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

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.

Characteristics of population genetic and breeding parameters of the traits of milk productivity of black-and-white and Holstein cows of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Purpose: determination of the selection and genetic parameters of the daily milk productivity of black-and-white and Holstein cows to characterize the population.Materials and methods. The studies were carried out using a database formed on the basis of the information and analytical management system of animal husbandry in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) for daily control milking of Holstein and black-and-white cows. The sample included indicators of milk productivity for three lactations of animals bred in 43 herds: I lactation - 14 482 records (3130 cows and 391 bull fathers), II lactation - 13 656 records (2734 cows and 537 bull fathers), III lactation - 4,911 records (886 cows and 260 bull fathers).Results. Phenotypic variability indices (CvP) by lactation varied: daily milk yield - 34.1 ... 38.8%, MJ - 9.8 ... 11.6%, BMD - 6.7 ... 8.6%, SCS - 32.5 ... 37.8%. The additive genetic variability (CvA) was lower and ranged for: daily milk yield - 22.9 ... 27.0%, MJ - 3.8 ... 4.7%, BMD - 2.6 ... 3.1%, SCS - 13 , 8 ... 14.7%. The heritability of indicators of milk productivity on average for three lactations was: in terms of milk yield - h2 = 0.440, percentage of fat - h2 = 0.155, percentage of protein - h2 = 0.121, SCS - h2 = 0.161. Evaluation of the dynamics of changes in daily milk yield and SCS showed the standard nature of the shape of lactation curves with the values ​​of the determination coefficient of the phenotypic trend equation, respectively, R2 = 69.9 ... 86.4% and R2 = 11.8 ... 20.5%. An increase in the number of recorded days of control milking from 1 to 10 increased the accuracy of the forecast of the breeding value (EBV) of animals for signs of milk production by 1.7-2.4 times. Evaluation of cows by their own productivity for milk yield with optimal values ​​of forecast reliability over 70% can be carried out on the basis of 4 control milking units. At the same time, for the percentage of fat and protein, SCS, the number of observations to achieve reliable EBV results ranged from 8 to 10. Based on the average values ​​of the breeding value of cows, the population genetic characteristics of the farmed cattle in the Republic of Kazakhstan were determined in the context of breeds, country and region (population) origin. Holstein animals (+54.3 kg of milk) were characterized by the highest EBV values. Among imported cows, the best breeding value forecast was obtained for cows imported from Germany (+63.3 kg of milk). For the Kazakh population of cattle, leading positions in terms of genetic prognosis were achieved in East Kazakhstan region (KZF, +334.4 kg of milk). A principal component analysis based on an assessment of the breeding value of cows showed clear differentiation by breed level, country and region of origin of the livestock. The most significant differences were found for animals originated in the Kostanay region (KZP).Conclusion. Analysis of the results of population-genetic and breeding parameters of the characteristics of milk productivity of black-and-white and Holstein cattle showed that there are necessary prerequisites for the development of their own breeding base, increasing the efficiency of selection of animals for breeding groups.

Multivariate regression analysis of dairy characteristics of Holstein cows

The purpose of the research is the possibility of applying the equation of multiple two-factor regression to reveal the reliable conjugacy of signs affecting the level of milk productivity of Holstein cows. Research methods. The research was carried out in CJSC BP “Aksin’ino” of Stupinskiy district of the Moscow region. Based on the IAS “SELEX”, a database was created, including a sample of 11 017 heads. Data on milk productivity were taken for 305 days of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and maximum lactation. Results. For 305 days of the 1st lactation, milk yield averaged 7909.5 kg of milk, for the 2nd – 8289.1 kg (p ≤ 0,001) and the 3rd lactation – 8446.2 kg (p ≤ 0,001). Milk yield for maximum lactation was 8964.3 kg of milk (p ≤ 0.001). The fat and protein content in cow milk between the 1st and 3rd lactation is 4.03–4.08 and 3.22–3.23 %. The multiple two-factor regression coefficient represents the response bias from 7787.81–8239.00 (1st, 2nd, 3rd lactation) to 8841.63 (maximum lactation). The scattering diagrams of the multiple regression model show that the value of the variable "milk yield" is statistically dependent on the indicators of the mass fraction of fat and the mass fraction of protein in milk. The coefficient of determination at the level of 0.997–0.998 indicates that the regression equation explains 99.7–99.8 % of the variance of the effective feature. The significance of Fischer’s F-test indicates the high reliability of the results and the absence of randomness and the presence of a pattern justified in our study. The fat and protein content had a negative relationship with milk yield (p ≤ 0,001) by lactation. High values of the relationship between milk yield and protein content (–0.518…–0.766), fat and protein content (0.626–0,784) were obtained. Scientific novelty. For the first time, studies were conducted on the correspondence of the equation model to the experimental data obtained, and the presence of the number of independent variables (mass fraction of fat and protein) included in the equation to describe the dependent variable (milk yield).

Impact of Dry Sugar Beet Pulp on Milk Production, Digestibility Traits, and Blood Constituents of Dairy Holstein Cows

Thirty multiparous lactating Holstein cows with an average live body weight of 642 ± 21 kg and an average daily milk yield of 30.46 ± 0.59 kg were used in this study. Cows with parities of 2 and 4 were used following their peak period, and were divided into three groups, with ten cows in each group. The control group was fed yellow corn grain rations (YCG), while for the 2nd and 3rd groups, 25 and 50% of YCG was replaced with dry sugar beet pulp (DSBP), denoted as DSBP25 and DSBP50, respectively. The contents of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract, and fiber carbohydrate in the experimental rations tended to decrease; however, crude protein, crude fiber, ash, and fiber fractions tended to increase in the DSBP25 and DSBP50 groups. Only crude fiber digestibility increased (p < 0.05) in the DSBP rations. Rumen pH value and concentration of ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) decreased, while the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs) increased in the DSBP25 and DSBP50 groups. The concentrations of total protein and globulin in blood plasma were higher (p < 0.05) in DSBP25 and DSBP50 than in YCG. However, plasma albumin concentration, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were lower (p < 0.05) in DSBP50 than in YCG. Milk yield and yield of 4% fat-corrected milk (4% FCM) were higher (p < 0.05) in DSBP25 and DSBP50 than in YCG. Fat, protein, solids not fat (SNF), and total solids (TS) contents in milk increased significantly (p < 0.05) for feeding rations containing DSBP. Feed cost was reduced, but the output of milk yield increased with DSBP. In conclusion, introducing DSBP into the rations of Holstein dairy cows led to significant improvements in their productive performance.

Estimation of genetic parameters and relationships between type traits and milk yield of Holstein cows in Turkey

ABSTRACT In this study, milk yield, reproductive yield, and type traits of 533 Holstein cows in the first lactation raised in 54 farms were examined. In the three-year study, phenotypic (rP) and genetic (rG) correlations between type traits and milk yield were estimated based on the variance elements and heritability of the type traits of Holstein cows in the first lactation. Linear identification and scoring systems have been applied to classify the cows according to type traits. Heritability and correlations were estimated with ASREML models. The type traits included stature, angularity, rump width, hocks, rear udder height, central ligament, teat length, body capacity, feet and legs, udder composite and final score for genetic correlations with 305-day milk yield were estimated as -0.49, -0.14, -0.93, 0.35, 0.40, 0.11, -0.65, 0.70, 0.31, 0.54, and 0.70, for phenotypic correlations were estimated as 0.28, 0.28, 0.30, 0.21, 0.35, 0.39, -0.06, 0.46, 0.48, 0.56, and 0.58 respectively. Among the phenotypic correlations between the type traits, especially the phenotypic correlations between the final score and various type traits were found to be high and significant. The fact that these traits are in high correlation with other traits and milk yield may enable these to be used as indirect selection criteria in the selection for milk yield.

Improving breeding and productivity qualifications of Holstein cow breeds (b. Taurus) in climate of Uzbekistan

This article accelerates the development of selection methods for selecting the best genotypes that are acceptable from the similarity genotypes of imported Holstein cattle typical of Chinese, German and Slovenian selection. The genetic potential of reproduction and productivity of breeding breeds in genotype-environment interactions has been demonstrated. The results of the same feeding, storage and performance of Holstein cows in summer and winter, the productivity characteristics of the cattle are presented.