scholarly journals Effect of relocation and sire lineage on behaviour and milk yield of dairy cows

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 208-215
Author(s):  
J. Broucek ◽  
M. Uhrincat ◽  
Z. Palkovicova ◽  
V. Tancin ◽  
A. Hanus
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Opposite Trend ◽  
Maintenance Behaviour

Abstract. The objective of the present study was to analyse the maintenance behaviour of cows after shift from tie-stall barn to free-stall barn. The activities were analysed in relation to the time of moving of the cows. Forty-one Holstein cows were used. Cows were observed for three 24-h (first, second and tenth day) periods after moving into the new barn with free-stall housing. The shortest times of lying and ruminating were recorded at the first day after relocation (336.3 min, 628.0 min, 756.1 min, P<0.001; 318.0 min, 325.0 min, 440.5 min, P<0.001). The longest time was recorded for the duration of standing (1 103.7 min, 811.9 min, 683.9 min, P<0.001). The period’s number of lying and ruminating were the lowest at the first day and highest at the tenth day after relocation (7.34, 14.07, 16.34, 14.32, 15.75, 18.58, P<0.001). The opposite trend was found in the period’s number of feeding and standing (17.46, 12.73, 9.54 and 24.93, 18.19 and 12.41; P<0.001). Sires progeny was significantly manifested in times of total lying, standing (P<0.05) and feeding (P<0.01) as well as in the number of lying periods (P<0.05). Cows produced significantly less milk at the first day after removing than the last day before (23.76 kg vs. 30.97 kg, P<0.001). Milk yield returned towards basal levels at the 13th day (31.82 kg). Milk production was different among sires.

PROBLEMS OF PROVIDING COWS CONCENTRATES IN AUTOMATIC MILKING SYSTEMS

2020 ◽  
pp. 26-28
Author(s):  
Д.Р. ШАРИПОВ ◽  
О.А. ЯКИМОВ ◽  
И.Ш. ГАЛИМУЛЛИН
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Opposite Trend ◽  
Automatic Milking System ◽  
Automatic Milking ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
The Given ◽  
Visiting Time

Изучена технология дополнительного скармливания концентрированных кормов во время доения в условиях системы автоматизированного доения на коровах голштинской породы, разделенных на 6 групп по молочной продуктивности. Исследования показали, что с повышением молочной продуктивности в группах коров увеличивается количество выданных и потребленных концентратов. Аналогичная закономерность установлена по времени посещения доильной станции на количество потребления комбикорма, чем дольше коровы задерживаются в боксах доения, тем больше концентрированных кормов они потребляют. Животные всех групп неполностью съедают комбикорм, получаемый на станции доения, остатки концентратов от выданной нормы в группе коров с удоем менее 20,0 кг составили 8,3%, 20,1—25,0 кг — 3,6%, 25,1—30,0 кг — 5,9%, 30,1—35,0 кг — 8,9%, 35,1—40,0 кг — 7,9% и в группе с удоем более 40,1 кг — 7,5%. Анализ затрат концентрированных кормов,получаемых на станции доения, на 1 кг молока показал, что группы коров с удоем 35,1—40,0 и более 40,1 кг на 11,5—18,9% недополучают концентратов, обратная тенденция в группе коров с удоем 20,1—25,0 и менее 20,0 кг, которым для сохранения интереса к роботизированной установке требуется на 9,4—10,4% больше концентрированных кормов. The technology of additional feeding of concentrated feeds during milking under the conditions of an automatic milking system on Holstein cows, divided into 6 groups according to milk production, has been studied. Studies have shown that with an increase in milk production in the groups of cows, the amount of concentrates allocated and consumed increases. The influence of box-visiting time per milking on the amount of concentrate consumption has been established, the longer the cows stay in the milking boxes, the more concentrated feed they consume. Animals of all groups do not fully consume the compound feed obtained in the milking box, the remains of concentrates from the given norm in the group of cows with a milk yield of less than 20.0 kg was 8.3%, in the group of  20.1—25.0 kg — 3.6%, in the group of  25, 1—30.0 kg — 5.9%, in the group of 30.1—35.0 kg — 8.9%, in the group of 35.1—40.0 kg — 7.9% and in the group with a milk yield of more  40.1 kg — 7.5%. Analysis of the costs of concentrated feed per kg of milk received at the milking box showed that groups of cows with a yield of 35.1—40.0 and more than 40.1 kg at 11.5—18.9% do not receive concentrates, the opposite trend is a group of cows with a milk yield of 20.1—25.0 and less than 20.0 kg, which require 9.4—10.4% more concentrated feed to maintain interest in a robotic unit.

scholarly journals Performance and behaviour at milking after relocation and housing change of dairy cows

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 389-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Brouček ◽  
M. Uhrinčať ◽  
V. Tančin ◽  
A. Hanus ◽  
P. Tongeľ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Side Preference ◽  
Milk Performance ◽  
Observation Period

The hypothesis that relocation of cows with a housing change temporarily decreases their milk production and affects cows&rsquo; behaviour in the milking parlour has been proved. Forty-one Holstein cows on the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> lactation were relocated from the tie-stall barn into the free-stall barn. Cows were milked in a 2 &times; 5 herringbone parlour twice a day. Individual milk yields, order, and used parlour side were recorded electronically during 50 (milk) or 22 (order and side) milking sessions. Milk yield after cows&rsquo; relocation (23.76&nbsp;kg) significantly decreased if compared to that reached on the day preceding relocation (30.97 kg; P &lt; 0.001). Milk production approached the level of the last day on days 3 and 4 (30.72 and 30.72 kg, respectively) after relocation. Milk yield exceeded that before relocation on day 13 (31.82 kg). There were significant differences between parities during the whole observation period except for the first day after relocation &ndash; cows on the 2<sup>nd</sup> parity yielded more (P &lt; 0.001). Multiparous cows entered the parlour earlier than primiparous, equally during morning and evening milkings (P &lt; 0.01). Generally a left-side preference was found in the observed cows, while it was more prominent in primiparous than in multiparous cows during evening milkings (P &lt; 0.05). Relationships between milking order and milk performance were on days 5&ndash;11 negative and significant (P &lt; 0.01). We may conclude that although temporarily, relocation with housing and milking changes significantly affected the milk yield. &nbsp;

Duration of a severe feed restriction required to reversibly decrease milk production in the high-producing dairy cow

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 455-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chanelle A. Toerien ◽  
John P. Cant
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Feed Restriction ◽  
Post Trial

To establish the duration of a severe feed restriction necessary to reversibly decrease milk production in high-producing Holstein cows, milk, plasma and urine parameters were assessed every 6 h during a 24-h restriction and 18-h refeed period. The 24-h restriction decreased yields of milk, protein and lactose by more than 30% without inducing ketosis or impairing milk production post-trial. Key words: Feed restriction, dairy cows, milk yield, plasma metabolites

COMPARATIVE DESCRIPTION OF MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF COWS UKRAINIAN RED-AND-WHITE DAIRY CATTLE AND UKRAINIAN BLACK-AND-WHITE DAIRY CATTLE AND HOLSTEIN BREEDS IN SERF «OLEKSANDRIVSKE»

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 6-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. V. Gladiy ◽  
G. S. Kovalenko ◽  
S. V. Priyma ◽  
G. A. Holyosa ◽  
A. V. Tuchyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Fat Content ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Milk Productivity ◽  
Black And White ◽  
The Third ◽  
Fat Yield ◽  
Selection Of

The main goal of dairy breeds selection should be improving breeding and productive qualities of animals under modern conditions. The majority of farms, using native breeds to produce milk, has created optimal conditions for keeping and feeding, selection and matching, growing of replacements etc. Further improvement of created native dairy breeds for economically useful traits occurs at total use of purebred Holstein bulls (semen) of foreign selection. In order to realistically assess milk productivity (milk yield, fat content in milk and fat yield) of Ukrainian Black-and-White and Red-and-White Dairy cows should be conducted a comparative analysis of Holstein cows under the same conditions of feeding and keeping. It was established that Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy cows were characterized by the highest milk yields for 305 days of all lactations, taken into account, the among three investigated breeds. Their milk yield during the first lactation was 5933 kg of milk, during the second – 6393 kg, the third – 6391 kg and during higher lactation – 6650 kg. Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy cows were second by milk yield (except for the second lactation), during the first lactation – 5932 kg of milk, the third – 6462 kg and higher – 6541 kg, and Holstein cows were third, during the first lactation – 5794 kg of milk, the second – 6381 kg, the third – 6335 kg and higher – 6469 kg. The fat content was almost the same and varied within 3.49-3.58% in milk of Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy cattle, 3.50-3.60% in milk of Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy cattle and 3.50-3.56% in Holsteins’ milk. The difference between the breeds was within 0.01-0.04%. All the investigated breeds had predominance in fat yield for three lactations over standards of these breeds: Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy cows from 75.1 to 93.4 kg, Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy cows – 75.1-89.0 kg respectively and Holstein cows – 41.9-60.2 kg. It was found different level of positive correlation between milk yield and fat yield in all the cases and high correlation (r = 0.604-0.921, P < 0.001) in five cases (41.7%) Negative correlation coefficients indicate that selection of animals to higher milk yield in the herd will decrease the second trait – fat content in milk. Positive and highly significant correlation between milk yield and fat yield indicates that selection of cows in the herd to higher milk yields will increase fat yield. It was revealed that bulls were among the factors impacted the milk productivity (milk yield, fat content, fat yield) of three investigated breeds. So, the force (η²x) of father’s impact on milk yield was15.4-47.9%, fat content – 22.0-43.4% and fat yield – 14.9-47.7% taking into account a lactation and a breed. The force of lines impact (η²x) was second; it was on milk yield 6.1-24.5%, fat content – 4.1-17.1 and fat yield – 5.8-23.5%. The force of breeds impact (η²x) was last; it was on milk yield 0.3-2.9%, fat content – 0.2-0.3% and fat yield – 0.6-2.7%. So, the comparative studies of milk productivity of Ukrainian Red-and-White and Black-and-White Dairy cattle with Holsteins indicate that under similar conditions of feeding and keeping, these native breeds can compete with Holstein cattle. The milk yield for 305 days of higher lactation was 6650 kg of milk in Ukrainian Red-and-White Dairy cows, 6541 kg in Ukrainian Black-and-White Dairy cows and 6469 kg in Holsteins. It was found the inverse correlation r = -0.025-0.316 between milk yield and fat content in milk in most cases. Selection and matching of animals in the herd should be carried out simultaneously on these traits. It was found positive repeatability of milk yields between the first and second, the third and higher lactations (rs = 0.036-0.741), indicating the reliability of forecasting increase in milk productivity during the next lactations in all herd. Bulls have the greatest impact (η²x) on milk productivity among the factors taken into account: milk yield – 15.4-47.9%, fat content in milk – 22.0-43.4% and fat yield – 14.9-47.7%.

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

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.

Serum Metabolic Markers Pre and Postpartum in Holstein Cows According to the Mastitis Occurrence

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Schwegler ◽  
Augusto Schneider ◽  
Ana Rita Tavares Krause ◽  
Paula Montagner ◽  
Eduardo Schmitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Clinical Mastitis ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Extensive Management ◽  
Early Postpartum

 Background: Bovine mastitis causes major economic losses for milk producers by reducing the quantity and the quality of the milk or even leading to the complete loss of the mammary gland secretory capacity. During the transition period, dairy cows are susceptible to infectious diseases; therefore, markers that allow early identification of cows in higher risk of developing diseases are especially useful at this time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate serum markers in the pre and postpartum of multiparous dairy cows with clinical mastitis and with health condition in the postpartum period in a semi-extensive management system.Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty-Six Holstein cows were monitored daily during milking until 59 days postpartum and were categorized according to the pre-milking strip cup test into clinical mastitis (mastitis group (MG)) and absence of symptoms (control group (CG)) that were negative to the test, representing the health cows. All cows were reared as one group and maintained in a semi-extensive pasture-based system. Blood samples were collected weekly after morning milking via venipuncture of the coccinea vein into tubes without anticoagulant and grouped for prepartum (-21 to 0 days from calving), early postpartum (0 to 30 days from calving), and late postpartum (30 to 59 days from calving) periods. Milk production was recorded daily. The serum markers albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), phosphorus, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS®. The cases of clinical mastitis occurred on average at 37.2 ± 4.9 days postpartum. Health cows (CG) had higher milk production compared to the mastitis group (MG) only in the late postpartum period (P < 0.05). There was no difference among groups for albumin and NEFA concentrations in all periods evaluated (P > 0.05). In the early postpartum period the AST activity was higher in CG than in MG (P = 0.02). The GGT enzyme tended to be more concentrated in the CG than in the MG during the early (P = 0.06) and late (P = 0.08) postpartum periods. Late postpartum phosphorus concentration was lower for MG than CG (P = 0.04). In the prepartum and early postpartum periods, there was no difference among groups for phosphorus concentration (P > 0.05).Discussion: A decrease in milk production in MG compared to CG observed in late postpartum period was due to the inci­dence of mastitis observed around 37 days postpartum. Cows that presented clinical mastitis in the postpartum period did not differ in the blood concentration of NEFA in the prepartum period. In the late postpartum period higher concentration of phosphorus was observed in the CG than in MG, indicating that animals affected by mastitis may be in the weakest energy status. Regarding liver health, the concentration of AST was higher in the recent postpartum period for CG, in disagree­ment with previous studies that related AST to tissue injury caused by mastitis. The GGT enzyme tended to had higher concentrations in CG than MG during the whole postpartum period and may be related to increased hepatic metabolism due to higher production. There were no changes in albumin levels among healthy and mastitis cows, indicating that this marker can not be used to predict clinical mastitis. There were no metabolic alterations in the prepartum period related to the occurrence of postpartum mastitis in multiparous cows in a semi-extensive management system.Keywords: AST, dairy cows, NEFA.

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

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

Dairy ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Is rumenocentesis a safe technique to collect rumen fluid in dairy cows?

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 1135 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. PANOUSIS ◽  
G. KITKAS ◽  
G. E. VALERGAKIS
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Small Diameter ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Safe Technique ◽  
Daily Milk Yield ◽  
Daily Milk

Subacute ruminal acidosis is a major issue in dairy cattle and a definite diagnosis is only established by measuring the rumen fluid pH, most credibly collected by rumenocentesis. However, due to its invasive nature, there is still some debate whether it is a safe method or poses risks for cows’ health and welfare. The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety of rumenocentesis as a technique to obtain rumen fluid in dairy cows. Results were derived from 2 studies. In study 1, rumenocentesis was performed in 153 Holstein cows from 12 herds, once, between 10 and 90 days in milk (DIM). In study 2, 83 Holstein cows from a dairy farm were repeatedly subjected to rumenocentesisat 30, 90 and 150 DIM. From the 83 cows that were initially enrolled, 8 were culled before the end of the study for reasons irrelative to rumenocentesis; therefore, 236 rumenocenteses were actually performed in study 2 (3 times in 75 cows, twice in 3 cows and once in 5 cows). All cows were monitored for 10 days after rumenocentesis for presence of complications. In addition, daily milk yield was automatically recorded for each cow in study 2 to detect any possiblepost-rumenocentesis short-term reduction of milk yield. Minor only complications were recorded in 7 cases: in 4/153 (2.61%) and 3/236 (1.27%) rumenocenteses in studies 1 and 2, respectively. Small diameter abscesses in 6 cows (3 in study 1 and 3 in study 2) and a larger one in 1 cow in study 1 were observed. The 3 small abscesses in study 2 were all recorded after the 1st rumenocentesis, at DIM 30. All 7 cases were resolved spontaneously within two weeks. Moreover, short-term daily milk yield of study 2 cows was not affected by rumenocentesis. The conclusion is that rumenocentesis is a safe technique to collect small volume of rumen fluid for SARA diagnosis, which does not compromise cows’ health and welfare when appropriately performed.

scholarly journals Effect of Natural Chinese Herbal Supplements (TCMF4) on Lactation Performance and Serum Biomarkers in Peripartal Dairy Cows

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yizhe Cui ◽  
Zhuorui Shan ◽  
Lintong Hou ◽  
Qiuju Wang ◽  
Juan J. Loor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Total Protein ◽  
Dose Group ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
High Dose Group ◽  
Holstein Cows ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Lactation Performance

This study examined the effect of mixed medicinal herbs from China in the ground form on milk yield and various blood metabolites before and after parturition in Holstein cows. Crushed Agastache rugosus, Scutellaria barbata, Pericarpium citri reticulate, and Radix glycyrrhizae were used to develop TCMF4. Thirty-two Chinese Holstein cows were randomly divided into a control group or groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4/cow/d from −7 through 21 d relative to parturition. Blood samples for serum isolation were collected at −7, −1, 1, 7, 14, and 21 d relative to parturition and used to measure glucose, β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), total protein, albumin, globulin, and alkaline phosphatase. Milk production was recorded daily for the first 21 d postpartum, and composition was analyzed at 7, 14, and 21 d. Data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for multiple comparisons. The average milk production during the first 21-d postpartum was 28.7 ± 6.9, 27.2 ± 7.1, 31.2 ± 6.8, and 38.5 ± 6.1 kg/d for control group and groups receiving 0.1, 0.3, or 0.5 kg TCMF4. Thus, average daily milk production increased between 9 to 34% by supplementation with TCMF4 compared with the control group. Compared with the control group, in the middle dose group, milk concentrations of lactose and total protein decreased by 21 and 19%, respectively, at d 7 around parturition, while total solids increased by 23% at d 21 in the high-dose group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, serum BHBA decreased by 50 and 20% at d −1 and 21 around parturition in the high-dose group. Overall, TCMF4 supplementation improved dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production of dairy cows during the periparturient period without adverse effects on liver function, and plasma BHBA concentrations of dairy cows tended to decrease when dietary TCMF4 increased, which suggested that TCMF4 might be used as potential additives in dairy cows to improve production performance.

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