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Different Festulolium cultivars in lamb nutrition â feed value, growth performance, and meat quality
Systemic inflammation in early lactation and its relation to the cows' oxidative and metabolic status, productive and reproductive performance, and activity
Effect of cultivar and the number of harvests on the feed value, protein fractions and nutrient digestibility of Festulolium braunii forage in young cattle
Eubiotyk dla mĆodych zwierzÄ t przeĆŒuwajÄ cych, zwĆaszcza dla cielÄ t i sposĂłb ĆŒywienia zwierzÄ t
Impact of heat stress during close-up dry period on performance, fertility and immunometabolic blood indices of dairy cows: prospective cohort study
AbstractThis study aimed to investigate whether heat stress, as defined by the temperature-humidity index (THI) during the close-up dry period, had any impact on the productive performance, fertility, and immunometabolic blood indices of dairy cows in the subsequent lactation. Lactation performance was associated with increasing THI values onâââ21,âââ14, andâââ7 d before calving resulting in decreased milk yield by about 2.30, 2.60, and 2.90 kg, respectively. The THI on theâââ7 d before the calving was negatively associated with fertility parameters such as delayed first estrus postpartum, an elongated calving interval by approximately 32 d, a higher number of services per conception by 1.00, and an elongated artificial insemination service period, days open, and inter-calving period by about 20, 52, and 52 d, respectively. The study found that the immunometabolic blood indices were associated with increasing THI values during the close-up dry period. The study showed that exposing dairy cows to close-up dry period heat stress had negative consequences on performance, fertility, and immunometabolic blood indices in the subsequent lactation. Therefore, it is recommended that herd management and barn microclimate changes be implemented earlier, starting from the late dry period, to mitigate the negative impact of heat stress.
Sonda przeĆykowa, doĆŒwaczowa do badania rozwoju oraz diagnostyki przewodu pokarmowego u cielÄ t i jaĆĂłwek
Combination of milk variables and on-farm data as an improved diagnostic tool for metabolic status evaluation in dairy cattle during the transition period
The effect of growth stage and cutting height of Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita) on quality and nutrition value of herbage and silage
The effect of ambient temperature and relative humidity in postpartum dairy cows on productive and reproductive performance and biochemical blood indices in the subsequent lactation
Abstract This study evaluated the effects of ambient temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) during the postpartum transition period on dairy cowsâ milk performance, fertility, and immunometabolic blood indices in the subsequent lactation. A total of 100 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows originating from five commercial dairy farms were categorized into three groups based on average T (<16 °C, 16-20 °C and >20 °C) and RH (<65%, 65-75%, and >75%) on the calving day (0d), and days 7, 14, 21 after calving. With increasing T and RH postpartum, the average daily milk yield during the first 150 days in milk decreased gradually, and the differences between T <16 °C and >20 °C and RH <65% and >75% groups were approx. 3.48 and 2.78 kg, respectively. Milk of cows exposed to increased T and RH was lower in protein, and lactose and higher in fat, milk urea, and somatic cell count. It was also characterized by altered fat composition. Ambient T during the postpartum period had a negative effect on cowsâ fertility, which, however, was not affected by RH. The increasing T from <16 °C to >20 °C resulted in the later manifestation of the first estrous (by 27.7 days), a more extended artificial insemination service period (by 19.4 days), a higher number of insemination services per conception (by 0.92 on average), more days open (by 43.3 days), and a longer calving interval (by 43.3 days). Within ranges used in this study, increasing T and RH during the period from d 0 to d 14 postpartum led to decreased body condition score on day 21 by approx. 0.48 and 0.51 points, respectively. Furthermore, T and RH on a calving day were associated with altered biochemical blood indices on d 21 after calving, indicating a more severe negative energy balance and a state of inflammation. The results of this study suggest that dairy cows that calve when T >16 °C should be provided cooling to ensure optimal environmental conditions for high milk production and prevent economic losses associated with reduced milk yield and low fertility.
Virtual Fencing Technology for Cattle Management in the Pasture Feeding System-A Review
Maximizing annual pasture consumption without negatively impacting individual cow performance is of great importance in grass-based dairy and beef systems due to pasture being the most cost-effective nutrient source. However, the disadvantages of conventional and electric fencing include material and labor costs and increased manual labor. Virtual fencing has been developed and evaluated for almost two decades. The evolution of precision livestock farming, specifically virtual fencing, presents new opportunities for maximizing the utilization of available pasture land. Virtual fencing technology decreases the labor involved in physical fencing, provides greater adaptability to changes in pasture conditions, increases precision and efficiency, and offers additional flexibility in grazing management practices. However, that innovative technology should be further developed, and improvements should include decreasing the total costs of the system and increasing its application to other technological groups of ruminants, e.g., suckler cows with calves, increasing the efficiency of the system operation in large areas and a larger number of animals. Recent advancements in electronic communication and device (i.e., collar) design hold the potential to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the technology while also reducing costs. However, it is necessary to conduct a further evaluation to determine their utility in precision agricultural systems. This review paper aims to present an innovative concept of virtual fencing technology for pastures, compare currently available systems of this type, and indicate areas where further research and development should be carried out using Internet of Things (IoT) systems.