Inbreeding evaluation in Latvian local cattle breeds

Submitted 2020-06-26 | Accepted 2020-08-18 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.52-57In this study, inbreeding and effective population size of the Latvian gene conservation cattle breeds Latvian Brown (LB) and Latvian Blue (LZ) were analysed. The study was based on the pedigree data of 319 LB and 712 LZ cows that were alive at the time of data selection. The inbreeding level in LB and LZ has been increasing during the last decade and at the end of the year 2019, it was 2.61% and 5.20% for LB and LZ, respectively. The average increase of inbreeding from 2010 to 2019 was 1.80% for LB and 2.26% for LZ. The proportions of inbred animals with an inbreeding level greater than 10% were 0.60% and 2.14% in LB and LZ, respectively. Effective population size based on the rate of inbreeding decreased and was close or within the minimum range of recommended effective population size. The current study demonstrates that the inbreeding has increased, and the effective population size decreased in both populations. Therefore, the breeding organizations have to monitor and control the rate of inbreeding in LB and LZ populations over time.Keywords: inbreeding, Latvian Brown, Latvian Blue, native breedReferencesAddo, S., Schäler, J., Hinrichs, D. and Thaller, G. E. (2017). Genetic diversity and ancestral history of the German Angler and the Red-and-White dual-purpose cattle breeds assessed through pedigree analysis. Agricultural Sciences, 8, 1033-1047. https://doi.org/10.4236/as.2017.89075Doekes, H. P., Veerkamp, R. F., Bijma, P., de Jong, G., Hiemstra, S. J. and Windig, J. J. (2019). Inbreeding depression due to recent and ancient inbreeding in Dutch Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle. Genetics Selection Evolution, 51(1), 54. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12711-019-0497-zFAO. ©2019. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS). Retrieved May 2, 2020 from http://www.fao.org/dad-is.Grīslis, Z. (2006). Blue cows in Vidzeme. Jelgava. BŠSA “Zilā govs”, 1–36. In Latvian.Grīslis, Z. and Šimkevica, D. (2018). Latvian Blue selection. BŠSA “Zilā govs”, Jelgava, 1–43. In Latvian.Grīslis, Z., Markey, L. and Zutere, R. (2005). The inbreeding analysis in Latvian Blue cow population. Proceedings of the 11th Baltic animal breeding and genetics conference, Lithuania, 65–69.Groeneveld, E., Westhuizen, B.v.d., Maiwashe, A., Voordewind, F. and Ferraz, J. B. S. (2009). POPREP: a generic report for population management. Genetics and Molecular Research, 8(3), 1158–1178. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-3gmr648Jonkus, D., Paura, L. and Cielava, L. (2020). Longevity and milk production efficiency of Latvian local breeds during last decades. Agronomy Research, 18(S2), 1316–1322. https://doi.org/10.15159/ar.20.064LDC. (2019). Latvian brown cow conservation program from 2019 and nearest future. Retrieved May 26, 2020 from https://www.ldc.gov.lv/upload/doc/doc20.pdf. In LatvianMäki-Tanila, A., Fernandez, J., Toro, M. and Meuwissen, T. (2010) Assessment and management or genetic variation. In Mäki-Tanila, A. et al. (eds.) Local cattle breeds in Europe. Development of policies and strategies for self-sustaining breeds. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers (pp. 98–119)Mc Parland, S., Kearney, F. and Berry, D. P. (2009). Purging of inbreeding depression within the Irish Holstein-Friesian population. Genetics Selection Evolution, 41, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1297-9686-41-16Mc Parland, S., Kearney, J. F., Rath, M. and Berry, D. P. (2007). Inbreeding effects on milk production, calving performance, fertility, and conformation in Irish Holstein-Friesians. Journal of Dairy Science, 90(9), 4411–4419. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0227Oldenbroek, K. and Van der Waaij, L. (2015). Animal Breeding and Genetics for BSc students. Centre for Genetic Resources and Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, the Netherlands. Retrieved May 26, 2020 from https://wiki.groenkennisnet.nl/display/TAB/Sørensen, A. C., Sørensen, M. K. and Berg, P. (2005). Inbreeding in Danish dairy cattle breeds. Journal of Dairy Science, 88(5), 1865–1872. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72861-7Zutere, R., Grīslis, Z. and Sjakste, T. 2006. Breeding programs in Latvian livestock. Proceedings of the 12th Baltic animal breeding conference. Jurmala, Latvia, 6–13.  

Relationship between feed protein content and faeces nitrogen content in early lactation dairy cows

Submitted 2020-07-26 | Accepted 2020-09-02 | Available 2020-12-01https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.313-318The increase of milk production at the farm level requires an accurate balancing of the diet and the nitrogen supply also to minimise the possible environmental pollution deriving from dairy farming. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary protein utilization at different crude protein (CP) levels and to predict nitrogen content in faeces on the basis of nutritional parameters and milk urea nitrogen content (MUN, mg dL-1). The study was conducted on three groups (A, B, C) of lactating dairy cows (8 cows per group, including Latvian Brown and Holstein Black and White breeds) from 10 to 30 days in milk. Total mixed rations containing different levels of CP (approximately 18.0%, 17.5% and 17.0% for A, B and C, respectively) were fed. The amount of feed consumed by each cow was measured and feed samples collected during the trial. Milk yield (kg d-1-1) and faeces amount were recorded, and samples were collected at day 21 of the study for further analysis. Feed samples were analysed for CP, net energy for lactation (NEL, MJ kg-1) and other parameters. Milk samples were analysed for fat (%), total protein (%), casein (%) and urea content (mg dL-1). The statistical investigation was conducted using ANOVA, and correlation and regression analyses. The results showed that milk yield, fat, total protein, casein, urea, and MUN were not significantly different among groups being not affected by the dietary CP levels. The correlation between faecal nitrogen content and CP content in feed was moderately positive and statistically significant (r=0.44, P=0.03), while the correlation between faecal nitrogen content and MUN was moderately negative and showed tendency towards significance (r=-0.39, P=0.06). The regression analysis showed that feed CP explained approximately 20% of faeces nitrogen content.Keywords: dairy cow, milk urea, faeces nitrogen, feed crude proteinReferencesAmanlou, H., Farahani, T. A. and Farsuni, N. E. (2017). Effects of rumen undegradable protein supplementation on productive performance and indicators of protein and energy metabolism in Holstein fresh cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 100, 3628-3640. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11794J. A. D. R. N., Judy, J. V., Kebreab, E. and Kononoff, P. J. (2016). Prediction of drinking water intake by dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 99, 7191–7205. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-10950Arunvipas, P., VanLeeuwen, J. A., Dohoo, I. R., Keefe, G. P., Burton, S. A. and Lissemore, K. D. (2008). Relationships among milk urea-nitrogen, dietary parameters and fecal nitrogen in commercial dairy herds. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 72, 449-453.Bijgaart, H. van den. (2003). Urea. New applications of mid-infra-red spectrometry. Bulletin of IDF, 383, 5-15.Broderick, G. and Huhtanen, P. (2020). Application of milk urea nitrogen values. Retrieved on June 30, 2020 from https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/15797/PDFBucholtz, H., Johnson, T. and Eastridge, M. L. (2007). Use of milk urea nitrogen in herd management. In: Tri–State Dairy Nutrition Conference. Proceedings. Ft. Wayne, Indiana, p. 63-67.Colmenero, J. J. O. and Broderick, G. A. (2006). Effect of dietary crude protein concentration on milk production and nitrogen utilization in lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 89, 1704-1712. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72238-XDijkstra, J., Oenema, O. and Bannink, A. (2011). Dietary strategies to reduce N excretion from cattle: implications for methane emissions. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 3, 414-422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2011.07.008Kalscheur, K. F., Vandersall, J. H., Erdman, R. A., Kohn, R. A. and Russek-Cohen, E. (1999). Effects of dietary crude protein concentration and degradability on milk production responses of early, mid, and late lactation dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 82, 545-554. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(99)75266-5Kidane, A., Overland, M., Mydland, L. T. and Prestlokken, E. (2018). Interaction between feed use efficiency and level of dietary crude protein on enteric methane emission and apparent nitrogen use efficiency with Norwegian Red dairy cows. Journal of Animal Science, 96, 3967–3982. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky256LVS. (2004). Soil improvers and growing media - Determination of nitrogen - Part 1: Modified Kjeldahl method. Latvian standard, Riga, Latvia.LVS. (2008). Soil improvers and growing media - Sample preparation for chemical and physical tests, determination of dry matter content, moisture content and laboratory compacted bulk density. Latvian standard, Riga, Latvia.Ng-Kwai-Hang, K. F., Hayes, J. F., Moxley J. E. and Monardes, H. G. (1985). Percentages of protein and nonprotein nitrogen with varying fat and somatic cells in bovine milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 68, 1257-1262. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(85)80954-1NRC. (2001). Nutrient Requirements of Dairy Cattle: Seventh Revised Edition, 2001. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9825Powell, J. M. and Rotz, C. A. (2015). Measures of nitrogen use efficiency and nitrogen loss from dairy production systems. Journal of Environmental Quality, 44, 336-344. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2014.07.0299Recktenwald, E. B., Ross, D. A., Fessenden, S. W., Wall, C. J. and Van Amburgh, M. E. (2014). Urea-N recycling in lactating dairy cows fed diets with 2 different levels of dietary crude protein and starch with or without monensin. Journal of Dairy Science, 97, 1611-1622. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7162Rotz, C. A., Satter, L. D., Mertens, D. R. and Muck, R. E. (1999). Feeding strategy, nitrogen cycling, and profitability of dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science, 82, 2841-2855. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(99)75542-6Spiekers, H. and Obermaier, A. (2007). Milchhrnstoffgehalt und N-Aussheidung.L SuB Heft 4-5/07, 2007. S. III-4 bis III-8.Straalen, W. M. (1995). Modelling of nitrogen flow and extraction in dairy cows. PhD thesis. Landbouw Universiteit Wageningen. ISBN 90-5485-475-8.

Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters for Reproduction Traits of Landrace Sows in Latvia

The aim of this study was to investigate reproduction performance in the 1st and 2nd parity of Latvian Landrace sows, to estimate genetic parameters for reproduction traits, and to determine their genetic correlations with age at the first farrowing (AFF) and weaning to insemination interval (WII) in the Latvian Landrace swine population. Data from 2054 of the 1st parity and 1416 of the 2nd parity sows were collected from 2005 till 2010 and were included in the analysis. Four reproduction traits in the study were analysed: number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of piglets dead (ND), number of piglets weaned per litter (NW) and 21-day litter weight (W21). Genetic parameters were estimated with multi traits animal model using REML procedure. The heritability estimates in the first parity were 0.07, 0.16, 0.36, 0.01 and 0.32 for NBA, NW, W21, AFF and WII, respectively. Between AFF and sows reproduction traits in the first and the second parity unfavourable genetic correlations were found in the present data set. Moderate negative genetic correlation between WII and sows reproduction traits was observed

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Milk Urea and Milk Production Traits of Latvian Brown Cows

The objectives of this study were to determine the eff ects of environmental and physiological factors on milk urea content (MU) and milk production traits and to estimate heritability and repeatability for MU and milk production traits. Milk yield and MU, fat, protein, lactose, somatic cell count (SCS) and freezing point (FP) of milk were collected from the herd control data from August 2008 to August 2009 from dairy herd of the Study and research farm “Vecauce” of the Latvia University of Agriculture. Milk content parameters for total 794 milk samples were analyzed in accredited milk quality laboratory. The investigation data was processed using a program SPSS. Genetic parameters of MU and milk production traits were estimated by REML method using WOMBAT soft ware applying a repeatability animal model. The average MU was 16.55 mg dL-1 and milk yield was 20.37 kg per test day. The average fat, protein and lactose contents were 4.60, 3.56 and 4.70%, respectively. The average SCS and FP of milk were 2.40 and minus 0.529oC. Milk productivity traits varied depending on season, lactation number and stage of lactation (p<0.001) expected fat content, which is not affected by lactation number. MU and FP varied depending on season and milking systems (p<0.001). Estimated heritability for MU (0.072) and FP (0.062) were low and moderate for milk production traits

Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters for Reproduction Traits of Landrace Sows in Latvia

The aim of this study was to investigate reproduction performance in the 1st and 2nd parity of Latvian Landrace sows, to estimate genetic parameters for reproduction traits, and to determine their genetic correlations with age at the first farrowing (AFF) and weaning to insemination interval (WII) in the Latvian Landrace swine population. Data from 2054 of the 1st parity and 1416 of the 2nd parity sows were collected from 2005 till 2010 and were included in the analysis. Four reproduction traits in the study were analysed: number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of piglets dead (ND), number of piglets weaned per litter (NW) and 21-day litter weight (W21). Genetic parameters were estimated with multi traits animal model using REML procedure. The heritability estimates in the first parity were 0.07, 0.16, 0.36, 0.01 and 0.32 for NBA, NW, W21, AFF and WII, respectively. Between AFF and sows reproduction traits in the first and the second parity unfavourable genetic correlations were found in the present data set. Moderate negative genetic correlation between WII and sows reproduction traits was observed

The Novel Solution for Acid Whey Permeate Application in Animal Feeding

The experiment was conducted to analyse the effect of fermented acid whey permeate on milk yield and composition in the lactating cows. Propionic acid bacteria and their metabolites have been used in the lactating cows feeding over decades, primarily to improve growth performance, feed conversation and milk production efficiency. Two groups of the lactating cows were arranged in the study: control group (n=50) and experimental group (n=50). Experimental group’s animals received 0.5 L of fermented whey permeate daily. Acid whey permeate was inoculated with the freeze-dried PS-4 (Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii, Chr.Hansen, Denmark) starter and fermented anaerobically for 48 hours at 20±2 oC. Fat, protein, lactose and total solids concentration in acid whey permeate and fermented acid whey permeate was analysed by the standard methods, but propionic acid was detected by HPLC. Milk composition and quality indices were determined at the beginning of the study and each month during 6 months period. At the end of the study the feeding of fermented acid whey permeate was stopped, but milk composition and quality data were monitored additionally after one month. Milk fat, protein, lactose, total solids, urea concentration and somatic cell count were analysed by a near infrared spectroscopy