months of birth. Months of birth were assigned into: (1) traditional-two season categorization (wet and dry), (2) extended-categorization of three seasons (wet, wet-dry and dry), (3) extended-categorization of four seasons (wet, wet-dry, dry and dry-wet). The effect of date of birth factor on first-lactation milk yield was tested using likelihood ratio test of full and reduced model. The result showed that both years and months of birth have significant effect on first-lactation milk yield, regardless of the season categorization. It is therefore concluded that season plays important role to consider in dairy cattle management and has to be included in genetic analysis to remove non-genetic effect which regards to first-lactation milk yield.

EFFECT OF DIETARY POMEGRANATE PEEL (PUNICA GRANATUM) SUPPLEMENTATION ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND IMMUNE STATUS OF FRIESIAN DAIRY COWS

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding different levels of pomegranate peel (2,3 and 4%) to dairy cows diets on milk production, chemical composition, digestion coefficients, decomposition rate of dry matter, rumen parameters and some blood serum measurements parameters and immune bodies of dairy cows. Sixteen crossbreed Friesian cows in the first week of lactation were randomly chosen used in the third or fourth season and divided into four groups (each group 4 cows) with the Latin square design (4x4) (28 days for each period ) . The groups were fed the following rations (1)- control ration (40% concentrate feed mixture + 40% corn silage + 20% rice straw. (2) control ration + 2% pomegranate peel . (3) - control ration + 3% pomegranate peel . (4)- control ration + 4% pomegranate peel . The rations were formed in according to NRC, (2001) . Three Barki rams were used for digestion tests and three Barki ewes with rumen fistula were used to measure rumen activity and estimate the rate of decomposition of dry matter and rumen protein. The results showed that the ration containing 2% of pomegranate peel Significant (P<0.05) improved digestion coefficients and nutritive value with an increase in the concentration of ammonia and rumen volatile fatty acids with an increase in the rate of decomposition of both dry matter and rumen protein compared to the levels of other pomegranate peel . The diet containing 2% of pomegranate peel increased (P<0.05) the milk 4%FCM production . The results of blood serum measurements were within the normal levels and without any health impact negative on animals. The ration containing 2%, 3% and 4% pomegranate peels showed an increase in the antioxidant activity and immune bodies of the blood serum compared to the control ration. This study concluded that pomegranate peels at the level of 2% can be used for dairy cow rations to increase digestibility coefficients , nutritive values and increasing milk yield of dairy cows without any harm to the productivity and health of animals. Further long-term studies on lactating animals are recommended to confirm the results obtained. In the current study.

Metabolomics reveals potential biomarkers in the rumen fluid of dairy cows with different levels of milk production.

ObjectiveIn the present study, an liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) metabolomics approach was performed to investigate potential biomarkers of milk production in high- and low-milk-yield dairy cows and to establish correlations among rumen fluid metabolites.MethodsSixteen lactating dairy cows with similar parity and days in milk were divided into high-yield (HY) and low-yield (LY) groups based on milk yield. On day 21, rumen fluid metabolites were quantified applying LC/MS.ResultsThe principal component analysis and orthogonal correction partial least squares discriminant analysis showed significantly separated clusters of the ruminal metabolite profiles of HY and LY groups. Compared with HY group, a total of 24 ruminal metabolites were significantly greater in LY group, such as 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid derivatives (L-isoleucine, L-valine, L-tyrosine, etc.), diazines (uracil, thymine, cytosine), and palmitic acid, while the concentrations of 30 metabolites were dramatically decreased in LY group compared to HY group, included gentisic acid, caprylic acid, and myristic acid. The metabolite enrichment analysis indicated that protein digestion and absorption, ABC transporters and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis were significantly different between the two groups. Correlation analysis between the ruminal microbiome and metabolites revealed that certain typical metabolites were exceedingly associated with definite ruminal bacteria; Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Synergistetes phyla were highly correlated with most metabolites.ConclusionThese findings revealed that the ruminal metabolite profiles were significantly different between HY and LY groups, and these results may provide novel insights to evaluate biomarkers for a better feed digestion and may reveal the potential mechanism underlying the difference in milk yield in dairy cows.