Correlation between morphological, milkability and udder health characteristics

Cilj rada bio je analizirati morfološke i muzne značajke vimena i njihove međuodnose, te iste povezati sa zdravljem vimena. Istraživanje je rađeno na kravama holstein (HOL) i simentalske (SIM) pasmine. Uočena je signifikantna (p<0,0001; p<0,01) povezanost duljine sisnog kanala (DSK) s debljinom zida sise (DZS), te širine vrha sise (ŠVS) i DZS, dok je negativna korelacija uočena između DZS i širine cisterne sise (ŠCS) obje pasmine, te između DSK i ŠCS kod SIM pasmine. Kod HOL pasmine utvrđena je značajna (p<0,01; p<0,05) korelacija između količine mlijeka i glavne faze mužnje sa ŠCS, dok je kod SIM pasmine utvrđena negativna korelacija između ulzane faze i ŠCS. Signifikantno (p<0,05) negativna povezanost muznih i vanjskih morfoloških svojstava utvrđena je između širine sise poslije mužnje i trajanja uzlazne faze krivulje protoka mlijeka. Utvrđeno je da s porastom maksimalnog (HMF) i prosječnog (DMHG) protoka mlijeka i trajanja mužnje, raste logaritmirani broj somatskih stanica (BSS (log)), dok se s porastom BSS (log)-a smanjuje proizvodnja mlijeka. Utvrđene su značajne (p<0,05) razlike između pasmina u pogledu muznih i morfoloških parametara. Uočeno je da krave s nižim HMF-om imaju značajno (p<0,05) duže sisne kanale (za 1,5 mm), a deblje zidove sisa (za 1,5 do 1,7 mm). Signifikantno (p<0,05) veći BSS (log) i lošija kondicija sisa utvrđena je u krava s prebrzim HMF-om (≥ 4,5 kg/min) i DMHG-om (≥ 3,60 kg/min). Također je utvrđeno da s povećanjem kvocijenta plato i silazne faze za 1,0, BSS (log) se smanji za -0,03 kod SIM, te za -0,13 kod HOL pasmine. Kod holstein pasmine je utvrđeno da krave s neodređenom krivuljom protoka mlijeka imaju signifikantno (p<0,05) dulji DSK, komparabilno s onima sa stepenastom i pravokutnom krivuljom. Također je uočeno da krave s neodređenom i bimodalnom krivuljom mlijeka imaju veće zadebljanje DZS nakon mužnje i veći BSS (log) u odnosu na stepenastu ili pravokutnu. Sise krava s najmanje poželjnim krivuljama imaju lošije ocjene kondicije. Kao zaključak na sve navedeno, može se reći da je utvrđena povezanost između morfoloških, muznih i zdravstvenih značajki vimena. Krave s ekstremnim vrijednostima protoka mlijeka, neusklađenim tijekom mužnje imale su veći BSS (log) u mlijeku, te lošiju kondiciju sisa. Praćenje muznih svojstava i ultrazvučna metoda mjerenja pokazala su se kao dobar „selekcijski alat“ u pojašnjenju zadane problematike. Daljnja istraživanja mogla bi se proširiti na još veći broj životinja, što bi stvorilo još pouzdaniju podlogu za primjenu rezultata u Uzgojnom programu goveda Republike Hrvatske.The aim of the study was to analyze morphological and milkability traits of the udder and their interrelationships, and the same associated with udder health. Research was done on cows of Holstein (HOL) and Simmental (SIM) breed. There was a significant (p<0.0001; p<0.01) correlation between lenghts of the teat canal (DSK) and thickness of the teat wall (DZS), allso between the width of the teat end (ŠVS) and DZS, while a negative correlation was observed between DZS and width of the teat cistern (ŠCS) of both breeds, and between the DSK and ŠCS in SIM breed. In HOL breed was significant (p<0.01; p<0.05) correlation between the amount of milk and the main milking phase with ŠCS, while on the SIM breed were found a negative correlation between ascending phase and ŠCS. Significantly (p<0.05) negative correlation between milkability and external morphological traits were found between the width of the teat after milking and the duration of the ascending phase of milk flow curve. It was found that with the increase of the maximum (HMF) and the average (DMHG) milk flow and duration of milking, are growing logarithmic somatic cell count (BSS (log)), while the increasing in BSS (log) reduced milk production. Significant (p<0.05) differences were found between breeds in terms of milkability and morphological traits. It was observed that cows with lower HMF had significantly (p<0.05) longer teat canals (for 1.5 mm) and thicker walls of teats (for 1.5 to 1.7 mm). Significantly (p<0.05) higher BSS (log) and wors teat condition was found in cows with too fast HMF (≥ 4.5 kg/min) and DMHG (≥ 3.60 kg/min). It was also found that with increasing quotient of the plateau and the descending phase for 1.0, BSS (log) reduce to -0.03 in the SIM, and to -0.13 in HOL breed. In the Holstein breed has found that cows with indeterminate milk flow curve were significantly (p<0.05) longer DSK, comparable to those with cascading and rectangular curve. It was also observed that cows with indeterminate and bimodal milk curve have greater thickening DZS after milking and higher BSS (log) comparable to a cascading or rectangular. Teats of cows with at least desirable curves have the worse teat condition score. As a conclusion to all of this, we can say that the established correlation between morphological, milkability and udder health traits. Cows with extreme values of the milk flow, unadjusted course of milking had higher BSS (log) in milk, and the worse teats condition. Monitoring of milkability traits and ultrasonic measurement methods has proved to be as good "selection tool" to clarify the problematic. Further research could be extended to an even greater number of animals, which would create a more reliable basis for the application of the results in Cattle breeding programs of Republica of Croatia

Različitosti u muznim, mliječnim i zdravstvenim svojstvima kod krava u proizvodnji mlijeka ovisno o rednom broju laktacije

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in milkability, milk and health traits in Holstein and Simmental dairy cattle due to parity. Following traits were analysed: milkability (duration of milking, MT; milk yield per milking, MYM; maximal, MMF and average milk flow, AMF), milk traits (daily milk yield, DMY; daily fat content, DFC; daily protein content, DPC; daily lactose content, DLC; urea, UREA) and health traits (logarithmic somatic cell count, SCClog and teatend hyperkeratosis, TEH). Significant (p<0.05; p<0.01; p<0.0001) differences between parity in MYM, DMY, MMF, DPC and DLC was determined. Also, significant (p<0.0001) difference in the teat-end hyperkeratosis score were found between cows in 1st and 2nd as well as between cows in 1st and ≥3rd parity. The cows in 1st and 2nd parity had similar SCClog, while significant (p<0.05) difference was found between SCClog in cows in 1st and cows in ≥3rd parity. The obtained results indicate that the parity significantly affect the milkability, milk and health traits. Since the hyperkeratosis level is highly correlated to the mastitis incidence risk, the regular teat-end scoring should be used in order to ensure quality machine milking and to minimize mastitis incidence risk.Cilj rada bio je utvrditi različitosti u muznim, mliječnim i zdravstvenim svojstvima krava simentalske i holstein pasmine ovisno o rednom broju laktacije. Analizirana su sljedeća svojstva: muzna (trajanje mužnje, MT; količina mlijeka po mužnji, MYM; maksimalni, MMF i prosječni protok mlijeka, AMF), svojstva mlijeka (dnevna količina mlijeka, DMY; dnevna količina masti, DFC; dnevna količina proteina, DPC; dnevna količina laktoze, DLC; urea, UREA) i zdravstvena svojstva (logaritmirani broj somatskih stanica, SCClog; hiperkeratoza vrhova sisa, TEH). Utvrđen je visoko signifikantan (p<0,05; p<0,01; p<0,0001) razlika u: MYM, DMY, MMF, DPC i DLC između svih laktacija. Također je utvrđena visoko značajna (p<0,0001) razlika u hiperkeratozi vrhova sisa između krava u 1. i 2., te između krava u 1. i ≥3. laktaciji. Krave u prvoj i drugoj laktaciji imale su približno isti broj SCClog, međutim značajnost (p<0,05) je utvrđena između SCClog kod krava u prvoj i krava u trećoj i ostalim laktacijama. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju na to da redni broj laktacije značajno utječe na muzna, svojstva mlijeka i zdravstvena svojstva. Budući da je razina hiperkeratoze jako povezana s rizikom od nastanka mastitisa, potrebno je redovito ocjenjivati vrhove sisa kako bi se osigurala kvalitetna mužnja a ujedno i smanjio rizik od nastanka mastitisa

Horses\u27 Adaption to the Training Over the Racing Season

The aim of the paper was to show the adaptations possibilities of the younger horses in relation to older horses in training during the competition season. The training analysis has been conducted during the competition period in two repetitions. During these periods, horse training. The study involved two groups: younger horses (inexperienced) that enter the Jumping and older horses (experienced) who supposed to achieve the full development of the motor movements on the parkour. Following parameters were examined: heart rate before, during and after jumping, the temperature of the seat, and concentrations of cortisol, glucose and lactate in saliva before and after. The study showed that the analysed physiological parameters of both horses groups decreased at the end of the competitive season. The heart rate equally decreased in both groups of horses. The analysed physiological parameters in saliva were always higher in the younger group of horses compared to the older ones. Also, their concentration at the end of the competition season compared to season beginning decreased more. Monitoring of the physiological parameters in horses saliva could be recommended for evaluation of the horses’ sports condition

Genomic Selection in Horse Breeding

The aim of this paper was to present the general aspects of genomic selection in horse breeding and also to provide an overview of existing applications in horses breeding, with particular emphasis on the challenges of implementation and long-term use. Based on conducted review, it could be concluded that breeding organizations must convince horse breeders that genomic selection can be a valuable tool to increase selection success either in sports or in other horse breeding. Genomic selection (GS) allows breeders to evaluate the important traits of offspring even before its birth. GS uses genetic markers to test all relevant traits, including those that are currently very difficult to measure, such as disease resistance, meat quality, horse’s crest height, etc. Finally, to establish the relevant genomic selection in individual breeds or breeding types of horses, it is necessary to create a network of collaboration between breeding associations in order to gather all necessary data

Razlike u rezistentnosti na toplinski stres ovisno o pasmini mliječnih goveda

Considering the rapid climate changes worldwide, with the purpose to reduce financial losses for dairy farmers and enable a more sustainable farming as well, there is an increasing necessity to implement breeding values for heat resistance in breeding strategies. The estimation of breeding values requires a determination of temperature-humidity index (THI) threshold value. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the temperature-humidity index (THI) threshold values for daily milk yield, daily fat and protein content of milk produced by Holsteins and dairy Simmentals in Croatian farms. With that purpose, 1.070,554 test-day records from 70.135 Holsteins reared on 5.679 farms and 1.300,683 test-day records from 86.013 Simmentals reared on 8.827 farms in Croatia were compared to records of ambient temperature and relative humidity collected in the barn, during regular milking recordings from January 2005 to December 2012. Accordingly the following conclusions could be drawn: threshold values for daily milk yield were highly dependant on the parity and breed (Holsteins: 68, 69 and 72 for 1st, 2nd, 3+ parity; Simmentals: 77 for 1st); daily fat and protein contents showed a highly significant decrease due to heat stress condition (THI in 66-80) in both, Holstein and Simmental cows, and in all parity classes; multiparous cows were more resistant to heat stress than primiparous; Simmental cows were more resistant to heat stress than Holsteins.U svjetlu sve izraženijih te bržih klimatskih promjena širom svijeta, te u cilju redukcije financijskih gubitaka mliječnih farmi i osiguravanja održivog poslovanja, nužnost implementacije uzgojnih vrijednosti za rezistentnost na toplinski stres u uzgojne strategije, biva sve izraženija. Procjena uzgojnih vrijednosti podrazumijeva prethodnu determinaciju threshold vrijednosti. Stoga je cilj ovoga rada bio utvrditi threshold vrijednost za dnevnu količinu mlijeka, dnevni sadržaj mliječne masti te bjelančevina za holstein i simentalsku pasminu na mliječnim farmama u Hrvatskoj. S tim je ciljem analizirano 1.070.554 testday zapisa 70.135 holstein krava uzgajanih na 5679 farmi te 1.300.683 test-day zapisa 86.013 krava simentalske pasmine uzgajanih na 8827 farmi u Hrvatskoj zajedno s podacima o ambijentalnoj temperaturi te relativnoj vlazi na farmi prikupljenih tijekom redovne kontrole mliječnosti u razdoblju od siječnja 2005. do prosinca 2012. Temeljem provedene analize mogu se donijeti slijedeći zaključci: threshold vrijednost za dnevnu količinu mlijeka uvelike ovisi o redoslijedu laktacije te pasmini (holstein: 68, 69 te 72 za 1., 2., te 3+ laktaciju; simentalska: 77 za 1); dnevni sadržaj mliječne masti te bjelančevina statistički visoko signifikantno opada uslijed toplinskog stresa (THI jednak 66-80) u obje pasmine te u svim laktacijama; višetelke su rezistentnije na toplinski stres u odnosu na prvotelke; krave simentalske pasmine su rezistentnije na toplinski stres u odnosu na holstein

Horses\u27 Adaption to the Training Over the Racing Season

The aim of the paper was to show the adaptations possibilities of the younger horses in relation to older horses in training during the competition season. The training analysis has been conducted during the competition period in two repetitions. During these periods, horse training. The study involved two groups: younger horses (inexperienced) that enter the Jumping and older horses (experienced) who supposed to achieve the full development of the motor movements on the parkour. Following parameters were examined: heart rate before, during and after jumping, the temperature of the seat, and concentrations of cortisol, glucose and lactate in saliva before and after. The study showed that the analysed physiological parameters of both horses groups decreased at the end of the competitive season. The heart rate equally decreased in both groups of horses. The analysed physiological parameters in saliva were always higher in the younger group of horses compared to the older ones. Also, their concentration at the end of the competition season compared to season beginning decreased more. Monitoring of the physiological parameters in horses saliva could be recommended for evaluation of the horses’ sports condition

utjecaj odgovora na toplinski stres, redoslijeda laktacije, pasmine te regije uzgoja na broj somatskih stanica u mliječnih goveda

With the aim of determining the effect of response to heat stress, parity, breed and breeding region on somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy cattle, the individual test-day records of dairy cows collected from 2005 to 2012 in regular milk recording (AT4 / BT4 method) in Croatia were used. The proportional differences in log somatic cell count, and logSCC (in %) in subsequent milk recordings (1st, and 2nd) were determined in cows with a significant decrease in daily milk yield at a set temperature-humidity index, THI threshold (68, 72, and 76). The results indicate high variability in somatic cell count due to the animal’s response to heat stress (heat stressed at THI in 68, 72, and 76), parity (1, 2, and 3+), breed (Holstein, and Simmental) and breeding region (Central, and Eastern Croatia). Also, it could be pointed out that Holsteins, especially cows in higher parities (2, 3+) reared in Eastern Croatia were shown to be more sensitive to environmental stress, even in the period after heat stress (1st, and 2nd subsequent milk recording). Since SCC is not only an indicator for mastitis, but also reflects a cow’s immune response to general stress situations, the high variability determined may be explained by the individual adaptation capabilities of these two breeds to breeding conditions in the analysed regions.U cilju utvrđivanja utjecaja odgovora na toplinski stres, redoslijeda laktacije, pasmine te regije uzgoja na broj somatskih stanica u mliječnih krava analizirani su zapisi na kontrolni dan prikupljeni u periodu od 2005. do 2012. tijekom provedbe redovite kontrole mliječnosti (AT4 / BT4 metoda) u Hrvatskoj. Proporcionalna razlika u logSCC (%) u slijedećim kontrolama mliječnosti (1. i 2.), utvrđena je u krava sa znakovitim padom dnevne količine mlijeka pri određenim graničnim vrijednostima THI (68, 72 i 76). Utvrđeni rezultati ukazuju na visoku varijabilnost u broju somatskih stanica uslijed odgovora grla na toplinski stres (u toplinskom stresu pri THI 68, 72 i 76), redoslijeda laktacije (1, 2 i 3+), pasmine (Holstein i Simmental) te regije uzgoja (središnja i istočna Hrvatska). Nadalje, može se istaknuti da su se grla Holstein pasmine, osobito krave u višim laktacijama (2., 3+) uzgajane u istočnoj Hrvatskoj, pokazale kao osjetljivije na stresne okolišne uvjete, čak i u razdoblju nakon toplinskog stresa (1., i 2. kontrola mliječnosti). Budući da broj somatskih stanica ne predstavlja samo indikator mastitisa, već odražava i imunološki odgovor krave na opće stresne situacije, utvrđena visoka varijabilnost može biti objašnjena individualnim adaptacijskim mogućnostima obiju pasmina na uvjete uzgoja u analiziranim regijama

Analiza proizvodnih karakteristika i mikroklimatskih parametara na farmama za proizvodnju mleka

Aiming determination of the variability of production traits (daily milk yield and composition) and microclimate parameters (ambient temperature and humidity) in the barns; as well as the correlation between the analyzed groups of traits, 1,636,192 test-day records from Simmentals and 1,275,713 test-day records from Holsteins were analysed. Performed analysis indicate high variability of production traits due to cow's breed, parity as well as breeding region. Also, high variability of microclimate parameters in the barns due to season and breeding region was found. Furthermore, statistically highly significant (p lt 0.001) correlations between the production traits and microclimate parameters were determined. Finally, the negative effect of inadequate microclimate on daily milk production was determined in both breeds in all breeding regions. Since genetic evaluation and selection of dairy cattle for heat resistance is only long-term method for heat stress managing, determined effect will be taken into account in the statistical model for estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values.Cilj istraživanja je bio određivanje varijabilnosti proizvodnih osobina (dnevni prinos i sastav mleka) i mikroklimatskih parametara (temperatura i vlažnost okoline) u objektima za držanje krava za proizvodnju mleka; kao i korelacija između analiziranih grupa osobina; 1.636.192 zapisa za grla simentalske rase i 1.275.713 zapisa test dana grla holštajn rase. Izvršene analize pokazuju veliku varijabilnost proizvodnih osobina zbog rase krava, pariteta kao i odgajivaĉkog regiona. Takođe je utvrđena velika varijabilnost mikroklimatskih parametara u objektima zbog sezone i odgajivačkog regiona. Pored toga, utvrđene su statistički vrlo značajne (p lt 0,001) korelacije između proizvodnih svojstava i parametara mikroklime. Konačno, negativan uticaj neadekvatne mikroklime na svakodnevnu proizvodnju mleka utvrđen je kod obe rase u svim odgajivačkim regionima. Pošto je genetska procena i selekcija mlečnih goveda na otpornost na visoke temperature sredine samo dugoročna metoda za upravljanje toplotnim stresom, utvrđeni efekat biće uzet u obzir u statističkom modelu za procenu genetskih parametara i odgajivačkih vrednosti

Estimation of genetic parameters and breeding values for daily milk production of dairy simmentals in terms of heat stress

Variance components for daily milk production as well as breeding value of dairy Simmentals for daily milk production in terms of heat stress defined as different values of THI threshold values (72, 74, and 76) were estimated using 1,636,192 test-day records provided by the Croatian Agricultural Agency. Temperature-humidity index (THI) calculated from ambient temperature and relative humidity recorded in the barns on the milk recording day was used as the measure of heat stress. Bivariate estimation model accounted variances due to lactation stage, calving season, age at calving, breeding region, parity, permanent environment, interaction between hear and year, and individual animal Obtained high genetic correlations between the daily milk production in normal and condition characterized by heat stress, as well as very high correlations between the EBVs in normal and heat stress conditions indicate animals' high level of acclimatization to the environment on dairy cattle farms. Since microclimate measurements were carried out only once at a milk recording day, these results should be taken with caution. Generally, further research with multiple daily measurements of the microclimate parameters in the facilities is necessary to provide a fully unambiguous conclusion