Use of metabolic profiles in dairy cattle in tropical and subtropical countries on smallholder dairy farms

1999 ◽  
Vol 38 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 119-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A Whitaker ◽  
W.J Goodger ◽  
M Garcia ◽  
B.M.A.O Perera ◽  
F Wittwer
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Metabolic Profiles ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

scholarly journals Evaluation of Dairy Cattle Productivity in Smallholder Farms in Nyeri County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Aweer Duot Ajak ◽  
Charles K. Gachuiri ◽  
Margaret M. M. Wanyoike
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

Dairy cattle production contributes approximately 4.5% of the Kenyan National Gross Domestic Product, creates jobs along the value chain and plays a key role in food security. However, average milk yield per cow is still low under smallholder dairy production system despite concerted efforts to improve productivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the productivity of smallholder dairy farms in 2 sub-counties of Nyeri County. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on feed resources and feeding systems, breeds and breeding systems, calf management, age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), milk yield (MY) and lactation length (LL) in smallholder dairy farms. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The dominant feed resources and feeding system were roughages (mostly Napier grass), concentrates and mineral supplements (87.2%) and stall feeding (74.2%). Majority of the farmers kept Friesians (82.2%) with (94.5%) using artificial insemination. Most of the farmers (83.5%) fed 2-4 litres of colostrum to the calves and the method of feeding was majorly bucket feeding (93.0%). High proportion of farmers (97.7%) fed the colostrum from 0-6 hours after calving and (59.6%) weaned calves at 3 months. The AFS was mainly 18-20 months and above, while the mean AFC, CI, and LL were 28.7±2.84, 15.2±5.11 and 10.0±4.90 months, respectively. The mean milk yield was 10.7±5.85 litres/cow/day. The main challenges to dairy cattle production were feed shortages (30.6%), low farmgate milk prices (28.3%) and high cost of concentrate feeds (17.8%). It was concluded that performance of dairy cattle in the study area was poor attributed mostly to feed shortages and low milk prices. To improve productivity, feed availability and cost together with farmgate price of milk should be addressed.

scholarly journals The incidence of Reproductive Disorders in Dairy Cows under Smallholder Farms

2020 ◽  
pp. 22-27
Author(s):  
Muhammad Yusuf ◽  
Abdul Latief Toleng ◽  
Djoni Prawira Rahardja ◽  
Su Thanh Long
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Reproductive Disorders ◽  
Smallholder Farms ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Reproductive Disorder ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

The objective of this study was to know the incidence of reproductive disorders in smallholder dairy farms. The study was conducted in 12 small dairy farms in Enrekang Regency, Indonesia.  A total of 80 dairy Holstein Friesian cattle consisted of 51 dairy cows and 29 dairy heifers were used in the present study. All dairy cattle at each farm were housed in tie-stall barns.  Reproductive examination was conducted to determine the incidence of reproductive disorders both vaginoscopy and palpation per rectum. The incidence of reproductive disorders was 30.0%; 31.0% in dairy heifers and 29.4% in dairy cows. Uterine infection was the most reproductive disorder suffered to the dairy cattle (12.5%), followed by inactive ovaries and cyst (10% and 5%, respectively). The dairy cattle suffered from reproductive disorders increased the likelihood to mate (artificial insemination; AI) greater than three times as well as to become pregnant. In the population of dairy cattle, 48% AI was conducted greater than three times. The pregnancy rate for the dairy cattle suffered from reproductive disorders was only 20%, with interval from calving to conception was 550 days in average. It can be concluded that high incidence of reproductive disorders in smallholder dairy farms. The occurrence of reproductive disorders decreased the reproductive performance of the dairy cattle in smallholder farms.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Repeat Breeding Syndrome in Dairy Cattle in Selected Regions of Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-118
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Extensive Farming ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

The optimum production in dairy cows aims at getting a calf per cow per year. This, however, is limited by repeat breeding syndrome (RBS), which has multiple etiologies that cause either fertilization failure or early embryonic death. This study objective was to determine the prevalence of repeat breeding syndrome in dairy cattle within the selected regions of Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was carried out in 205 smallholder dairy farms in Makueni, Kakamega and Nandi counties. A total of 553 cows/heifers were recruited and examined per rectal to determine their reproductive status. Information on the breeding history of the cow and heifer was acquired at the farm. The results revealed that cross bred cattle were most affected by RBS at 38.9% followed by Jersey, Guernsey Ayrshire and least in Frisians at 21.1, 16.7, 25 and 14%, respectively. The overall animal level prevalence of RBS in cattle in the three counties was at 18.4%, while the overall farm-level prevalence was 58.3%. However, per county prevalence’s were different with animal level prevalence at 31.9, 20.9 and 12.5% in Makueni, Kakamega and Nandi, respectively. The farm-level prevalence’s at the counties were 75.4, 58.3 and 48.4% in Makueni, Kakamega and Nandi counties, respectively. Cattle kept in the zero-grazing/intensive system had the highest level of RBS at 30.1% compared to semi-intensive and extensive farming systems. The prevalence of RBS was also higher in multipara at 76% in comparison to primipara cows. Finally cows over four years which were in third or more parities had the highest prevalence of RBS, accounting for 65%) of the cases. In conclusion, the prevalence of RBS is significantly high in the Kenyan smallholder dairy farms. Further research should be undertaken to identify risk factors and appropriate intervention approaches for RBS to enhance its management.

scholarly journals Prevalence and risk factors associated with Ehrlichia infections in smallholder dairy cattle in Nairobi City County, Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1599-1607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shepelo Getrude Peter ◽  
Daniel Waweru Gakuya ◽  
Ndichu Maingi ◽  
Charles Matiku Mulei
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Inclusion Bodies ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Potential Risk Factors ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Apparently Healthy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

Background and Aim: Ehrlichiosis caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium is a tick-borne disease of great economic importance in cattle production worldwide. Despite its economic impact, limited knowledge is available on its epidemiology in Africa, including Kenya. Suspected cases of E. ruminantium infections have been reported in the recent past to the University of Nairobi's Veterinary Hospital, prompting the need to investigate their possible re-emergence. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the prevalence of E. ruminantium among smallholder dairy cattle in Nairobi City County and to assess potential risk factors. This knowledge may guide the development of appropriate control strategies of ehrlichiosis, subsequently reducing associated losses. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 smallholder dairy farms from Nairobi City County were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected from 314 apparently healthy dairy cattle, and Giemsa-stained blood smears were screened under the microscope for Ehrlichia species. A commercial antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit was then used to confirm the presence of the infections in serum samples. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on management practices that may be potential risk factors. A univariate and mixed-effects logistic regression was then used to determine significant risk factors. Results: On microscopy, 79.3% (249/314) of the sampled animals had Ehrlichia-like inclusion bodies in white blood cells, though only 18.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.2-23.0) of these were confirmed to be E. ruminantium on ELISA. A farm-level prevalence of 35.5% (95% CI 27.0-45.3) was reported. Female-headed households (p=0.013), farms in Langata region (p=0.027), cleaning of cowsheds fortnightly (p=0.019), and roofing of cowshed (p=0.022) were factors significantly associated with E. ruminantium infections. Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of E. ruminantium infections in apparently healthy cattle in smallholder dairy farms in this area, warranting control measures. It is critical to improve animal welfare-related factors, such as cowshed cleaning and roofing, as well as the strategic location of farms, especially, since reservoirs may reduce infection levels in the farms, in relation to wildlife. However, since Ehrlichia-like inclusion bodies other than those of E. ruminantium were observed in this study, there is a need to investigate further these factors and the possibility of other Ehrlichia species infecting cattle in the study area.

scholarly journals Understanding variability in greenhouse gas emission estimates of smallholder dairy farms in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Titis Apdini ◽  
Windi Al Zahra ◽  
Simon J. Oosting ◽  
Imke J. M. de Boer ◽  
Marion de Vries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Enteric Fermentation ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Population Mean ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

Abstract Purpose Life cycle assessment studies on smallholder farms in tropical regions generally use data that is collected at one moment in time, which could hamper assessment of the exact situation. We assessed seasonal differences in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) from Indonesian dairy farms by means of longitudinal observations and evaluated the implications of number of farm visits on the variance of the estimated GHGE per kg milk (GHGEI) for a single farm, and the population mean. Methods An LCA study was done on 32 smallholder dairy farms in the Lembang district area, West Java, Indonesia. Farm visits (FVs) were performed every 2 months throughout 1 year: FV1–FV3 (rainy season) and FV4–FV6 (dry season). GHGEs were assessed for all processes up to the farm-gate, including upstream processes (production and transportation of feed, fertiliser, fuel and electricity) and on-farm processes (keeping animals, manure management and forage cultivation). We compared means of GHGE per unit of fat-and-protein-corrected milk (FPCM) produced in the rainy and the dry season. We evaluated the implication of number of farm visits on the variance of the estimated GHGEI, and on the variance of GHGE from different processes. Results and discussion GHGEI was higher in the rainy (1.32 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM) than in the dry (0.91 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM) season (P < 0.05). The between farm variance was 0.025 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM in both seasons. The within farm variance in the estimate for the single farm mean decreased from 0.69 (1 visit) to 0.027 (26 visits) kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (rainy season), and from 0.32 to 0.012 kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (dry season). The within farm variance in the estimate for the population mean was 0.02 (rainy) and 0.01 (dry) kg CO2-eq kg−1 FPCM (1 visit), and decreased with an increase in farm visits. Forage cultivation was the main source of between farm variance, enteric fermentation the main source of within farm variance. Conclusions The estimated GHGEI was significantly higher in the rainy than in the dry season. The main contribution to variability in GHGEI is due to variation between observations from visits to the same farm. This source of variability can be reduced by increasing the number of visits per farm. Estimates for variation within and between farms enable a more informed decision about the data collection procedure.

Forage availability and its quality in the dry season on smallholder dairy farms in Tanzania

2008 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Mtengeti ◽  
E. C. J. H. Phiri ◽  
N. A. Urio ◽  
D. G. Mhando ◽  
Z. Mvena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Forage Availability ◽  
Smallholder Dairy ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

scholarly journals Impact Of Genotypes And Parity On Reproductive And Productive Attributes In Dairy Cattle Of Natore District, Bangladesh

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 91-96
Author(s):  
M Saiful Islam ◽  
Susanta Kumar Kundu
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Better Than ◽  
Daily Milk ◽  
Smallholder Dairy Farms

Impact of genotypes and parity on some vital reproductive and productive attributes in the local (L×L, n = 100) and four crossbred cows (L×F, L×SL, L×JR and L×S; n = 318) raised in randomly selected smallholder dairy farms scattered all over Natore District and adjacent areas have been assessed during a period from September 2007 to June 2010. With regard to reproductive attributes, significant differences existed among the cattle genotypes (P<0.05) except for gestation length (GL) and age at weaning (AW). The lowest age at puberty (AP) was found for L×F (21.42±0.37 months), while the highest for L×L (31.67±0.74 months). In terms of productivity, L×F cows produced the highest daily milk yield (DMY; 6.22±0.13 L), coupled with the highest total lactation yield (TLY; 2163.43±47.77 L), while L×L produced the lowest values (1.49±0.04 L and 416.40±12.3 L, respectively) for the traits. The effect of parity on both reproductive and productive attributes showed that the middle-aged dairy cows of the 3rd and 4th parities performed better than the younger (1st and 2nd parities) or the older (5th and beyond) ones. Considering the overall performance, the L×F cows could be ranked as the best genotype followed by their L×SL, L×JR, L×S and L×L counterparts in the study area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jles.v6i0.9727 JLES 2011 6: 91-96

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document