Responses of Outdoor Housed Dairy Cows to Shade Access during the Prepartum Period under Temperate Summer Conditions

Cows are affected by environmental factors associated with warm weather conditions; however, little is known about the effect of shade access especially during the prepartum period of dairy cows in temperate regions. This study assessed the effect of shade on the behavior (lying, rumination, feeding, and drinking), body fat mobilization, and health status of outdoor-housed dairy cows during the prepartum period under temperate summer conditions. During the 3 weeks prior to calving, 24 multiparous Holstein cows were grouped (4 cows/group) and assigned to either an open corral without shade or with access to shade until calving. We daily measured shade use, lying, rumination, feeding, and drinking behavior. Weekly, prepartum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and postpartum b-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations were measured. Clinical examination was periodically performed individually until 21 postpartum days. Shade use averaged 45.6, 46.0, and 19.8% during the hottest hours of the day (11–18 h) in weeks 3, 2, and 1 prior to calving, respectively. Shaded cows had higher values for rumination time and feeding time during the morning but spent less time drinking during the warmest hours than unshaded cows. NEFA and BHB concentrations and clinical diseases were similar between both treatments. These findings suggest that under temperate summer conditions the access to an artificial shade is an important resource, observing beneficial effects mainly on behavioral variables.

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Desafíos para la salud de las vacas durante el periodo de transición. Uso de monensina

Anales de Veterinaria de Murcia ◽

10.6018/analesvet.331171 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 7-16

Author(s):

Estefanía Alcázar ◽

Silvia Martínez ◽

Josefa Madrid ◽

Pablo Larrosa ◽

Fuensanta Hernández

Keyword(s):

Energy Balance ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Metabolic Disorders ◽

Transition Period ◽

Nutrient Balance ◽

Negative Energy ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids ◽

Consequent Improvement ◽

Positive Effect

El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión de los efectos derivados del uso de monensina como alternativa para afrontar con mayor éxito el periodo de transición en vacas lecheras. En las vacas de leche, la transición de la preñez al inicio de la lactación es un periodo crítico que se caracteriza por presentar una mayor incidencia de enfermedades. En este periodo, el riesgo de que se presenten trastornos metabólicos y enfermedades está relacionado con el balance energético negativo en el que se encuentra la vaca, hecho que conlleva una movilización de nutrientes desde las reservas tisulares. Una de las posibles soluciones para mejorar el balance de nutrientes durante el período de transición consiste en administrar ionóforos como la monensina que actúan modificando la población microbiana del rumen. Los efectos beneficiosos de la monensina se han asociado a la producción de precursores gluconeogénicos a nivel ruminal, lo que originaría mayor disponibilidad de glucosa y la consiguiente mejora del estatus energético. Con el uso de monensina, a nivel sanguíneo se ha observado un descenso de β-hidroxibutirato, y ácidos grasos no esterificados. También han sido atribuidos efectos beneficiosos sobre la funcionalidad hepática, la absorción de ciertos minerales, la función inmune y la excreción de metano. En definitiva, el efecto positivo de la MON sobre el balance energético y la utilización de nutrientes reduciría la movilización de reservas tisulares, minimizando el riesgo de desórdenes metabólicos, mejorando la salud y por tanto el rendimiento de la vaca lechera. The aim of this research was to carry out a review of the use of monensin in dairy cows as a choice to approach more successfully the transition period. In dairy cows, the transition for the pregnancy to the beginning of lactation is a critical period which is characterized by display a higher incidence of diseases. The risk of metabolic disorders and other diseases during this time is allied to the state of negative energy balance in which the cow is, fact that involves a mobilization of nutrients from the tissue reserves. One of the possible solutions to improve the nutrient balance during the transition period is based on dispense ionophores such as monensin who modify the microbial population of the rumen. The beneficial effects of monensin have been associated with the production of gluconeogenic precursors at the ruminal level which would lead to greater availability of glucose and the consequent improvement of the energetic status. At the blood level it has been noted a decrease of β-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids. Beneficial effects have also been attributed to liver function, absorption of certain minerals and immune function.In brief, the positive effect of monensin on the energy balance and the use of nutrients would reduce the mobilization of tissue reserves, playing down the risk of metabolic disorders, improving the health and therefore the performance of the dairy cow.

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Acidogenicity of feeds for dairy cows. 2. Production responses

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200598585 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 1998 ◽

pp. 206-206

Author(s):

R.J. Dewhurst ◽

D. Wadhwa ◽

L.P. Borgida ◽

D.W.R. Davies ◽

W.J. Fisher

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Protein ◽

Latin Squares ◽

Standard Diet ◽

Lactation Performance ◽

Maize Silage ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Grass Silage ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Friesian Cows

Falling prices for cereals and beneficial effects on milk protein concentrations may promote greater inclusions of rapidly fermented ingredients in dairy rations. There is, however, a limit to the inclusion of these feeds into dairy rations beyond which performance declines due to sub-acidosis and related disorders. The feed compounder will need to be able to set limits on levels of feeding concentrates according to these risks. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of feeds of different acidogenicity (Wadhwa et al., 1998) on lactation performance of dairy cows offered diets based on grass- or maize-silage.Twelve multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in the third month of lactation were used for this experiment. The experimental design involved adaptation and covariance recording on a standard diet (grass silage and 10 kg concentrates per day), followed by three 21-day experimental periods arranged as four 3x3 Latin Squares. The Latin Squares were constrained to a single forage to avoid difficulties in changeovers between grass silage and maize silage.

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Epidemiology of Equestrian Accidents: a Literature Review

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice ◽

10.46743/1540-580x/2019.1795 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Lauren Meredith ◽

Robert Ekman ◽

Karin Brolin

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Soft Tissue Injuries ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Hospital Data ◽

Young Females ◽

Body Regions ◽

Horse Riding ◽

Warm Weather ◽

The Usa

Purpose: This manuscript aimed to present a review of the literature pertaining to horse riding and other horse-related injuries. Method: A review of the literature was performed, searching for appropriate terms with regards to horse accidents, horse riding injuries and protective clothing for the horse riding context. The literature review search returned 151 relevant full-text articles, with 71 of these detailing the overall injury epidemiology of horse-related accidents. Most of these studies were conducted in the USA and used a retrospective review of hospital data methodology. Results: Of the 71 articles investigated, 60 suggested that those most frequently involved in horse-related accidents are young females and 97% of papers investigating injury mechanisms found the most commonly involved was a fall from horseback. It was suggested in multiple studies that these injury events mostly occurred in warm weather conditions, when the horse behaved in an unexpected manner. Injury type and location varied by the primary mechanism of injury; but frequently involved body regions were the head and upper extremities, and the most common injuries observed were fractures and soft tissue injuries. Neurological trauma was reported by all relevant studies to be the most frequent cause of fatality. Conclusion: Some improvements in horse-related accident numbers and outcomes have been observed with the development and introduction of protective devices such as helmets and vests. Yet despite the benefits of helmet and vest usage, there is evidence to suggest helmets do not perform as well as they could. Further work could investigate improvements in safety measures and risk factors associated with fatalities.

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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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An Exploration of the Effects of an Early Postpartum Intravenous Infusion with Carnosic Acid on Physiological Responses of Transition Dairy Cows

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10091478 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1478

Author(s):

Tainara Cristina Michelotti ◽

Erminio Trevisi ◽

Johan S. Osorio

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Intravenous Infusion ◽

Transition Period ◽

Carnosic Acid ◽

Lactation Performance ◽

Oxidative Stress Biomarkers ◽

Blood Concentrations ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

And Oxidative Stress

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in rosemary plants (Salvia rosmarinus) named carnosic acid during the transition period of dairy cows. From day 1 to 3 after calving, 16 multiparous Holstein cows received a daily intravenous infusion of either 500 mL of saline (NaCl 0.9%; Saline; n = 8) or carnosic acid at a rate of 0.3 mg/kg of BW supplied in 500 mL of saline (CA; n = 8). Blood samples were taken at –7, 2, 5, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to parturition, then analyzed for metabolites related to energy metabolism, muscle mass catabolism, liver function, inflammation, and oxidative stress. CA infusion tended to improve milk performance; however, DMI was unaffected by treatment. At 2 d relative to parturition, CA cows had lower blood concentrations of haptoglobin, paraoxonase, FRAP, and NO2– than saline cows. After treatment infusions, haptoglobin remained lower in CA cows than saline at 5 d relative to parturition. Our results demonstrate that carnosic acid promoted positive responses on inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers and may promote beneficial effects on lactation performance in peripartal dairy cows.

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Relationship between some variables of protein profile and indicators of lipomobilization in dairy cows after calving

Archives Animal Breeding ◽

10.7482/0003-9438-57-019 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Csilla Tóthová ◽

Oskar Nagy ◽

Gabriel Kováč

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Serum Amyloid A ◽

Acute Phase Proteins ◽

Protein Profile ◽

Total Proteins ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

Altered Lipid Metabolism ◽

Altered Lipid

Abstract. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations of the main indicators of lipomobilization and selected variables of protein profile in dairy cows after calving, including immunoglobulins and acute phase proteins, as well as to evaluate the relationships between the altered lipid metabolism and changes in protein profile. Into the evaluation we included 54 clinically healthy dairy cows of a Slovak spotted breed, low-land black spotted breed and their crossbreeds in the period of 1-2 weeks after parturition. Blood samples were analysed for non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA, mmol/l), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, mmol/l), total proteins (TP, g/l), albumin (Alb, g/l), immunoglobulin G (IgG, g/l), haptoglobin (Hp, g/l) and serum amyloid A (SAA, mg/l). In cows with concentrations of NEFA above 0.35 mmol/l (n=20) we found significantly lower mean serum concentrations of total proteins, albumin and IgG than in cows with serum NEFA concentrations below 0.35 mmol/l (n=34) (P<0.001). On the other hand, cows with higher values of NEFA showed significantly higher mean concentrations of BHB, Hp and SAA (P<0.001). The concentrations of NEFA significantly negatively correlated with the values of TP (P<0.001), albumin (P<0.01) and IgG (P<0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between the concentrations of NEFA and BHB, Hp, as well as SAA (P<0.001). Similar correlations were also found between the values of BHB and the variables of protein profile except for albumin. This study indicates strong relationships between NEFA and selected variables of protein profile in cows after parturition.

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Reclaiming land flooded with salt water.

Netherlands Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.18174/njas.v1i4.17860 ◽

1953 ◽

Vol 1 (4) ◽

pp. 225-244

Author(s):

C.W.C. Beekom

Keyword(s):

Salt Concentration ◽

Sea Water ◽

Salt Water ◽

Soil Layer ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Phleum Pratense ◽

Active Growth ◽

Warm Weather ◽

Different Types ◽

Spring Sowing

The effect of sea floods on grassland is described and recommendations are made for the restoration of inundated grassland. Turf may be heavily damaged after +or- 4 weeks inundation with water containing more than 20 g. NaCl per 1. At lower salt concentrations Poa sp. and Trifolium repens are still badly damaged but other species, notably Lolium perenne, Agrostis stolonifera and Alopecurus sp., are capable of immediate regrowth after drainage. If grassland remains submerged during spring, rising temperatures promote active growth of the grasses followed by rapid decay caused by lack of oxygen. L. perenne is especially sensitive to submergence in warm weather. The dominant weed communities which appear on land on which the turf has been destroyed by sea-water are described. Reseeding is recommended as the quickest method of restoring badly damaged turf. The flooded land should first be thoroughly drained and then repeatedly harrowed to produce a shallow seed-bed on which herbage mixtures can be sown without the application of gypsum. Given average weather conditions, normal permanent grassland mixtures can be sown at salt concentrations, measured in spring, of up to 8-10 g. NaCl per 1. of moisture in the 5-20 cm. soil layer. At a salt concentration of about 10 g. per 1. measured in spring, L. perenne tends to dominate over other species while Poa sp. and T. repens suffer during the summer. At a salt concentration of 10-15 g. per 1. in spring, Poa sp. and T. repens should be omitted from seed mixtures, instead mixtures consisting of different types of L. perenne, Festuca pratensis and Phleum pratense should be sown. When the salt concentration of the soil moisture is higher that 15 g. per 1. in spring, sowing should be delayed and the weeds checked by mowing or grazing. Temporary rises of the salt concentration in dry symmers to 25 g. per 1. are tolerated by L. perenne, F. pratensis and Ph. pratense; similar rises up to 15-18 g. per 1. are tolerated by Poa sp. and T. repens.-W.J.B. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Prevalence of and factors associated with hock, knee, and neck injuries on dairy cows in freestall housing in Canada

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2012-6367 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 97 (1) ◽

pp. 173-184 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

J.C. Zaffino Heyerhoff ◽

S.J. LeBlanc ◽

T.J. DeVries ◽

C.G.R. Nash ◽

J. Gibbons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Neck Injuries ◽

Factors Associated

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Thiamine status, metabolism and application in dairy cows: a review

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114518001666 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 120 (5) ◽

pp. 491-499 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Xiaohua Pan ◽

Xuemei Nan ◽

Liang Yang ◽

Linshu Jiang ◽

Benhai Xiong

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Thiamine Deficiency ◽

Critical Role ◽

Thiamine Pyrophosphate ◽

Future Research ◽

Nutrient Metabolism ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Current State ◽

Ruminal Epithelium ◽

And Function

AbstractAs the co-enzyme of pyruvate dehydrogenase andα-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, thiamine plays a critical role in carbohydrate metabolism in dairy cows. Apart from feedstuff, microbial thiamine synthesis in the rumen is the main source for dairy cows. However, the amount of ruminal thiamine synthesis, which is influenced by dietary N levels and forage to concentrate ratio, varies greatly. Notably, when dairy cows are overfed high-grain diets, subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) occurs and results in thiamine deficiency. Thiamine deficiency is characterised by decreased ruminal and blood thiamine concentrations and an increased blood thiamine pyrophosphate effect to >45 %. Thiamine deficiency caused by SARA is mainly related to the increased thiamine requirement during high grain feeding, decreased bacterial thiamine synthesis in the rumen, increased thiamine degradation by thiaminase, and decreased thiamine absorption by transporters. Interestingly, thiamine deficiency can be reversed by exogenous thiamine supplementation in the diet. Besides, thiamine supplementation has beneficial effects in dairy cows, such as increased milk and component production and attenuated SARA by improving rumen fermentation, balancing bacterial community and alleviating inflammatory response in the ruminal epithelium. However, there is no conclusive dietary thiamine recommendation for dairy cows, and the impacts of thiamine supplementation on protozoa, solid-attached bacteria, rumen wall-adherent bacteria and nutrient metabolism in dairy cows are still unclear. This knowledge is critical to understand thiamine status and function in dairy cows. Overall, the present review described the current state of knowledge on thiamine nutrition in dairy cows and the major problems that must be addressed in future research.

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