Dairy farmers’ knowledge and perception of climate change in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of dairy farmers about climate change in dairy farms in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Design/methodology/approach The study was conducted following a cross-sectional research design (Bryman, 2012). The study was conducted mainly on dairy farms located on the south-eastern part of the Eastern Cape province in five districts out of the province’s six districts (Figure 1). These districts include Amathole, Chris Hani, OR Tambo and Cacadu; these regions were not included in a recent surveying study (Galloway et al., 2018). Findings In all, 71.7% of dairy farm workers heard about climate change from the television, and 60.4% of participants reported that they gathered information from radio. Eighty-two out of 106 (77.4%) correctly indicated that climate change is a significant long-term change in expected weather patterns over time, and almost 10% of the study participants had no clue about climate change. Approximately 63% of the respondents incorrectly referred to climate change as a mere hotness or coldness of the day, whereas the remainder of participants correctly refuted that definition of climate change. Most of the study participants correctly mentioned that climate change has an influence on dairy production (92.5%), it limits the dairy cows’ productivity (69.8%) and that dry matter intake of dairy cows is reduced under higher temperatures (75.5%). Research limitations/implications The use of questionnaire to gather data limits the study, as respondents relied on recall information. Also, the sample size and study area limits use of the study as an inference for the excluded parts of the Eastern Cape Province. Also, it focused only on dairy farm workers and did not request information from beef farmers. Practical implications This study imply that farmers without adequate knowledge of the impact of climate change keep complaining of a poor yield/ animal productivity and changing pattern of livestock diseases. Hence, a study such as the present one helps to bridge that gap and provide relevant governing authority the needed evidence for policy changes and intervention. Social implications Farmers will begin to get help from the government regarding climate change. Originality/value This a first study in South Africa seeking to document the knowledge of dairy farm workers about climate change and its impacts on productivity.

Cefotax-magnetic nanoparticles as an alternative approach to control Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from different sources

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic nanocomposite of cefotax against MRSA. A total of 190 samples were collected from milk, farm personnel and different environmental components from the dairy farm under the study to isolate S. aureus. Cefotax based magnetic nanoparticles was synthetized by the adsorption method and marked using Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), then it was characterized using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscope (SEM and TEM). The obtained results revealed that number of positive samples of S. aureus isolation were 63 (33.1%), mainly from feed manger followed by milk machine swabs (60.0 and 53.3%, respectively) at X2 = 48.83 and P < 0.001. Obtained isolates were identified biochemically and by using molecular assays (PCR), also mec A gene responsible for resistance to cefotax was detected. Testing the sensitivity of 63 isolates of S. aureus showed variable degree of resistance to different tested antibiotics and significant sensitivity to cefotax based magnetic nanoparticles at P < 0.05. It was concluded that dairy environment might act a potential source for transmission of MRSA between human and animal populations. In addition, cefotax based magnetic nanoparticles verified an extreme antimicrobial efficacy against MRSA.

Dairy Farm Management Information Systems

Nowadays, different types of farm management information systems (FMIS) are being used in practice in several sectors of farming, such as dairy, arable, fruits, vegetables, and meat farming. The goal of this research is to identify, evaluate, and synthesize existing FMISs in the Dutch dairy sector and present the state–of–the–art. We performed a multivocal literature review (MLR) to find sources both in scientific and grey literature. A grey literature search was adopted because most of the FMISs were not reported in the scientific literature. To support and improve the effectiveness of the MLR process, an online survey was first sent to Dutch dairy farmers to identify the FMISs that are being used in practice. With the help of the MLR process, we identified 50 FMISs used by Dutch dairy farmers. We identified 33 features of these FMISs and listed the advantages and disadvantages of the FMISs.

​Genital Changes, Haemato-biochemical Profile and Therapeutic Management of Endometritis in Crossbred Dairy Cows

Background: Reproductive performance is one of the major determinants for the economic improvement of a dairy farm. Endometritis and other uterine complications cause decrease the pregnancy rate. In this study, the genital changes and haemato-biochemical profile of crossbred dairy cows affected with endometritis was studied to evolve a suitable treatment protocol in order to improve reproductive efficiency. Methods: Crossbred cow affected with endometritis were selected based on mucopurulent vaginal discharge at estrus and tested positive for white side test. Animals were divided randomly into 8 groups with 24 animals in each group. Different therapeutic regimens fortified with supportive treatment were opted. The therapeutic regimens were supportive therapy having bypass fat, vitamins and minerals, Lugol’s iodine, Lugol’s iodine with supportive therapy, intrauterine (IU) antibiotic, IU antibiotic with supportive therapy, E. coli. LPS, E. coli. LPS with supportive therapy and control group respectively. Efficacy of each treatment regimen was based on first service conception rate (FSCR). Result: Of all the therapeutic regimens, fortification of Lugol’s iodine with supportive therapy resulted in higher FSCR (83.33%) indicating better applicability as a treatment tool for endometritis in crossbred cows.

Variation in the Nutritive Characteristics of Modern Perennial Ryegrass Cultivars in South-Eastern Australian Dairy Environments and Prospects for Inclusion in the Australian Forage Value Index (FVI)

Perennial ryegrass (PRG) is an important forage grown on dairy farms in temperate regions globally, including south-eastern Australia. A forage value index (FVI) providing information on the seasonal production of commercially available PRG cultivars is currently available. Despite the importance of the nutritive value of pasture in dairy farm systems, the nutritive characteristics of PRG cultivars are not currently included in the FVI as they are not routinely measured in cultivar evaluation trials. This study investigated differences between cultivar functional groups (diploid and tetraploid). It also examined differences between individual cultivars within seasons at four locations in south-eastern Australia and examined how trial location affects cultivar ranking. Samples were collected from existing cultivar evaluation trials over a 3-year period and analysed for nutritive characteristics. There were differences (p < 0.05) between diploids and tetraploids for metabolisable energy (ME) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in each season at each location with a few exceptions in summer and autumn. Crude protein (CP) differed between functional groups in some seasons at some sites. Spearman rank correlations within season were strong for ME between trial locations (r = 0.78–0.96), moderate to high for NDF (0.51–0.86) and variable for CP (−0.69–0.56). These findings provide guidance on methods for implementing nutritive value testing in cultivar evaluation trials and support the imminent inclusion of ME in the Australian FVI. The ranking of cultivars for ME was more consistent across trial sites compared to NDF and CP, suggesting the latter two traits, in particular CP, are more sensitive to environmental influences. Based on these results, we do not recommend the inclusion of CP as an individual trait in the Australian FVI. A significantly larger dataset and further research on the genotype by environment interactions would be needed to reconsider this. The addition of ME in the Australian FVI will lead to better cultivar choices by farmers and could lead to more targeted perennial ryegrass breeding programs.

Formation of bull-producing groups of cows in Ayrshire breed using genomically evaluated candidates

Purpose: Assessment of the quality of the well-producing groups, the productivity of candidates for the first lactation, the possibility of using genomically estimated cows to increase the parameters of mothers of future bulls, to analyze the quality of the offspring of bulls of various origins.Materials and methods. Research was performed on the basis of breeding plants Karelia Megrega (1455 cows) and Ilinskoe (1200 cows). Analyzed the productivity of bob-producing groups isolated on trivials. 66 Genomically estimated flaws were delivered from Finland after calving for milk productivity for the first lactation with local peers. In assessing the quality of the offspring of producers of different origin, the productivity of 1441 of the daughter of imported bulls and 620 daughters of domestic bulls took place. The degree of differences was assessed by the results of biometric processing of indicators.Results. At the Ilyinskoye dairy farm, the milk yield for lactation of cows of the bull-producing group is 11977 kg of milk with a fat content of 4.33%, protein content of 3.22%. There are 11119 kg of milk at the Megrega farm, 4.42% and 3.23%, respectively. A significant number of individuals (14.7-19.8%) with a milk yield above 9,000 kg of milk, which are a source of replenishment of bull-producing groups, were identified at breeding farms among the first heifers. The possibility of forming and improving the quality of bull-producing groups of cows at the expense of their own livestock is noted, provided that the factors of feeding and keeping animals, increasing the fat content and protein content of milk are optimized.Comparison of productivity indicators of imported "genomic" cows with local peers gave mixed results. At the Ilyinskoye farm, "genomic" cows significantly outperformed subjects of conventional breeding in all indicators: milk yield by 796-903 kg of milk, fat content by 0.27%, protein content by 0.09-0.06%, fat production by 59.4-63.8 kg, protein production by 33.9-34.8 kg, live weight by more thanAt the Megrega farm, in terms of fat content and production, "genomic" individuals also significantly outperformed local peers, and in milk yield and protein content, the differences were unreliable. Genomic evaluation of animals and the involvement of "genomic" cows can contribute to the formation of better groups of mothers of future bulls, especially to solve the most urgent problem of increasing fat and protein milk.Conclusion. In the conditions of large dairy breeding complexes with the technology of loose maintenance, it is advisable to use a system for placing groups of bull mothers in comfortable conditions in special rooms, including individual service.

Factors Affecting Machinations at Dairy Farms : An Appraisal from Economic Perspective

This study was undertaken to get a comprehensive idea about the favourable and unfavourable factors for adoption of dairy automation/ machinations as perceived by dairy farmers, and study the economic impact of semi-automatic milking machine for small, medium and large dairy unit using the analysis of total cost and monetary benefits. The study was carried out in north Indian states, 30 commercial dairy farmers were selected constituting a total of 150 respondents practicing commercial dairy farming under survey method of investigation. Results revealed that time saving in dairy farm operations, drudgery reduction, and maintenance of hygiene and quality of milk and milk products were perceived as top three favourable factors for adoption of dairy automation or machination. The high initial investment required for dairy automation, no extra milk price for hygiene and quality products through the adoption of dairy automation in the market, and high cost of equipment and less subsidy provided by the government were perceived as top three favourable factors for adoption of dairy automation or machination. The study indicated that adoption score of the respondents were not significantly correlated with age. It implies that age, education, family size land holding and experiences of dairy farming does not affect the adoption of dairy automation technologies. The additional monetary benefits apart from this economic benefit’s other benefits such as clean and hygiene milk, health care and management in economic terms were calculated about 43800, 39,600, and 64,000 per year for small, medium, and large dairy unit, respectively

Indicators of full value feeding rations for dairy cows

This article presents the results of the level of feeding and the health status of dairy cows in a commercial dairy farm on the content of the main components in milk (fat, protein, urea). The aim of the research was to study the milk productivity and composition of milk of cows, to analyze the level of feeding and the content of basic nutrients in the diet of the farm. The farm breeds purebred Holstein cattle with a high genetic potential for productivity. The milking herd was formed in 2009 on the basis of 600 heads of Holstein-Friesian heifers imported from Hungary, as well as 65 heads of Holsteinized heifers of Ukrainian selection from Ukraine in 2015. Today the livestock numbers about 1,500 head of cattle, of which there are about 900 breeders. On the territory of the farm there are: 3 cowsheds for keeping cows, an insemination room, a milking parlor with a parallel installation of the Delaval company, in which 48 cows are milked for one milking, the ABK, where the manager's office, livestock technician, accounting is located, and a mini-hotel with dining room and lounges. Dairy bases are equipped with auto-drinkers, ventilation, plumbing, electric lighting, manure removal mechanisms, and a milking installation. The object of the research was Holstein cows in the amount of 483 heads of Aina Dairy Farm LLP. The studies were carried out according to generally accepted zootechnical methods using modern equipment for conducting analyzes and interstate and state standards. The research results showed that the milk productivity of cows averaged 19.5 kg per day, the fat content 4.3%, the protein 3.9%, the number of somatic cells 230.5 thousand units / ml, urea 45.3 mg / 100 ml respectively. Analyzing the level of urea in milk can suggest a high crude protein content in the diet. The ration of feeding dairy cows on the farm is concentrate-silage-haylage and there is an excess of dry matter by 16.2%, crude protein by 9.8%, starch by 29.4%, respectively.

Characteristics and prediction of subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows during the transition period using blood analytes

This study aimed to present the characteristics of and to predict subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows during the transition period using blood analytes. We examined fluctuations in plasma calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), bone metabolic markers carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), fibroblast growth factor (FGF23), 1,25(OH)2D3, parathyroid hormone, and other blood biochemical analytes from prepartum week 2 to postpartum day 14 in 116 multiparous high-producing Holstein cows from a free-stall barn dairy farm. With a plasma concentration of Ca <2.0 mmol/L as a criterion for the diagnosis of subclinical hypocalcemia, 64 cows were classified as normocalcemic, and 52 cows as subclinically hypocalcemic. Among the 52 hypocalcemic cows, 50 were detected on postpartum days 1 or 3, and 2 on postpartum day. The subclinically hypocalcemic cows were in a state of low bone turnover in the prepartum period, with low plasma concentrations of Ca and CTX. The subclinically hypocalcemic cows showed signs of a P regulation disorder in the prepartum period. This was marked by high plasma concentrations of P and low concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 and FGF23, which is also considered to be the cause of the low bone turnover. The results of a multiple logistic regression model showed that prepartum plasma concentrations of FGF23, CTX, and Ca were ideal predictors of postpartum subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows, using the model equation 38.8-0.052*FGF23-0.492*CTX-10.645*Ca, with a score of > 0 considered as an indication of increased risk of subclinical hypocalcemia after calving. The scoring rule had an accuracy of 79.3%, sensitivity of 76.9%, and specificity of 81.3%. The plasma concentrations of FGF23, CTX, and Ca were ideal predictors of postpartum subclinical hypocalcemia in dairy cows.