The aim of this study was to determine whether smart data informed genetic variability for dairy merit traits may act as a predictor for fertility dynamics in Murciano-Granadina does. A total of 17,012 AI records performed on 6706 does were used to model fertility across insemination day, buck batch×day, and semen type, defining three fertility dynamics indicators. Cubic regression models resulted best-fitting alternatives to characterize fertility indicators and estimate baseline levels, temporal trends, and nonlinear patterns. Regularized canonical correlation analysis (rCCA) was then applied to relate a first variable set comprising fertility indicators cubic regression parameters to a second set comprising predicted breeding values (PBVs) for dairy merit traits -linear appraisal system (LAS) zoometrics and milk yield and composition traits-. First two canonical functions explained >90% shared variability, linking fertility dynamics to body structure (udder width, rump conformation, chest depth). Milk composition PBVs (dry matter, lactose) were synergistic with fertility, while milk yield and body size were antagonistic. Somatic cell count PBVs negatively correlated with fertility, highlighting the role of udder integrity. Fertility curve parameters also provided information beyond milk and conformation PBVs, supporting their value as complementary genetic descriptors. Overall, fertility dynamics follow nonlinear trajectories captured by cubic regression and show structured relationships with dairy-merit PBVs, indicating that genetic variability in conformation and milk composition predicts fertility over time. Accordingly, integrating fertility curve parameters with dairy-merit PBVs can enable smart data-driven genetic evaluations and improve selection for structural soundness, milk quality, and reproductive performance in Murciano-Granadina goats.

Impact of claw lesions on dairy cow energy-corrected milk yield: Differential and persistent effects up to 120 days post-treatment.

The bovine mammosphere-derived epithelial cell secretome inhibits bacterial growth in vitro and contains peptidoglycan recognition protein 1.

Study of survival of Holstein cattle of Iran using random regression and single-step BLUP.

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of repeat breeding and infertility among small dairy farms in a district with intensive crossbred and traditional dairy farming systems in India. Data were collected from 2,254 animals and 579 farmers representing diverse herd compositions and management systems. Results revealed that repeat breeding affected 20.4% of animals, while infertility was observed in 44.7%, exceeding national averages. Species, breed type, age, milk yield, and farmer type were significant factors influencing reproductive outcomes. Crossbred cows (based on Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, and indigenous breeds) exhibited higher reproductive disorders than indigenous cattle breeds, while buffaloes recorded the highest infertility rates (62.5%). The consequences of reproductive inefficiencies include involuntary extended calving intervals, reduced lifetime milk yield, and hence an increased carbon footprint through increased methane emission intensity. Poor reproductive efficiency therefore impacts both farm profitability and environmental sustainability. The study emphasizes evidence-based reproductive management, digital herd monitoring, and farmer training as essential strategies for improving fertility and advancing climate-smart dairy practices in Tamil Nadu.

Effect of Lactation Stage and Behavioral Activity on Enteric Methane Emissions in Dairy Cows.

Background and Aim: Ketosis is a prevalent metabolic disorder in dairy cows during the transition period, resulting in reduced productivity, impaired reproductive performance, and significant economic losses. Propylene glycol (PG) is widely used as a gluconeogenic precursor to mitigate negative energy balance and control ketosis. However, variations in farm-level health programs lead to inconsistent outcomes. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of different PG-based health programs implemented across multiple commercial dairy farms. Materials and Methods: A multi-farm observational study was conducted on 480 multiparous Holstein cows from four commercial dairy farms in Heilongjiang Province, China. Data were collected at six time points from 7 days prepartum to 80–100 days postpartum. Parameters assessed included body condition score (BCS), milk yield, reproductive performance, disease incidence, and blood biochemical indicators such as glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid, and insulin. Statistical analyses were performed using linear mixed models and Chi-square tests, with significance declared at p < 0.05. Results: Significant differences were observed among farms in metabolic status, production performance, and disease incidence. Farm A, which applied a targeted PG administration strategy based on ketosis diagnosis, maintained optimal BCS (~3.4), achieved the highest milk yield (46.3 kg/d at 80–100 days postpartum), and exhibited stable glucose and insulin concentrations. The incidence of ketosis in Farm A (28.9%) was lower than that in Farm D (>35%), which showed poorer metabolic control, higher disease incidence, and reduced reproductive performance. Farm B demonstrated the lowest ketosis incidence (20.0%) but relied on blanket PG administration. Economic analysis revealed that Farm A achieved the highest total economic benefit (¥166,823.69). Conclusion: Targeted and time-specific PG administration is more effective than blanket or inconsistent strategies in controlling ketosis and improving productivity in dairy cows. The PG health program implemented in Farm A represents a practical and economically efficient model for commercial dairy systems. Further controlled studies are required to validate these findings and optimize long-term PG application strategies. Keywords: body condition score, dairy cows, ketosis, metabolic disorder, negative energy balance, production performance, propylene glycol, transition period.

Trait responses of Holstein Friesian cows with different genetic merits for milk yield in relation to low input feeding.

Red Clover Isoflavones plus Urea for Partial Soybean Meal Substitution: Implications for Productivity and Nitrogen Utilization in Holstein cows.

Dose-response of a fibrolytic enzyme in dairy cows fed a sorghum silage-based diet: effects on productive performance, ruminal fermentation, and in vitro gas kinetics.

ABSTRACT This study investigates complexity matching pattern between daily milk yield in dairy cows and variations in Schumann resonance frequency bands. The analysis uses 895 days of data from a dairy herd in Lithuania and examines five low-frequency bands that overlap with canonical mammalian brainwave ranges: delta (0–3.5) Hz, theta (3.5–7) Hz, alpha (7–15) Hz, beta (15–32) Hz, and gamma (32–65) Hz. A matrix-based approach using Hankel matrix and Perfect Matrix of Lagrange Differences was applied in order to identify the temporal complexity matching between the milk yield and Schumann resonance magnetic field signals. Statistical validation was also performed using Spearman rank correlations. The results indicate the complexity matching across all frequency bands, with the strongest associations observed for the alpha band. Although the correlations are modest, the findings suggest that variations in the Earth’s natural electromagnetic environment may coincide with fluctuations in dairy cow productivity.

Mastitis in dairy cattle is a serious issue that affects not just the animals but also has broad social, cultural, economic, and human consequences. It does in a wide variety of ways and the most remarkable of which are reduced milk yield and produce poor milk quality. This study takes an approach of bioinformatics to track down new targets and biomarkers which can be used to diagnose the clinical and subclinical forms of mastitis and at the same time find the way to treat and manage the disease. Comparing genes that express at a different level and the protein network, we identified three key genes (CDKN1A, FKBP5 and SLC7A5) and pathways that mastitis includes both in clinical and subclinical form. In functional term, multicellular organismal process regulation, cell population proliferation, protein binding are identified as critical biological processes. Additionally, machine learning algorithms applied to validate the identified candidate biomarkers. Potential repurposing drug targets are identified based on the commonly selected differentially expressed genes. This integrative approach not only provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying mastitis but also offers a robust framework for developing targeted therapies and diagnostic tools, ultimately contributing to better herd health and productivity. The findings from this study pave the way for precision veterinary medicine, with the ability to decrease the impact of the economic burden of mastitis on the dairy industry.

ABSTRACT Objectives The objective of this study was to examine the impact of an exercise program designed to enhance lactation on breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding performance, and breast milk output. Methods This randomized controlled study was conducted in Konya, Turkey, and data were collected from 122 mothers in their 8th week postpartum between January and March 2025. The study sample comprised 61 mothers in the exercise group (EG) and 61 mothers in the control group (CG). The EG received a 6-week exercise program designed to increase breast milk. Mothers in the CG received standard breastfeeding counseling. Results The mean breastfeeding self-efficacy score in the exercise group (EG) was significantly higher (M = 57.8, SD = 8.3) than in the control group (CG) (M = 48.0, SD = 6.6), with a mean difference of 9.8 points (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d ≈ 1.31). The mean LATCH score in the EG was 9.1 (SD = 0.9), significantly higher than the CG’s mean of 8.6 (SD = 0.9), with a mean difference of 0.5 points (p = 0.001, Cohen’s d ≈ 0.56). Similarly, the mean score for perceived breast milk adequacy, measured via the IMDAT tool, was significantly higher in the EG (M = 8.5, SD = 1.0) compared to the CG (M = 7.7, SD = 1.4), showing a mean difference of 0.8 points (p = 0.002, Cohen’s d ≈ 0.66). The mean infant weight in the EG (M = 6730.8 g, SD = 892.6) was significantly greater than that in the CG (M = 6193.4 g, SD = 860.5), with a mean difference of 537.4 grams (p = 0.001, Cohen’s d ≈ 0.61,). Conversely, formula supplementation use was significantly lower among mothers in the EG (M = 56.7 ml, SD = 68.3) compared to the CG (M = 81.8 ml, SD = 35.8), with a mean difference of 25.1 ml (p = 0.013, Cohen’s d ≈ 0.46). Conclusion The findings of the study indicated that the exercise program designed to enhance lactation significantly improved breastfeeding self-efficacy, increased LATCH scores and perceived breast milk adequacy, and reduced infant feeding practices (such as formula use). Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT06723613.

This study investigated the effect of postcalving intrauterine proteolytic enzyme therapy on uterine involution, ovarian rebound, milk yield, biochemical indices, and postpartum fertility in dystocia‐affected buffaloes. Thirty buffaloes were randomly assigned to two groups. The treatment group (Group I; n = 15) received a combination of proteolytic enzymes, that is, trypsin (16 mg), chymotrypsin (16 mg), and papain (8 mg) dissolved in 500 mL normal saline (NS) intrauterine after relief of dystocia, while the control group (Group II; n = 15) received 500 mL NS as a placebo. Average uterine involution scores on Day 20, Day 45, and combined were significantly better (p < 0.05) in treated buffaloes, with 73.33% of controls exhibiting delayed involution. Treated animals showed a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in uterine infections. Blood lactate (bLac) and creatine kinase (CK) levels were lower (p < 0.05) in the treatment group on both days, with bLac showing a strong negative correlation (p < 0.05) and CK a moderate negative correlation with uterine involution scores. Milk production was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the treatment group on Day 20 and Day 45. The cumulative pregnancy rate by Day 250 postpartum was greater in treated buffaloes (80.0%) than controls (46.67%), with a tendency toward improvement (X2 = 3.35; p = 0.067). In conclusion, intrauterine administration of proteolytic enzymes immediately after assisted delivery accelerated uterine involution, reduced uterine infections, improved milk yield, and enhanced fertility in dystocia‐affected buffaloes. Additionally, bLac and CK were identified as potential biomarkers for monitoring uterine health in the postpartum period.

Livestock productivity in tropical regions is constrained by low-quality roughages that limit intake, digestibility, and animal performance. Liquid feed supplementation, particularly molasses-based formulations combined with urea, has emerged as an effective strategy to overcome these limitations. Molasses provides readily fermentable carbohydrates that stimulate rumen microbial activity, enhance the fermentation of fibrous feeds, and increase dry-matter intake. Urea contributes a nitrogen source for microbial protein synthesis, thereby improving crude-protein digestibility and nutrient utilization. Numerous studies have reported that liquid feed supplementation can enhance rumen fermentation efficiency, increase volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, and may support the activity of cellulolytic bacteria responsible for fiber degradation. Although the rapid hydrolysis of urea may lead to elevated ruminal ammonia concentrations, this risk can be effectively managed through appropriate formulation and feeding practices. Liquid feed supplementation has also been shown to improve growth performance and, in some cases, milk yield and composition. Further research is needed to optimize the balance between nitrogen and energy release, establish species-specific supplementation rates, and evaluate long-term effects on animal health and sustainability. Overall, liquid feed supplementation represents a practical feeding strategy with potential economic advantages for improving feed utilization and productivity in tropical ruminant systems.

During the course of six months and encompassing two seasons, this field study was conducted on lactating Murrah buffaloes under the Framer FIRST project to assess the impact of cumin powder supplementation on milk production performance during hot dry and hot humid seasons. Twelve lactating Murrah buffaloes were selected from Kathura village of Sonipat district of India and equally divided into two groups i.e. treatment (cumin supplemented) and control group. Throughout the study, the milk production from each animal was recorded and the composition of the milk samples was also examined. Further milk fat was analysed for fatty acid composition. The results of the study showed that supplementation of cumin during both the seasons significantly (P&lt;0.05) improved the milk yield, its composition and fatty acid profiling. During both the seasons, lactating Murrah buffaloes in the treatment group produced significantly higher amounts of milk and had better quality milk than the control group. The cost-benefit ratio also showed a return of Rs. 2.33 on every rupee spent on cumin supplementation. Therefore, cumin which is available in every household can be supplemented to buffaloes as a galactologue for enhancing the milk yield and quality of milk and fatty acid composition of the milk fat during heat stress for health benefits to calves and human beings.

Relationships between physically effective undegraded neutral detergent fiber and rumen fermentable starch in diets for lactating Holstein dairy cows.

The effect of a water-based delivery of an Ascophyllum nodosum extract on nitrogen balance, milk production and methane output in mid-late lactation dairy cows.

Improving milk yield and feed efficiency is pivotal for climate-smart dairy systems, as rumen mediated fermentation governs energy and nitrogen utilization and thereby greenhouse-gas emission intensity. Soybean isoflavones (SIF) may modulate rumen fermentation, yet their effects on rumen function, microbiome features, host endocrine/metabolic responses, and lactation performance-particularly across cows with divergent milk-yield phenotypes-remain unclear. Fifty‑six lactating Holstein cows (28 high‑yield cows, HY; 28 low‑yield cows, LY) were divided into two categories by milk yield. Within each yield category, cows were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments: a basal diet (Control) or the basal diet supplemented with SIF at 0.01% of dry matter. This yielded a 2 × 2 factorial design with four experimental groups (n = 14 per group): high‑yield control (HCON), high‑yield SIF (HSIF), low‑yield control (LCON), and low‑yield SIF (LSIF). SIF increased milk yield by 8.75% and improved fat-corrected milk (+ 7.20%), dry matter intake (+ 3.20%), and feed efficiency (+ 3.26%), with larger gains in HY cows (milk yield + 8.89%; feed efficiency + 4.55%). Rumen fermentation shifted toward a more energetically favorable profile, with lower acetate (-2.70%), higher propionate (+ 4.55%), and a reduced acetate-to-propionate ratio (-7.02%), accompanied by increased microbial crude protein (+ 21.53%) without changes in pH or NH3-N. SIF altered endocrine status irrespective of phenotype, increasing estradiol and progesterone while decreasing prolactin and growth hormone, and reduced blood ALP, lactate, and triglycerides. Metagenomics indicated phenotype-dependent microbial and functional responses to SIF: HY cows showed enrichment of taxa (e.g., Caudoviricetes sp., Eubacterium sp., and Butyrivibrio sp.) associated with amino-acid, cofactor metabolism and propionate pathways, whereas LY cows exhibited enrichment of Prevotella sp. and Bacteroides sp. with functions favoring carbohydrate degradation. The HCON group exhibited greater abundances of Prevotella sp. and Hallella spp. with enhanced carbohydrate degradation functions, whereas the LCON group was enriched in Ruminococcus sp. and Methanobrevibacter sp., associated with methane metabolism. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of SIF supplementation to improve lactation efficiency, modulate rumen microecology and endocrine function in dairy cows. These findings establish a theoretical framework for achieving efficient and precise feeding management on large-scale dairy farms.

Dairy livestock systems in the Colombian highlands are characterized by grass monoculture, high fertilization, concentrate supplementation, and predominantly Holstein cows. Limited pasture diversity and inadequate management have negatively affected soil and forage quality, increasing dependence on fertilizers and concentrates, raising production cost and reducing profitability. Intensive silvopastoral systems (ISS) represent an agroecological alternative by integrating grasses with trees and shrubs and strategic supplementation to improve production efficiency. Yacon (S. sonchifolius), a native Andean Asteraceae, produces high yields of leaves, steams and tubers, making this plant a valuable local resource for supplementation in ISS. This study evaluated milk production, principal milk composition, somatic cell count, and production cost of Holstein cows in an ISS with Mexican sunflower (T. diversifolia) and yacon silage as partial replacement for concentrated, compared to Kikuyu grass monoculture supplemented with concentrate. A Latin square crossover design (AB/BA) was used with two evaluation periods, two treatments, and two groups of four cows. Treatments were SPI (ISS + yacon) and MON (kikuyu monoculture). Response variables included total dry matter intake, milk yield, principal milk composition, somatic cells, feed efficiency, energy efficiency, and a descriptive economic analysis. Milk yield or principal composition did not differ between treatments, except for somatic cells (p < 0.05), which were lower in SPI. An economic simulation for 50 cows showed annual feed cost savings of USD 4,937.13 with SPI. Results indicate that ISS supplemented with yacon silage can reduce production costs while maintaining milk performance and reducing somatic cell count in dairy systems of the Colombian highlands.