Feed intake and weight and body condition changes of 100% organically fed lactating sows

Energy and protein density of the 100 % organic lactation diet should be increased as early as from 3rd week of lactation onwards in order to minimize the weight loss of the sow during the at least 40 day lactation period. Feed amino acid balance from 22nd day of lactation should match the amount of live weight lost during the first 21 days of lactation. This should be supported by providing the piglets feed attractive enough to ensure their high dry feed intake during the late lactation period

Genetic profile of total body energy content of Holstein cows in the first three lactations

Weekly total body energy content (TBEC) was calculated for 444 Holstein cows in their first 3 lactations. These calculations were based on body lipid and protein changes predicted from weekly changes in body condition score and live weight of each cow. In first lactation, cows lost TBEC during the initial 8 wk, regained it by wk 22, and continued to build up their reserves until wk 37. Cows started lactations 2 and 3 with considerable reserves from the dry period that they used during the first 13 wk of lactation. Variance components for TBEC were estimated using random regression analysis allowing for heterogeneous residual variance. The genetic variance increased within each lactation, suggesting that the genetic component becomes more important as lactation progresses. The genetic correlations between very early ( wk 1 to 4) and later stages of first lactation were near zero but they increased considerably between later lactation stages. Genetic correlations between TBEC on wk 5 of first lactation and the remainder of this lactation ranged from 0.64 for the more distant weeks to 0.99 for the immediately subsequent weeks. Genetic correlations with TBEC in second lactation were moderately high (0.68 to 0.70) for the early weeks ( 1 to 8) and decreased gradually to 0.56 for weeks at the end of lactation. For third lactation, these estimates ranged from 0.53 to 0.63. Genetic correlation estimates of TBEC in wk 12 of first lactation with subsequent first-lactation weeks varied from 0.79 to 0.99, whereas they ranged from 0.65 to 0.77 and from 0.57 to 0.68 in second and third lactations, respectively. The genetic correlation between TBEC in later weeks of first lactation and the rest of productive life increased as first lactation progressed, but the improvement diminished. Weekly genetic evaluations for first-lactation TBEC were used to predict second- and third-lactation energy content. The accuracy of these predictions increased with progressing weeks in first lactation, but about three-fourths of the improvement occurred by wk 5. Our results suggest that TBEC calculated after a month from the first calving may give useful information about the future energy content of a cow.</p

Differential leukocyte count method for bovine low somatic cell count milk

Whereas many differential leukocyte count methods for high somatic cell count (SCC) milk from mastitic cows are available, only a few have been developed for low SCC milk. We have developed a flow cytometric differential leukocyte count method for low SCC milk. The procedure consists of 1) 1.5 ml of diluted milk sample (30%, vol/vol dilution with PBS), 2) centrifugation, 3) leukocyte labeling with SYTO 13 and 4) flow cytometric analysis. Four major leukocyte populations can be clearly identified in the green fluorescence-side scatter dot plot: lymphocytes and monocytes (LM), polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), mature macrophages (MO), and cells with apoptotic features based on chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. The optimal processing temperature was 20degreesC. Significant differences among samples with similar differential leukocyte counts were found. Storage of milk samples during 2 d at 7degreesC had no effect on differential leukocyte count. Using the new method, differential leukocyte count was performed in low SCC milk samples from cows in early, mid, and late lactation. In accordance with previous studies, PMN and M P percentages were lower and LM percentages were higher in early lactation than in the other stages of lactation. The percentage of cells with apoptotic features was higher in early lactation than in mid and late lactation. In conclusion, a rapid, simple, accurate, and reproducible standard procedure was developed to determine the differential leukocyte count (MO, PMN, LM, and cells with apoptotic features) of bovine low SCC milk

Oral supplementation of medium-chain fatty acids during the dry period supports the neutrophil viability of peripartum dairy cows

A randomised clinical trial was conducted to explore the effect of orally supplemented medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) to heifers and cows starting 6-8 weeks prior to expected calving date on blood and milk polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leucocyte (PMNL) apoptosis between 1 and 3 d in milk (DIM). The effects of MCFA-supplementation on the likelihood of intramammary infections (IMI) in early lactation, and test-day somatic cell count (SCC) and average daily milk yield (MY) during the first 4 months of lactation were evaluated as well. Twenty-two animals were included of which half were orally supplemented with MCFA starting 6-8 weeks prior to calving and half served as non-supplemented controls. The PMNL viability in both blood and milk was quantified using dual-colour flow cytometry with fluorescein-labelled annexin and propidium iodide. In non-supplemented animals, % blood PMNL apoptosis significantly increased between start of supplementation and early lactation, reflecting a potential reduction in innate immune capacity, whereas this was not true in the MCFA-supplemented animals. Similar results were seen in milk PMNL apoptosis. Overall, the % apoptotic milk PMNL between 1 and 3 DIM was significantly lower in the MCFA-supplemented group compared with the non-supplemented group. There was no substantial effect of oral MCFA-supplementation on the likelihood of quarter IMI nor on the composite test-day milk SCC or average daily MY. In conclusion, oral MCFA-supplementation starting 6-8 weeks before expected calving date supported the blood and milk neutrophil viability in early lactating dairy cows. Still, this was not reflected in an improvement of udder health nor MY in early and later lactation. The results should trigger research to further unravel the mechanisms behind the observed immunomodulating effect, and the potential relevance for the cows' performances throughout lactation

Effects of Chickpea in Substitution of Soybean Meal on Milk Production, Blood Profile and Reproductive Response of Primiparous Buffaloes in Early Lactation

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of chickpea meal in substitution of soybean meal on plasma metabolites, reproductive response, milk yield and composition and milk coagulation traits of primiparous buffaloes in early lactation. Eighteen primiparous buffaloes were blocked by age, body weight and days in milk and equally allotted to two experimental groups from 10 to 100 days of lactation. The experimental diets consisted of the same forage integrated with two different isonitrogenous and isoenergetic concentrates containing either 210 g/kg of soybean meal or 371 g/kg chickpea. The use of chickpea meal had no negative effects on dry matter intake (p = 0.69), body condition score (p = 0.33) and milk yield (p = 0.15). Neither milk composition nor blood metabolites were influenced by dietary treatments (p > 0.05), but an increment of urea concentrations in milk (p 0.05) of the dietary treatment was highlighted on milk coagulation traits as well as buffalo reproductive responses. We concluded that soybean meal can be replaced by chickpea meal in the diet for primiparous dairy buffaloes in the early lactation period without impairing their productive and reproductive performance

Effects of stage of lactation and time of year on plasmin-derived proteolytic activity in bovine milk in New Zealand

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of stage of lactation (SOL) and time of year on plasmin-derived proteolytic activity in the milk of pasture-fed dairy cows in New Zealand. Four herds of 20 Friesian cows were used, one herd calving in each of January, April, July and October. Cows grazed ryegrass/white clover pasture only, except during June (winter) when all cows received supplementary pasture silage. Milk samples were collected on four occasions during the year (spring, summer, autumn and winter) from each cow in milk, to give a total of three samples per cow (early, mid and late lactation; c. 30, 120 and 220 days after calving, respectively). Milk samples were analysed for plasmin-derived proteolytic activity. There was no effect of either SOL or time of year on plasmin activity and therefore yields of plasmin followed patterns in milk yield (highest in early lactation and in summer). There were effects of both SOL and time of year on plasminogen-derived and total plasmin plus plasminogen-derived activity, both of which were highest in late lactation and in spring. Changes in plasminogen-derived activity and total plasmin plus plasminogen-derived activity due to SOL were not only due to the decrease in milk yield associated with advancing lactation, because enzyme yields were also increased with advancing lactation. Similarly, effects of time of year on plasminogen-derived activity and total plasmin plus plasminogen-derived activity could not be attributed solely to concomitant changes in milk yield, and may be influenced by the variation in the quality and quantity of feed during the year inherent in a pasture-based dairy system. Effects of SOL on proteolytic activity were greater than, and independent of, effects of time of year

Effects of postpartum treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on milk production and culling risk in dairy cattle

Dairy Research, 2014 is known as Dairy Day, 2014Inflammation during early lactation is common in dairy cattle, and a high degree of inflammation during this time has recently been associated with both lower productivity and greater risk of disease during that lactation. Early lactation treatments with two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were compared with a placebo treatment to evaluate effects on whole-lactation productivity and retention in the herd. Both meloxicam and sodium salicylate increased whole-lactation milk and milk protein yields by 6 to 9%, despite being administered for only 1 or 3 days in early lactation, respectively. In addition, meloxicam treatment tended to decrease the risk of cows leaving the herd during the lactation. These results indicate that postpartum inflammatory signals have long-lasting effects on lactation in dairy cattle

To study the association between SCC and bacteria numbers and milk composition in farm bulk milk supplied to Tui Milk Products Company for 1992/3 season : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Massey University

The association between bulk milk SCC and bacteria numbers and milk composition were studied using data containing test records of 12OO farms which supplied bulk milk to TUI Milk Company Limited, for 1992/93 season. Three data sets were created, (1) data set A (N = 4623) with all measurements recorded for each herd for the same milk sample; (2) data B (N = 30 120) with all measurements of BMSCC and milk composition recorded for each herd within a 10 day period but not necessarily on the same sample of bulk milk; and (3) data set C (N = 33 800) with all measurements of bulk milk bacteria numbers and milk composition recorded for each herd within a 10 day period but not necessarily on the same sample of bulk milk. Correlation was used to determine the association between bulk milk SCC and bacteria numbers and milk composition. Multiple regression analysis was also carried to determine the association between bacteria numbers (dependent variable) and SCC and milk composition for early lactation and whole lactation. The results showed the overall average of the mean BMSCC of 280 000 cells/ml of all the farms studied. Approximately 85 % of the farms supplied bulk milk with SCC 5OO OO0 cells/ml. Both bulk milk SCC and bacteria numbers were higher in early and late parts of lactation. Highly significant but low positive corretations occurred between the mean bulk milk SCC and bacteria number in early (r = o.24; r2 = 0.06; P<0.001) and whole lactation(r = 0.15; r2 = 0.02; p<0.001). Thus 2 to 6 % of the variation observed in bacteria count was accounted for by variation in bulk milk SCC.The mean fat %, protein % and total solids % increased from mid-lactation to the end of lactation. In contrast, the mean lactose % showed a decrease as the lactation progressed. On the average for the whole lactation, low positive correlations occurred between the mean bulk milk SCC and fat % (r = 0.18), protein % (r = 0.26) and total solids % (r = 0.15). However, a moderate but highly significant negative correlation occurred between bulk milk SCC and lactose %(r= -0.43; P<0.001). In conclusion the overall low average BMSCC suggests that good quality bulk milk was supplied to the company, which also meets the EC standards. Significant low correlation between BMSCC and bacteria numbers suggests that mastitis bacteria were only a small but significant contributor to the high bacteria count in the bulk milk particularly in early lactation, with dirty milking machines or poor cooling being the most likely major contributor. Finally, lactose % was more sensitive to mastitis effective than fat %, protein % and total solids % in the bulk milk

Evaluation of Level of Milk Potential on Nutrient Balance in 2- and 4- Year- Old May- Calving Range Cows Grazing Sandhills Upland Range

A modeling study evaluated the effects of milk production level on nutrient balance in May- calving cows grazing Sandhills upland range during the breeding season. Forage quality of upland range peaks in June and steadily declines in July until November. With timing of forage quality decline and increasing nutrient demands due to lactation, cows were in a negative energy balance in late June and early July prior to deficiency of metabolizable protein. Supplementation to meet energy deficiencies in June and July and MP deficiencies in July with distiller grains that is high ruminally undegradable protein and high fiber energy may be needed in May- calving cowherds. Selection for milk over 23 lb at peak lactation creates deficiencies early post- calving and increases the need for additional supplementation to correct the nutrient deficiency. In an effort to match cow type to environment in the Sandhills and optimize performance, producers should consider selecting against high milk potential