scholarly journals Do mats matter? – Comparison of fertility traits and milk yield in dairy cows on rubber or concrete flooring

2012 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 438-449 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. V. Kremer ◽  
A. M. Scholz ◽  
S. Nüske ◽  
M. Förster
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Fertility Trait ◽  
Days Open ◽  
Analyse Data ◽  
The University ◽  
Fertility Traits

Abstract. Rubber flooring in dairy cows has been discussed controversially, because different studies found as well advantages as disadvantages regarding claw health. Until today little is known regarding the effect of rubber flooring on the reproductive performance of dairy cows. Therefore, the study aimed at comparing fertility and the milk yield of dairy cows on concrete or rubber flooring. Days to first breeding (DFB), days open (DO), services per conception (SC), heat detection rate (HDR), conception rate (first service; CR1st service) and the corresponding 100 days in milk (DIM) milk yield were evaluated for 139 lactation periods of 91 cows of the University Munich Livestock Center dairy herd. The cows entered the study as heifers and were housed on the same flooring system during their whole productive life. All cows underwent the same management, feeding, and climatic conditions. A mixed model procedure was used to analyse data. Cows on rubber (RSF) compared with cows on concrete flooring (CSF) showed less DFB (76.8/94.6; P<0.01), less DO (98.8/138.4; P<0.01), and no difference regarding SC (1.5/1.7; P=0.267). Furthermore, no differences regarding the 100 DIM milk yield could be established. The calculation of HDR (54.9%/27.9%) and CR1st service (39.4/29.4) showed also high advantages for the rubber flooring. It was concluded that rubber flooring affects an earlier onset of regular oestrus behaviour and improves the economically sensible fertility trait of calving interval by earlier pregnancy and less days open but does not cause higher milk yield.

scholarly journals The Effect of Lameness on Milk Yield in Dairy Cows

2006 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Kocak ◽  
B. Ekiz
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Holstein Cows

This study was conducted to investigate the incidence of lameness in a private dairy herd and the effect of lameness on the weekly milk yields and lactation milk yield of dairy cows. Data used in the analyses comprised 953 lactation data from 787 Holstein cows. The traits analysed were daily averages of weekly milk yield and lactation milk yield. To determine the effect of lameness on daily averages of weekly milk yield, mixed model procedure was applied in the analyses. Lameness incidence of the herd was 9.02% and most of the lameness events were in the first four weeks. Daily averages of weekly milk yield had significantly decreased in the diagnosis week and continued at a reduced level until 3 weeks after the diagnosis. Whereas milk yield of healthy cows was 30.57 kg/d, milk yield in the lameness week, first week, second week and third week were 27.52 kg/d, 27.83 kg/d, 29.15 kg/d and 29.80 kg/d, respectively. Lame cows produced more milk while they were not lame and after the treatment, compared with healthy cows. The effect of lameness on lactation milk yield was not significant.

scholarly journals Influence of Barn Climate, Body Postures and Milk Yield on the Respiration Rate of Dairy Cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Severino Pinto ◽  
Gundula Hoffmann ◽  
Christian Ammon ◽  
Barbara Amon ◽  
Wolfgang Heuwieser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Respiration Rate ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Body Postures ◽  
Daily Milk Yield

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to identify the influences of different climatic conditions and cow-related factors on the respiration rate (RR) of lactating dairy cows. Measurements were performed on 84 lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows (first to eighth lactation) in Brandenburg, Germany. The RR was measured hourly or twice a day with up to three randomly chosen measurement days per week between 0700 h and 1500 h (GMT + 0100 h) by counting right thoraco-abdominal movements of the cows. Simultaneously with RR measurements, cow body postures (standing vs. lying) were documented. Cows’ milk yield and days in milk were recorded daily. The ambient temperature and relative humidity of the barn were recorded every 5 min to calculate the current temperature-humidity index (THI). The data were analyzed for interactions between THI and cow-related factors (body postures and daily milk yield) on RR using a repeated measurement linear mixed model. There was a significant effect of the interaction between current THI category and body postures on RR. The RRs of cows in lying posture in the THI < 68, 68 ≤ THI < 72 and 72 ≤ THI < 80 categories (37, 46 and 53 breaths per minute (bpm), respectively) were greater than those of standing cows in the same THI categories (30, 38 and 45 bpm, respectively). For each additional kilogram of milk produced daily, an increase of 0.23±0.19 bpm in RR was observed. Including cow-related factors may help to prevent uncertainties of RR in heat stress predictions. In practical application, these factors should be included when predicting RR to evaluate heat stress on dairy farms.

Effects of feeding peas to high-producing dairy cows

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-629 ◽  
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

Effect of first 60-day cumulative milk yield on days open in Holstein dairy cows in Iran

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 148-148
Author(s):  
A. Heravi Moussavi ◽  
M. Danesh Mesgaran ◽  
T. Vafa
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Principal Factors ◽  
Days Open ◽  
Holstein Dairy Cows

Reproduction and milk production are the principal factors that are influencing dairy farm profitability. The dairy industry in Iran has changed dramatically in the last decade. The shift toward more productive cows and larger herds in Iran is associated with a decrease reproductive efficiency (Heravi Moussavi et al., 2004). Increased knowledge about the principal causes of reduced fertility is essential. The root cause of the declining fertility is probably a combination of a variety of physiological and management factors that have an additive effect on reproductive efficiency. Dairy cattle are inseminated and pregnancy is established while dairy cows are lactating. Based on the analyses of large datasets, there is clearly an antagonistic relationship between milk production and reproduction in dairy cattle (Lucy, 2001). It was shown that the hazard ratio for cumulative first 60-day milk yield and conception in high producer cows was 8 percent less than the others and also high milk yield was a risk factor for several reproductive disorders (Grohn and Rajala-Schultz, 2000). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of first 60-day cumulative milk yield on days open in Iranian Holstein dairy cows.

The responses of high and medium merit dairy cows to diets differing in grass silage: concentrate ratios, during early lactation

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
C.P. Ferris ◽  
F.J. Gordon ◽  
D.C. Patterson ◽  
C.S. Mayne
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
The Past ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Yield Responses ◽  
Feeding Systems

The genetic merit of the UK dairy herd is increasing rapidly and this trend is likely to continue for the forseeable future. With cows of higher milk yield potential and higher nutrient requirements, feeding systems developed in the past with medium genetic merit animals, may now need to be adapted to meet the needs of high genetic merit animals if nutrition x genotype interactions exist. This would be particularly true to increasing proportion of concentrates in grass silage based diets. This study was undertaken to compare the milk yield responses of high and medium merit dairy cows.

Genetic aspects of common health disorders and measures of fertility in Holstein Friesian dairy cattle

1997 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Pryce ◽  
R. F. Veerkamp ◽  
R. Thompson ◽  
W. G. Hill ◽  
G. Simm
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Milk Fever ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Health Disorders ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fertility Traits

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for measures offertility and several health disorders in dairy cows. Data consisted of 33732 records, of which 9163 were on heifers, on 305-day milk yield, health disorders and inseminations. Measures offertility were calculated from calving and insemination dates and included calving interval, days to first service and conception to first service. Health disorders included milk fever, mastitis and lameness. Genetic and phenotypic (co)variances were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood. Heritability estimates for both health disorders and fertility traits were low, ranging from 0·003 to 0·080. All genetic correlations between 305-day milk yield and health and fertility traits, in cows and heifers together, were antagonistic implying that selection for milk yield may have caused a deterioration in health and fertility. The unfavourable correlation between milk yield and health and fertility traits, plus the economic importance of the latter, suggests that future breeding goals should be expanded to include some health disorders and fertility.

77 REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY COWS DIFFERING IN THE INTERVAL FROM CALVING TO THE FIRST OVULATION IN THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 151
Author(s):  
M. Yamaguchi ◽  
S. Takahashi ◽  
H. Koyama ◽  
O. Dochi
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Early Recovery ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Peripartum Period ◽  
Days Open

In recent years, reproductive performance of dairy cows has declined worldwide. The reproductive characteristics of dairy cows should be evaluated to improve their fertility. Dochi et al. (2010) had reported that dairy cows that exhibited early first ovulation gave a low milk yield, had an early recovery of body condition score (BCS) in the postpartum period and a shorter number of days open. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of BCS on the functional recovery of reproduction after the birth of the calves. In this study, lactating Holstein cows were placed in free-stall housing equipped with an automatic milking system. The data presented in this study were collected from 48 cows that had calved between December 2007 and October 2010 with an average parity of 3.4 (range 2–6). The reproductive performance and the BCS during the different intervals between calving and the first ovulation were analysed using ANOVA. The conception rate at the first service was 38.1%. The average milk yield (305 days) was 12 299 kg. The first ovulation and oestrus were determined by ultrasonography. The results of the different intervals to the first ovulation are presented in Table 1. The average interval from the start of days in milk (DIM) to the first ovulation, first oestrus and first service; the number of days open; the number of services per conception and the milk yield (kg day–1, by 90 DIM) were 37.4, 54.7 and 110.3 days; 168.2 days open; 2.5 times; and 42.1 kg day–1, respectively. The cows that exhibited early first ovulation (≤21 DIM) in the postpartum period had significantly shorter intervals between the start of DIM and the first oestrus (P < 0.01). However, the days to first service, the number of days open, the number of services per conception and the milk yield (kg day–1, by 90 DIM) did not differ significantly. The BCS in the peripartum period of different intervals to the first ovulation decreased from 3.1 to 2.4 by 150 DIM. This study showed that average BCS of preparturient 50–10 DIM is 3.0. Moreover, the average BCS of parturition is declining to 2.5 (parturition from 70 to 150 DIM). The cows became pregnant after an increase in the BCS (>150 DIM). In conclusion, these results suggest that the delay to the first ovulation in the postpartum period tended to have delayed the oestrus expression in the cows. Moreover, the low level of BCS in the peripartum period, regardless of the number of days of the first ovulation and the first oestrus, potentially influenced the prolongation in the number of days open. To improve the fertility of the cows, it is important to elucidate the factors affecting the fluctuations in the BCS during the peripartum period. Table 1.Reproductive performance of dairy cows differing in interval to postpartum first ovulation

scholarly journals Prevalence of Ketosis Detected by an Electronic Cow Side Test and its Impact to Days Open on Dairy Cows

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Duricic Drazen ◽  
Bacan Iva ◽  
Samardzija Marko
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Blood Concentration ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Subclinical Ketosis ◽  
Caudal Vein ◽  
Days Open

The study aimed to resolve and confirm the previous results of subclinical and clinical ketosis prevalence in northwestern Croatia detected by an electronic cow side test and its impact on days open in dairy herds. Cows (N=559) 2-8 years old from 96 farms located in northwestern Croatia were included in the study. The average milk yield was 7327.80 ± 968.21 kg. The cows were classified into two separate groups: ketotic cows group KET (n=73) with BHBA blood concentration of ≥1.4 mmol/L, and negative NEG (n=486) group with serum BHBA level of <1.4 mmol/L. One droplet of blood from the caudal vein was collect from randomly selected cows in the period 7 to 15 days after parturition. BHBA level determined with Precision Xceed BHBA devices. The period from parturition to first insemination (days open to the first (artificial) insemination, DOFI) was shorter in NEG than in the POS group (110.56±10.65 days vs.114.82±12.23 days, respectively) such as period from parturition to successful conception (days open to successful conception, DOSC), (139.97±15.18 days vs. 127.99±15.87 days, respectively). The prevalence of clinical and subclinical ketosis was 15.02%. Ketosis significantly prolonged days open to first artificial insemination and days open to successful conception in cows from northwestern Croatia.

scholarly journals Milk Yield, Reproduction and Milk Quality Characteristics of Simmental and Red-Holstein Cattle Raised in a Dairy Farm in Aydın Province: 1. Reproduction and Milk Yield

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 2068-2073
Author(s):  
Atakan Koç ◽  
Çağrı Arı
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Quality Characteristics ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Peak Time ◽  
Holstein Cattle ◽  
Yield Traits ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Days Open ◽  
Fertility Traits

In this study, fertility and milk yield characteristics of Simmental (SIM) and Red-Holstein (RH) cattle raised in a private dairy farm in Aydın province were determined. For fertility traits, days open (DO), calving interval (CI), gestation length (GL) and number of inseminations per pregnancy (NIPP), for milk yield traits lactation length (LL), lactation milk yield (LMY), 305-days milk yield (305-dMY), peak time (PT) and peak milk yield (PMY) were determined. The means of DO, CI, GL and NIPP of RH and SIM breeds were 109.44±5.66 d and 96.06±3.51 d, 389.16±5.70 d and 380.37±3.54 d, 279.71±0.469 d and 284.94±0.303 d, 1.88±0.099 and 1.85±0.065; the means of LL, LMY, 305-dMY, PT and PMY were 333.00±5.405 d and 322.72±3.233 d, 8235.32±148.099 kg and 7357.03±88.122 kg, 7628.78±109.148 kg and 6938.09±64.945 kg, 46.55±2.196 d and 44.46±1.218 d, and 34.68±0.567 kg and 31.47±0.314 kg, respectively. Although, significant fertility and milk yield differences were obtained between the breeds, the favorable performances of both SIM and RH breeds in terms of all features, considered as the environmental factors such as management-feeding-housing-herd management provided to animals in the farm were also suitable.

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