EVALUATION OF THE GROWTH RATES AND BIOMETRIC TRAITS IN MEAT CROSSBRED CALVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the body weight and some biometric measurements on meat crossbred calves comparative with Romanian Black Spotted dairy calves at weaning (4 months). The current research was carried out on a number of 45 calves in the Dairy cows' Experimental Farm of theResearch and Development Institute for Bovine Balotesti, on four experimental groups, E1: F1 Blanc Blue Belgique x Romanian Black Spotted, E2: F1 Aberdeen Angus x Romanian Black Spotted, E3: F1 Limousine x Romanian Black, E4: F1 Charolaise x Romanian Black Spotted, with n=9 heads/group and the control group (M) Romanian Black Spotted, with n=9 heads/group. The obtained mean values for the body weight were statistically significant (p<0.001) for all experimental groups (E1:153.54±1.36 kg, E2:153.00±0.86 kg, E3:150.77±0.87 kg, E4:139.78±1.42 kg) comparative with the control group (M:128.36±0.74 kg). Moreover, the average daily gain recorded was statistically significant (p<0.001) for all experimental groups (E1:933.34±10.00 g, E2:945.56±8.82 g, E3:928.89±3.33 g, E4:790.00±20.62 g) comparative with the control group (M:746.67±8.66 g). The experimental groups E1 andE2 recorded the best performances for biometric traits: height at withers (HW), height at rump (HR), height of chest (HC) and length of rump (LR) comparative with the control group M (p<0.001). The obtained results demonstrates the usefulness of the crossbreeding system in dairy herds as an alternative to improve the sustainability of the dairy cows’ farms

Study on the Selection of Electric Motor/Engine on the Performance of Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are perceived as a first step toward the future of sustainable transport. Of course, battery electric vehicles (EVs) are currently ideal for what is wanted in the future of transport. However, the lack of infrastructure for these vehicles makes many potential users choose hybrid vehicles. This paper presents an analysis of the influence of hybrid vehicle engines and electric motors on their performance. Three engines with slightly different power levels and similar characteristics were considered for the configured models. Additionally, two electric motors with very different power levels, but a very close maximum continuous torque were used in our models. One was an induction motor and the other was a permanent magnet synchronous motor. The ADVISOR software was used for vehicle configuration and simulation. Series and parallel hybrid vehicles were considered. The main dynamic performances and the fuel consumption rates of the two driving cycles were compared for the configured models. Three conventional models with the same engines used in HEVs were also simulated for reference. The results highlight that, in the case of HEVs, the choice of a combination engine/electric motor is crucial for obtaining the best compromise between a dynamic performance and a low fuel consumption and, implicitly, a low negative impact on the environment

Preliminary Report on CSN3 and LGB genes Polymorphism Among Two Romanian Cattle Breeds

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the genetic polymorphism of A and B variants at the CSN3 (κ-casein) and LGB (β-lactoglobulin) loci in Romanian Spotted and Romanian Brown breeds using PCR-RFLP and PCR-HRM genotyping methods. Altogether, 280 cattle from Arad county were genotyped. The most frequent allele at the CSN3 locus was A in Romanian Spotted breed (0.723) while the B allele was the most common in the Romanian Brown (0.694). For LGB locus the A and B alleles recorded similar frequencies for Romanian Spotted (0.5141 and 0.4859) compared to Romanian Brown breed where the B allele was the most prevalent (0.5970). Knowledges regarding genetic information of breeds related to milk protein are valuable for economic reassertion of cattle breeds, particularly autochthonous ones. Further, the results would be useful in future breeding programs for the studied population, aimed to improve cattle genetic structure for milk quality traits

Factors Affecting Calves Suckling Behavior

The aim of paper was to assess effects of environmental and physiological related factors on suckling behavior patterns. The study was carried out on 120 Romanian Spotted calves. Two behavioral traits were considered: total daily required interval and required interval for each meal. Traits were studied according to: calves viability, calving season, type of calving, calving ease and meal sequence. Significant differences were recorded for calves viability (viable vs morbid, p≤0.001), type of calving (single vs twinning, p≤0.001), and calving ease (eutocya vs dystocia, p≤0.001), being a proof of welfare, conferred by adaptability to new environment. No significant effect was recorded for season of calving (summer vs winter, p≥0.05). Significant differences concerning required suckling interval, were recorded between meals, both seasons. for viable (p≤0.001), morbid (p≤0.05), singles (p≤0.05) and calves born from eutocya births (p≤0.001). No significant differences (p≥0.05) recorded for twins and calves born from dystocia. Multifactorial regression model used, reveals that main effects on studied traits had viability (p≤0.001), type of calving (p≤0.01) and calving ease (p≤0.05). It is reasonable to assume that the knowledge of suckling behavior contributes to optimal management of calves. Knowledge of these factors helps to develop adequately systems to improve calves suckling response

The influence of CSN3 and LGB polymorphisms on milk production and chemical composition in Romanian Simmental cattle

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of genotypes from the CSN3 and LGB loci on milk production and chemical composition in Romanian Simmental cattle (n=114). For the CSN3 locus a significantly higher frequency (P≤0.001) was observed for the allele A (0.785) compared to allele B (0.215) and for AA (0.631) compared to AB (0.307) and BB (0.062) genotypes, respectively. The AA genotype was associated with a higher milk production (5887.76±115.7 kg) compared to the yields associated with the BB genotype (5619±86.34 kg, P≤0.003), as well as a higher fat percentage (4.19±0.05% vs. 4.01±0.02%, P≤0.001). A higher milk protein percentage was associated with BB (3.4±0.02%) compared to AA (3.27±0.03) and AB (3.29±0.03) genotypes, respectively (P≤0.05). For the LGB locus, the frequency of allele A was significantly higher (0.606, P≤0.008) than allele B (0.394). The AB genotype was the most prevalent in the herd (0.579) compared to AA (0.316) and BB genotypes (0.105). The AB genotype was associated with a higher milk production (5906.54±166.76 kg) compared with the other two genotypes (P≤0.05). The BB genotype was associated with a higher fat percentage in milk (4.23±0.06%) compared with AA (4.17±0.06) and AB (4.2±0.08) genotypes, respectively (P≤0.01). For the LGB locus, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed for milk protein percentage. In order to increase the quantity and quality of milk, the outcomes obtained in this study encourage improving genetic structure in cattle based on marker assisted selection for genes with economic values

Effects of temperament on production and reproductive performances in Simmental dual-purpose cows

L

Effect of ß-lactoglobulin Locus Polymorphism on Milk Related Traits in Romanian Spotted

The main aim of the study was to assess the influence of ß-lactoglobulin (LGB) genotype on milk related traits in Romanian Spotted (R.S.) breed. Altogether 254 cattle were genotyped for in order to establish the share of A and B allele in LGB locus using PCR-RFLP assay. The most prevalent was A allele (0.662) compared to B allele (0.338). Comparable frequencies (P>0.084) were recorded for AA (0.434) and AB (0.455) genotypes. The BB heterozygous recorded a lower frequency (0.111) compared with others (P≤0.001). For the LGB polymorphism, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed according to milk production. The higher milk production was associated to AB (6094.31±103.22 kg) compared to AA (5912.22±91.7 kg, P>0.53) and BB (5977.7±81.12 kg, P>0.71) genotypes. The higher fat percentage (4.26±0.02%) was recorded for BB genotype, compared to AA genotype (4.19±0.02%, (P≤0.019). A significantly increased protein percentage was associated with AB genotype (3.43±0.03%) compared with AA (3.28±0.02%, P≤0.027). No significant difference (P>0.66) was recorded compared to BB genotype (3.42±0.01%) related to this trait. The results obtained encourage including marker assisted-selection and use the genotyped sires for genes with economic values in the future breeding scheme of Romanian Spotted breed

Comparative study on production, reproduction and functional traits between Fleckvieh and Braunvieh cattle

Objective Aim of the current comparative study was to evaluate production outputs, reproduction efficiency and functional traits in dual-purpose Fleckvieh and Braunvieh cows, reared under temperate European conditions. Methods A data-set from 414 Fleckvieh and 42 Braunvieh cows and 799 lactations was analysed. ID tag number, milk yield per milking session, number of steps/interval and milk conductivity were recorded and collected daily using AfiMilk 3.076 A-DU software (Afimilk Ltd., Kibbutz, Israel). Production and milk quality data were taken from the results of the official performance recordings and the reproductive outputs of cows were recorded by the research stations veterinarians. Comparisons between the two genotypes were carried out using the one way analysis of variance protocol, with categorical factor being considered the breed of cows. All the statistical inferences were carried out using Statistica software (StatSoft Inc., Tulsa, OK, USA). Results Fleckvieh cows significantly outperformed (p≤0.05) the Braunvieh herd, with average milk yields of 5,252.1±35.79 kg and 4,897.6±128.94 kg, respectively. Age at first calving was significantly (p≤0.01) influenced by the breed, with Fleckvieh heifers being more precocious (32.8±0.29 mo) compared to those of Braunvieh breed (35.7±0.84 mo). Reproduction efficiency as defined by the number of inseminations per gestation, calving interval, dystocia, days dry and days open, was not influenced by genotype (p>0.05). Incidences of sub-clinical mastitis, clinical mastitis, lameness and abortions were not influenced by the breed factor (p>0.05). Stayability of cows was significantly (p≤0.001) influenced by genotype, with Braunvieh cows having an average age at culling of 117.88±11.78 months compared to 90.88±2.89 months in Fleckvieh. Conclusion Overall, results have shown that genotype significantly influenced milk yield, age at first calving and longevity