THE EFFECT OF THE SECOND GRAZING PERIOD ON THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN MEAT OF INDIGENOUS CIKA AND SIMMENTAL BULLS

The aim of the study was to determine fatty acid composition in meat of Cika and Simmental bulls from two different fattening technologies. The herd of 39 young bulls was housed during the winter time and fed the same total mixed ration diet (TMR) based on corn and grass silage with a limited amount of concentrates. In the spring bulls of both breeds were divided into two subgroups. Bulls in the first subgroup (10 Cika, 9 Simmental; S-INT) were fattened indoors with the semi-intensive TMR. Bulls in the second subgroup (10 Cika, 10 Simmental; G+S-INT) were put on all-day grazing in the pasture. After grazing period bulls were housed under the same conditions as the first subgroup. Samples of M. longissimus dorsi were collected from the right carcass side to determine the total fat content and the fatty acid composition. The breed significantly influenced fatty acid composition in meat. The beef of Simmental bulls resulted in higher percentage of PUFA and lower percentage of SFA and MUFA. Higher percentage of n-3 and n-6 PUFA was determined in meat of Simmental bulls but the n-6/n-3 ratio was lower in Cika bulls meat. The fattening technology had less effect on FA composition in meat. The second grazing period produced higher percentage of SFA, beneficially lower values of n-6/n-3 ratio and higher values of long-chain C20-22n-3 PUFA. Higher CLA percentage was determined in beef from S-INT group

Risk factors and mortality rate of calves in the first month of life in Slovenian Holstein Friesian population

The aim of this study was to estimate perinatal and neonatal mortality rates from day 2 to day 30 in Slovenian Holstein Friesian population and to assess risk factors for increased losses. Data from 420,556 calves of Holstein Friesian cows born in Slovenia in the period from January 2005 to December 2016 were analysed. Data were obtained from the Central register of bovine animals. The average perinatal calf mortality, including abortions and stillbirths, was 8.24% and neonatal mortality from day 2 to day 30 4.28%. The most important effects on perinatal calf mortality rate were the number of calves at calving and the age of dam at calving, while herd size and calving season were the most influential in the neonatal period from day 2 to day 30

The effect of production systems on beef fatty acid composition

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different production systems on fatty acids (FA) composition of three beef muscles (longissimus thoracis, semitendinosus and diaphragmae). The first group (MGSC) included 8 bulls of Slovenian Brown breed that were fattened with maize, grass silage and concentrates. The second group (MCS) included 8 bulls of Slovenian Simental breed that were fattened with maize silage, ensiled corn grain and concentrates. The third group (GS) included 6 Limousine × Simmental crossbreed bulls that have been fattened on pasture in cow-calf production system until slaughter. In fourth group (G) 8 bulls of Slovenian Simmental breed were fattened on pasture from spring to autumn when they were slaughtered. Bulls from MSC and MGSC had similar carcass weight (316 kg, 308 kg, respectively), whereas bulls from GS had the lightest (215 kg) and bulls from G the heaviest carcass weight (371 kg). Carcass fatness was similar for bulls in MSC, MGSC and G groups and slightly lower in GS group. The percentage of saturated FA differed among groups only in semitendinosus muscle. Bulls from G and GS had lower percentage of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and higher percentage of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) in all three muscles. Bulls from grazing production systems had higher n-3 PUFA values in all muscles and higher n-6 PUFA values in semitendinosus and diaphragmae. Bulls fattened on pasture had lower n-6/n-3 ratio in all three muscles. Bulls from GS had a higher percentage of conjugated linolenic acid in comparison to MGSC and MCS groups in all muscles except in semitendinosus where percentage of CLA was higher only from MGSC group.</p

The Effect of Dam Breed on Calf Mortality in the First Month of Life in Slovenia

The aim of this study was to estimate the perinatal and neonatal mortality rates from day 2 to 30 in Slovenian calves and to evaluate risk factors for increased losses. We analysed data on 1,333,765 calves of different dam breeds, born in Slovenia in the period from January 1 to December 31st, 2012. Data were obtained from the Central register of bovine animals. The average perinatal calf mortality, including abortions and stillbirths, was 5.57% and 2.68% from day 2 to 30. The most significant effects on perinatal calf mortality rate were the number of calves at calving, age of the dam at calving, the herd size, while herd size and calving season were the most influential in the following neonatal period from day 2 to 30. Calves from Holstein Friesian dams showed much higher perinatal and neonatal mortality rates than calves from Simmental, Brown and other dam breeds. With increased herd size, the perinatal and neonatal mortality rate increased. This increase was more pronounced in Simmental, Brown and other dam breeds than in Holstein Friesian dams