Modern Dairy Research Articles

Economic impact of different strategies to use sex-sorted sperm for reproductive management in seasonal-calving, pasture-based dairy herds

To maximize efficiency, profitability, and societal acceptance of modern dairy production, it is important to minimize the production of male dairy calves with poor beef merit. One solution involves using sex-sorted sperm (SS) to generate dairy replacements and breeding all other cows to an easy-calving, short-gestation bull with good beef merit. We used the Pasture Based Herd Dynamic Milk Model to investigate the effect of herd fertility and use of SS on farm net profit in a herd of 100 cows. This was completed by simulating herds with differing fertility performance (good, average, poor), and differing farm reproductive management [conventional semen (CONV) or SS with varying pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) relative to CONV (i.e., relative P/AI 100%, 85%, and 70%)]. As an additional consideration, the method of allocating SS to cows was also examined. The first option used SS on random heifers and cows (S). The second option used SS on heifers and targeted high-fertility cows (SSel). The final option was similar to SSel, but used a fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) protocol to facilitate AI on the farm mating start date (SSync). For CONV, dairy breed semen was used for AI until 50 animals were pregnant (50% chance of a female calf), whereas for S, SSel, or SSync the target number of animals successfully conceiving with SS was set at 28 (based on assumed 90% chance of a female calf from pregnancies derived from SS). Beef breed semen was used on all other dams. The results indicated that the biggest effect on farm net profit was not based on whether or not SS was used, but instead was most affected by the overall fertility performance of the herd. Total farm profit decreased by 10% between the good and average fertility herds, and decreased by a further 12% between the average and poor fertility herds. In almost all situations, when the relative P/AI with SS was ≥85%, use of SS led to an overall increase of the farm net profit. There was an economic benefit of using either SSel or SSync compared with S for the average and poor fertility herds but not for the good fertility herd, highlighting an interaction between SS P/AI and overall herd fertility as well as management practices. If the relative P/AI with SS was <70%, the use of SS led to a decrease in profitability in all simulations except for SSync, highlighting the importance of a good management strategy for use of SS. The findings in this study indicated that SS has significant potential to help facilitate greater integration between the dairy and beef production sectors, as well as increase farm profitability when used appropriately.

Where do we find missing data in a commercial real-time location system? Evidence from 2 dairy farms

Real-time indoor positioning using ultra-wideband devices provides an opportunity for modern dairy farms to monitor the behavior of individual cows; however, missing data from these devices hinders reliable continuous monitoring and analysis of animal movement and social behavior. The objective of this study was to examine the data quality, in terms of missing data, in one commercially available ultra-wideband–based real-time location system for dairy cows. The focus was on detecting major obstacles, or sections, inside open freestall barns that resulted in increased levels of missing data. The study was conducted on 2 dairy farms with an existing commercial real-time location system. Position data were recorded for 6 full days from 69 cows on farm 1 and from 59 cows on farm 2. These data were used in subsequent analyses to determine the locations within the dairy barns where position data were missing for individual cows. The proportions of missing data were found to be evenly distributed within the 2 barns after fitting a linear mixed model with spatial smoothing to logit-transformed proportions (mean = 18% vs. 4% missing data for farm 1 and farm 2, respectively), with the exception of larger proportions of missing data along one of the walls on both farms. On farm 1, the variation between individual tags was large (range: 9–49%) compared with farm 2 (range: 12–38%). This greater individual variation of proportions of missing data indicates a potential problem with the individual tag, such as a battery malfunction or tag placement issue. Further research is needed to guide researchers in identifying problems relating to data capture problems in real-time monitoring systems on dairy farms. This is especially important when undertaking detailed analyses of animal movement and social interactions between animals.

Relationship between reproductive capacity and productive longevity of cow

One of the most critical tasks of modern dairy farming is to extend the time of productive use of cows. Studies have shown that the studied herd’s economic benefit ranged from 1005 to 3693 days and averaged 1864. The lifetime milk yield of the cows averaged 20746 kg and lifetime milk fat was 735.4 kg. On the first day of economic use, 10.2 kg of milk was obtained, and on the first day of lactation, the figure was significantly higher at 20.8 kg. The most extended use period for a cow was found to be 1903 days. The average open days were 91-120 days. The highest lifetime productivity was obtained from this group of animals, which was 21909 kg of milk. A further reduction or increase in the length of open days was accompanied by a decrease in economic use and a decrease in the productive life of the cows. When open days were too long (more than 120 days), the productive life of the cows was reduced to 1875 days, and milk productivity was also reduced to 20562 kg of milk. According to the research results, the abundant lifetime life of cows increases with the duration of inter calving period from 11 to 13 months from 14939 to 26582 kg. It was found that productive life milk yield and milk fat decreased with a more extended period between calvings. The age of the first calving had no significant effect on the duration of economic use of the cows. Individuals with first calving at 30 months of age and more excellent than 1993.2 days were best on this trait. However, the highest productive life was shown by animals whose age at first calving was 26-27, 9 months.

Kynurenic acid protects against mastitis in mice by ameliorating inflammatory responses and enhancing blood-milk barrier integrity

Mastitis is one of the most serious diseases in humans and animals, especially in the modern dairy industry. Seeking safe and effective mastitis prevention strategies is urgent since food safety and drug residues in milk remain an enormous concern, despite the contribution of antibiotics to control mastitis. Kynurenic acid (KYNA), derived from the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in many diseases. Recently, it was reported that impaired KYNA levels were associated with mastitis. However, the physiological role of KYNA in mastitis has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of KYNA in pathogen-induced mastitis in mice, as well as the underlying mechanism of this effect. We first evaluated the effects of KYNA on LPS-induced mastitis in mice. Additionally, the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanism of KYNA was investigated in mammary epithelial cells (MMECs). Furthermore, we examined the effects of KYNA on S. aureus and E. coli induced mastitis in mice. Our results demonstrated that KYNA alleviated LPS-induced mastitis by reducing inflammatory responses and enhancing blood-milk barrier integrity. The fundamental mechanisms involved the inhibition of NF-κB and activation of Nrf2/Ho-1, which is probably mediated by G protein-coupled receptor 35 but not aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Notably, KYNA also protected against S. aureus and E. coli induced mastitis in mice. In conclusion, our results highlight the role of KYNA in mastitis and serve as a basis for using endogenous metabolite as a novel preventative or therapeutic strategy for disease intervention.

Variation of nutritional and microbiological properties of milk in relation to climate adaptation strategies across dairy production systems in West Africa

This study was conducted in West Africa to assess the performance of climate adaptation strategies of dairy production systems on the microbiological and physico-chemical quality of milk. Fifty-four samples of raw milk, pasteurised milk and local cheese collected from three dairy production systems (extensive, modern semi-intensive and traditional semi-intensive) were analysed. The results on physico-chemical quality of milk and cheese from the three dairy production systems were in line with the standard. The extensive dairy production system (system 1), mainly dependent on natural resources, had high values of total protein and carbohydrate; the modern semi-intensive dairy production (system 2) with silage technology had high values of calcium. The traditional semi-intensive (system 3) with fodder treatment had high values of fat, energy, and potassium. Regarding microbiological quality, milk and cheese from the three systems were contaminated with highest contaminants from modern and traditional semi-intensive dairy production systems.

A comprehensive review to study and implement solar energy in dairy industries

In this review, analysis of triple-impact vapour ingestion refrigeration framework involving a high, medium and low-temperature generator is characterized. This review suggests the solar power-related triple impact vapour retention refrigeration for heating and cooling applications in dairy industries that should be developed. In this review, the paper investigates solar heat and cooling is practised in modern dairy applications. With improved advancements and scaled-down costs, the solar-powered energy guarantees to reduce power charges builds countries’ energy security through reliance on a special, unfathomable resource, redesigned practicality, limited defilement, cut down the costs of diminishing an unsafe barometrical deviation, and keeps oil subordinate costs lower than something different. The important source of heating is considered from solar-based by using different solar oriented heat advancements. The results indicate that solar power-related triple impact vapour retention refrigeration for heating and cooling applications in dairy industries. Different operating temperatures are measured during the implementation and find an optimal food processing condition in the dairy industry. Thus, this observed study gives hands to develop an efficient renewable system for processing industrial dairy operation using solar power. Implementing renewable energy sources in the dairy industries promotes overall energy consumption and lower the total expenditure of industrial processing, respectively.

Full model selection using regression trees for numeric predictions of biomarkers for metabolic challenges in dairy cows

Dairy cows suffer poor metabolic adaptation syndrome (PMAS)11PMAS: Poor metabolic adaptation syndrome. during early post-calving periods caused by negative energy balance. Measurement of blood beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA)22BHBA: beta-hydroxy butyric acid. and blood non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA)33NEFA: non-esterified fatty acids. allow early and accurate detection of negative energy balance. Machine learning prediction of blood BHBA and blood NEFA using milk testing samples represents an opportunity to identify at-risk animals, using less labor than direct blood testing methods. Routine milk testing on modern dairies and computer record keeping provide an immense amount of data which can then be used in machine learning models. Previous research for predicting blood metabolites using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)44FTIR: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. milk data has focused mainly on individual models rather than a comparison among the models. Full model selection is the process of comparing different combinations of pre-processing methods, variable selection, and statistical learning algorithms to determine which model results in the lowest prediction error for a given dataset. For this project we used a full model selection approach with regression trees (rtFMS)55rtFMS: full model selection approach with regression trees. . rtFMS uses the cross-validated performance of different model configurations to feed a regression tree for selecting a final model. A total of 384 possible model configurations (algorithms, predictors and data preprocessing options) for each outcome (blood BHBA and blood NEFA) were considered in the rtFMS technique. rtFMS allows direct comparison of multiple modeling approaches reducing bias due to empirical knowledge, modeling habits, or preferences, identifying the model with minimal root mean squared prediction error (RMSE)66RMSE: root mean squared prediction error. . An elastic net regression model was selected as the best performing model for both biomarkers. The input data for blood BHBA predictions were FTIR milk spectra, with a second derivative pre-processing, and a filter with 212 wave numbers, obtaining RMSE = 0.354 (0.328−0.392). The best performing model for blood NEFA had input data of FTIR milk spectra, with a second derivative pre-processing, and a filter with 212 wave numbers filter along with the time of milking, obtaining RMSE = 0.601 (0.564−0.654). The comparison of multiple modeling strategies, conducted by rtFMS, present an option for improved FTIR prediction models of blood BHBA and blood NEFA by reducing error due to human bias. The implementation of rtFMS to design future prediction models can guide model inputs and features. Our prediction models have the potential to increase early detection of metabolic disorders in dairy cows during the transition period.

Evaluation of a povidone-iodine and chitosan-based barrier teat dip in the prevention of mastitis in dairy cows

Postmilking teat dip is an important tool used to prevent mastitis in the modern dairy industry. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of a barrier teat dip containing povidone-iodine and chitosan for the prevention of mastitis. In experiment 1, we evaluated the antibacterial effects of chitosans with different molecular weights against six mastitis-causing bacteria based on the minimal inhibitory concentration test. The results showed that 50 kDa chitosan had the maximum antibacterial activity compared with 5, 150 and 350 kDa chitosans. In experiment 2, the inhibition zone test indicated that the barrier teat dip with 4.0% povidone-iodine and 1.0% chitosan had higher (P<0.05) in vitro antibacterial efficacy against most tested mastitis-causing bacteria than the barrier teat dip with 4.0% povidone-iodine and no chitosan. In experiments 3 and 4, we evaluated the efficacies of two postmilking teat dips, 1) a barrier teat dip containing 1.0% chitosan and 4.0% povidone-iodine and 2) a conventional nonbarrier product containing 10% povidone-iodine in a field trial at two commercial dairy herds (1 and 2). A 56-d split-udder experiment (experiment 3) was conducted using 47 lactating Chinese Holstein cows in herd 1. Both left teats were immersed in barrier postmilking dip, and both right teats were dipped with nonbarrier postmilking dip. During a 56-d split-herd experiment (experiment 4), a total of 139 lactating Chinese Holstein cows from herd 2 were allocated to two groups: 1) all teats of 67 cows were dipped in the nonbarrier teat dip, and 2) all teats of 72 cows were dipped in the barrier teat dip. Milk samples were collected and analyzed for somatic cell count (SCC), fat content, protein content, and fat-to-protein ratio prior to the start of sampling (0 d), and at 28 and 56 d after initiation. Bacteriological analysis was only performed on milk samples with SCC≥200 000 cells mL−1. In experiment 3, no differences (P>0.05) in SCC, somatic cell score (SCS) or other milk quality indicators were observed between nonbarrier and barrier teat dip treatment teats throughout the experiment. At the end of experiment 4, compared with nonbarrier teat dip group, a reduction (P<0.05) of 29% was observed for subclinical mastitis infection prevalence in the barrier teat dip group. In the barrier teat dip group, the subclinical mastitis infection prevalence on 56 d was lower (P<0.05) than 0 d. No differences (P>0.05) in milk qualities or clinical mastitis incidence were detected between groups. Bacteriological analysis demonstrated that the barrier product containing povidone-iodine and chitosan reduced the subclinical mastitis infection prevalence induced by mastitis pathogens. This effect was mainly due to the reductions in Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia fergusonii infections. Overall, the data indicated that a barrier teat dip containing 4% povidone-iodine and 1% chitosan was more effective than 10% povidone-iodine in preventing subclinical mastitis.

Data mining and decision support systems for efficient dairy production.

Gainful livestock farming requires selective breeding of animals with certain heritable desirable traits which gives profitability in terms of farm produce. Modern dairy animals are selected for traits which directly or indirectly contribute to high milk production. The concept of “feed conversion efficiency” in terms of milk production is now vigorously taken up by researchers and farm managers for recognizing and breeding efficient milk-producing animals. The whole concept of economic farming thus requires identification of “elite” animals, meeting above criteria as base population for the farm enterprise. Farmers and animal traders have been selecting best animals based on certain physical characters, which were also accepted by the breeding scientists as phenotypes. Data mining allows uncovering of hidden patterns in the data for better understanding of data relationship for developing suitable models for further improvements. Along with artificial intelligence techniques, data mining has opened new avenues for achieving high resource utilization efficiency and sustainable profitability in livestock production systems. The present review discusses and summarizes various data mining techniques and decision support systems for scientific dairy farming.

Tracking and analysing social interactions in dairy cattle with real-time locating system and machine learning

There is a need for reliable and efficient methods for monitoring the activity and social behaviour in cows, in order to optimise management in modern dairy farms. This research presents an embedded system that could track individual cows using Ultra-wideband technology. At the same time, social interactions between individuals around the feeding area were analysed with a computer vision module. Detections of the dairy cows’ negative and positive interactions were performed on foreground video stream using a Long-term Recurrent Convolution Networks model. The sensor fusion system was implemented and tested on seven dairy cows during 45 days in an experimental dairy farm. The system performance was evaluated at the feeding area. The real-time locating system based on Ultra-wideband technology reached an accuracy with mean error 0.39 m and standard deviation 0.62 m. The accuracy of detecting the affiliative and agonistic social interactions reached 93.2%. This study demonstrates a potential system for monitoring social interactions between dairy cows.

Use of endemic plants in dairy cattle breeding in the Middle Amur region

Preservation and maintenance of high productivity, reproductive capacity, productive longevity, and vitality is an urgent task of dairy farming. Modern dairy farming is characterized by a high level of mechanization of all production processes, a large concentration of animals in a confined space, constant exposure to various stressors against the background of increasing environmental pollution. This implies an increase in the adaptive abilities of the animal organism. The situation is aggravated by the transfer of animals to low-component rations and year-round stall keeping without active movement. The main role at the present stage of dairy farming development belongs to the strengthening of the fodder base and the organization of rational feeding of cattle. Only complete feeding ensures the practical realization of the genetically determined level of animal productivity, thereby contributing to the further increase in the efficiency of animal husbandry. Considering the problems of increasing the production of animal products in the conditions of the Khabarovsk Territory, the most important of them should be noted: increasing the biological value of the diet of animals by enriching the missing components. Due to the fact that the compound feed imported from other regions of Russia to the Far East does not always correspond to the required quality, chemical composition and nutritional value, therefore, in the Far East region, to increase the biological value of the animal diet, it is possible to use additives from local plant resources containing in its composition is a whole complex of biologically active substances, macro- and microelements. Domestic and world practice has convincingly proved that the use of biologically active substances in the feeding of animals and poultry makes it possible to obtain more products from them while reducing feed costs. Taking this factor into account, we have carried out studies on the use of flour from the roots and stems of the high teapot as a source of biologically active substances in the feeding of farm animals, as well as an alcoholic extract of the roots of the fox. Positive changes were noted in the experimental groups. During the reference period, the preparations of the high lure helped to stimulate the reproductive function of cows after calving, led to an earlier fertilization of cows and an increase in milk productivity during the milking period.

Genomic Analysis, Progress and Future Perspectives in Dairy Cattle Selection: A Review.

Simple SummaryThe discovery of the genome has been one of the greatest advances in the development of tools for the genetic improvement of cattle in the last decades. The use of information derived from genomics has been demonstrated to be an efficient alternative for the validation of kinship, adjusted mating, and conservation strategies to generate dairy cattle with desirable traits. However, the impact of the genetic improvement strategies in breeding programs has closed bloodlines in several milk breeds, consequently generating inbreeding depression. Thus, to mitigate the negative effects of inbreeding, several tools associated with genomic analysis are currently available that may be useful to reverse undesirable genetic trends. The present review will provide an understanding of the importance of genomic analysis and how it can be used to mitigate the negative effects of inbreeding depression on different traits related to production, reproduction, health, animal welfare, linear type traits, and adaptability in dairy cattle. A historical overview of genomics and future perspectives will also be covered.Genomics comprises a set of current and valuable technologies implemented as selection tools in dairy cattle commercial breeding programs. The intensive progeny testing for production and reproductive traits based on genomic breeding values (GEBVs) has been crucial to increasing dairy cattle productivity. The knowledge of key genes and haplotypes, including their regulation mechanisms, as markers for productivity traits, may improve the strategies on the present and future for dairy cattle selection. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) such as quantitative trait loci (QTL), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction (ssGBLUP) methods have already been included in global dairy programs for the estimation of marker-assisted selection-derived effects. The increase in genetic progress based on genomic predicting accuracy has also contributed to the understanding of genetic effects in dairy cattle offspring. However, the crossing within inbred-lines critically increased homozygosis with accumulated negative effects of inbreeding like a decline in reproductive performance. Thus, inaccurate-biased estimations based on empirical-conventional models of dairy production systems face an increased risk of providing suboptimal results derived from errors in the selection of candidates of high genetic merit-based just on low-heritability phenotypic traits. This extends the generation intervals and increases costs due to the significant reduction of genetic gains. The remarkable progress of genomic prediction increases the accurate selection of superior candidates. The scope of the present review is to summarize and discuss the advances and challenges of genomic tools for dairy cattle selection for optimizing breeding programs and controlling negative inbreeding depression effects on productivity and consequently, achieving economic-effective advances in food production efficiency. Particular attention is given to the potential genomic selection-derived results to facilitate precision management on modern dairy farms, including an overview of novel genome editing methodologies as perspectives toward the future.

Modulation of colostrum composition and fatty acid status in neonatal calves by maternal supplementation with essential fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid starting in late lactation

Sufficient maternal supply of essential fatty acids (EFA) to neonatal calves is critical for calf development. In the modern dairy cow, EFA supply has shifted from α-linolenic acid (ALA) to linoleic acid (LA) due to the replacement of pasture feeding by corn silage-based diets. As a consequence of reduced pasture feeding, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) provision by rumen biohydrogenation was also reduced. The present study investigated the fatty acid (FA) status and performance of neonatal calves descended from dams receiving corn silage-based diets and random supplementation of either 76 g/d coconut oil (CTRL; n = 9), 78 g/d linseed oil and 4 g/d safflower oil (EFA; n-6/n-3 FA ratio = 1:3; n = 9), 38 g/d Lutalin (BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany) providing 27% cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA, respectively (CLA; n = 9), or a combination of EFA and CLA (EFA+CLA; n = 11) in the last 9 wk before parturition and following lactation. The experimental period comprised the first 5 d of life, during which calves received colostrum and transition milk from their own dam. The nutrient compositions of colostrum and transition milk were analyzed. Plasma samples were taken after birth and before first colostrum intake and on d 5 of life for FA analyses of the total plasma fat and lipid fractions. Maternal EFA and CLA supplementation partly affected colostrum and transition milk composition but did not change the body weights of calves. Most EFA in calves were found in the phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol ester (CE) fractions of the plasma fat. Maternal EFA supplementation increased the percentage of ALA in all lipid fractions of EFA and EFA+CLA compared with CTRL and CLA calves on d 1 and 5, and the increase was much greater on d 5 than on d 1. The LA concentration increased from d 1 to 5 in the plasma fat and lipid fractions of all groups. The concentrations of docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid in plasma fat were higher on d 1 than on d 5, and the percentage of n-3 metabolites was mainly increased in PL if dams received EFA. The percentage of cis-9,trans-11 CLA was higher in the plasma fat of EFA+CLA than CTRL calves after birth. By d 5, the percentages of both CLA isomers increased, leading to higher proportions in plasma fat of CLA and EFA+CLA than in CTRL and EFA calves. Elevated cis-9,trans-11 CLA enrichment was observed on d 5 in PL, CE, and triglycerides of CLA-treated calves, whereas trans-10,cis-12 CLA could not be detected in individual plasma fractions. These results suggest that an altered maternal EFA and CLA supply can reach the calf via the placenta and particularly via the intake of colostrum and transition milk, whereas the n-3 and n-6 FA metabolites partly indicated a greater transfer via the placenta. Furthermore, the nutrient supply via colostrum and transition milk might be partly modulated by an altered maternal EFA and CLA supply but without consequences on calf performance during the first 5 d of life.

Biomass Energy Technologies from Innovative Dairy Farming Systems

Modern and innovative dairy cattle breeding technologies are highly dependent on the level of mechanization. This article presents modern solutions for dairy cattle breeding, in particular, for livestock buildings, in which longitudinal development is possible in accordance with the farm’s needs as well as with obtaining additional energy from biogas and post-ferment for granulated organic fertilizer. In the analysed technology for milk production, methane fermentation, biogas yield, and the possibility of fertilizer production in the form of granules are considered. The presented modular cattle breeding technology includes sustainable production, which is economic; environmentally friendly, with preconditions in the facility including animal welfare; and socially acceptable, resulting from a high level of mechanization, which ensures both comfortable working conditions and high milk quality. The presented production line is an integral part of the milk production process with the possibility of organic fertilizer being used in the production of healthy food.

Alterations in Quality Parameters of Mastitic Milk

Quality milk production in modern dairy systems is facing many challenges. Salient in them is mastitis which is responsible for decline in milk production, altered milk composition and compromised udder health. The malaise consists of multiple bacterial etiologies which can be broadly classified into contagious pathogens and environmental pathogens S. aureus is being isolated invariably in all epidemiological studies, followed by E. coli. Pathogenic virulence in mastitis is often accounted due to microbial ability of producing wide array of virulence factors that enhances pathogenicity and sustainment potential in the epithelial linings of udder. Mastitis affects quality parameters of milk i.e. constitutional as well as mineral profile due to local damage and inflammatory mediators. It decreases the lactose secretion because of oxidative stress generated due to the formation of free radicals in the milk. In mastitic milk, IgG2 becomes the predominant antibody which is thought to be the main opsonin supporting neutrophil phagocytosis in the bovine mammary gland. Therefore, it plays a significant role in the battle against mastitis pathogens. Mastitis infected cow shows a notable elevated level of the sodium and chlorine and demoted level of calcium, potassium and inorganic phosphorus. In micro minerals, mastitis affects are pretty much same as in most macro minerals i.e. lower down their concentration in milk secretion. Consistent preventive strategy alongside strict surveillance and biosecurity is recommended for combating this challenge.

Effects of Airspeed on the Respiratory Rate, Rectal Temperature, and Immunity Parameters of Dairy Calves Housed Individually in an Axial-Fan-Ventilated Barn.

Simple SummaryThe practice of raising dairy calves individually has become widespread because it helps dairy farmers guard against the spread of infectious diseases. However, a number of other health issues are associated with the insufficient airflow that develops in some of the interior spaces of a barn divided into individual stalls, especially when the stalls are separated by solid partitions. Typically, a barn’s ventilation fans are arranged in a way that will propel air in a direction perpendicular to the rows of individual compartments, but such an arrangement tends to impede airflow, because the solid partitions that separate the first few stalls deflect the airflow away from stalls further downstream. As a result, only those calves in stalls nearest the fans benefit fully from the airflow’s cooling effect. To determine just how much this disparity might adversely affect those calves in stalls farther from the source of the airflow, we compared the immunity levels of a set of calves housed long term at different distances from the airflow source and under different airflow speeds. We also compared the calves’ respiratory rates and rectal temperatures.At many modern dairy farms, calves raised in barns are kept in individual stalls separated by solid partitions, which act as barriers. Ventilation fans blowing air perpendicular to these stalls only provide the optimal airflow to the first few calves, while those further away receive a slower airflow. To ascertain whatever effects different airflow speeds may have on the health of animals kept in stalls located at increasing distances from ventilation fans, we divided a select group of 43 Holstein dairy calves into six subgroups based on age, and each subgroup was subjected to either a specified high-speed or low-speed airflow as follows: (1) Six 3-day-olds received high-speed airflow (D3-HA); (2) Six 3-day-olds received low-speed airflow (D3-LA); (3) Eight 19 (±3)-day-olds received high-speed airflow (D19-HA); (4) Eight 19 (± 3)-day-olds received low-speed airflow (D19-LA); (5) Eight 29 (±3)-day-olds received high-speed airflow (D29-HA); and (6) Seven 29 (±3)-day-olds received medium-speed airflow (D29-MA). These trials show that the rectal temperatures and respiratory rates of D19-LA (39.37 °C; 72.90 breaths/min) were significantly higher than those of D19-HA (39.14 °C; 61.57 breaths/min) (p ≤ 0.05), and those of D29-MA (39.40 °C; 75.52 breaths/min) were significantly higher than those of D29-HA (39.20 °C; 68.41 breaths/min) (p ≤ 0.05). At 33 (±3) days of age, those calves receiving high-speed airflow (p ≤ 0.05) registered significantly higher immunoglobulins A and M than calves receiving low-speed flow. Those calves subjected to a high-speed airflow also registered significantly lower tumor necrosis factor levels than those receiving low-speed flow (p ≤ 0.05). Among the 29 to 43-day-old calves, no significant differences in immunity parameters were found to exist between groups D29-HA and D29-MA. On the basis of these findings, we were able to conclude that in the warm season, when the calves were less than 0.5 months old, low-speed (0.17–0.18 m/s) airflows had no significant effect on calves; when the calves were 1 month old, low-speed airflow (0.20–0.21 m/s) may impair the immune functions; when the calves were 1 to 1.5 months old, the airflow velocity higher than 0.9 m/s can meet the needs of the calf without a negative impact on the calf.

Effect of various milking equipment on milk ejection in high-yielding cows

Improving modern dairy farming is based on the industry's development, which means transforming livestock farming into a competitive industry. The development of its technical and technological support is closely related to its functional ability to realize the genetic potential of biological objects of production with high-quality products, which is the defining criterion for the competitiveness of machinery and technology at the industry’s present stage of development. The purpose of the research was to study milk production technology based on a comprehensive assessment and implementation of modern milking equipment, maximizing animals’ genetic potential and industry efficiency. We proved that applying the ‘DeLaval’ milking parlor under the same feeding and keeping animals ensured the proper completeness of milking and increased cows’ milk yield. During the first, third, and highest lactations, the milk yield was 226 kg (P=0.05), 266 kg (P=0.05), and 214 kg (P=0.05), respectively. After-milking when applying ADM-8A averaged 175 ml, and only 45 ml when applying the ‘DeLaval’ parlor. When using the ‘DeLaval’ milking equipment, the milk production intensity of cows was 1.43 kg/min, and, with ADM-8A, it was 1.24 kg/min, which is 0.19 kg/min (P=0.001), or 15.3% higher.

CONSUMPTION TREND OF MODERN DAIRY PRODUCTS AND PROJECTIONS OF DAIRY CATTLE REQUIREMENTS IN NIGERIA

This study estimates the requirements for modern dairy products as Liquid Milk Equivalents (LME) and the size cattle herd that can produce the LME under the different scenarios of milk yield/offtake. Four dairy products viz: Condensed and Evaporated milk; Dry Milk Powder (skim and whole); Butter; Cheese and Curd were studied based on data obtained from secondary sources and analysed by trend projections based on regression analytical approach while standard conversion factors were used to convert each category of dairy product to its LME requirements were then used to estimate the National cattle population. Results showed that the LME requirements to meet the demand for Condensed and Evaporated Milk as well as Dry Powdered Milk vary from 13,480 tonnes in 1990 to 13,576 tonnes in year 2,000. Given the current consumption trend of these products, Nigeria has the required cattle herd potential to produce the LME. However, the establishment of appropriate milk collection logistics and adequate milk processing facilities are the demand necessary prerequisites.

Milk yield depression and its economic loss due to production diseases: Iran's large dairy herds.

Incidences of production and metabolic diseases in dairy cows have increased over the last few decades because of the increasing trends in milk production. Production diseases cause different and distinct depressions in milk production that lead to different and major economic losses in large dairy herds. The objective of this study was to determine milk production depression and its economic losses due to different production diseases in selected large dairy herds of Iran. Production and health data from 17 large dairy herds with a total of 146464 observations across three parities were obtained. Milk yield depressions were estimated for three phases of lactation including 1) 5-60, 2) 61-120, and 3) 121-180 days in milk. Data were analyzed using Mixed Models of SAS program (v. 9.3) with fixed effects of the diseases, calving year, calving month, parity, and herd with cow age at calving as covariates. The data demonstrated significant effects of different production diseases on milk production depression during 5-60, 61-120, and 121-180 days in milk (P<0.05). During 5-60 days in milk, ketosis, displaced abomasums (DAs), laminitis, mastitis, metritis, retained placenta (RP), and dystocia resulted in, respectively, 253, 682, 39, 38, 110, 215, and 55 kg of milk yield depressions that were equivalent to 38.5, 103.7, 6.0, 5.8, 16.7, 32.6, and 8.4 U.S. Dollars (USD) economic losses. Milk yield depressions due to laminitis and mastitis over the 180 days in milk were, respectively, 207 and 404 kg equivalent to 31.5 and 63.0 USD economic losses. Since the milk yield depression constitutes about 20-35% of total costs of production and metabolic disorders, the total economic losses would be 3-5 times the above values. Displaced abomasum and laminitis caused the highest and lowest depressions in milk yield, respectively. The findings suggest that commercial dairy production management strategies in Iran require reassessment and refinement. Overfeeding of concentrates should be ceased. Future economic and reproductive studies are needed to enable developing effective strategies for optimizing modern and postmodern dairy production in Iran.

Selection of corn hybrids ensuring the production of high-energy feed for modern dairy farming

The “line” of hybrids recommended by the Ural Research Institute of Agriculture Ob 140 SV (FAO 140), Ross 130 MV (FAO 130) and Kuban 101 SV (later Kuban 102 SV) (FAO 120) in 2016…2020 occupied 81.8…90.6% in the structure of sown seeds in the Sverdlovsk region. The area under corn by 2014 increased to 19.39 thousand hectares (6.3 times compared to 2008) and in 2015…2020 it stabilized at the level of 19.3…21.0 thousand hectares. The production test of the “grain” corn cultivation technology developed by the Ural Research Institute of Agricultural Sciences was carried out in four basic farms, in which the area of corn sown increased by 1.9 times over the period from 2012 to 2020, with a simultaneous increase in the sowings of high-protein crops: alfalfa and oilseeds. In the agricultural organizations of the SEC “Kilachevsky” and the SEC named after. The starch content in the silo reached 202-364 g/kg in 2017…2020, in some years it decreased to 142…146 g/kg (SEC “Kilachevsky”) and to 64…67 g/kg (SEC im. Zhukov). Over the past 3…5 years, individual farms of the region have begun to harvest cornage from corn. In the SEC “Kilachevsky”, the starch content in the new type of feed was 247 g/kg SV in 2018, 341…407 g/kg in 2019 and 439 g/kg SV in 2020. The research was carried out on the basis of the FSBSI URFANITS UrB RAS as part of the State Task on the topic “Creation and improvement of adaptive technologies for the cultivation and processing of economically significant agricultural crops based on the optimization of biotic and abiotic factors”.