Effects of achromatic and chromatic lights on pupillary response, endocrinology, activity, and milk production in dairy cows

Artificial light can be used as a management tool to increase milk yield in dairy production. However, little is known about how cows respond to the spectral composition of light. The aim of this study was to investigate how dairy cows respond to artificial achromatic and chromatic lights. A tie-stall barn equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) light fixtures was used to create the controlled experimental light environments. Two experiments were conducted, both using dairy cows of Swedish Red and light mixtures with red, blue or white light. In experiment I, the response to light of increasing intensity on pupil size was evaluated in five pregnant non-lactating cows. In experiment II 16h of achromatic and chromatic daylight in combination with dim, achromatic night light, was tested on pregnant lactating cows during five weeks to observe long term effects on milk production, activity and circadian rhythms. Particular focus was given to possible carry over effects of blue light during the day on activity at night since this has been demonstrated in humans. Increasing intensity of white and blue light affected pupil size (P<0.001), but there was no effect on pupil size with increased intensity of red light. Milk yield was maintained throughout experiment II, and plasma melatonin was higher during dim night light than in daylight for all treatments (P<0.001). In conclusion, our results show that LED fixtures emitting red light driving the ipRGCs indirectly via ML-cones, blue light stimulating both S-cones and ipRGCs directly and a mixture of wavelengths (white light) exert similar effects on milk yield and activity in tied-up dairy cows. This suggests that the spectral composition of LED lighting in a barn is secondary to duration and intensity.

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The Preferences of Different Cultivars of Lettuce Seedlings (Lactuca sativa L.) for the Spectral Composition of Light

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11061211 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1211

Author(s):

Barbara Frąszczak ◽

Monika Kula-Maximenko

Keyword(s):

Chlorophyll Content ◽

Blue Light ◽

White Light ◽

Leaf Shape ◽

Red Light ◽

Spectral Composition ◽

Fresh Weight ◽

Light Spectrum ◽

Dark Green ◽

Relative Chlorophyll Content

The spectrum of light significantly influences the growth of plants cultivated in closed systems. Five lettuce cultivars with different leaf colours were grown under white light (W, 170 μmol m−2 s−1) and under white light with the addition of red (W + R) or blue light (W + B) (230 μmol m−2 s−1). The plants were grown until they reached the seedling phase (30 days). Each cultivar reacted differently to the light spectrum applied. The red-leaved cultivar exhibited the strongest plasticity in response to the spectrum. The blue light stimulated the growth of the leaf surface in all the plants. The red light negatively influenced the length of leaves in the cultivars, but it positively affected their number in red and dark-green lettuce. It also increased the relative chlorophyll content and fresh weight gain in the cultivars containing anthocyanins. When the cultivars were grown under white light, they had longer leaves and higher value of the leaf shape index. The light-green cultivars had a greater fresh weight. Both the addition of blue and red light significantly increased the relative chlorophyll content in the dark-green cultivar. The spectrum enhanced with blue light had positive influence on most of the parameters under analysis in butter lettuce cultivars. These cultivars were also characterised by the highest absorbance of blue light.

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A new cactus variety for dairy cows in areas infested with Dactylopius opuntiae

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an17256 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 59 (3) ◽

pp. 479 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

C. C. F. Monteiro ◽

M. A. Ferreira ◽

A. S. C. Véras ◽

S. I. Guido ◽

M. P. Almeida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dairy Cow ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Microbial Protein ◽

Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽

Lactating Cows

Spineless cactus is an important part of dairy cow diet in the semiarid Brazilia. Severe infestation of cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell) destroyed a vast area of the most common species of cactus planted in the region; Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. resistant varieties with superior agronomic performance were recently selected, but they still need to be tested with dairy cows. We evaluated the use of a resistant variety, ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (OEM, Opuntia spp.), in dairy cow diet. We tested its effect on intake, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein, blood parameters and performance of lactating cows. Ten cows with an average milk yield of 20 kg/day were assigned to an experiment using a double 5 × 5 Latin square design. The experimental diets consisted of five replacement levels of Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck cv. (‘Miúda’) by ‘OEM’ (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) on a dry-matter (DM) basis) and were formulated considering the ingredient composition. The roughage:concentrate ratio was 70:30 on a DM basis. The replacement of ‘Miúda’ by OEM did not change the intake (kg/day) of DM (18.0), organic matter (16.3), crude protein (CP, 2.8), total digestible nutrients (11.6), non-fibre carbohydrates (7.6) and neutral detergent fibre (5.7), or the apparent digestibility (g/kg) of DM (655), organic matter (694), CP (739) and non-fibre carbohydrates (950), whereas apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre increased linearly. Microbial protein production (1.5 g/day), microbial protein efficiency (129.2 g CP/kg total digestible nutrients), plasma urea nitrogen (21.4 mg/dL), nitrogen balance (123 g/day), feed efficiency (1.1), nitrogen efficiency (0.2), milk production (20.0 kg/day), fat-corrected milk production (20.1 kg/day) and milk composition were not influenced by the replacement. Therefore, we recommend the use of OEM in the diet of lactating cows with an average milk yield of 20 kg/day.

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A comparison of Barkant turnips and Superchow sorghum for summer milk production

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.1997.59.2250 ◽

1997 ◽

pp. 157-161

Author(s):

D.A. Clark ◽

S.L. Harris ◽

E.R. Thom ◽

C.D. Waugh ◽

P.J.A. Copeman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Factorial Experiment ◽

Substitution Rates ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Sparing Effect

Barkant turnips and Superchow sorghum were compared as summer-autumn crops for lactating cows, in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment fed at 3 levels (0, 4 and 8 kg DM/cow/day) to supplement pasture offered at a constant allowance of 25 kg DM/cow/ day. Sixty lactating twin cows were used in 2 experimental periods in January and March 1996. Pasture and crop intakes were estimated by the alkane, and pre- and post-grazing, techniques. Feeding either 4 or 8 kg DM/cow/day increased milksolids (MS) yield by 25% for turnips and 15% for sorghum compared with pasture alone. Turnips gave responses of 42.5 and 50 g MS/kg DM offered, at the lower allowance, in summer and autumn respectively; compared with 25 g MS/kg DM in both seasons for sorghum. Crop intakes were lower on sorghum than turnips and were only partially compensated for by increased pasture intakes on the former. For both crops, increasing allowance from 4 to 8 kg DM/cow/day did not increase daily MS yield. The cows grazing sorghum were 8 and 15 kg heavier than either the turnip or pasture-fed cows in summer and autumn respectively. Substitution rates for both crops were higher (0.72- 0.87) in summer than in autumn (0.35-0.45). This means that although both crops will have a "pasture sparing" effect in summer they will not contribute much to increased per cow intake. Keywords: alkanes, crop intake, dairy cows, milksolids, milk yield, pasture intake, sorghum, turnips Introductio

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Effect of Herbal Galactogogue (Sanjivani biokseera) on Milk Yield and Milk Constituents in Lactating Kankrej Cattle at Organised Farm

THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY ◽

10.21887/ijvsbt.15.2.10 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 (02) ◽

pp. 39-41

Author(s):

H H Panchasara ◽

A B Chaudhari ◽

D A Patel ◽

Y M Gami ◽

M P Patel

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Nutritional Requirements ◽

Not Given ◽

Distinct Effect ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Group I ◽

Effect Of Feeding

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding herbal galactogogue preparation (Sanjivani biokseera) on the milk yield and milk constituents in lactating Kankrej cows. Thirty-two lactating Kankrej cows in their 1st to 6th lactation were taken for the experiment from 3 days after calving up to 52 days postpartum. All the animals were fed as per the standard seasonally available roughages and concentrates to meet their nutritional requirements. The cows were randomly divided into two uniform groups of 16 cows in each according to initial milk yield and milk composition. The animals in group-I were not given any supplement and served as control. The animals in group-II were given Sanjivani biokseera (Naturewell Industries) @ 60 g per day for 1-month, commencing 3 days after calving, in addition to the usual feeds/fodders. A clear difference was observed in milk yield from day 8 onward of experiment between groups with significant (plessthan0 0.05) higher values from day 16-52 in cows fed herbal galactogogue as compared to control, but no such distinct effect on milk constituents was observed on day 52 when analyzed. The use of herbal galactogogue significantly (p lessthan 0.05) increased the overall average of 52 days milk production, which was 9.34 ± 0.21 lit/day in supplemented as compared to 7.75 ± 0.26 lit/day in control animals. It was concluded that herbal galactogogue (Sanjivani biokseera) could increase milk yield in lactating dairy cows through its galactopoetic property and improved rumen environment.

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Effect of Bypass Protein on Milk Production and Economic of Lactating Crossbred Cows

Journal of AgriSearch ◽

10.21921/jas.v7i01.17633 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (01) ◽

Author(s):

RATNESH K CHOUDHARY ◽

A Saran ROY ◽

N K SINGH3 ◽

SANJAY KUMAR ◽

RAUSHAN K SINGH

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Crossbred Cows ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Feed Cost ◽

Total Diet ◽

T1 And T2 ◽

Daily Milk Yield ◽

On Farm ◽

Daily Milk

An On-Farm Trial was conducted on 24 lactating crossbred cows for assessment of feeding formaldehyde treated mustard cake (bypass protein) on milk production and economic analysis of lactating cow. Cows were divided into three groups having 8 cows each, treatments were farmers’ practice (FP); (Control): The lactating animals under this group were fedas per the feeding schedule of the farmers (5 kg. dry roughage as rice straw + 6 hrs grazing as local grass and 4 kg. commercial concentrates), T1: The lactating animals under this group were fed as per farmers practicewith 12% mustard cake of total diet was provided to the cow by replacing the same amount of commercial concentrates andT2: The lactating animals under this group were fed as per farmers practicewith 12% formaldehyde treated mustard cake of total diet was provided to the cow by replacing same amount of commercial concentrates. The average daily milk yield of lactating cows under FP, T1 and T2 was 8.58, 8.82 and 9.85 kg per cow, respectively. Differences between FP and T2 were significant. The daily increase in milk yield was 1.27 kg and 1.03 kg in cows fed T2diet over the cows fed FP and T1diet, respectively. The B: C ratios for FP, T1 and T2 groups were 2.6, 3.0 and 3.3, respectively. The feed cost reduced in T2 group by Rs. 8.64 and increased milk production by 1.27 kg in respect to FP group.

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Characterization of Short-Term Heat Stress in Holstein Dairy Cows Using Altered Indicators of Metabolomics, Blood Parameters, Milk MicroRNA-216 and Characteristics

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030722 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 722

Author(s):

Jang-Hoon Jo ◽

Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽

Dong-Qiao Peng ◽

Hye-Ran Kim ◽

Sang-Ho Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Short Term ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Humidity Index ◽

Holstein Dairy Cows

This study aims to characterize the influence of short-term heat stress (HS; 4 day) in early lactating Holstein dairy cows, in terms of triggering blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and composition, and milk microRNA expression. Eight cows (milk yield = 30 ± 1.5 kg/day, parity = 1.09 ± 0.05) were homogeneously housed in environmentally controlled chambers, assigned into two groups with respect to the temperature humidity index (THI) at two distinct levels: approximately ~71 (low-temperature, low-humidity; LTLH) and ~86 (high-temperature, high-humidity; HTHH). Average feed intake (FI) dropped about 10 kg in the HTHH group, compared with the LTLH group (p = 0.001), whereas water intake was only numerically higher (p = 0.183) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Physiological parameters, including rectal temperature (p = 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.038), were significantly higher in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Plasma cortisol and haptoglobin were higher (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group, compared to the LTLH group. Milk yield, milk fat yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were lower (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Higher relative expression of milk miRNA-216 was observed in the HTHH group (p < 0.05). Valine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, lactic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 1,5-anhydro-D-sorbitol, myo-inositol, and urea were decreased (p < 0.05). These results suggest that early lactating cows are more vulnerable to short-term (4 day) high THI levels—that is, HTHH conditions—compared with LTLH, considering the enormous negative effects observed in measured blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and compositions, and milk miRNA-216 expression.

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Effects of feeding peas to high-producing dairy cows

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas95-092 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 75 (4) ◽

pp. 625-629 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

R. R. Corbett ◽

L. A. Goonewardene ◽

E. K. Okine

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

Protein Source ◽

Canola Meal ◽

Stage Of Lactation ◽

Nutrient Analyses ◽

Protein Milk

The effect of substituting peas for soybean and canola meals as a protein source in a high-producing dairy herd was studied in 66 Holstein cows, divided into two groups based on stage of lactation, parity, level of milk production and days in milk. Two 18.5% crude protein grain concentrate diets were formulated based on the nutrient analyses of the forages available. The control grain mix contained standard protein sources, principally soybean and canola meal (SBM\CM) while the test grain mix was formulated to contain approximately 25% field peas as the major source of protein. Both grain rations were formulated to the same nutrient specifications and balanced for undegradable protein. The duration of the trial was 6 mo during which grain feeding levels were adjusted monthly based on milk yield. For cows in early lactation, 4% fat-corrected milk yield was higher (P < 0.05) for cows fed pea based concentrates (31.3 kg d−1) than for cows fed SBM\CM supplement (29.7 kg d−1). Fat-corrected milk yield was not affected by source of protein in mid- and late-lactation cows. Fat-corrected milk production was not different (P > 0.05) for cows fed SBM\CM compared with cows fed the pea supplement when cows across all stages of lactation were included in the analyses. Milk fat percent was significantly higher (P < 0.05) for early- and mid-lactation cows fed the pea supplement. The results suggest that peas can be substituted for SBM\CM as a protein source for high-producing dairy cows. Key words: Dairy cow, pea, soybean and canola meal supplement, undegradable protein, milk production

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(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3:Eu3+/Bi3+: a novel, highly efficient, red light-emitting material with superior water resistance behavior

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c4ra10888d ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 4707-4715 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Qiwei Zhang ◽

Haiqin Sun ◽

Tao Kuang ◽

Ruiguang Xing ◽

Xihong Hao

Keyword(s):

Blue Light ◽

White Light ◽

High Performance ◽

Water Resistance ◽

Light Emitting Diodes ◽

Red Light ◽

Light Emitting ◽

Highly Efficient ◽

White Light Emitting Diodes

Materials emitting red light (∼611 nm) under excitation with blue light (440–470 nm) are highly desired for fabricating high-performance white light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

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A comparison of starchy and fibrous concentrates for milk production, energy utilization and hay intake by Friesian cows

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600080801 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 109 (2) ◽

pp. 375-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

J. D. Sutton ◽

J. A. Bines ◽

S. V. Morant ◽

D. J. Napper ◽

D. J. Givens

Keyword(s):

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Live Weight ◽

Metabolizable Energy ◽

Energy Utilization ◽

Energy Yield ◽

Carbohydrate Source ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Concentrate Inclusion ◽

Friesian Cows

SummaryTwenty-four Friesian cows were allocated to one of four diets for weeks 3–14 of lactation following 2 weeks on a common diet. The diets (kg air-dry feed/day) were 7–2 kg hay and 10·8 kg either starchy or fibrous concentrates (60S and 60F) or 3·5 kg hay and 14·0 kg either starchy or fibrous concentrates (80S and 80F). Rumen samples were taken by stomach tube in weeks 10 and 12 of lactation and the digestibility of the diets was measured with four cows per treatment during weeks 13 and 14. The digestibility of the same feeds was also measured in sheep at maintenance.The principal carbohydrate constituents of the concentrates were barley, wheat and cassava in the starchy concentrates and citrus pulp, sugar-beet pulp and wheat feed in the fibrous concentrates. The concentrates were designed to have similar concentrations of metabolizable energy (ME) and the diets were planned to provide similar intakes of digestible energy and crude protein.Milk yield and composition were very similar for treatments 60S and 60F. With the higher proportion of starchy concentrates (80S), milk yield was about 20% greater than on 60S, fat concentration fell severely but protein and lactose concentrations were unaffected. With the higher proportion of fibrous concentrates (80F), milk yield and the protein and lactose concentration were similar to values on 60F but fat concentration was lower, though not nearly so low as on 80S. Milk energy yield was reduced by the higher proportion of concentrates but was unaffected by type of carbohydrates. Live-weight changes were small.In both the sheep, consuming at maintenance, and the lactating cows consuming at about 3 times maintenance, digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and energy was higher with the higher concentrate diets but was unaffected by type of concentrate. The digestibility of fibre was greater with the fibrous concentrates but the effect of level of concentrate inclusion was inconsistent. Digestibility coefficients were consistently lower for the lactating cows than for the sheep.The proportion of acetic acid in the rumen volatile fatty acids in the cows was higher and the proportion of propionic acid was lower with the fibrous concentrates. The differences were much greater with the higher proportion of concentrates.During weeks 15–22 of lactation the cows were reallocated to concentrate treatments and given hay ad libitum. Hay intake was about 1 kg/day higher with the fibrous concentrates but the difference was not significant. Hay intake fell by about 0·6 kg/kg concentrate intake for both concentrate types. No significant differences in milk yield or composition were established, probably because of incomplete adaptation even after 8 weeks.It is concluded that at concentrate intakes of about 10 kg/day, the source of carbohydrate in the concentrates has little effect on milk production when the concentrates are of similar ME concentration. However, at higher levels of concentrate inclusion, although the diets may have similar ME concentrations, important differences in the yields of fat, protein and lactose occur due to carbohydrate source and these can be related to differences in rumen fermentation.

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Association of Feed Efficiency, Feeding Rate, and Behaviour with the Milk Performance of Dairy Cows

Dairy ◽

10.3390/dairy2040053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 684-694

Author(s):

Lenka Krpálková ◽

Niall O’Mahony ◽

Anderson Carvalho ◽

Sean Campbell ◽

Gerard Corkery ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Feed Efficiency ◽

Feeding Behaviour ◽

Feeding Rate ◽

Feeding Time ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Milk Performance

Identification of the associations of cow feed efficiency with feeding behaviour and milk production is important for supporting recommendations of strategies that optimise milk yield. The objective of this study was to identify associations between measures of feed efficiency, feed intake, feeding rate, rumination time, feeding time, and milk production using data collected from 26 dairy cows during a 3 month period in 2018. Cows averaged (mean ± standard deviation) 2.2 ± 1.7 lactations, 128 ± 40 days in milk, 27.5 ± 5.5 kg/day milk, 1.95 ± 0.69 kg feed/1 kg milk—the measure used to express feed conversion ratio (FCR), 575 ± 72 min/day rumination time, and 264 ± 67 min/day feeding time during the observation period. The coefficient of variation for rumination time (min/d) was 12.5%. A mixed linear model was selected for analyses. The most feed inefficient cows with the highest FCR (≥2.6 kg feed/1 kg milk) showed the lowest milk yield (24.8 kg/day), highest feed intake (78.8 kg), highest feeding rate (0.26 kg/min) and BCS (3.35 point). However, the relative milk yield (milk yield per 100 kg of body weight) was the highest (4.01 kg/day) in the most efficient group with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). Our study showed that the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk) had the highest rumination time (597 min/day; p < 0.05), feeding time (298 min/day; p < 0.05), rumination/activity ratio (4.39; p < 0.05) and rumination/feeding ratio (2.04; p < 0.05). Less active cows (activity time 164 min/day; p < 0.05) were the most efficient cows with the lowest FCR (≤1.4 kg feed/1 kg milk). The behavioural differences observed in this study provide new insight into the association of feed behaviour and feed efficiency with milk performance. Incorporating feeding behaviour into the dry matter intake model can improve its accuracy in the future and benefit breeding programmes.

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