scholarly journals On-farm welfare assessment in dairy goats in the Brazilian Northeast

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 2308-2320
Author(s):  
L.O. Leite ◽  
F.O. Stamm ◽  
R.A. Souza ◽  
J.A. Camarinha Filho ◽  
R.C.M. Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Northeast Brazil ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Welfare Assessment ◽  
Lactating Goats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Brazilian Northeast ◽  
On Farm

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to apply a modified AWIN Goat protocol to evaluate and compare the welfare of adult lactating and non-lactating dairy goats at pen and individual levels on small farms located in Ceará, Northeast, Brazil, and to take into consideration the application of this protocol on Brazilian Northeast goat farms. Five farms with Lactating goats (L) and five farms with non-lactating goats (NL) were evaluated. At the first level of welfare assessment, animals were evaluated in the pen and during the second level of welfare assessment, animals were evaluated in the pen and individually. Indicators assessed were animal and resource-based indicators. Significant difference between L and NL on farms was set at P<0.05. Only queuing at feeding indicator showed significant difference (P=0.027) between groups in pens at the first level welfare assessment. On individual assessments, there was significant difference between L and NL regarding body condition score (P=0.003), overgrown claws (P=0.001) and udder asymmetry (P=0.001). The application of a modified AWIN Goat protocol on farms in Ceará was considered positive. In general, these results demonstrated that both groups are submitted to welfare problems in Ceará, although lactating goats present more challenges to cope.

scholarly journals PSX-2 Growth and lactating performance of ewes fed with different energy levels

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
Fernanda F Santos ◽  
Luciano Brochine ◽  
Vanderlei Benetel Junior ◽  
Maria Laura R Coelho ◽  
Augusto H Gameiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
The Body ◽  
Metabolizable Energy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the milk production, body weight, and body condition score (BCS) of ewes fed with different energy levels. Seventy-one ewes were used and distributed in three treatments according to the metabolizable energy (ME, Mcal/kg) levels in the diet: CTL = according to the NRC (2007) recommendation for each stage (gestation and lactation); PLUS = CTL plus 10% of ME per kilogram of dry matter; LESS = CTL less 10% ME per kilogram of dry matter. Body weight and body condition score were evaluated a week before the expected date of parturition, a week after giving birth, and at weaning (60 days). Dairy production was evaluated at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after giving birth by the indirect method of the two weighing. The experimental design was analyzed as randomized complete blocks. There were no differences on milk production during almost all the lactation curve. Only on day 50 (P = 0.051), CTL was still at peak, while LESS and PLUS had already decreased their production. However, at 60 days, all treatments were already with low production, justifying weaning in this period. Results of weight and BCS showed a significant difference in all periods evaluates. Ewes in the PLUS diet had greater BW and BCS. The BCS before giving birth is expected to be over 3.5 and treatment LESS was the only one that did not achieve this score (2.66, 3.37, 3.83 for LESS, CTL, and PLUS, respectively). At weaning, ewes fed PLUS and CTL had BCS of 3.51 and 2.92, respectively, but treatment LESS had only 1.82. That is prejudicial for the next mating seasonal and this animal. We concluded that LESS diet interfered with the body reserves of sheep.

Lambing season and fertility of fat-tailed ewes under an extensive production system are associated with liveweight and body condition around mating

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. K. Esmailizadeh ◽  
O. Dayani ◽  
M. S. Mokhtari
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Production System ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Breed Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
The Mean ◽  
June July

The objective of this study was to investigate to what extent fertility and lambing season of fat-tailed ewes raised under an extensive production system are related to liveweight, body condition and changes around mating. Ewe liveweight and body condition score (BSC) were recorded in June, July and August over a period of 3 years (1999–2001) in 11 flocks (eight flocks of Kurdi breed and three flocks of Kurdi × Sanjabi crossbred). Both Kurdi and Sanjabi are native fat-tailed breeds in western Iran. In total, 3278 lambing records relating to 1592 ewes and data on mating date, liveweight and BCS of 1930 ewes (3975 records) were used for statistical analyses. The statistical model for bodyweight and body condition data included fixed effects of breed group, flock nested within breed group, year, the future lambing status following summer breeding (barren, autumn lambing and winter lambing), ewe age and all two-way interactions. Breed group had a significant effect on ewe liveweight (P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between BCS of the two breed groups around mating. Ewe liveweights measured in June, July and August had significant effects on fertility and lambing season (P < 0.01). Ewes that produced lambs were generally heavier at mating than barren ewes (P < 0.01). Autumn-lambing ewes were heavier than winter-lambing ewes in June and July (P < 0.01). Effects of changes in liveweight on fertility and lambing season were significant (P < 0.01). The effects of BCS in June, July and August (P < 0.01) and changes in BCS during the mating period (P < 0.05) on fertility and lambing season were also significant. The mean BCS (in June and July) of autumn-lambing ewes was greater than that of the winter-lambing and barren ewes (P < 0.05). The proportion of autumn-lambing ewes significantly increased as BCS in July increased, whereas the proportion of barren ewes decreased (P < 0.01). Fertility was associated with age so that as the age of the ewes increased from 2 to 7 years, the proportion of barren ewes significantly decreased from 29 to 5% (P < 0.01). There was a relatively high proportion of very thin ewes of 2 and 3 years of age. These findings imply that low body condition is a particular problem in younger ewes suggesting the importance of giving special nutritional treatment to younger ewes to reduce the proportion of barren ewes.

Consequences of ‘metabolic load’ for lameness and disease

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. N. Logue ◽  
R. J. Berry ◽  
J. E. Offer ◽  
S. J. Chaplin ◽  
W. M. Crawshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Low Input ◽  
Metabolic Load ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
High Output

AbstractThe overall objective of a series of experiments to investigate ‘metabolic stress’ was to examine the relationships between ‘metabolic load’, disease and other parameters associated with the welfare of the dairy cow. In the main, these used several well controlled herd based studies complimented with more basic and strategic investigations. In this paper we compare and contrast practical aspects of health and welfare in two high genetic merit herds managed at the extremes of inputs and outputs for dairy farming in south-west Scotland. The hypothesis was that high output herds would have more health and welfare problems than low input herds. Two herds (70 Holstein-Friesian cows each) at SAC Acrehead Dumfries of a similar genetic background (overall in the top 5% of UK cows by PIN and ITEM), were housed in identical buildings and tended by the same herdsman. Both herds had autumn- and spring-calving cattle. The ‘low input’ herd (LI) was given a minimum of concentrate (approx. 0.5 t per cow per year) and milked twice a day and had a restricted quota of 385 000 l. The ‘high output’ herd (HO) was managed for high yields (unrestricted quota) and was given concentrates (2 t per cow per year) and forage ad libitum and milked three times daily. In 1995-96 the sole source of winter forage was grass/clover silage (LI) or grass silage (HO) but in 1996-1998 ensiled cereal and fodder beet were included in both diets. ‘Metabolic load’ could only be inferred from overall inputs, milk outputs, weight loss, body condition score and behaviour. There were significant differences in 305-day lactation yields between herds, and season of calving especially in 1995-96 (LI autumn; 5952 l at 30 g/kg protein (P); LI spring; 5741 l, 32.5 g/kg P; HO autumn; 9541 l at 32.8 g/kg P; HO spring; 8402 l, 32.6 g/kg P). LI weight and body condition-score losses were greatest in this year and behavioural studies showed substantial differences in feeding time (HO < LI, P < 0.05) and total lying time (LI < HO; P < 0.05). However these differences were much less marked in subsequent years. There was a significant difference in the prevalence and incidence of clinical lameness between herds (HO > LI; P < 0.05) and season (autumn > spring P < 0.05) but not for mastitis or metabolic disease. An in-depth study of subclinical claw horn lesion development in first calving heifers showed significant differences between herds in 1996-97 (LI > HO, P < 0.05) but none in 1995-96. There was a significant difference for season in both years (autumn > spring, P < 0.05). Analysis of blood biochemistry parameters of samples taken at approximately 1 month after calving showed some significant differences between LI and HO generally indicating a greater ‘metabolic load’ for LI. Although the full effects of ‘metabolic load’ on immune function and reproduction are dealt with elsewhere our preliminary data showed no significant differences between herds for the former but some significant differences for the latter, in particular there were differences in aspects of the progesterone profiles between herds and more importantly between seasons. However these latter differences were not clearly reflected in conception rates. It was concluded that the hypothesis was not fully sustained and that both systems had pitfalls in terms of welfare. The three major areas causing difficulties for both systems were the need first to ensure adequate intake of forage; secondly to limit the environmental challenge to the feet and udder and finally to marry these systems to the factors limiting reproduction, primarily calving season and ability of reproduction management.

scholarly journals Effect of di-calcium phosphate on calcium balance and body condition score of dairy cows fed Napier grass

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-201
Author(s):  
MZ Rahman ◽  
MY Ali ◽  
KS Huque ◽  
MAI Talukder
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Phosphate ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Napier Grass ◽  
Calcium Balance ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score

A research work was undertaken to evaluate the feeding effects of di-calcium phosphate (DCP) on calcium balance and body condition score of dairy cows fed Napier grass. The trial was conducted in the village Alokdiar of Shajadpur upazilla under Sirajgonj district. Twenty crossbred lactating dairy cows of 320 ±15.5 kg live weight were used for the trial. Animals were equally and randomly allocated into four groups, T0 (Napier+concentrate), T1 (Napier+concentrate+100g DCP), T2 (Napier+concentrate+150g DCP) and T3 (Napier+concentrate+200g DCP). Total DMI did not differ significantly (p>0.05) among the groups but highly significant differences (p<0.01) were found in Ca intake. Ca balance; and Ca in feces, Ca in urine, Ca in milk and total Ca excretion differed significantly (p<0.05). No significant  difference (p>0.05) was found in DM in feces (%), DM in feces (kg/d) and milk production (L) among the treatment groups except urine excretion. There was a linear increase of body condition score (BCS) with DCP (T1, T2 and T3), but BCS was linearly declined in non DCP diet (T0). Diets with 150g DCP may be suggested for optimizing Calcium balance and body condition score of dairy cows fed Napier grasses.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjas.v43i3.21648 Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2014. 43 (3): 197-201

scholarly journals Liver Flukes Egg Infection and Associated Risk Factors in White Fulani Cattle Slaughtered in Wukari, Southern Taraba State, Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Shinggu ◽  
O. T. Olufemi ◽  
J. A. Nwuku ◽  
E. B. T. Baba-Onoja ◽  
P. D. Iyawa
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Liver Fluke ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
The Body ◽  
Single Infection ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
White Fulani ◽  
Liver Flukes

Fasciola, Fascioloides, and Dicrocoelium cause liver fluke diseases in ruminants and are of zoonotic and economic importance. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of liver fluke egg infection in White Fulani Cattle slaughtered in Wukari Cattle market abattoir in Wukari, Taraba State. A total of 262 gallbladders were collected and their contents were analyzed for the presence of eggs of liver flukes using sedimentation technique. Descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 20 for window and Pearson’s Chi-Square (χ2) was used to evaluate the association between variables. Fasciola and Dicrocoelium eggs were encountered. Only 74 (28.2%) samples were positive for Fasciola egg and 211 (80.5%) for Dicrocoelium. The prevalence of liver fluke infection revealed 25% and 28.6% Fasciola eggs for male and female animals, respectively, while lancet fluke had 83.3% for male and 80.3% for female. Fasciola eggs were recovered in 20.8% of animals aged less 3 years (<3yrs) and 29.9% was recorded in animals 3 years and above (≥ 3yrs) while 81.3% for animals ≥ 3yrs and 77.1% for animals <3yrs were recorded for Dicrocoelium eggs. The body condition score-based prevalence for Fasciola yielded 38.1%, 26.8%, and 14% for poor, average, and good, respectively, while Dicrocoelium yielded 85.7%, 79.3%, and 85.7%. There was a significant difference between the body condition scores for fasciolosis. Only 59% harboured single infection with eggs of Dicrocoelium (P< 0.05) while 6.9% harboured Fasciola eggs. Mixed infection associating Fasciola and Dicrocoelium was observed in 21.4% of the sample cattle. Liver fluke infections: fasciolosis and dicrocoeliosis occur among White Fulani cattle in Wukari and these infections are associated with the body condition score of the animals. This greatly affects the cattle production. There is a need to institute adequate control programmes complemented with good well-planned management practices in any production system involving cattle in Wukari.

Body Condition Scoring in Dairy Cows - A Conceptual and Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Paul ◽  
Santu Mondal ◽  
Suresh Kumar ◽  
Tripti Kumari
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Selection Indices ◽  
Farm Mechanization ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Score Gain ◽  
Body Condition Scoring ◽  
Good Technique ◽  
On Farm

As herd sizes have increased in the last decades due to commercialization of dairy sector, computer monitoring solutions, which provide fast and accurate evaluation of body condition score, gain more and more importance. The main reasons that discourage the use of traditional BCS estimation techniques are the lack of computerized reports, its subjectivity in the judgment, observational variations and time consuming on farm training of technicians. Moreover, measurement on a cow must be collected every 30 days interval throughout the lactation period to have valuable information for use in selection indices. However, an automated BCS largely diminishes the need for labor, time and training, be less stressful for the animals, increase accuracy and could provide large volumes of data for use in genetic evaluation. The sonography is also good technique to detect depletion of body fat reserve by measuring back fat thickness (BFT) in conjunction with BCS in dairy cattle. In India, BCS monitoring technique is not well adopted due to lack of farm mechanization, awareness and an extra labor charges, can create a burden on farm finances.

Productive performance, body condition score and carcass characteristics of Deccani lambs reared under different farming systems

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. A. Kochewad ◽  
T. Raghunandan ◽  
K. Sarjan Rao ◽  
N. Nalini Kumari ◽  
D.B. V. Ramana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Productive Performance ◽  
Grazing Land ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Optimum Productivity

The present study was carried out to assess the effect of different farming systems on productive performance, body condition score and carcass characteristics of Deccani lambs. Thirty-six weaned lambs having 3 months of age were divided into three groups with twelve lambs in each group in under intensive (T1), semi-intensive (T2) and extensive (T3) farming systems. The comparative mean dry matter intake (kg/day) and (kg/100kg BW) was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T1 group when compared to other groups. T2 group had significantly (p less than 0.05) higher DM intake (kg/day) than T3 group. The mean values of Average daily gains in Deccani lambs were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T1 group compared to T2 and T3 groups. The feed efficiency was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher in T1 compared to T2, T3 groups. Statistically significant difference was found in BCS at six months of age (p less than 0.05) between T1 and T3 groups. BCS at 9, 12 months and overall BCS, there was a significant (p less than 0.05) difference between T1 and T3 groups. T1 group had higher pre-slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, meat %, fat% and meat: bone ratio thanT2 and T3. The dressing yields were comparable. The weights of other offals (heart, kidney, spleen, testicles, blood, head and lung and trachea) were comparable. The findings of this study indicated that the intensive and semi-intensive system of rearing could be useful for mutton production. In extensive system, which is predominant in India should change its facet by enriching the grazing land resources as well by the supplementation of required plane of nutrition during growth and special life stages viz., gestation, puberty, post lambing and finisher stages for achieving optimum productivity.

scholarly journals Influence of body condition on incidence and degree of hepatic lipidosis in cows

2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 3-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horea Samanc ◽  
Velibor Stojic ◽  
Danijela Kirovski ◽  
Milijan Jovanovic ◽  
Horia Cernescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Dry Period ◽  
Hepatic Lipidosis ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Average Body ◽  
Body Condition Scores

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of energy status of cows, estimated by body condition score, on the incidence and the degree of hepatic lipidosis during the early stage of lactation. Cows were divided into four groups: dry, early puerperal, early lactation and late lactation period. Each group consisted of 60 cows. Body condition was scored by the method established in Elaco Animal Health Buletin Al 8478. According to this method, body condition score is represented numerically from 1 to 5 points. Liver samples for pathohistological analyses were taken by biopsy from early lactation cows (60. day of lactation). Fat content in hepatocytes was determined morphometrically and results were compared with criteria based on total lipid and triglyceride content in liver tissue. On farm A, average body condition scores were in a range from 3.31, at sixty days of lactation, to 3.86 points in the dry period. Nevertheless, the range was wider on farm B, and was from 2.18 points at sixty days of lactation to 4.15 points at the dry period. Besides, differences in average body condition scores were higher than 1 point, and in some cases (between late lactation or dry period to sixty days of lactation) were almost 2 points. The incidence and the degree of hepatic lipidosis strongly differ between the two examined farms. On farm A the incidence of hepatic lipidosis was 18.33 percent, while on farm B that percent was much higher (43.32). A significant difference was established in the degree of hepatic lipidosis between those two farms. On farm A diffuse hepatic lipidosis was determined in 5.0 percent of cows, while on farm B that percent was 18.33. According to these results, most of the cows on farm B had uncontrolled lipomobilisation and severe fatty liver during the early lactation period, probably due to the obesity of these cows in late lactation and the dry period.

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