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Milk Production (milk + production)
Selected AbstractsProduction and behavioural responses of high- and low-yielding dairy cows to different periods of access to grazing or to a maize silage and soyabean meal diet fed indoorsGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006O. Hernandez-Mendo Abstract The study examined whether high-yielding cows grazing pasture respond differently from low-yielding cows in milk production and feeding behaviour, to increasing the time made available for eating a maize silage and soyabean meal (TAMS) diet indoors and reducing the time available for grazing (TAG). Two experiments, each lasting 42 d, were carried out in spring (Experiment 1) and autumn (Experiment 2) using Holstein-Friesian cows at two different levels of milk yield (MYL). Milk production and feeding behaviour were examined for TAG + TAMS systems of 19 h, TAG plus 1 h TAMS (19 + 1), and 5 h TAG plus 15 h TAMS (5 + 15). There were two levels of concentrate (0 and 6 kg d,1), and in the spring experiment two sward heights (4,6 and 8,10 cm) were also studied. Milk yield, persistency of milk yield, liveweight change and estimated total DM intake were significantly higher on the 5 + 15 than on the 19 + 1 grazing system in Experiment 1 but not in Experiment 2. There were no significant interactions of TAG + TAMS treatment with MYL for any production or behavioural measurements except for maize silage feeding time, where high MYL cows spent a significantly greater time eating maize silage than low MYL cows on the 5 + 15 treatment but not on the 19 + 1 treatment. It can be concluded that high- and low-yielding cows respond similarly in milk production and feeding behaviour to different combinations of TAG and TAMS. In autumn, estimated daily intakes of herbage were lower on both grazing treatments relative to spring, resulting from lower rates of herbage intake with no compensatory increase in grazing time. In contrast, rates of intake of maize silage were higher in autumn especially on the 19 + 1 system. These results may imply a change of preference from herbage to maize silage between spring and autumn. [source] Milk production of dairy goats fed diets with different legume seeds: Effects of amino acid composition of the rumen undegradable protein fractionJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2008E Ramos Morales Abstract BACKGROUND: To establish the effect of the nature of four different legume seeds, lupins (L), faba beans (FB), bitter vetch (BV) and vetch (V) on the production and composition of goat milk, we studied the ruminal degradation of these legumes, and the amino acid (AA) composition of the seeds and that of the undegradable fractions of the protein sources. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were designed, and in each case 30% of the protein was supplied by one of the different legume seeds. A group of eight Granadina goats was used to study the utilisation of these diets for milk production. The goats were allocated to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. RESULTS: Ruminal fermentation modified the AA profile of the protein of the legume seeds which was different in each case. However, milk production remained unchanged irrespective of the diet consumed. On the contrary, and despite the high level of degradability of the protein in the different legumes, the concentration of total protein, casein (CN) and overall ,S1 -CN and ,S2 -CN in milk depended on the protein source used. CONCLUSION: The concentration of total protein in milk, as well as its composition, was apparently determined by the AA composition of the corresponding fraction of the rumen-undegradable protein. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Dose-effect study of domperidone as a galactagogue in preterm mothers with insufficient milk supply, and its transfer into milkBRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Elise W-X. WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT , Domperidone is an effective treatment for some mothers with insufficient milk supply. , However, dose,effect data are not available, and the safety of domperidone use in both mother and infant has been questioned. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS , Domperidone only increases milk production in about two-thirds of preterm mothers with insufficient milk supply. , On average, the responders showed increasing levels of milk production with dose escalation from 30 mg to 60 mg daily. , The amount of domperidone that transferred into breast milk was very low, and the risk to the breastfed infant is minimal. AIMS To investigate the possibility of a dose,response relationship for the use of domperidone in treating insufficient milk supply in mothers of preterm infants, and to quantify the exposure of the breastfed infant to domperidone. METHODS Six preterm mothers received domperidone (30 mg daily or 60 mg daily) in a double-blind, randomized, crossover trial. Milk production and serum prolactin were measured before and during the trial, and domperidone concentration in milk was measured during drug treatment. RESULTS For milk production, two of the mothers were ,nonresponders', whereas the other four were ,responders' and showed a significant increase in milk production from 8.7 ± 3.1 g h,1 in the run-in phase (mean ± SEM), 23.6 ± 3.9 g h,1 for the 30-mg dose (P = 0.0217) and 29.4 ± 6.6 g h,1 for the 60-mg dose (P = 0.0047). In all participants, serum prolactin was significantly increased for both doses, but the response was not dose dependent. Median (interquartile range) domperidone concentrations in milk over a dose interval at steady-state were 0.28 µg l,1 (0.24,0.43) and 0.49 µg l,1 (0.33,0.72) for the 30-mg and 60-mg doses, respectively. The mean relative infant dose was 0.012% at 30 mg daily and 0.009% at 60 mg daily. CONCLUSION In one-third of mothers, domperidone did not increase milk production. In the remainder, milk production increased at both domperidone doses, and there was a trend for a dose,response relationship. The amount of domperidone that transfers into milk was extremely low, and infant exposure via breastfeeding was not considered to be significant. [source] Impaired lactation in mice expressing dominant-negative FADD in mammary epitheliumDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 4 2009Mark Shackleton Abstract The Fas-associated death domain (FADD/Mort1) adaptor protein was originally identified as a key mediator of apoptosis, although pleiotropic functions for FADD have also been reported. FADD-mediated tumoricidal effects have been described in breast cancer cells; however, its physiological role in normal mammary gland epithelium is not well understood. To determine the role of FADD signaling during mammary gland development, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing dominant-negative FADD (DN-FADD) in mammary epithelium, using the steroid responsive mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. Transgenic mice exhibited a perturbation in lactation resulting in impaired milk production and pup growth retardation. Reduced expansion of alveoli was evident during early lactation with extensive shedding of luminal alveolar cells. Significantly more TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase,mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate nick end-labeling)-positive cells were present at this time point and a subsequent increase in bromodeoxyuridine-positive cells was observed. These findings suggest a role for FADD in maintaining the survival of mammary secretory alveolar cells after the establishment of lactation. Developmental Dynamics 238:1010,1016, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Effects of crowding on populations of Aedes albifasciatus larvae under laboratory conditionsENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 2 2000Raquel M. Gleiser Abstract Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus (Macquart 1838) (Diptera: Culicidae) is a neotropical flood water mosquito, incriminated as the main vector of the western equine encephalitis virus, and which affects beef and milk production in central Argentina. The short time required to hatch and develop from egg to adult, usually in temporary pools, suggests a strategy which allows for exploitation of transient pools, thus evading predation and interspecific competition. Under these conditions intra specific competition could represent a major density-dependent source of larval mortality, but the relative importance of density-dependent regulation of mosquito populations has generated controversy. Therefore we examined the effects of larval density on basic population characteristics of Ae. albifasciatus in the laboratory. Larvae were obtained by synchronous hatching of eggs laid by field-trapped females. Emerging larvae (L1) were used to build cohorts of different initial densities, kept in plastic trays with 400 ml of distilled water, and food supplied daily during the first 10 days (0.1 g per larvae day,1). Age-specific development time and specific and relative mortality were estimated, and their relation to initial larval density was assessed through linear and non-linear regressions and correlation analysis. First hatching was registered 3 h after flooding the eggs. Higher levels of pre-adult mortality were detected in groups with higher densities. Specific mortality and average time to enter a stage of L1 to L3 could directly be related to initial larval density, but no significant relations were found for L4 and pupae. Results suggest that crowding could be a factor capable of regulating the density of natural populations of Ae. albifasciatus. [source] The influence of strain of Holstein-Friesian dairy cow and pasture-based feeding system on grazing behaviour, intake and milk productionGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007S. McCarthy Abstract A comparative study of grazing behaviour, herbage intake and milk production of three strains of Holstein-Friesian dairy cow was conducted using three grass-based feeding systems over two years. The three strains of Holstein-Friesian cows were: high production North American (HP), high durability North American (HD) and New Zealand (NZ). The three grass-based feeding systems were: high grass allowance (MP), high concentrate (HC) and high stocking rate (HS). In each year seventy-two pluriparous cows, divided equally between strains of Holstein-Friesian and feeding systems were used. Strain of Holstein-Friesian cow and feeding system had significant effects on grazing behaviour, dry matter (DM) intake and milk production. The NZ strain had the longest grazing time while the HD strain had the shortest. The grazing time of cows in the HC system was shorter than those in both the HS and MP systems. There was a significant strain of Holstein-Friesian cow by feeding system interaction for DM intake of grass herbage and milk production. The NZ strain had the highest substitution rate with the HP strain having the lowest. Hence, response in milk production to concentrate was much greater with the HP than the NZ strain. Reduction in milk yield as a consequence of a higher stocking rate (MP vs. HS system) was, however, greater for the HP and HD strains compared with the NZ strain. The results suggest that differences in grazing behaviour are important in influencing DM intake and milk production. [source] Production and behavioural responses of high- and low-yielding dairy cows to different periods of access to grazing or to a maize silage and soyabean meal diet fed indoorsGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006O. Hernandez-Mendo Abstract The study examined whether high-yielding cows grazing pasture respond differently from low-yielding cows in milk production and feeding behaviour, to increasing the time made available for eating a maize silage and soyabean meal (TAMS) diet indoors and reducing the time available for grazing (TAG). Two experiments, each lasting 42 d, were carried out in spring (Experiment 1) and autumn (Experiment 2) using Holstein-Friesian cows at two different levels of milk yield (MYL). Milk production and feeding behaviour were examined for TAG + TAMS systems of 19 h, TAG plus 1 h TAMS (19 + 1), and 5 h TAG plus 15 h TAMS (5 + 15). There were two levels of concentrate (0 and 6 kg d,1), and in the spring experiment two sward heights (4,6 and 8,10 cm) were also studied. Milk yield, persistency of milk yield, liveweight change and estimated total DM intake were significantly higher on the 5 + 15 than on the 19 + 1 grazing system in Experiment 1 but not in Experiment 2. There were no significant interactions of TAG + TAMS treatment with MYL for any production or behavioural measurements except for maize silage feeding time, where high MYL cows spent a significantly greater time eating maize silage than low MYL cows on the 5 + 15 treatment but not on the 19 + 1 treatment. It can be concluded that high- and low-yielding cows respond similarly in milk production and feeding behaviour to different combinations of TAG and TAMS. In autumn, estimated daily intakes of herbage were lower on both grazing treatments relative to spring, resulting from lower rates of herbage intake with no compensatory increase in grazing time. In contrast, rates of intake of maize silage were higher in autumn especially on the 19 + 1 system. These results may imply a change of preference from herbage to maize silage between spring and autumn. [source] Diet selection of dry and lactating beef cows grazing extensive pastures in late autumnGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006A. Farruggia Abstract The diet selection, made by twelve dry and twelve lactating spring-calving Salers beef cows at the end of the grazing season on an extensively grazed natural mountain pasture in central France, was compared. Sward structure, selection bites, daily grazing time and digestibility of the diet were measured in mid-October (P1) and mid-November (P2). Live weights were measured twice monthly throughout the experiment. Daily milk production was assessed in the week before the grazing behaviour measurements. Lactating cows grazed more selectively than dry cows: they took more bites on green patches (0·20 vs. 0·13 of total bites, P < 0·01; Jacob's selectivity index: 0·13 vs. ,0·25, P < 0·001), which is consistent with the higher overall nitrogen concentration in faeces (18·1 vs. 17·3 g kg,1 DM, P < 0·05). Lactating cows tended to slightly increase their daily grazing time compared with dry cows (on average 9·9 vs. 9·5 h, P = 0·07) and grazed faster in mid-November (74 vs. 69 bites min,1, P < 0·05). The lactating cows lost more live weight (,24 vs. ,12 kg cow,1, P < 0·05) between P1 and P2. A positive correlation was found between consumption of green patches by lactating cows and their daily milk production in P2 (r = 0·574, P = 0·05), whereas no correlation occurred between individual milk production and liveweight loss. Dry cows were less selective, which supports management practices that promote the use of cows with low requirements on extensively grazed pastures in late season. [source] The effect of forage type and level of concentrate supplementation on the performance of spring-calving dairy cows in early lactationGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2002P. Dillon Abstract In 1993 and 1994, 40 cows in early lactation in early spring were assigned randomly to four feeding treatments. One group of cows was kept indoors with access to grass silage ad libitum, plus 6 kg of concentrate daily. The other three groups had access to grass pasture (5,6 h per day in 1993 and 11,12 h per day in 1994) plus grass silage similar to that fed to the previous group while indoors plus 6, 4 or 2 kg of concentrate daily. The average daily allocations of herbage (> 3·5 cm) were 8·5 and 14·0 kg DM cow,1 day,1 in 1993 and 1994 respectively. The treatments were applied for 8 weeks (26 February to 23 April) in 1993, and 7 weeks (11 March to 29 April) in 1994. Cows with access to pasture had lower (P < 0·001) silage dry-matter (DM) intakes and higher (P < 0·001) total forage DM intakes in both years than those kept indoors. This resulted in significantly higher yields of milk, fat, protein and lactose. Similarly, milk protein concentration was higher (P < 0·05 in 1993; P < 0·001 in 1994). There was a significant linear increase in total DM intake in both years with increased concentrate supplementation. In 1993, there was a linear increase in milk (P < 0·01), fat (P < 0·01), protein (P < 0·001) and lactose (P < 0·01) yields with increased concentrate supplementation. In 1994, only milk protein yield (P < 0·05) was increased. Concentrate supplementation had no effect on milk composition or liveweight change. Cows with access to grazed grass had higher liveweight gains (P < 0·05) than those kept indoors in both years. In 1993, increasing the energy intake increased the processing qualities of the milk produced. The results showed that access to grass pasture resulted in higher milk production, in reduced silage requirement and in reduced level of concentrate supplementation required for a given level of milk production with spring-calving cows in early lactation compared with those kept indoors. [source] Fat and protein contents, acidity and somatic cell counts in bulk milk of Holstein cows in the Khorasan Razavi Province, IranINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009MASOUD NAJAF NAJAFI Relationships between total bulk milk somatic cell score (SCS) and milk fat and protein contents and acidity were investigated in the Khorasan Razavi Province, a region that contributes 6.83% of total milk production in Iran. A total of 1476 samples were analysed. Data were obtained by randomly collecting 123 samples of bulk tank milk from 41 dairy farms during April 2006 to March 2007, every month. Milk was analysed for titratable acidity, protein and fat contents and somatic cell counts (direct microscopic cell count and with Somatos, Russia). Microscopic and Somatos somatic cell counts were comparable. Results showed that the season of raw milk production did not have a significant effect on acidity. Milk fat content increased gradually from spring to winter and there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between spring and other seasons. Higher levels of milk protein fractions were observed during the autumn and winter than in other seasons. The highest total bulk milk somatic cell counts were observed in July. Total bulk milk SCS had significant effects (P < 0.05) on acidity and fat and protein contents. Moreover, the level of acidity and fat in milk decreased with increasing SCS. A significant positive relationship was observed between total bulk milk SCS and the protein content of milk. Elevated SCS were associated with lowered milk quality in Holsteins in the Khorasan Razavi Province. [source] An overview of the Turkish dairy sectorINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DAIRY TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2008SERTAÇ GÖNENÇ The livestock sector and dairy subsector have great importance for Turkey, in terms of both nutrition and economy. The share of the livestock sector in the total agricultural production value has varied between 25% and 30% in the last three decades. Raw milk production is characterized by small-scale farms, with an average of three heads of dairy cattle per farm. Turkey's dairy industry was established and developed by the State with the opening of the Turkish Dairy Industry Institution (TSEK) in 1963 as a state-owned enterprise (SOE). TSEK facilitated modernization of the sector, created a dairy market and played a role in stabilizing the consumer and producer prices. In 1995, a liberalization movement in the agricultural sector started in Turkey and the TSEK enterprises were privatized. After privatization, producer prices decreased between 11.51% and 18.45% and consumer prices of dairy products increased in general. Today, the dairy processing sector has a dual structure that on one hand comprises many small- and medium-sized enterprises, while on the other features seven large holding companies that hold the largest market share (CR4 71). This study aims to show that the restructuring of the agricultural SOEs in the first place resulted in undesirable impacts, and thus that the planning and implementation of the privatization of the state enterprises in the dairy sector should be taken as a strategy in the medium term, using the experiences of other developing countries. [source] Household-level Impacts of Dairy Cow Ownership in Coastal KenyaJOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2004Charles F. Nicholson This study uses heteroskedastic Tobit and Censored Least Absolute Deviations models to examine the impacts of dairy cow ownership on selected outcomes for a sample of 184 households in coastal Kenya. The outcomes examined include gross household cash income, gross non-agricultural income, consumption of dairy products, time allocated to cattle-related tasks, number of labourers hired and total wage payments to hired labourers. The number of dairy cows owned has a large and statistically significant impact on household cash income; each cow owned increased income by at least 53% of the mean total income of households without dairy cows. Dairy cow ownership also increases consumption of dairy products by 1.0 litre per week, even though most of the increase in milk production is sold. The number of dairy cows has no significant effect on total labour for cattle-related tasks. However, in contrast to previous studies, labour allocation to cattle by household members decreases and labour requirements for dairy cows are met primarily by an increase in hired labour. Dairy cow ownership results in relatively modest increases in payments to hired labourers and the number of hired labourers employed. The large positive impacts on income and the substitution of hired for household labour in cattle care suggest that intensification of smallholder dairying can be beneficial as a development strategy in the region if disease and feed constraints are addressed. [source] Estimates of genetic parameters for Boran, Friesian, and crosses of Friesian and Jersey with the Boran cattle in the tropical highlands of Ethiopia: milk production traits and cow weightJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 3 2004S. Demeke Summary Breed additive and non-additive effects plus heritabilities and repeatabilities for milk yield per lactation (LMY), milk yield per day (DMY), lactation length (LL), annual milk yield (AMY), annual milk yield per metabolic body weight (AMYBW) and cow weight at calving (BW) were estimated for 5464 lactation records collected from purebred Boran (B), Friesian (F), and crosses of Friesian and Jersey (J) breeds with the Boran breed raised in the tropical highlands of Ethiopia. Single trait analysis was carried out by using two equivalent repeatability animal models. In the first model the genotype was fitted as a fixed group effect, while in the second model the genotype was substituted by breed additive, heterotic and recombination effects fitted as fixed covariates. Both the F and J breed additive effects, measured as a deviation from the B breed were significant (p < 0.01) for all traits, except for BW of the J. The F and J additive contributions were 2774 ± 81 and 1473 ± 362 kg for LMY, 7.1 ± 0.2 and 4.8 ± 0.8 kg for DMY, 152 ± 7 and 146 ± 31 days for LL, 2345 ± 71 and 1238 ± 319 kg for AMY, 20.6 ± 0.9 and 18.9 ± 4.3 kg for AMYBW, and 140 ± 4 and ,21 ± 22 kg (p > 0.05) for BW. The heterotic contributions to the crossbred performance were also positive and significant (p < 0.01) for all traits. The F1 heterosis expressed as a deviation from the mid-parent values were 22 and 66% for LMY, 11 and 20% for DMY, 29 and 29% for LL, 21 and 64% for AMY, 42 and 42% for AMYBW, and 2% (p < 0.05) and 11% for BW for the F × B and J × B crosses, respectively. The recombination effect estimated for the F × B crosses was negative and significant for LMY (,526 ± 192 kg, p < 0.01), DMY (,3.0 ± 0.4 kg, p < 0.001), AMY (,349 ± 174 kg, p < 0.05) and BW (,68 ± 11 kg, p < 0.001). For the J × B crosses the recombination loss was significant and negative only for DMY (,2.2 ± 0.7 kg, p < 0.05) and BW (,33 ± 17 kg, p < 0.05). The direct heritabilities (h2) estimated for LMY, DMY, LL, AMY and AMYBW were 0.24 ± 0.04, 0.19 ± 0.03, 0.13 ± 0.03, 0.23 ± 0.04 and 0.17 ± 0.05, respectively. Based on the genetic parameters estimated, the best breeding strategy to increased milk production under highland Ethiopian conditions is to apply selection on purebred base populations (Boran and Friesian) and then crossing them to produce F1 dairy cows. However, for breeding decision based on total dairy merit, further investigations are needed for traits such as milk quality, reproduction, longevity and survival. Zusammenfassung Additive Rasseneffekte, nicht additive Effekte, Heritabilitäten und Wiederholbarkeiten für Milchmenge pro Laktation (LMY), Milchmenge pro Tag (DMY), Laktationsdauer (LL), jährliche Milchmenge (AMY), jährliche Milchmenge pro metabolischem Körpergewicht (AMYBW) und Kuhgewichte zur Kalbung (BW) wurden anhand von 5464 Laktationsdatensätzen von reinrassigen Boran (B), Friesian (F) und Kreuzungen der Rassen Friesian und Jersey (J) mit der Rasse Boran, die im tropischen Hochland von Äthiopien groß gezogen wurden, geschätzt. Einmerkmalsmodelle wurden mit zwei äquivalenten Wiederholbarkeits-Tiermodellen durchgeführt. Im ersten Modell wurde der Genotyp als fixer Gruppeneffekt berücksichtigt, während im zweiten Modell der Genotyp durch additive Rasseneffekte, Heterosis und Rekombinationseffekte als Kovariable ersetzt wurde. Die additiven Rasseneffekte von F und J, gemessen als Abweichung von der Rasse B, waren für alle Merkmale signifikant (p < 0,01), ausgenommen BW für die Rasse J. Die additiven Rasseneffekte von F und J betrugen 2774 ± 81 und 1473 ± 362 kg für LMY, 7,1 ± 0,2 und 4,8 ± 0,8 kg für DMY, 152 ± 7 und 146 ± 31 Tage für LL, 2345 ± 71 und 1238 ± 319 kg für AMY, 20,6 ± 0,9 und 18,9 ± 4,3 kg für AMYBW und 140 ± 4 und ,21 ± 22 kg (p > 0,05) für BW. Die Heterosis bei den Kreuzungstieren war positiv und signifikant für alle Merkmale (p < 0,01). Die Heterosis der F1 -Tiere, ausgedrückt als Abweichung vom Mittel der beiden Eltern, betrug 22 und 66% für LMY, 11 und 20% für DMY, 29 und 29% für LL, 21 und 64% für AMY, 42% und 42% für AMYBW und 2% (p < 0,05) und 11% für BW für die F × B und J × B Kreuzungen. Der geschätzte Rekombinationseffekt für die F × B Kreuzungen war negativ und signifikant für LMY (,526 ± 192 kg, p < 0,01), DMY (,3,0 ± 0,4 kg, p < 0,001), AMY (,349 ± 174, p < 0,05) und BW (,68 ± 11 kg, p < 0,001). Für die J × B Kreuzungen war der Rekombinationsverlust signifikant und negativ nur für DMY (,2,2 ± 0,7 kg, p < 0,05) und BW (,33 ± 17, p < 0,05). Die geschätzten Heritabilitäten (h2) betrugen für LMY, DMY, LL, AMY und AMYBW 0,24 ± 0,04, 0,19 ± 0,03, 0,13 ± 0,03, 0,23 ± 0,04 und 0,17 ± 0,05. Basierend auf den geschätzten genetischen Parametern erscheint Selektion in den Reinzuchtpopulationen B und F und anschließ end Kreuzung dieser Tiere zur Erstellung von F1 -Milchkühen als günstigste Zuchtstrategie, um die Milchproduktion unter äthiopischen Hochlandbedingungen zu steigern. Für Zuchtentscheidungen, die die gesamte Milchproduktion berücksichtigen, sind weitere Untersuchungen notwendig für Merkmale wie Milchqualität, Reproduktion, Persistenz und Langlebigkeit. [source] Metabolic and productive response to ruminal protein degradability in early lactation cows fed untreated or xylose-treated soybean meal-based dietsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 6 2009M. Jahani-Moghadam Summary Effects of different dietary rumen undegradable (RUP) to degradable (RDP) protein ratios on ruminal nutrient degradation, feed intake, blood metabolites and milk production were determined in early lactation cows. Four multiparous (43 ± 5 days in milk) and four primiparous (40 ± 6 days in milk) tie-stall-housed Holstein cows were used in a duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four 21-day periods. Each period had 14-day of adaptation and 7-day of sampling. Diets contained on a dry matter (DM) basis, 23.3% alfalfa hay, 20% corn silage and 56.7% concentrate. Cows were first offered alfalfa hay at 7:00, 15:00 and 23:00 hours, and 30 min after each alfalfa hay delivery were offered a mixture of corn silage and concentrate. Treatments were diets with RUP:RDP ratios of (i) 5.2:11.6 (control), (ii) 6.1:10.6, (iii) 7.1:9.5 and (iv) 8.1:8.5, on a dietary DM% basis. Different RUP:RDP ratios were obtained by partial and total replacement of untreated soybean meal (SBM) with xylose-treated SBM (XSBM). In situ study using three rumen-cannulated non-lactating cows showed that DM and crude protein (CP) of SBM had greater rapidly degradable fractions. The potentially degradable fractions were degraded more slowly in XSBM. Treatment cows produced greater milk, protein, lactose, solids-non-fat and total solids than control cows. Increasing RUP:RDP reduced blood urea linearly. Feed costs dropped at RUP:RDP ratios of 6.1:10.6 and 7.1:9.5, but not at 8.1:8.5, compared with the 5.2:11.6 ratio. Intake of DM and CP, rumen pH, blood glucose, albumin and total protein, faecal and urine pH, changes in body weight and body condition score, and milk lactose and solids-non-fat percentages did not differ among treatments. Results provide evidence that increasing dietary RUP:RDP ratio from 5.2:11.6 to 7.1:9.5 optimizes nitrogen metabolism and milk production and reduces feed costs in early lactation cows. Reduced blood urea suggests reprodutive benefits. [source] Responses of milk production to the intravenous infusion of amino acids in dairy cows given diets of grass silage and cereal-based supplementsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 9-10 2001C.-H. Kim Three experiments were carried out to examine responses of milk production to the intravenous infusion of amino acids in dairy cows given diets of grass silage and supplements based on barley, with or without added soyabean meal and ranging in crude protein content from 16 to 19% in dry matter. Particular attention was given to histidine, administered alone or in combination with methionine, lysine and tryptophan. Responses of milk protein secretion to infusion of histidine were seen only when the diet contained a supplement of barley alone. When soyabean meal was included, there were no responses of milk production to infusion of any of the infused amino acids. Calculations suggested that, although histidine remained first-limiting when soya was included in the diet, any response to infusion of histidine was blocked by the rapidly emerging deficiency of another amino acid, probably leucine. The results confirm that, for diets based on grass silage and supplements of cereal only, histidine is first-limiting such that increases of milk protein secretion can be obtained in response to infusion of histidine alone. In assessing the practical significance of this finding, it should be remembered that greater responses in the yield of milk protein can probably be obtained by substituting 1 kg of soyabean meal for 1 kg of cereal, which is likely to be an easier and cheaper option. [source] Metabolic changes during the perinatal period in dairy sheep in relation to level of nutrition and breed.JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 3-4 2000Summary The effect of level of nutrition during pregnancy was investigated on various plasma parameters, on energy intake, body weight, energy balance and milk yield, after parturition in two Greek dairy breeds. Thirteen Chios (CH) and 17 Karagouniko (K) pregnant ewes were assigned to groups A and B, which received 110% of their energy requirements for maintenance plus pregnancy for two foetuses and 90% of their maintenance energy requirements, respectively. After parturition all ewes were fed ad libitum. Body weights of group A and K ewes were higher (p 0.05) compared with group B and CH ewes, during lactation, although daily energy intakes tended to be greater in group B than in A ewes, during the first 3 weeks and in CH than K ewes (p 0.05), after the second week post-partum. Total mean milk production was 114 ± 11 l and 82 ± 10 l for groups A and B (p 0.05) and 120 ± 12 l and 70 ± 7 l for CH and K ewes (p 0.001), respectively. Positive energy balance appeared after the day 15 and 7 of lactation, for groups A and B ewes and after the day 15 and 5 of lactation, for CH and K ewes, respectively. The group B and K ewes tended to have higher mean plasma glucose concentrations than group A and CH ewes, during early lactation. There were no significant differences in free fatty acids, ,-hydroxybutyric acid, insulin and T4 concentrations between A and B ewes. CH had higher free fatty acids (p 0.05) and ,-hydroxybutyric acid (p 0.05), and lower T4 (p 0.01) and insulin (p 0.05) concentrations than K ewes. It was concluded that under-nutrition during pregnancy results in low milk yields of ewes fed ad libitum in early lactation, due to the poor development of the udder during late gestation. [source] Small U.S. dairy farms: can they compete?AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2009Richard Nehring Pasture-based system; Technical efficiency; Returns to scale; Dairy Abstract The U.S. dairy industry is undergoing rapid structural change, evolving from a structure including many small farmers in the Upper Midwest and Northeast to one that includes very large farms in new production regions. Small farms are struggling to retain competitiveness via improved management and low-input systems. Using data from USDA's Agricultural Resource Management Survey, we determine the extent of U.S. conventional and pasture-based milk production during 2003,2007, and estimate net returns, scale efficiency, and technical efficiency associated with the systems across different operation sizes. We compare the financial performance of small conventional and pasture-based producers with one another and with large-scale producers. A stochastic production frontier is used to analyze performance over the period for conventional and pasture technologies identified using a binomial logit model. Large conventional farms generally outperformed smaller farms using most economic measures,technical efficiency, various profitability measures, and returns to scale. [source] Cow-calf profitability and leptin genotypingAGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2009Jay Mitchell Animal genetics; Trait valuation; Dairy profitability Abstract Profitability of cow-calf production is determined largely by market prices, calf weaning weights, and cow productive life. While producers individually have no effect on prices, weaning weights and productive life have genetic influences and hence can be altered by selection programs implemented by producers. We investigate the impact of a mutation in the leptin gene (exon 2; single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] 305) on cow-calf profitability. Prior research shows that this mutation has effects on performance and traits of fed cattle and milk production in dairy cows. Using data from a teaching-research herd, we find that it is also associated with calf weaning weights and cow productive life. A bio-economic stochastic simulation demonstrates that the mutation has statistically positive impacts on profits, suggesting that producers can profitably make use of this information. [source] Hedging dairy production losses using weather-based index insuranceAGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2007Xiaohui Deng Dairy production risk; Index insurance; Temperature,humidity index Abstract This article proposes a temperature,humidity index insurance product and examines whether this product can effectively protect against the risk of reduced milk production caused by heat stress. Results suggest that even when premiums are at higher than actuarially fair levels and the insurance purchaser is faced with both spatial and temporal basis risks, a temperature,humidity index insurance product would provide risk management benefits to a representative south-central Georgia dairy producer. [source] EFFECT OF COLD STORAGE ON CULTURE VIABILITY AND SOME RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FERMENTED MILK PREPARED WITH YOGURT AND PROBIOTIC BACTERIAJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 1 2008MARIA REGINA DAMIN ABSTRACT We examined the effect of storage time on culture viability and some rheological properties (yield stress, storage modulus, loss modulus, linear viscoelastic region, structural recuperation and firmness) of fermented milk made with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis in coculture with Streptococcus thermophilus (ST). Acidification profiles and factors that affect viability (postfermentation acidification, acidity and dissolved oxygen) were also studied during 35 days at 4C. Fermented milk prepared with a coculture of ST and Bifidobacterium lactis gave the most constant rheological behavior and the best cell viability during cold storage; it was superior to ST plus LA for probiotic fermented milk production. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Probiotic cultures should grow quickly in milk, provide adequate sensory and rheological properties to the product, and remain viable during storage. Commercially, it is very common to use yogurt starter culture (i.e. Streptococcus thermophilus[ST] and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus) in combination with the probiotic bacteria in order to reduce fermentation time. However, LB tends to post acidify fermented milk, which reduces the viability of the probiotic bacteria; thus, it is recommended to use starter cultures devoid of this species. We found that the technological properties and the viability of the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis BL O4 in coculture with ST make it suitable for probiotic fermented milk production; it produces rheological characteristics similar to those of yogurt. [source] TEXTURAL AND MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF BURFI MADE WITH VARIOUS SWEETENERSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 6 2007S. ARORA ABSTRACT High-intensity low-calorie sweeteners saccharin, acesulfame-K, sucralose and aspartame were used as a replacement for sucrose in the manufacture of burfi. Burfi sweetened with low-calorie sweeteners ranked lower (P < 0.05) but was still acceptable in various textural attributes at all periods of storage in comparison to the control with sucrose. The low hardness, adhesiveness, springiness and accordingly, gumminess and chewiness in burfi samples sweetened with low-calorie sweeteners were because of the lack of compactness. It was evident from the scanning electron microscopy that the compactness of the network in burfi decreased with the use of low-calorie sweeteners. The results of the sensory evaluation have shown the successful use of low-calorie sweeteners in the preparation of burfi with a slight difference in its overall acceptability, thus providing an alternate variety to the health-conscious consumers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The consumption of sweets is an integral part of the Indian dietary system. An estimated 54% of India's milk production is converted into products, both traditional and western, with 50% share of traditional products. But in recent years, the manufacturers are diversifying the production to include the specialty items that cater to specific targeted populations. Diabetic-friendly traditional sweet is a new category for such products, the production of which is being contemplated by many enterprising manufacturers. The results have shown the possibility of using low-calorie sweeteners in the preparation of indigenous dairy products, i.e., burfi. The manufacture of indigenous dairy products with low-calorie sweeteners will provide a successful outlet for traditional milk products, and this will provide an alternate variety to the health-conscious consumers. [source] Milk production of dairy goats fed diets with different legume seeds: Effects of amino acid composition of the rumen undegradable protein fractionJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2008E Ramos Morales Abstract BACKGROUND: To establish the effect of the nature of four different legume seeds, lupins (L), faba beans (FB), bitter vetch (BV) and vetch (V) on the production and composition of goat milk, we studied the ruminal degradation of these legumes, and the amino acid (AA) composition of the seeds and that of the undegradable fractions of the protein sources. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were designed, and in each case 30% of the protein was supplied by one of the different legume seeds. A group of eight Granadina goats was used to study the utilisation of these diets for milk production. The goats were allocated to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. RESULTS: Ruminal fermentation modified the AA profile of the protein of the legume seeds which was different in each case. However, milk production remained unchanged irrespective of the diet consumed. On the contrary, and despite the high level of degradability of the protein in the different legumes, the concentration of total protein, casein (CN) and overall ,S1 -CN and ,S2 -CN in milk depended on the protein source used. CONCLUSION: The concentration of total protein in milk, as well as its composition, was apparently determined by the AA composition of the corresponding fraction of the rumen-undegradable protein. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency in lactating cattle and buffaloesJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 4 2003Shyam S Paul Abstract An attempt was made to assess the comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency of lactating buffaloes and cows based on results obtained from experimental feeding trials conducted in India. Data on dry matter (DM) intake, total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake, digestible crude protein (DCP) intake, body weight or metabolic body size (MBS), body weight change, milk yield or 4% fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield, milk fat percentage and roughage/concentrate ratio in the diet of lactating buffaloes and cows were collected from published reports. The data were processed and analysed to assess the comparative dry matter intake and nutrient utilisation efficiency using suitable statistical analysis models. DM intake was significantly (P,<,0.01) lower in buffaloes (2.57,kg DM per 100,kg body weight or 119.2,g,kg,1 MBS) than in cattle (3.09,kg DM per 100,kg body weight or 132.0,g,kg,1 MBS). Mean gross energetic efficiency (30.53 versus 27.83%; P,<,0.01), gross protein efficiency (45.48 versus 37.06%; P,<,0.01), net energetic efficiency (69.16 versus 64.10%; P,<,0.05) and net protein efficiency (80.15 versus 59.59%; P,<,0.001) were significantly higher in buffaloes than in cattle. Lactating buffaloes consumed significantly less (P,<,0.001) protein (75.69,g DCP) and less (P,<,0.01) energy (695.9,g TDN) than cows (93.89,g DCP, 774.8,g TDN) for production of 1,kg of 4% fat-corrected milk. Buffaloes had higher energy and protein utilisation efficiencies as compared with cattle at similar fat-corrected milk production level, plane of energy and protein nutrition, body size and body weight change. Buffaloes (1.189,kg DM,kg,1 4% FCM) consumed a similar (P,>,0.05) amount of feed dry matter to that of cows (1.267,kg DM,kg,1 4% FCM). However, when DM intake,kg,1 FCM (4%) was compared at constant levels of metabolic body size, fat-corrected milk, body weight change, dietary energy concentration and green forage percentage in the diet, lactating buffaloes consumed significantly less DM,kg,1 FCM yield as compared with cattle. It was concluded that DM intake was lower in lactating buffaloes. Moreover, lactating buffaloes utilised dietary dry matter, energy and protein for milk production more efficiently than cattle. © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Nutritional and Physiologic Significance of ,-Lactalbumin in InfantsNUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 9 2003Bo Lönnerdal PhD ,-Lactalbumin is the major protein in breast milk (20 -25% of total protein) and has been described to have several physiologic functions in the neonatal period. In the mammary gland, it participates in lactose synthesis, thereby creating an osmotic "drag" to facilitate milk production and secretion. ,-Lactalbumin binds divalent cations (Ca, Zn) and may facilitate the absorption of essential minerals, and it provides a well-balanced supply of essential amino acids to the growing infant. During its digestion, peptides appear to be transiently formed that have antibacterial and immunostimulatory properties, thereby possibly aiding in the protection against infection. A novel folding variant ("molten globule state") of multimeric ,-lactalbumin has recently been discovered that has anti-infective activity and enhances apoptosis, thus possibly affecting mucosal cell turnover and proliferation. Cow milk also contains ,-lactalbumin, albeit less than human milk (2-5% of total protein in bovine milk), and protein fractions enriched with ,-lactalbumin may now be added to infant formula to provide some of the benefits of human ,-lactalbumin. [source] Interactions between metabolic and reproductive functions in the resumption of postpartum fecundityAMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Claudia Valeggia Lactation has long been recognized as a major determinant of interbirth intervals. The temporal pattern of nursing has been proposed as the mechanism behind lactational amenorrhea. We present a new model of the dynamic regulation of lactational amenorrhea that identifies maternal energy availability as the main determinant of ovarian resumption. Variation in the intensity of lactation remains a component of the model as a determinant of the absolute energetic cost of milk production. However, maternal energy supply determines net energy availability; a larger energy supply leaves a greater net energy surplus than a smaller energy supply (lactation costs being equal). We characterize the hormonal postpartum profile of 70 lactating Toba women of Argentina. We use C-peptide, which reflects maternal insulin production, as a measure of energy availability. Initially low, insulin production rises as the postpartum period progresses, reflecting the declining metabolic load of lactation. A short period of supernormal insulin production precedes menstrual resumption. The high levels of insulin may play a role in stimulating the resumption of ovarian activity, which in turn may help to resolve the transient period of insulin resistance. The dynamics of insulin sensitivity during lactation would aid in synchronizing the resumption of ovarian function with a reduction in the energy demands of milk production. This hypothesis is supported by the sustained weight gain experienced by lactating women during the months preceding the first postpartum menses. The link between fecundity and energy balance could serve as a mechanism for adjusting the duration of lactational amenorrhea to the relative metabolic load of lactation. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The insertion of a full-length Bos taurus LINE element is responsible for a transcriptional deregulation of the Normande Agouti genePIGMENT CELL & MELANOMA RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006Michael Girardot Summary Mammalian pigmentation is controlled by the concerted action of Tyr, Tyrp1 and Dct producing eumelanin and/or pheomelanin in melanocytes. The ratio of these two pigments is determined by the agonist , -melanocyte stimulating hormone and the antagonist Agouti protein acting on the Mc1r. Here we show that the Agouti gene is over-expressed in Normande breed compared with Prim'Holstein breed. The Normande cattle have a characteristic coat color phenotype with a variable presence of black (eumelanin) hair over a red/brown background. We have found a previously undescribed full-length L1-BT element inserted in the 5,-genomic sequence of the Agouti gene in Normande cattle which promotes the over-expression of alternative transcripts. The variable expression of the alternative transcript directed by the long interspersed nuclear element promoter may be the origin of the brindle coat color pattern of the Normande breed. This new bovine Agouti allele isolated in Normande breed has been named Abr. Finally, as ectopic over-expression of Agouti in Ay mice is responsible for the obesity syndrome, we discuss the possible consequences of Abr for meat and milk production in cattle. [source] Lactose Synthase Components in Milk: Concentrations of ,-Lactalbumin and ,1,4-Galactosyltransferase in Milk of Cows from Several Breeds at Various Stages of LactationREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2 2009GT Bleck Contents It is believed that milk production is determined by the number and activity of mammary secretory cells. Secretory activity, as assessed by milk volume, depends on secretion of the major osmole in milk, lactose, which is produced by lactose synthase. The amount of either of the two proteins in lactose synthase may regulate milk production. The objective of this study was to determine whether the concentrations in milk of the two components of lactose synthase, ,-lactalbumin (,-LA) and ,1,4-galactosyltransferase (B4GALT), were related to genetic background, stage of lactation, breed or parity of dairy cows. ,-Lactalbumin and B4GALT concentrations were measured by ELISA and by enzyme assays, respectively, from single milk samples. Two herds with a total of 279 cows were used in the analysis. One herd contained Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Holstein and Jersey cows; the second herd contained two groups of cows; Holsteins selected for high milk production and Holsteins with 1960s genetics. The ,-LA concentration in milk was greater in Jerseys and Ayrshires than in Holsteins and Brown Swiss. However, no difference in ,-LA concentration was observed in milk from high and low genetic merit cows in the Minnesota herd or among different genetic backgrounds in the Illinois herd. ,1,4-Galactosyltransferase concentrations were similar for all groups that were analyzed. ,-Lactalbumin concentrations were positively correlated with milk protein concentration, milk fat concentration and lactose concentration. ,1,4-Galactosyltransferase concentration in milk exhibited a strong positive correlation with number of days in milk. Although the concentration of B4GALT increased as lactation progressed, the values did not show any correlation with persistency of lactation or late lactation milk production. In conclusion, this survey shows that the two components of lactose synthase are each correlated to protein concentration and individually correlated to the concentration of other milk components and stage of lactation. [source] Field Trial on Progesterone Cycles, Metabolic Profiles, Body Condition Score and their Relation to Fertility in Estonian Holstein Dairy CowsREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 4 2008J Samarütel Contents Resumption of luteal activity postpartum and fertility were investigated in an Estonian Holstein high milk production and good fertility dairy herd. Body condition was scored after every 10 days in 54 multiparous dairy cows (71 lactations) calving inside from December to March during 4-year period. Blood samples were taken 1,14 days before calving and 1,14, 28,42 and 63,77 days after calving: analytes estimated were serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose, ketone bodies, total cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids and triglycerides. The general linear mixed model was used to compare the data for cows with different characteristics in luteal activity postpartum based on their milk progesterone profiles. Forty-five per cent of cases had abnormal profiles; delayed resumption of ovarian cyclicity postpartum (DC) was the most prevalent abnormality. There was no difference in body condition scores between the groups. The DC and prolonged luteal phase groups had higher serum AST activity (p < 0.01) 1,14 days postpartum compared with normal group. The DC group also had higher cholesterol and triglyceride values (p < 0.05) 28,42 days postpartum and higher milk fat/protein ratio (p < 0.01) on the first month of lactation compared with normal profile group. Despite long post-calving anoestrous period (71 ± 5.0 days; mean ± SEM) DC group had 64.7% first service pregnancy rate (normal group 48.6% and PLP group 37.5%). This study did not find any detrimental effect of prolonged anovulatory period postpartum on subsequent fertility. [source] Lactational programming? mother's milk energy predicts infant behavior and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Katie Hinde Abstract There are many aspects of "mothering" that may provide information to the mammalian infant about environmental conditions during critical periods of development. One essential element of mothering involves the quantity and quality of milk that mothers provide for their infants, but little is known about the consequences of variation in milk production. Mother's milk may affect infant behavior by contributing to brain development and to the development of behavioral dispositions. Here we present the first evidence for any mammal that natural variation in available milk energy (AME) from the mother is associated with later variation in infant behavior and temperament in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, N=59). In the early postnatal period, heavier mothers with more reproductive experience produced greater AME, which is the product of milk energy density (kcal/g) and milk yield (g). Moreover, infants whose mothers produced greater AME in the early postnatal period showed higher activity levels and greater confidence in a stressful setting later in infancy. Our results suggest that the milk energy available soon after birth may be a nutritional cue that calibrates the infant's behavior to environmental or maternal conditions. These data provide new insight into potential mechanisms for the development of behavior and temperament and illuminate new directions for investigating maternal effects, nutritional programming, and developmental plasticity. Am. J. Primatol. 72:522,529, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Light and ultrastructural immunocytochemical study of somatotropic cells (GH cells) in ovine adenohypophysis: lactation and weaning influencesANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 1 2000A. Bernabé The influence of lactation period and weaning on the distribution, number, and structure of somatotropic cells (GH cells) in ewes was studied using immunocytochemical procedures for light and electron microscopy, as well as morphometric and stereological techniques. The adenohypophyseal gland of 12 ewes of the Segureña breed in different stages of milk production and weaning was studied, while three ewes in anoestrus served as controls. The size of secretory granules was heterogeneous in all stages, suggesting that this characteristic is not related to functional activity. During lactation and weaning the size of GH cells decreased, while the number of ,synthesis cells' increased. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex appeared more developed and small secretory granules showed lower gold particle labelling. These data suggest that GH cells are more active during lactation, particularly during late lactation. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||