An evaluation of pure-bred and cross-bred dairy ewes in a commercial sheep milking operation

1992 ◽  
Vol 1992 ◽  
pp. 176-176
Author(s):  
N J Brown ◽  
P R English ◽  
J A Roden ◽  
G Burgess
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Alternative Route ◽  
Commercial Unit ◽  
Machine Milking ◽  
Dairy Ewes ◽  
Sheep Milk ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Uk

Sheep milk and its products are regaining popularity with approximately 15,000 sheep currently being milked in the UK. Extreme dairy type ewes such as the Friesland are expensive compared to commercial genotypes and the crossing of dairy type sires with commercial ewes to produce cross-bred daughters for milking offers an alternative route of entry into milking sheep. An investigation was carried out on a commercial unit in Aberdeenshire milking around 150 ewes to assess the relative suitability and performance of pure-bred and cross-bred dairy ewes under commercial conditions.The study involved first lactation ewes, 5 Friesland x Scotch Halfbreds being compared with 5 pure-bred Frieslands. The ewes lambed at 15 months of age between 20 and 27 May and the ewes were grazed on ryegrass/white clover swards. Ewes nursed their lambs for four weeks after lambing and machine milking started on day 29 of lactation. Milk yield was recorded weekly while milk fat and protein were measured at two weekly intervals.

scholarly journals ESTIMATION OF SIMMENTAL COWS FOR MACHINE MILKING SUITABILITY

2021 ◽  
Vol 212 ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
E.I. Anisimova ◽  
◽  
P.S. Katmakov ◽  
A.V. Bushov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Agricultural Cooperative ◽  
Machine Milking ◽  
Milk Flow ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

The paper presents results of studies on evaluating Simmental cows for machine milking suitability. It was found that 78.7% of cows had a bowl-shaped udder, round - 14.7% and goat - 6.6% of cows at ‘agricultural production cooperative “COMBINE”. Bowl-shaped cows are more productive. Their milk yield was 4724 kg for 305 days of lactation with a fat content of 3.97% and a protein content of 3.30%. Their udder index was 47.7%. As for cows with a rounded udder shape, milk yield per lactation was 4246 kg with fat and protein content of 4.08 and 3.26% , respectively, and an udder index of 46.1%. Cows with a goat udder shape were characterized by low milk yield (3181 kg) and the worst parametres of milk fat content (3.88%), milk protein (3.20%) and udder index (2.2%). Approximately the same pattern is observed in the herd of the agricultural cooperative “Abodimovskiy” with slightly worse parametres of cow productivity. The intensity of milk production of cows of agricultural production cooperative “Abodimovsiy” with a bowl-shaped udder was 1.42, round - 1.35 and goat - 1.18 kg / min. Cows with a rounded udder shape had higher milk flow rate, which was equal to 1.65 kg / min, with a bowl-shaped one - 1.24 and with a goat udder shape- 1.09 kg / min in agricultural production cooperative “Combine”. No relation was found between udder index and milk composition. There is also no conjugation between the intensity of milk flow and fat and protein content for udder quarters and for the udder as a whole, whereas a positive correlation was found between the intensity of milk flow and daily milk yield.

505 Late-Breaking: Ruminal Microbiota, Inflammation Cytokines, and Performance of High-yield Dairy Cows Supplemented with Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Culture

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 179-180
Author(s):  
Xiaoge Sun ◽  
Shu Zhang ◽  
Erdan Wang ◽  
Na Lu ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Inflammation Cytokines

Abstract Dramatic increases in milk yields in recent decades have created challenges in terms of rumen pH and microbial health which ultimately impact dairy cow health. The objective of this study was to assess the effects on ruminal pH, Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA), microbiota, inflammation, and performance of high-yield dairy cows by supplementing Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture (SC). Forty Holstein cows were divided into two groups based on their milk yield, days of milk, and parity fed the same basal ration diet that did or did not contain 100 g of SC /cow per day. Individual dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield were recorded each day. Rumen fluid and milk samples were collected after 2 hours of morning feeding at intervals of 15 days during the experiment period. The data showed that rumen pH was increased by 0.19 (P = 0.09) when SC was supplemented than no SC was provided. SC-supplemented cow consumed 0.28 kg (P < 0.05) extra DM/d. Those supplemented with SC produced 1.36 kg (P < 0.05) more milk/cow per day than did non-supplemented cows. Milk fat percentage was higher (4.11 vs. 3.96%) for cows receiving SC. There were no differences in milk protein percentage. Rumen fluid VFA concentration was not statistically affected by SC but was numerically higher acetic and lower propionic for supplemented cows. The blood of the SC group with lower inflammation cytokines and somatic cell count (SCC). SC-supplemented cows had a greater relative abundance of Prevotellaceae, Succinivibrionaceae, Fibrobacteraceae, Lactobacillaceae, and lower relative abundance of Spirochaetaceae, Methanobacteriaceae, Enterobacteriaceae than the unsupplemented cows. It had greater functions on xylanolysis, fermentation, cellulolysis in the rumen in terms of the KEGG function prediction analysis. This study demonstrated that high-yield lactation cows receiving supplemental SC produced more milk and potentially reduced the inflammation and enhanced rumen cellulolysis bacteria growth.

Influence of forage: concentrate ratio and type of starch in the diet on feeding behaviour, dietary preferences, digestion, metabolism and performance of dairy goats in mid lactation

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Abijaoudé ◽  
P. Morand-Fehr ◽  
J. Tessier ◽  
P. Schmidely ◽  
D. Sauvant
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Ammonia Nitrogen ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
And Performance ◽  
C 30

AbstractIn a 12-week trial, 12 Alpine and 12 Saanen dairy goats in mid lactation were housed in individual stalls for behavioural, digestive and metabolic studies. Eight of them were fitted with ruminal cannulae. They were offered ad libitum four complete diets CR, CS, FR and FS (450 g dry matter (DM) per kg) in a 4✕4 Latin-square design. Forage: concentrate ratio was either low (C = 30: 70) or high (F = 55: 45) and starch source either rapidly (R, barley) or slowly (S, maize) degraded in the rumen.Diet preferences were tested. DM intake, chewing activities and performance were determined. Ruminal pH and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations were measured. Goats were also challenged intravenously with glucose (0·2 g/kg live weight) to assess glucose homeostasis.CR was the most preferred diet. The level of intake differed according to the type of starch (2·2 kg DM per day of CR and FR and 2·0 kg DM per day of CS and FS). FS lowered ruminal pH significantly less than the other diets after the meal. Ruminal NH3-N concentrations were lower in goats given CR and CS than FR and FS. Goats’ resistance to a glucose challenge was not different among diets. Milk yield was 2·00, 1·85, 2·01, 1·85 kg/day on CR, CS, FR and FS respectively. Milk fat content decreased significantly with diets rich in concentrate (24 v. 26 g/kg milk) but milk protein content varied only a little.In conclusion it appears that (1) higher forage: concentrate ratios were less preferred and decreased ruminal acidity but increased daily chewing, ruminal NH3-N and milk fat content; and (2) rapidly degraded starch increased intake, ruminal acidity and milk yield.

The effect of a gradual or rapid dietary changeover from a grazed pasture to a conserved forage-based diet on milk yield, cow condition and rumen pH of late-lactation dairy cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
R. P. McDonnell ◽  
M. vH. Staines
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Adaptation Period ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Rumen Ph ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
And Performance

A 40-day experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a gradual versus rapid changeover from grazed pasture to grass silage on production and performance in late-lactation Holstein–Friesian cows. Eighty cows were assigned to one of the following two treatments (two groups of 20 cows each): (1) gradual changeover from grazed pasture to grass silage over a 10-day adaptation period (GRAD), or (2) immediate changeover from grazed pasture to grass silage, with no adaptation period (RAPID). In addition to grazed pasture and grass silage, cows also received equal daily amounts of supplementary concentrates throughout the 40 days (ranging from 6.6 to 7.5 kg DM/cow). The experiment was divided into three periods. In Period 1 (Days 1–12), all cows received a generous pasture allowance and no grass silage was offered. In Period 2 (Days 13–22), GRAD cows were gradually introduced to grass silage on a stepwise basis, while still consuming grazed pasture, while RAPID cows received grazed pasture until Day 17, before switching to ad libitum grass silage from Day 18 onward. In Period 3 (Days 23–40), all cows received ad libitum pasture silage and no grazed pasture. Feed intake, milk volume and composition, and rumen pH were measured. Treatment did not affect estimated dry-matter intake of grazed pasture or measured dry-matter intake of silage. Milk yield did not differ between treatments from Day 1 to Day 18 (mean 29.3 L/cow; P > 0.05), but was greater in GRAD cows from Day 19 to Day 27 (mean 25.6 vs 22.1 L/cow; P < 0.001). From Day 28 onward, no effect of treatment was detected apart from a 3-day juncture from Day 34 to Day 36, where milk yield in the GRAD treatment was greater (mean 22.8 vs 21.0 L/cow; P = 0.02). Milk fat and protein concentrations were unaffected by treatment throughout (mean 4.15% for milk fat, 3.37% for milk protein; P > 0.05). Mean rumen pH was also unaffected by treatment in periods 1 and 2 (mean 6.27; P > 0.05), but were greater in Period 3 in GRAD cows (6.34 vs 6.26 for GRAD vs RAPID; P < 0.001), while the amount of time spent under pH 6.0 did not differ between treatments (mean 2.45 h/day; P > 0.05). Changing the dietary forage source from grazed pasture to grass silage over a 10-day period increased milk yield, compared with having no dietary adaptation period, and the cumulative difference for the duration of this experiment amounted to 37 L/cow.

Effects of restricted time allocation to pasture on feeding behaviour, intake and milk production of dairy sheep rotationally grazing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) in spring

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1233 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Molle ◽  
M. Decandia ◽  
V. Giovanetti ◽  
C. Manca ◽  
M. Acciaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Time Allocation ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Access Time ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Eating Time ◽  
Dairy Ewes ◽  
And Performance

The effects of restricted time allocation (2, 4 or 6 h/day) to pasture and grazing day (Day 1, initial; Day 4, intermediate; Day 7, final) on feeding behaviour, intake and performance were assessed in Sarda dairy ewes, rotationally grazing Italian ryegrass plots for 7 days, with 21 days of regrowth. A randomised block design with two replicates per access time was used with six groups of six ewes each. The ewes were supplemented daily with 400 g/head of a commercial concentrate at milking, 300 g/head of lupin after grazing and 700 g/head of ryegrass hay overnight. Pasture variables, feeding behaviour, herbage and supplement DM intake, and milk yield and composition were measured on 12 days (4 per target grazing day). Plot average data were analysed by a bifactorial model with interaction, which was not significant. Sward height and herbage mass decreased between Day 1 and Day 4 (P < 0.05). Leaf area index dropped from Day 1 to Day 7 (P < 0.05). Eating time, as proportion of access time, and intake rate were higher in 2 h/day groups than in the others (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, herbage and total intake were higher in 6 h/day than in 2 h/day groups, being 4 h/day groups intermediate (P < 0.05). Herbage intake decreased with grazing period (P < 0.05). Fat normalised milk yield was higher in 6 h/day groups than in the others (P < 0.05) and in Day 1 and Day 4 than in Day 7 (P < 0.05). To conclude, time restriction below 6 h/day and pasture depletion, in terms of herbage quality, constrained intake and performance of rotationally grazing dairy ewes.

scholarly journals Milk yield, composition, nutritive and technological values from ewes fed dried distillers’ wheat grains with solubles (DDGSw)

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-624
Author(s):  
M.R. Yossifov
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Technological Parameters ◽  
Wheat Grains ◽  
Dairy Ewes ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of lactating dairy ewes diets supplementing with different vegetable protein sources (sunflower meal (SFM) vs. dried distillers? wheat grains with solubles (DDGSw)) at the pick of lactation (27 - 72 lactating day). The experiment was carried out with sixteen lactating dairy ewes, Bulgarian Dairy Synthetic Population (BDSP) in 60-d feeding trial (7-d preparatory + 45-d experimental + 8-d closing periods). Animals were allotted randomly (by age, lactation, milk yield, % milk fat, % milk protein) into two dietary treatments: 1./ a SFM- based control diet (CD), and 2./DDGSw-based experimental diet (ED). Diets were iso- nitrogenous, iso- fibrogenous, iso- caloric and equal in protein truly digestible in the small intestines (PDI), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Compared with the CD, supplementation with DDGSw decreased (p<0.001) the average daily milk yield (5.8 %) and 6.5 % fat-corrected milk (6.8 %). There?re no significant differences in milk composition between treatments (CD and ED): solids non-fat (SNF) + 0.8; dry matter (DM) + 0.1 %; fat content of milk (MF) - 1.1 and milk protein (MP) content + 0.4 % per sheep for ED, compared with CD. DDGSw- based diet did not affect nutritive and technological parameters of raw milk: MP/MF (+ 1.3 %), MP/DM (- 0.1 %) and MF/DM (- 1.0 %) ratios. In conclusion, observed data indicates that DDGSw at level of 17 % DM basis affected ewe milk yielding negatively, without affecting milk composition, nutritive and technological parameters.

Red clover silage improves milk fatty acid composition in dairy ewes

2018 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 787-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela C. Guzatti ◽  
Paulo G. Duchini ◽  
Marco A.S. Gama ◽  
Henrique M.N. Ribeiro-Filho
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Milk Fatty Acid ◽  
Dairy Ewes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of two isoproteic total mixed rations containing either red clover (Trifolium pratense L.; RC diet) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.; LU diet) silage as the major forage source on milk yield, milk composition, and milk fatty acid (FA) profile in dairy ewes. Sixteen dairy ewes were housed individually to receive the drawn diet (eight ewes eating each diet) and milked twice a day (0700 and 1500). Total dry matter intake, milk yield, milk composition, and nitrogen use efficiency were unaffected by treatments. The n-6/n-3 FA ratio tended to decrease, whereas the total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and PUFAs/saturated fatty acids ratio increased in the milk fat of ewes fed the RC diet compared with ewes fed the LU diet. The presence of α-linolenic (C18:3n-3) and linoleic (C18:2n-6) acids in the milk fat was 22% higher in ewes fed the RC diet than in those fed the LU diet. Compared with the LU diet, the RC diet had no effect on milk yield and composition, but improved the milk FA profile in dairy ewes due to an increased proportion of PUFAs (in particular C18:3n-3 and, to a lesser extent, C18:2n-6) and a decreased n-6/n-3 FA ratio.

scholarly journals Birdsfoot trefoil - an alternative legume for New Zealand dairy pastures

1998 ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.L. Harris ◽  
D.A. Clark ◽  
P.J. Laboyrie
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Lotus Corniculatus ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil

Two grazing trials conducted with Friesian cows in mid lactation showed milk yields were higher on birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)-dominant pasture (19.8 and 16.7 l/cow/day) than on white clover-dominant (17.8 and 15.4 l/cow/day) or ryegrass-dominant (13.0 and 11.7 l/cow/day) pastures. Increased milk production on the Lotus and clover was attributed to the higher nutritive value of the legume-based pasture compared with the ryegrass, and to higher dry matter intakes. Cows grazing Lotus also had improved feed conversion efficiency compared with those grazing either ryegrass or clover, indicating that the presence of condensed tannins in the Lotus may have contributed to the improved efficiency. Milk protein concentration was consistently higher on the Lotus (3.36 and 3.35%) than on the ryegrass (3.15 and 3.21%) or clover (3.30 and 3.21%) in both experiments, while milk fat levels were lower in Experiment 1. While Lotus increased milk yield and milk protein concentration, its potential as a forage legume for dairy cows also depends on annual herbage production and the determination of how best to utilise it in a farm system. Keywords: birdsfoot trefoil, dairy cows, dry matter intake, Lotus corniculatus, milk composition, milk yield, perennial ryegrass, white clover

scholarly journals Machine milking ability and milk composition of some imported dairy goat breeds and some crosses in Greece

2011 ◽  
Vol 50 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 394-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Katanos ◽  
B. Skapetas ◽  
V. Laga
Keyword(s):  
Random Sample ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Composition ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Protein Percentage ◽  
Machine Milking ◽  
Lactation Stage

A random sample of 40 goats was used to study the partitioning, yield and composition of milk: 8 of Saanen breed (S), 8 of Damascus breed (D), 8 crossbreds Saanen &times; Local Greek goat (S &times; L), 8 backcrosses Saanen&nbsp;&times; Local Greek goat {(S &times; L) &times; S} and 8 crossbreds Saanen &times; Alpine (S &times; A). Four dams of each genotype were of the first and four of the second parity. Goats were milked twice daily (8:00, 18:00 h) in a 1 &times; 12 side by side milking parlour with 6 milking units. Milk yield and milk fractions (machine milk, machine stripped milk and hand stripped milk) were recorded twice daily each 14 days (from 7<sup>th</sup>&ndash;8<sup>th</sup> to 29<sup>th</sup> week of lactation). Milk composition was examined once a month separately for morning and afternoon samples. The ponderable mean was used for the calculation of milk fat, protein and lactose percentage. The results of the experiment showed that milk partitioning in purebred and crossbred goats ranged on satisfactory levels (machine milk &ndash; MM: morning 69.8&ndash;81.6%, afternoon 66.2&ndash;77.4%; machine stripping milk &ndash; MSM: morning 12.2&ndash;19.3%, afternoon 19.2&ndash;23.4%; hand stripping milk &ndash; HSM: morning 6.1&ndash;10.9%, afternoon 5.4&ndash;11.9%; total machine milk &ndash; TMM: morning 89&ndash;94.6%, afternoon 88&ndash;94.6%). The effect of breed (crossbred) was found to be significant for all milk fractions (ml and %, P &lt; 0.001 and P &lt; 0.05, respectively). The effect of parity was significant except for MSM (%) and HSM (%). The effect of lactation stage (control day) and the animals was also found to be significant (P &lt; 0.001). The fat percentage of S, D, S &times; L, S &times; A and (S &times; L) &times; L was 3.82, 5.1, 4.8, 3.88 and 3.95%, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). Protein percentage ranged from 3.1 to 3.6% in the different genotypes (P&lt; 0.001) while lactose percentage was from 4.51 to 4.66%. In conclusion it may be said that imported dairy goat breeds and different crosses with local Greek breed are characterized by good milkability. So the best technique of machine milking is the &ldquo;routine&rdquo; milking without applying hand stripping. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Feeding an energy supplement with white clover silage improves rumen fermentation, metabolisable protein utilisation, and milk production in dairy cows

2006 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 367 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. C. Cohen ◽  
C. R. Stockdale ◽  
P. T. Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
Energy Supplement ◽  
Frequent Feeding

Six rumen-fistulated Holstein-Friesian cows were used in a Latin square design to test the hypothesis that more frequent feeding of a high energy supplement to cows consuming high-protein white clover silage would improve microbial protein production, resulting in greater N retention and higher milk yields. The white clover silage (10.7 MJ metabolisable energy (ME)/kg DM) was fed to cows either alone (WCS) or with 4.5 kg DM of rolled barley grain (12.1 MJ ME/kg DM). The grain was offered either 24 times (WCS/24B) or twice daily (WCS/2B, at 0800 and 1700 hours). Cows offered the supplements, regardless of feeding frequency, had higher (P < 0.05) organic matter (17.3 v. 16.0 kg/day) and estimated ME (208 v. 189 MJ/day) intakes than cows offered white clover silage alone. Mean daily ruminal fluid pH (P < 0.05) and ammonia-N concentrations (P < 0.05) were lower in the supplemented treatments, with total VFA concentrations being highest (P < 0.05) in the WCS/2B treatment. Nitrogen intake and output in the faeces were similar for all 3 treatments. However, nitrogen excretion was lower (P < 0.05) in urine (174 v. 218 g/day) and higher (P < 0.05) in milk (115 v. 93 g/day) of cows offered the supplements. The crude protein consumed by cows on all 3 diets was estimated to be well in excess of cow requirements. The supplements reduced the calculated net losses of ammonia-N from the rumen from 25% of total crude protein intake for WCS to 14% in the 2 supplement treatments, and increased the metabolisable protein supply available for milk production. Increases in metabolisable protein were estimated to be due to a higher microbial crude protein contribution in the supplemented treatments compared with the WCS treatment. Grain supplements increased (P < 0.05) milk yield (22.4 v.19.6 kg/day) and although there were no significant differences in milk fat and protein concentrations between treatments, the latter tended to increase with grain supplementation. Milk yield was higher in the WCS/24B treatment than in the WCS/2B treatment, but neither the calculated nor the measured rumen variables were sufficiently different to explain this effect of frequency of feeding the grain. One possible explanation for the difference was the marked fluctuations in key rumen variables throughout the day in the WCS/2B compared with the WCS/24B treatment. Such fluctuations in the rumen environment are not accounted for in theoretical calculations since associative effects are not considered. The benefits of a higher milk production as a result of more frequent feeding of the supplement to cows should be considered in context of the additional effort or costs associated with more frequent feeding.

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