scholarly journals Effect of management factors on reproductive and milk production performance of a dairy sheep breed adapted to low-input management systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. TZANIDAKIS ◽  
N. VOUTZOURAKIS ◽  
A. STEFANAKIS ◽  
C. N. BROZOS ◽  
S. SOTIRAKI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Total Bacterial Count ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Bulk Milk ◽  
Management Schemes ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

Interest on the implementation and improvisation of low-input dairy sheep farming is rising. Our study aimed to describe a) the milk productivity of the Sfakia sheep, a Mediterranean well-adapted to low-input management schemes breed (“low-input breed”), and b) the effect of management (MS) and milking system (MLS) on milk yield and quality. Monthly bulk milk samples (n=307) and reproductive data were collected from 10 extensive and 10 semi-intensive Sfakia sheep flocks in Crete Greece, over two consecutive lactations. All semi-intensive and four extensive farms were equipped with a milking parlour machine (MPM). A portable machine (PM) was used in three extensive farms; hand-milking (HM) was applied in the rest extensive farms. The effect of MS and MLS on daily milk yield/ewe (DMY), somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), pH and % lactose content (LACT) of milk was explored with linear mixed-effects models. Mean DMY (p<0.001) as well as the seasonal variation pattern of SCC (p=0.020) and LACT (p=0.018) differed between MS. TBC was higher in extensive farms using MPM than HM (p=0.002); PM was related to lower SCC, compared to MPM (p=0.044) and HM (p=0.012). Concluding, mild interventions in management and milking practices could improve the productivity of “low-input” dairy sheep breeds.

scholarly journals Covariance components by a repeatability model in Slovenian dairy sheep using test-day records

2009 ◽  
Vol 54 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 426-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Komprej ◽  
G. Gorjanc ◽  
D. Kon ◽  
M. Kovač
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Milk Traits ◽  
Environment Effect ◽  
Covariance Components ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

The estimation of covariance components for daily milk yield, fat and protein content was performed in three Slovenian dairy sheep breeds (Bovec, Improved Bovec, and Istrian Pramenka). In the period 1994–2002, 38 983 test-day records of 3 068 ewes were collected according to ICAR regulations (method A4). All the available relationships between animals were considered. For that reason, information on 3 534 animals was included. Test-day records were analysed by a multiple-trait repeatability animal model. In its fixed part, the model contained breed and season of lambing as classes. Days after lambing, parity, and litter size were treated as covariates. Days after lambing were modelled with modified Ali-Schaeffer’s lactation curve, parity with quadratic, and litter size with linear regression. The random part of the model consisted of flock-test month effect, additive genetic effect, permanent environment effect over lactations, and permanent environment effect within lactation. Covariance components were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method (REML). The estimated heritabilities were 0.11 for daily milk yield, 0.08 for fat content, and 0.10 for protein content. A relatively high variance ratio for all milk traits was explained by the flock-test month effect (from 0.27 for daily milk yield to 0.57 for protein content), while ratios explained by both permanent environment effects were lower (up to 0.13). Additive genetic correlations between daily milk yield and fat content, and daily milk yield and protein content were negative and similar (–0.36 and –0.37). A high and positive (0.67) additive genetic correlation between fat and protein content was found. Correlations for environmental effects showed a pattern similar to additive genetic correlations. Genetic parameters estimated in Slovenian dairy sheep showed that genetic progress in milk traits could be achieved using test-day milk records.

Effect of housing management on production performance of crossbred cows during hot-humid season

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjana Sinha ◽  
Madan Lal Kamboj ◽  
Surendra Singh Lathwal ◽  
Ashish Ranjan
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Housing System ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Crossbred Cows ◽  
Comfort Index ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

Present investigation was carried out to study the effect of modified housing system on production performance of crossbred (Karan-Fries) cows during hot humid seasons. For this study 16 lactating crossbred cows in their early lactation were selected based on parity, milk yield and body weights and randomly divided into two groups (G-I and G-II) with eight animals in each group. G-I group was housed under existing loose housing system and G-II under modified housing system. Analysis revealed that, the maximum temperature and THI were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in modified shed as compared to existing shed. Percent cow comfort index was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in G-II (94.25%) group as compared to G-I (72.75%). There was significant (P less than 0.05) differences of dry matter intake and average daily milk yield of cows and higher mean values were recorded in modified shed as compared to existing shed. Highly significant (P less than 0.01) increase in lying time of cows was recorded in modified shed (53.43%) as compared to existing shed (46.51%). It was concluded that the cows housed inside modified shed during hot-humid season were more comfortable and exhibited improved overall production performance as compared to the animals under existing shed.

scholarly journals Changes in Milk Yield and Quality During Lactation in Polish Red and White-Backed Cows Included in the Genetic Resources Conservation Programme in Comparison with the Simmental Breed

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 871-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zygmunt Litwińczuk ◽  
Joanna Barłowska ◽  
Alicja Matwijczuk ◽  
Jan Słomiany
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Fat Globules ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Resources Conservation

AbstractMilk yield and quality was assessed in cows raised on low-input farms (traditional feeding), i.e. two breeds covered by genetic resources conservation (RP and BG) and the SM breed. The reference group was PHF HO cows from an intensive milk production system (PMR feeding). A total of 1,212 milk samples were collected from three periods of lactation: I (up to 120 days), II (121–200) and II (over 200). The milk was analysed for content of fat, protein, casein, lactose, dry matter, non-fat dry matter and the protein-to-fat ratio, coagulation time, heat stability and the percentage of fat globules in different size ranges. Fatty acid profile and cholesterol content were determined in a representative number of 180 milk samples. Daily yield in the native breeds in the third phase of lactation was 9.6 and 8.7 kg, which was slightly over 55% of their yield in phase I, compared to 66% in the SM and 73.4% in the reference group (PHF HO). The increase in fat and protein (including casein) in the milk during lactation was much higher in the native breeds, so its energy value in phase II of lactation was 11% higher in the BG cows and 9% higher in RP, but only 4% higher in the SM with regard to phase I of lactation. The milk fat from the Polish Red cows had the highest proportion of PUFA in each phase of lactation, including CLA, and the highest PUFA/SFA ratio. Over the course of lactation the percentage of large fat globules in the milk decreased, particularly in the native breeds (P≤0.01), while in the SM the differences were much smaller and statistically insignificant. Lactation persistency in both native breeds raised in a low-input system was worse than in the SM, but the increase in basic components during lactation was markedly higher, while that of cholesterol was lower.

Influence of dry period length on reproductive performance and productivity of Lacaune dairy sheep under an intensive management system

2012 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Hernandez ◽  
Laura Elvira ◽  
Juan-Vicente Gonzalez-Martin ◽  
Susana Astiz
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Global Analysis ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Period Length ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

Intensive management is almost the only way to ensure dairy farm profitability. The dry period length (DPL) is a key factor in the productivity and health of dairy cows, but whether the same is true of dairy sheep is unclear. This study investigated the effects of DPL on the performance of Lacaune sheep under intensive management. We recorded 8136 lactations from 4220 ewes on one farm for the period 2005–2010, and data from a total of 6762 complete lactations 1–4 were included in the study. The length of the dry period following the current lactation was studied. The larger the total milk yield (MY) and daily milk yield (DMY), the shorter was the DPL before the next lactation. DPL correlated with MY (r=−0·384), DMY (r=−0·277) and the lambing-to-conception interval (LC; r=0·201, P<0·0001) in the global analysis of all lactations (lactations 1–4). The influence of previous-DPL (P-DPL), or the length of the period prior to the start of the next lactation, was studied for 4318 lactations. P-DPL was classified into five intervals: very short (P-DPL-XS), 1–30 d; short (P-DPL-S), 31–60 d; medium (P-DPL-M), 61–90 d; long (P-DPL-L), 91–120 d; and very long (P-DPL-XL), >120 d. P-DPL positively correlated with lambing-to-next conception interval (LNC; r=0·095, P<0·0001) for lactations 1–4. LNC was significantly shorter for P-DPLs that were very short, short, or long (P-PDL-XS, 144·2±67·8 d; P-PDL-S, 149·1±57·2 d; P-PDL-L, 152·0±53·7 d) than for groups with very long or medium P-PDLs (P-DPL-XL, 161·5±62·9 d; P-DPL-M, 169·0±74·8 d; P<0·0001). Moreover, P-DPLs that were very short, long, or very long were associated with the lowest milk yields (P-PDL-XS, 377±215 l; P-PDL-l, 370±168 l; P-PDL-XL, 396±196 l). These yields were significantly lower than the yields for short and medium P-DPLs (P-DPL-S, 432±187 l; P-DPL-M, 436±191 l; P<0·0001) when averages of lactations 1–4 were analysed. These results indicate that lactations with larger MY are followed by a shorter dry period, and that a dry period of 30–90 d leads to larger yields in the next lactation. The best LNC was associated with the shortest Previous-DPL. Hence, 30–60 d should be the optimal dry period length for Lacaune sheep under intensive conditions.

An analysis of the Entebbe herd of Nganda cattle in Uganda

1961 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Mahadevan ◽  
H. J. S. Marples
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Indigenous Cattle ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
The Government ◽  
To Come ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

In the herd of Nganda cattle at the Government Livestock Experiment Station, Entebbe, Uganda, it was found that of the known environmental factors affecting milk production, the more important ones were age (in lactations) and length of the calving interval preceding the second and third lactations. The correlations between performance in different lactations of the same animal were high for lactation milk yield (0·73) and average daily milk yield (0·62) and low for calving interval (0·21) and dry period (0·15). The repeatability of lactation length was intermediate (0·42). The heritability values were around 0·3 for the weight measurements, around 0·2 for yield characteristics and around 0·1 for length of lactation and age at first calving.The sires used in the breeding programme at Entebbe made little impact on production performance in the herd. The estimated genetic improvement in milk yield through selection of dams of cows was also low. It is argued from comparison with results from other parts of the tropics that superior genotypes for milk production are difficult to come by among indigenous cattle in these areas and that we should therefore look for other opportunities and methods to move ahead faster in the future.

Proteolysis detection in milk: I. Interpretation of tyrosine value data for raw milk supplies in relation to natural variation, bacterial counts and other factors

1973 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. S. Juffs
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Trichloroacetic Acid ◽  
Natural Variation ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Atmospheric Temperature ◽  
Total Bacterial Count ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Bacterial Counts ◽  
Bulk Milk

SummaryA method for detection of proteolysis in milk was evaluated. Amino acids and peptides soluble in trichloroacetic acid were estimated by the Lowry–Folin procedure with expression of results in terms of colour yield equivalent to that of tyrosine (the ‘tyrosine value’ (TV)). Some variables and alternatives in the method of estimation were investigated.TVs for milk freshly drawn from individual cows were extremely varied (0·31–0·92 mg/ml). TVs for samples of refrigerated milk from daily supply farms were in the range 0·40–0·58 mg/ml; no relationships between TV and bacterial counts were evident with these samples. With bulk refrigerated raw milk supplied to Brisbane for liquid consumption from country depots and local farms equipped with bulk vats, significant positive relationships were found between TV and total bacterial count (TBC) for supplies from some sources, but in no instance was a significant relationship found between TV and psychrotroph or proteolytic psychrotroph count. Significant positive relationships were found between TV of bulk milk supplies from some sources and atmospheric temperature, and between TBC of the supplies and atmospheric temperature. The significance of these various relationships for bulk milks is discussed.Natural variation in TV imposed limitations on reliability of the method to provide an index of proteolysis; in general the results indicated that its application was restricted to bulk milk cold-stored for at least 3 days.

Effects of intramammary antibiotic therapy during the dry period on the performance of Lacaune dairy sheep under intensive management

2014 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-101
Author(s):  
Fernando Hernandez ◽  
Laura Elvira ◽  
Beatriz Fernández ◽  
Marta Egea ◽  
Antonio Gonzalez-Bulnes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Milk Quality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Intensive Management ◽  
Dairy Sheep ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Antibiotic Group ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

Often the only way to ensure profitability of Lacaune dairy sheep is intensive management, which requires appropriate dry-period treatment to ensure animal productivity and health. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of intramammary antibiotic dry therapy on the performance and health of Lacaune sheep under intensive management. We recorded data for 5981 complete lactation periods that followed a dry period. A total of 2402 lactation periods were preceded by a dry period involving intramammary administration of 300 mg of cephapirin benzathine (antibiotic group) and 3579 lactation periods were preceded by dry periods with no treatment (control group). The following on-farm yield data were collected for individual lactation periods: length of the subsequent lactation period; total milk yield per lactation period; daily milk yield and length of the subsequent dry period. Data on confounding factors that might affect productivity were also recorded, including the individual ewe, number of lactation periods and length of the previous dry period. Milk quality was assessed using data on somatic cell count (SCC) and content of protein and fat taken from the Spanish National Official Milk Yield Recording System. Antibiotic dry therapy significantly improved total yield per lactation period, which was 429±151·1 l in the antibiotic group and 412±165·5 l in the control group, as well as the daily milk yield, which was 1986±497·0 and 1851±543·2 ml/d, respectively (both P<0·0001). The initial dry period was significantly longer in the antibiotic group than in the control group, and dry period length correlated inversely with yield variables such us total yield per lactation period (r=−0·055; P<0·0001) and yield per day in milk (r=−0·039; P<0·0001). As a result, milk yield records systematically underestimated the positive effects of antibiotic dry therapy. Antibiotic dry therapy also significantly improved milk quality. Milk from the antibiotic group showed 50% lower SCC (573±1326 vs. 1022±2126 cells/ml; P<0·0001) and slightly higher content in fat (7·33±0·91 vs. 7·15±0·87%) and protein (5·63±0·44 vs. 5·44±0·4%). The results of this study suggest that cephalosporin dry therapy of Lacaune dairy sheep increases milk production and improves milk quality during subsequent lactation periods.

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