Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Dairy cattle Milk yield. Fibers'

Four studies were conducted to determine the effect of synchronization of protein and starch degradation on nutrient utilization, microbial protein synthesis and milk production in dairy cows. In Experiment 1, five cereal grains and five protein supplements were compared for extent of solubility and degradability of their starch and nitrogen fractions. Results indicated large differences which permitted their ranking from high to low degradability as follows: grains, oats > wheat > barley > corn > milo protein supplements, soybean meal > cottonseed meal, (CSM) > corn gluten meal > brewers dried grains, (BDG) > blood meal. In Experiment 2, the five grains were incubated for varying times in vitro (with added amylase) or in situ to determine rate and extent of degradation of dry matter, crude protein and starch. Results showed that rate of starch degradation followed a similar, but slightly different trend than in trial 1 (wheat > barley > oats > corn > milo). Rates for DM and CP degradation were similar than those for starch. In Experiment 3, high (barley, HS) and low (milo, LS) degradable starch sources were combined with a high (CSM, HP) and a low (BDG, LP) degradable protein sources to formulate four diets; HSHP, HSLP, LSHP and LSLP. Diets were fed to 32 cows, starting two to four weeks postpartum, for a 60-d milk production and digestibility study. Apparent digestibility was calculated using chromium oxide. Organic matter digestibility was higher (P < .05) was found in nutrient output to the small intestine among diets and microbial CP synthesis was higher (P > .05) for barley diets.

Forty four first-calf heifers were randomly selected to determine lactational and metabolic responses to high fat diets and isoacids. All heifers were allowed ad libitum consumption of a control diet for the first 2 weeks of lactation and then offered experimental diets Eor the next 4 weeks. Each 6 cows of twenty four were randomly assigned to 1) a control diet (C) with 35.2% corn silage, 14.4% alfalfa haylage and 50.4% concentrate (dry matter basis), 2) C with 2% calcium stearate (S) substituted for corn grain, 3) C with 2% tallow (T) for corn grain, and 4) C with 10% whole cottonseed (W) for corn grain, cottonseed meal and cottonseed hulls. The remaining 20 heifers were randomly assigned to diets C, S, T, and W, each with 4g/kg isoacids added (CI, SI, TI, and WI). Fat supplementation or isoacid addition did not affect milk production. Addition cf isoacid increased milk fat percentage, 4% fat-corrected milk, milk fat production (kg/day) and dry matter intake. Differences due tc isoacid were greatest when added to W. Increased milk lactose percentage and weight gain were evident in animal receiving WI compared to W ration. Fat supplementation depressed percentages cf milk fat, milk lactose and milk solids-not-fat. Milk protein percentage and somatic cell count were not affected by treatments. Plasma glucose,and glucose and epinephrine challenge parameters were not affected by diet. Peak plasma non-esterified fatty acid response to epinephrine injection, detected at 10 to 12 minites, was similar for C, S, T, and W. Concentrations of individual volatile fatty acids (VFA) and total VFA in rumen fluid were increased by fat supplements. Isoacid addition increased the amounts of isobutyrate and isovalerate; however, acetate and total VFA concentrations were decreased compared to CI when isoacids were added to high fat diets. The ratio of acetate to propionate was similar for all diets. Digestibilities cf dry matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber were not influenced by diet. The efficiency of energy utilization was highest for control diet. In conclusion, lactational, metabolic, and physiological responses to S, CI, and WI were favorable. Responses to W were lowest.
M.S.

Information on milk production could be useful in designing strategies that would help to improve milk production in communal farming systems. This study was conducted to determine milk production and calf performance of Nguni and crossbreds under smallholder cattle production conditions. Four trials were conducted in the study. The objective of the first trial was to determine farmer perceptions on milk production and calf rearing in smallholder areas. Data were obtained from 218 smallholder farmers, using a structured questionnaire. Smallholder farmer sector is constituted by small scale commercial farmers and communal farmers. Small-scale commercial farmers in South Africa obtained farms from the government through land claims or they bought the farms. Their farming background is a communal type. Communal farmers are farmers that are sharing the same grazing land and animals are managed according to the experience of the owner. The findings in this study indicated that there were numerous constraints to milk production in smallholder areas. These included lack of technical expertise and poor veterinary support services. The farmers also indicated that calf performance was low. The second trial was conducted to determine if there were differences in calf performance, gastrointestinal parasites and nutritionally-related blood metabolites between Nguni and crossbred calves. Body weights and faecal samples were collected monthly until weaning at six months. The levels of total protein, albumin, globulins, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, cholesterol and minerals were determined monthly. Nguni calves had higher birth weights than crossbreds (P<0.05). Average daily gain and weaning weights of Nguni calves were greater than crossbred calves (P<0.05. Nguni calves had lower total protein at early age after birth (P<0.05). However, at weaning Nguni calves had higher total protein than crossbreds (P<0.05). Nguni calves had higher levels of glucose and NEFA concentrations than crossbred calves (P<0.05). In the third trial, milk utilisation patterns in smallholder areas of the Eastern Cape were assessed. Cattle owners (n = 130) were randomly selected in three different regions to determine milk consumption patterns, milk sales, prices and factors influencing these activities. The information was gathered using milk recording sheets, which were administered in February (early lactation) and June (late lactation) in 2009. Milk consumption per household was similar among the three districts (P>0.05). Milk was utilised as both fresh and sour. Fresh milk was utilised with tea/coffee and porridge. Excess fresh milk was utilised to feed pets (mostly cats and puppies). The puppies were fed on mostly whey, and, at times, on fresh milk. Sour milk was utilised to prepare of umvubo (a mixture of sour milk and scrambled porridge (umphokoqo) or a mixture of sour milk and bread). In some cases, excess milk was given to neighbours as a form of social investment and fame. The quality of milk from Nguni and crossbred cows was compared in the fourth trial. Milk samples were evaluated for quality in early (February), mid (April) and late (June) lactation in 2009. The essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids and fatty acids were determined. Nguni milk had higher amino acids and fatty acids concentration than crossbreds (P<0.05). Nguni milk had higher arginine levels in the early and mid lactation periods compared to crossbred cows (P<0.05). Nguni milk had higher methionine and threonine levels than crossbred cows (P<0.05). Methionine levels in Nguni were 0.15, 0.19 and 0.18 in early, mid and late lactation while crossbred had 0.05, 0.05 and 0.06 (g/100ml), respectively. There were significant interactions between lactation stage and genotype for lysine levels with Nguni milk having higher (P<0.05) lysine levels in the mid and late lactation periods. Nguni cows had higher tyrosine, glycine and proline levels than crossbred cows (P<0.05). In the early lactation, Nguni cows had higher serine levels than crossbred cows (P<0.05). In mid lactation crossbred cows had higher serine levels than Nguni cows (P<0.05). There were significant differences between genotypes on fatty acid composition. Nguni milk had higher C12:0 levels than crossbreds (P<0.05). However, milk from crossbred cows had higher C14:0 levels than that for Nguni cows (P<0.05) and also had higher levels of C16:0 and C18:0 fatty acids compared to Nguni cows. Crossbred milk had higher levels of C18n1n9t in early lactation period than Nguni and decreased as the stage of lactation progressed (P<0.05). In the early lactation, the levels of C18n1nC in Nguni milk were higher (P<0.05) than in late lactation. In the mid and late lactation, crossbred cows milk had higher C18n1nC levels than in early lactation (P<0.05). Lactation stage and genotype affected saturated fatty, monounsaturated fatty acids, cis-fatty acids and omega 3 (n-3) to omega 6 (n-6). In general, Nguni milk had higher mineral composition than crossbred milk (P<0.05). In conclusion, Nguni calves performed better than crossbred calves under communal rangelands. There is a need for crossing Nguni cows with dairy breeds in commercial dairying by smalhoder farmers as a strategy for improving both milk quality and quantity.

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Esta dissertação teve por objetivo avaliar o desempenho animal e econômico da adição de níveis crescentes de torta de girassol em substituição ao farelo de girassol no concentrado para vacas leiteiras. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de 0, 20, 40 e 60% de substituição do farelo pela torta. O delineamento experimental foi conduzido em dois quadrados latinos 4 x 4, sendo utilizados 8 animais. Avaliou-se o consumo de matéria seca total, da silagem e do concentrado, além da produção de leite. A avaliação econômica foi feita pelo método de orçamentos parciais. O consumo de matéria seca total foi de 13,46; 13,28; 14,1 e 13,47 kg/dia respectivamente para os tratamentos com 0; 20; 40 e 60% de substituição respectivamente. Para o concentrado, o consumo foi de 4,13; 3,95; 4,35 e 4,23 kg/dia respectivamente para cada tratamento. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas (P>0,05) entre os tratamentos tanto para consumo de matéria seca total quanto para o volumoso ou concentrado. As produções médias de leite foram de 13,38; 14,00; 13,45 e 13,96 kg/dia para cada um dos tratamentos. Também não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos para a produção de leite (P>0,05). Os dados indicam, portanto que a torta pode substituir até 60% do farelo no concentrado, sem prejuízo ao desempenho dos animais. A avaliação econômica mostrou que houve aumento do custo das dietas com a inclusão da torta de girassol, contudo, no segundo cenário, em que a torta é produzida na propriedade, houve aumento da receita líquida.
The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the effects of addition of sunflower cake with growing levels of inclusion at the concentrate to dairy cows on the economics and animal performance. The levels of 0, 20, 40 and 60 % of inclusion of the sunflower cake in the concentrate constituted the treatments. The experiment was done into two 4 x 4 latine square and the number of animals used was eight. The intakes of total dry matter (TDMI) and of the silage (SDMI) or concentrate (CDMI) and the milk yield were evaluated. The economic evaluation was done by the method of Partial Budget Analysis. The TDMI was 13.46, 13.28, 14.1 and 13.47 kg/day to the treatments with 0, 20, 40 and 60 % of inclusion respectively. The intakes of dry matter of the concentrate, were 4.13, 3.95, 4.35 e 4.23 kg/day, respectively for each treatment. There were not find significant differences (P>0.05) among the treatments as so to the TDMI as to the SDMI or CDMI. The milk yields to each animal were 13.38, 14.00 13.45 and 13.96 kg/day respectively with the levels 0, 20, 40 and 60% of addition of the sunflower cake. In addition, there were not find significant differences between the treatments. Than, the data showed that the sunflower cake could be used with 60% of inclusion and it didn´t prejudiced the performance of the animals. The economic evaluation showed that the inclusion of the sunflower cake at the diets, considering the two cenaries, improved the costs with the diet. However, considering a second cenary, were the cake is produced at the farm, the growing of the net income with the inclusion of the cake was observed.

Foram objetivos do presente estudo avaliar os efeitos do inoculante microbiano Silobac® (L. plantarum, P. pentosaceus), na silagem pré-secada de alfafa, em 22 silos, sendo 11 destes submetidos ao tratamento com inoculante. A alfafa foi cortada quando em estádio do meio do florescimento e os silos confeccionados em fardos de aproximadamente 600 kg revestidos com película de PVC branca. Amostras foram coletadas logo após a abertura de cada silo para análise da composição bromatológica e perfil fermentativo. Avaliou-se também, os efeitos desta inoculação sobre o consumo de matéria seca, digestibilidade aparente, produção e composição do leite de doze vacas da raça Holandesa, multíparas, com 135 ± 16,4 dias de lactação, distribuídas em delineamento em reversão simples com seqüência balanceada (\"cross-over\") com dois períodos sucessivos. Os tratamentos corresponderam a silagem pré-secada de alfafa (50,0% de MS e 16,5% de PB) controle ou inoculada. Cada período experimental teve duração de 21 dias, sendo os 5 últimos dias destinados à coleta de dados. Nos resultados relativos à fermentação, o inoculante diminuiu o teor de MS (inoculada = 44,7 vs. controle = 51,2%), aumentou a concentração de ácido acético (2,35 vs. 0,89% MS) e apresentou tendência em aumentar os teores de carboidratos solúveis (2,97 vs. 2,44% MS), em relação ao grupo controle. O inoculante também tendeu em diminuir o escore de bolor obtido à 10 cm de profundidade, mas não a 30 ou 50 cm. Não foram observados efeitos sobre os teores de PB (15,9 vs. 16,4% MS), NIDA (11,2 vs. 11,6% do N total), FDN (47,1 vs. 46,7% MS), FDA (40,2 vs. 39,8% MS), LDA (10,4 vs. 11,1% MS) e amido (0,82 vs. 0,69% MS), DIVMS (61,6 vs. 62,5% MS), poder tampão (52,9 vs. 51,7 meq./100g MS), as concentrações de etanol (0,018 vs. 0,024% MS) e dos ácidos propiônico (0,00 vs. 0,00% MS), butírico (0,00 vs. 0,00% MS) e lático (5,62 vs. 4,45% MS), bem como sobre o pH (4,96 vs. 5,33), sobre as concentrações de N-NH3 (8,19 vs. 5,21% do N total) ou sobre a estabilidade aeróbia. Quanto a digestibilidade, o inoculante aumentou a digestibilidade aparente da MS (81,7 vs. 74,2%), PB (83,1 vs. 74,6%), EE (90,1 vs. 81,7%), ENN (84,1 vs. 78,7%), FB (74,8 vs. 61,9%), FDN (70,0 vs. 58,0%), FDA (75,2 vs. 63,9%), amido (92,7 vs. 88,9%), EB (82,4 vs. 74,7%) e o NDT (80,5 vs. 73,3%), em relação ao grupo controle. Porém, não houve efeito do inoculante sobre o consumo MS digestível (14,5 vs. 13,3 kg/animal/dia, ou 2,67 vs. 2,46% do PV) ou de NDT (14,3 vs. 13,2 kg/animal/dia ou 2,63 vs. 2,43% do PV). Também não se observou efeito da inoculação sobre o CMS (17,8 vs. 17,8 kg/animal/dia), produção de leite (23,0 vs. 22,4 kg/dia), porcentagem de gordura (3,46 vs. 3,47%), proteína (2,96 vs. 2,93%), lactose (4,64 vs. 4,67%), sólidos totais (11,9 vs. 11,9%) e sólidos desengordurados (8,49 vs. 8,48%), nos resultados obtidos com as análises de leite.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of microbial inoculant Silobac® (L. plantarum, P. pentosaceus) on twenty-two big bales of alfalfa haylage, eleven treated with inoculant. Alfalfa crop was harvested at middle bloom stage and conditioned in bales about 600 kg capacity and covered with white tube plastic film. Silage was sampled to proceed chemical analyses after each silo was opened. Also was evaluated the effects of this inoculant on dry matter intake, apparent digestibility, milk yield and composition in twelve Holstein cows, at 135 ± 16.4 days in milk. A cross-over design with two periods of sampling was used. Treatments were alfalfa haylage (50.0% DM and 16.5% CP) control or inoculated. Each experimental period extended for twenty-one days, the last five used for data collection. On chemical composition results, inoculation decreased DM content (inoculated = 44.7 vs. control = 51.3%), increased acetic acid content (2.35 vs. 0.89% DM) and tended to increase WSC content (2.97 vs. 2.44% DM) compared to control. It also tended to decrease mould on depth 10 cm, but not on depth 30 or 50 cm. Treatments did not influence CP (15.9 vs. 16.4% DM), ADIN (11.2 vs. 11.6% of total N), NDF (47.1 vs. 46.7% DM), ADF (40.2 vs. 39.8% DM), ADL (10.4 vs. 11.1% DM) and starch contents (0.82 vs. 0.69% DM), IVDMD (61.6 vs. 62.5% DM), buffering capacity (52.9 vs. 51.7 meq./100g DM), ethylic alcohol (0.018 vs. 0.024% DM), propionic (0.00 vs. 0.00% DM), butyric (0.00 vs. 0.00% DM) and lactic acids contents (5.62 vs. 4.45% DM), pH (4.96 vs. 5.33), NH3-N content (8.19 vs. 5.21% of total N) or aerobic stability. As for digestibility, the inoculation increased apparent digestibility of DM (81.7 vs. 74.2%), CP (83.1 vs. 74.6%), EE (90.1 vs. 81.7%), NFE (84.1 vs. 78.7%), CF (74.8 vs. 61.9%), NDF (70.0 vs. 58.0%), ADF (75.2 vs. 63.9%), starch (92.7 vs. 88.9%), GE (82.4 vs. 74.7%) and TDN (80.5 vs. 73.3%) compared to control. However, it did not influence digestible DMI (14.5 vs. 13.3 kg/animal/day or 2.67 vs. 2.46% of BW), nor TDN (14.3 vs. 13.2 kg/animal/day or 2.63 vs. 2.43% of BW). The inoculation did not also influence DMI (17.8 vs. 17.8 kg/animal/day), milk yield (23.0 vs. 22.4 kg/day), fat (3.46 vs. 3.47%), protein (2.96 vs. 2.93%), lactose (4.64 vs. 4.67%), total solids (11.9 vs. 11.9%) and fat free solids percentage (8.49 vs. 8.48%), on milk analysis results.

O presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes níveis de inclusão de grão de soja cru e integral na alimentação de vacas leiteiras no final de lactação, e seus efeitos sobre o consumo e digestibilidade da matéria seca e nutrientes, fermentação ruminal, síntese de proteína microbiana, produção e composição do leite, perfil de ácidos graxos da gordura do leite, concentrações de parâmetros sanguíneos, balanço de energia e nitrogênio, excreção e composição do grão de soja presente nas fezes. Foram utilizadas 16 vacas da raça Holandesa, agrupadas em quatro quadrados latinos balanceados e contemporâneos 4x4, alimentadas com as seguintes rações: 1) Controle (C), composto por ração sem a inclusão de grão de soja; 2) Grão de soja integral 9% (G9), 3) Grão de soja integral 18% (G18), e 4) Grão de soja integral 27% (G27), com a utilização respectivamente, de 9,0, 18,0 e 27% de grão de soja cru e integral na ração, na matéria seca. A produção de leite e o consumo de matéria seca foram mensurados diariamente durante todo o período experimental. As amostras utilizadas para análise da composição do leite foram coletadas no 16o dia de cada período experimental, sendo provenientes das duas ordenhas diárias. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas em tubos vacuolizados por punção da veia e/ou artéria coccígea. As amostras de líquido ruminal foram coletadas com a utilização de sonda esofágica três horas após a alimentação matinal. A digestibilidade foi determinada por meio de indicador interno FDAi. Houve redução no consumo de matéria seca e de carboidratos não fibrosos nas vacas suplementadas com a ração G27 em relação às demais rações, que não diferiram entre si. Foi observado efeito linear crescente no consumo de extrato etéreo, onde os animais submetidos à dieta G27 apresentaram maiores valores. Houve diferença na digestibilidade aparente total dos nutrientes entre as rações experimentais, sendo que a dieta G18 e G27 apresentaram diminuição da digestibilidade dos carboidratos totais, em relação às dietas C e G9. Não houve efeito das rações utilizadas nos valores de pH ruminal. A concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal ruminal foi maior para as vacas que receberam a dieta controle em relação às dietas com grão de soja. Entre as rações utilizadas, a ração G27 resultou em redução da produção de leite e de proteína em kg/dia e aumentou os teores de gordura no leite. No perfil de ácidos graxos do leite houve um aumento da quantidade de ácidos graxos insaturados e no total de C18:0 saturado com aumento da inclusão de grão de soja. As concentrações de colesterol total e HDL foram maiores para as vacas alimentadas com rações contendo grão de soja em relação à ração controle. As rações utilizadas não influenciaram a síntese de proteína microbiana. O balanço de energia foi influenciado pelas dietas experimentais. Com relação à composição das fezes a dieta G27 apresentou porcentagens maiores de proteína e extrato etéreo, e a excreção de grão de soja nas fezes mostrou efeito linear crescente mesmo que a quantidade kg/dia foi baixa, assim à medida que aumentava os níveis de inclusão aumentava a excreção do grão nas fezes. A utilização de até 27% de grão de soja nas rações apresentou alterações sutis no desempenho produtivo e metabolismo de vacas em lactação, sendo o resultado dependente do nível de grão de soja cru e integral adicionado as rações.
This study was carried to evaluate the effects of different levels of crude soybean in feeding of dairy cows in late lactation on intake and nutrients digestibility, ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, productive performance, fatty acids profile of milk fat, concentrations of blood parameters, balance of energy and nitrogen and excretion and composition of soybean present in faeces. Sixteen Holstein cows, allocated in four latin squares balanced 4x4, fed with the following diets: 1) Control (C), composed of feed without the inclusion of soybean, 2) Soybean 9% (G9), 3) Soybean 18% (G18), and 4) Soybean 27% (G27), using respectively 9.0, 18.0 and 27% of whole soybean in dry matter. Were evaluated daily milk yield and dry matter intake during throughout the experimental period. The samples used for milk composition analysis were collected on the 16th day of each period, from total milking. Blood samples were collected with vacuolized tubes from coccygeal vein and/or artery. The samples of ruminal fluid were collected with use of esophageal probe three hours after the morning feeding. The digestibility was determined use of an internal indicator (ADFi). There was observed a decrease in dry matter intake and non-fibrous carbohydrates in cows fed the G27 ration compared to other diets. The extract ether intake has increased linear effect, where the animals submitted to G27 diet presented higher levels. Not was observing difference in apparent total digestibility of the nutrients, although the digestibility of nonfibrous carbohydrates has a decrease in the animals submitted to G27. No were observed effects of diets used in ruminal pH. The ruminal ammonia concentration was higher for cows that received the control diet compared to diets with soybean. Among the ration G24 resulted in decreased of milk yield and protein (kg/day). The levels of fat were affected by fat sources added to the diet, showing that the soybean as a source of fat does not depress the concentration of fat. Were observe a change of profile the fatty acid of milk fat, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and C18:0 was higher as they increased the inclusion of soybean on diets. The concentrations of total cholesterol and HDL were higher for cows fed diets containing soybean in relation to the control diet. Also, not were observe effects of diets in microbial protein synthesis. The balance of energy was influenced by experimental diets. The balance of nitrogen not influenced by experimental diets. There excretion of fecal nitrogen was higher for G27 diet. The composition of faeces G27 diet showed larger percentages of protein and fat, and excretion of soybean in the feces showed an increasing linear effect, as well as the increased levels of inclusion of grain increased excretion in the faeces. The use of 27% of soybean in the diet has a subtle alter the productive performance and metabolism in dairy cows.

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Heritability and genetic and phenotypic correlations estimates to morphologic, handling and milk yield traits were obtained by REML method, using data from Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Gado Gir Leiteiro (ABCGIL). The software REMLF90 was utilized for such objective. The morphologic and handling traits were analysed for a model that differ of the utilized to the milk yield. The fixed effects used in the model of morphologic and handling traits were: contemporary group of herd, year and season of classification (RAEC); classifier; lactation phase and animal age on evaluation. For the milk yield was included in the model the fixed effects of cow age at calving and the contemporary group RAEP, shaped by combination herd, year and season of calving. The animal model was adopted in both analyses, which consider the random effect of repeatability, due to the fact that it was used more than one information per trait. The estimates of the heritability varied of 0.03 to 0.54, being the majority their larger than 0.15. Teat length and rump height were the traits that presented the largest coefficients of heritability (0.44 and 0.54, respectively), and backside view of rear legs, rear udder width, and foot angle, the least (0.03; 0.04; and 0.09, respectively). On practice, the additive genetic variability of the majority of traits was sufficient in order to reach significative annual genetic gain with the selection process. Rear udder width, fore udder insertion, backside view of rear legs, and side view of rear legs were the traits that presented the largest genetics correlations with milk yield (0.53; - 0.50; 0.42; and 0.30, respectively). The genetic antagonism between milk yield and fore udder insertion, associated to moderate heritability and direct influence of this trait on productive life of the cow, suggest that on formation of the selection index for milk yield, special attention must be given to it. The phenotypic correlations among milk yield and morphologic and handling traits were, in many cases, lower than the correspondent genetic correlations. Among the morphologic traits, the most expressive phenotypic correlations involved only the traits related to cow size. Genetic correlations among some morphologic traits were high, enabling the exclusion of some traits of the linear classification program adopted for the Gir breed in Brazil.
Estimativas de herdabilidade e correlações genéticas e fenotípicas para características morfológicas, de manejo e produção de leite em 305 dias de lactação foram obtidas pelo Método da Máxima Verossimilhança Restrita (REML), a partir de dados da Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Gado Gir Leiteiro (ABCGIL). O aplicativo REMLF90 foi utilizado para tal propósito. As características morfológicas e de manejo foram analisadas por um modelo que diferiu do utilizado para produção de leite. Os efeitos fixos usados no modelo das características morfológicas e de manejo foram: grupo contemporâneo de rebanho, ano e estação da classificação (RAEC), classificador, estádio da lactação e idade do animal na avaliação. No caso da produção de leite, incluí-se no modelo os efeitos fixos de idade da vaca ao parto e do grupo contemporâneo RAEP, formado pela combinação rebanho, ano e estação de parição. O modelo animal foi adotado em ambas as análises, que consideraram o efeito aleatório de repetibilidade, uma vez que foi utilizada mais de uma informação por característica. As estimativas de herdabilidade variaram de 0,03 a 0,54, sendo a maioria delas superiores a 0,15. Comprimento das tetas e altura da garupa foram as características que apresentaram os maiores coeficientes de herdabilidade (0,44 e 0,54, respectivamente), e vista traseira das pernas posteriores, largura do úbere posterior e ângulo dos cascos, os menores (0,03; 0,04; e 0,09, respectivamente). Na prática, a variabilidade genética aditiva da maioria das características foi suficiente para que, com o processo seleção, se possa atingir significativo ganho genético anual. Dentre as características morfológicas e de manejo, as que apresentaram maiores correlações genéticas com produção de leite foram: largura do úbere posterior (0,53); inserção do úbere anterior (-0,50); vista traseira das penas posteriores (0,42); e vista lateral das pernas posteriores (0,30). O antagonismo genético entre produção de leite e inserção do úbere anterior, associada à moderada herdabilidade e influência direta desta característica na vida produtiva da vaca, sugere que na formação de índices de seleção para produção de leite, atenção especial deve ser dada à mesma. As correlações fenotípicas entre produção de leite e as características morfológicas e de manejo foram, em muitos casos, menores do que as correlações genéticas correspondentes. Entre as características morfológicas, as correlações fenotípicas mais expressivas envolveram apenas as relacionadas ao tamanho da vaca. Correlações genéticas entre algumas características morfológicas foram altas, possibilitando a exclusão de algumas delas do programa de classificação linear adotado para a raça Gir no Brasil.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alberta, 2009.
Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on Aug. 14, 2009). "A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta." Includes bibliographical references.

MSCAGR (Animal Science)
Department of Animal Science
The overall objective of this study was to investigate the effects of level of dietary concentrate and live yeast (LY) on milk yield, milk composition, rumen fermentation and nitrogen metabolism in lactating dairy cows. Four primiparous Holstein dairy cows in early lactation (average weight 500 ±9 kg and 20 days in milk (DIM)) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin Square design for a period of 44 days. The animals had seven days of adaptation to the treatments and four days for measurements. The treatments were, Low concentrate to forage (C:F) diet (40:60) with no additive, High C:F diet (60:40) with no additive, High C:F diet with LY and Low C:F diet with LY.Cows weremilked at 06h00 and 16h00 daily and milk samples were analysed for fat, protein, lactose milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and somatic cell count (SCC). Proximate analysis of feed samples was done and daily feed intake was recorded. Weight and body condition score were determined at beginning and end of every experimental period. Faecal and urinary nitrogen (N)were determined. In vitro batch fermentation was conducted to determine ruminal fermentation kinetics. Data generated from the feeding trial was analysed for a 4 x 4 Latin square design (LSD) using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS (2009) and data for the invitro trialwassubjected to ANOVA using PROC GLM (SAS Institute, 2009) for a complete randomized design. Addition of LY affected only dry matter intake (DMI) (P<0.05), which effect was pronounce when cows were fed low (40:60) C:F diet resulting in better feed efficiency(FE). Cows fed high C:F diet consumed more feed, produced more milk with high fat and protein content (P<0.05). Both LY and C:F reduced (P<0.05) N intake as result of low DMI, but reduced (P<0.05) N excretion in manure. Addition of LY decreased ruminal ammonia and increased total VFA’s (P<0.05). The effects on ammonia suggest a better utilisation of diet proteins and probably more incorporation of products of CP degradation into microbial proteins, which support the observed reduced manure N excretion. The opposite was observed with high C:F diet, which increased ammonia and decreased total VFA’s. Propionate and butyrate were increased and decreased, respectively by high C:F diet.Addition of LY reduced SCC and MUN compared to control.The effects of LY were better pronounced on most parameters at low C:F diet. It is therefore recommended that the effects of LY be tested at low C:F on a larger scale of animals over longer periods to observe its effect of the rest of the parameters.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020
South African dairy cattle industry is characterized by a dual production system, comprising of a high input commercial production system and low input smallholder and emerging dairy herds. Performance data from both systems are included in national genetic evaluations, with models that assume homogeneous variances. If variances are heterogeneous, above average animals in more variable herds will be favoured over high performing animals in the less variable herds. This may result in biased selection and inaccurate estimation of breeding values. With intensified selection, genetically inferior animals could be chosen, thereby decreasing the realised genetic gain, resulting in lower productivity. The aim of the study was to investigate the extent of heterogeneity of variance between the two dairy production systems South African Holstein cattle. Milk production data were obtained from the Integrated Registration and Genetic Information System of South Africa (INTERGIS).High input production system data set consisted of 68 000 lactation records from 741 herds, recorded between 2006 and 2018.Pedigree file comprised of 38 126 daughters of 2 472 sires and 4 305 dams. Data for the low input production system comprised of 32 388 lactation records of 3 325 daughters of 134 sires and 253 dams from 59 herds recorded from 2006 to 2018. Hartley’s Fmax test was used to test for heterogeneity of variances for 305 day yields of milk, fat and protein between the high and low input production systems. Non-genetic factors affecting these traits were then determined by the Proc GLM procedure of SAS. Genetic and phenotypic parameters among these traits were estimated, for each production system, by the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedure in the ASREML software.vHeritability estimates for milk, fat and protein yield, respectively, were 0.70 ± 0.027, 0.55 ± 0.35 and 0.64 ± 0.03 for the low input production system compared to 0.16 ± 0.014, 0.11 ± 0.012 and 0.145 ± 0.013 for the high input production system. Estimates for genetic correlation between milk and fat, milk and protein and fat and protein were 0.68 (0.03), 0.81(0.01) and 0.81(0.02) in the high input production system and 0.80(0.34), 0.90(0.02) and 0.91(0.01) in the low input production system respectively. Phenotypic correlations in the high input dairy production system were 0.85(0.00), 0.92(0.00) and 0.88(0.00) for milk and fat, milk and protein and protein and fat and 0.82(0.08), 0.91(0.01) and 0.91(0.34) in the low input production system, respectively. Genetic prediction models for milk production traits, in South African Holstein cattle, shouldaccount for heterogeneous variances between the high and low production systems. Herd year-season of calving, parity and linear and quadratic effects of age at calving should beincluded on the models. There is a need to increase selection pressure in the low input production system, in order to improve genetic merit for milk production traits
National Research Foundation (NRF)-VLIR and University of Limpopo

Dairy farming is one of the most important agricultural industries in South Africa, and thus improving the performance of dairy cows, with respect to economically important dairy traits, would be beneficial. Selection of dairy cows has traditionally been phenotypic, but new molecular techniques have made it possible to evaluate phenotypic dairy traits at the DNA level, providing the possibility of more accurate selection. The economically important dairy traits, milk production and reproductive performance, are quantitative traits, and are therefore controlled by many genes and the environment. A number of genes have been identified that have been shown to influence economically important dairy traits, including the lep gene. This gene encodes the hormone leptin, which has been proven to regulate feed intake, energy balance, fertility and immune function. A polymorphism has been identified in the lep gene, which may be associated with economically important dairy traits. This study on a South African Jersey herd investigated the possible association of the polymorphism, RFLP-Kpn 21, with milk production and reproductive performance. The lactation records of fifty Jersey cows that completed their first lactation between 1997 and 2004 were collected, and these cows were genotyped for the RFLP-Kpn 21 polymorphism, located at exon 2 of the lep gene. This involved the extraction of DNA from venous blood, using a salting out technique. The extracted DNA was amplified using PCR primers; the reverse primer included a purposeful mismatch. The role of the purposeful mismatch was to create a recognition site for a restriction enzyme (Kpn 21), thus allowing the alleles of the polymorphism to be identified through a restriction digestion protocol. Two alleles were identified, the C- and the Tallele. The genotype of each cow was identified using PAGE. The significance of the genotype effects on the milk production traits and the reproductive performance traits were estimated using the F-statistic provided by a GLM Univariate analysis. In conclusion, no significant effect of the RFLP-Kpn 21 polymorphism was found for milk yield, butterfat and protein percentage, ICP and SPC (p > 0.05), but a possible association with lactose percentage was suggested by the statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Further investigation of South African Jersey cows will be necessary in order for conclusive results to be obtained.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Two meta-analysis of effects of yeast culture and monensin in lactating dairy cows were first performed. Secondly, two experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of live yeast (LY) or monensin (M) or both (LY+M) on gas production and fermentation by rumen micro-organisms in vitro in low (40 %) and high (60 %) concentrate diets of dairy cows. Rumen contents were collected from one cannulated lactating Holstein cow. Gas production was measured from 0 to 48 h of incubation. Volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen concentrations were measured after 48 h. Meta-analysis of monensin indicated decrease dry matter intake (DMI) and increasing milk yield, consequently improving feed efficiency. Meta-analysis of yeast culture did not show improved performance. These results highlighted the importance of the meta-analysis as a useful tool that can be employed to both summarize effects across studies and to investigate factors explaining potential heterogeneity of response. The batch fermentation showed that in high concentrate diet, M significantly increased ammonia nitrogen, decreased acetate, but tended to increase propionate concentration (7.9, 63.2, 18.6 vs. 6.3, 66.8, 14.2 mmol/l; respectively). Addition of LY increased acetate concentration (64.2 vs 66.8 mmol/l). Supplementation with M, LY and LY+M reduced total gas production by 37.1, 22.5 and 26.9 %, respectively, compared to control at 48 h. In low concentrate diet, M and LY+M decreased and increased acetate (60.1 and 69.7 vs. 7.1 mmol/l; respectively). Adding LY and LY+M produced 8.6 % less gas, and M treatment 3.4 % more gas than the control. Overall, at 48 h, high concentrate resulted in less gas than low concentrate diets. High concentrate diets showed increased ammonia (7.9 and 6.4 vs. 5.21 and 4.7 mmol/l) decreased acetate (63.0 and 63.2 vs. 67.0 and 69.7 mmol/l) with a tendency to increased propionate (18.6 and 18.9 vs. 14.6 and 14.1 mmol/l) compared to low concentrate in M and LY+M treated diets. These results indicate that the effects of M and LY on rumen fermentation are substrate dependent, the high-concentrate diet showing the greatest response
Agriculture
M. Sc. (Agriculture)