Effect of reducing energy intake during the dry period on milk production, udder health, and body condition score of Jersey crossbred cows in the tropical lower Gangetic region

Effect of supplementation of phytoadditive mixtures on live weight, blood indices, hormonal profile and reproductive performance in Black Bengal goats

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phytoadditive mixtures containing equal proportions of Curcuma longa & Allium sativum (PAM-1) and Curcuma longa & Ocimum sanctum (PAM-2) on live weight, blood parameters, hormonal profile and reproductive performance in Black Bengal goats. A total of 21 post weaned female kids of 3-4 months age and similar body weights maintained at Goat Research Unit of Eastern Regional Station (ERS), National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Kalyani, India during the year 2021-2022 were randomly distributed in three groups namely, Control, PAM-1 and PAM-2 for 10 months. Blood parameters i.e. glucose, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, ALT, AST, ALP, total lipids, cholesterol, and Triglycerides, WBC, RBC, Hb and PCV %; NEFA levels and hormones i.e. prolactin, cortisol, T3 and T4 were estimated in all three experimental groups. Higher (P < 0.001) live weights were investigated in supplemented goats. Blood parameters including glucose, urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, ALT, AST, ALP, WBC, RBC, Hb and PCV% were similar (P > 0.05) in all groups. Lower (P < 0.001) blood lipids were found in supplemented groups. Higher Prolactin, T3 and T4 levels and lower Cortisol levels were reported in PAM-1 and PAM-2 groups (P < 0.001) than control group. Age at first estrus, first conception, first kidding and post kidding first estrus days were lower (P < 0.001) in supplemented groups. Therefore, it was concluded that supplementation of PAM-1 and PAM-2 improved reproductive performance, hormonal profile and lipid profile through improved live weights in Black Bengal goats.

The Performance and Metabolism of Dairy Cows Receiving an Ultra-Diluted Complex in the Diet during the Transition Period and Early Lactation

This study evaluated the effects of feeding an ultra-diluted complex to dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation. Thirty multiparous pregnant dairy cows were blocked and randomly assigned to either a placebo control (CON) group or ultra-diluted complex (UD) group. The CON group received a placebo (basal diet + 40 g/cow/day of expanded silicate), while the UD group received the ultra-diluted complex (basal diet + 40 g/cow/day of PeriParto Transição-RealH, composed of ultra-diluted substances + vehicle: expanded silicate). Cows were evaluated from 30 days before the expected calving date until 60 days in milk (DIM) for sample and data collection. Post-partum dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by the treatment. Cows fed UD had higher DMI relative to BW. Feeding UD increased milk lactose content and decreased milk protein content. Cows fed UD had lower somatic cell counts in the third and fourth week of lactation. Cows fed UD showed a tendency for higher liver health index. Using UD during the transition period and early lactation may benefit liver and udder health of dairy cows with no detrimental effect on milk performance.

The effect of antibiotic versus no treatment at dry-off on udder health and milk yield in subsequent lactation: A retrospective analysis of Austrian health recording data from dairy herds

Bovine mastitis is the most commonly diagnosed disease of dairy cows worldwide and causes extensive economic losses to milk producers. Intramammary infection status before dry-off plays a decisive role with respect to udder health and milk yield in the subsequent lactation. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) versus no treatment at dry-off on milk yield, somatic cell count (SCC), inflammation of the mammary gland (IMG), and the incidence of clinical mastitis in the subsequent lactation. Dairy herd data from 251 Austrian dairy farms were recorded over an observation period of 12 mo and subsequently analyzed. The data set included 5,018 dairy cows: 2,078 were treated with antibiotics (abDCT group) and 2,940 were not treated (noDCT group) at dry-off. The abDCT group was subdivided, based on the antimicrobial active substances used for drying off, into 4 different groups (penicillins, cloxacillin, cephalosporins, and rifaximin). Based on bacteriological culture results, infections were grouped into those caused by major, minor, and other pathogens. Additionally, the IMG was defined via SCC from milk recording data using a cutoff of 200,000 cells/mL before drying off and after calving. The incidence of clinical mastitis cases within 30 and 90 d in milk was calculated using veterinary diagnosis data. To investigate the effect of different dry cow therapies on the following parameters: milk yield, SCC, and diagnosed clinical mastitis cases, different linear mixed models were constructed. Overall, the abDCT group was determined to have a significantly higher milk yield over 305 d in milk in the subsequent lactation (increase of 6.18%), compared with the noDCT group (increase of 4.29%). Both groups (abDCT and noDCT) demonstrated a decrease in the first SCC after calving compared with the SCC before dry-off, although the treated cows had a significantly higher reduction. Regarding the different antibiotic groups, with exception of the rifaximin treated cows, all antibiotic groups showed a significant difference from not treated cows with respect to SCC. Additionally, we were able to demonstrate that cows with IMG before dry-off had a 2.073 times higher chance of an increased SCC (>200,000 cells/mL) after calving. With respect to the veterinary diagnosis data, neither the IMG before drying off nor the type of DCT had a significant influence on the probability of developing clinical mastitis within 30 or 90 d in milk. Only a small number of treatments was accompanied with a bacteriological examination before drying off. However, the existing data in this study indicates that the intramammary infection status before dry-off in combination with different dry cow treatments influences udder health and milk yield after calving. Nevertheless, further studies with larger data sets of bacteriological examinations are necessary to enable a more in-depth investigation into the effects of different antibiotic substances used for DCT.

A review on water intake in dairy cattle: associated factors, management practices, and corresponding effects

In this changing climate scenario, the availability of potable water has become scarce for both humans and animals in many parts of the world. Continuous supply of water is crucial for animals' life as well as different body and sanitary maintenance needs. Water availability has a direct and indirect role in clenching thirst, feeding, cleaning of animals and their environment, and other dairy operations. Water intake by dairy animals is affected by several factors including body weight of animals, genetic makeup, dry matter intake, mineral content of feed offered, milk productivity, environmental conditions, and water temperature. Behavioral patterns of dairy animals are adversely affected by restriction of water supply to them. Researchers have recommended that ad libitum water supply should be assured to the farm animals to avoid any negative effect on their health and performances. In the recent years, there is growing interest in quantifying the effects of restricted water supply to dairy animals. Many studies have demonstrated that the availability of potable water for animals will be a great challenge soon. Therefore, the present review paper has been formulated to gain better understanding of the factors affecting water intake in dairy animals and management strategies to ensure availability of water resources essential for their health, production, and well-being.

Effect of heat stress amelioration through open-ridge ventilated thatched roof housing on production and reproduction performance of crossbred Jersey cows

The present study was conducted to assess the impacts of loose house roofing designs and materials on modulation of micro-climate of the cow shed and its influences on production and reproduction performance of lactating crossbred Jersey cows. The control group (T0) was kept in a traditional single-slope asbestos roof shed and treatment group (T1) at a specially designed open-ridge ventilated, double-slope thatch roof shed. Lactation stage, average daily milk yield, and average parity at the beginning of the experiment were kept similar between T0 and T1 cows. The specifically designed T1 shed had significantly (P < 0.05) lower temperature, humidity, and thermal humidity index as compared to the traditional shed (T0). The T1 shed was cooler and more comfortable than T0. Housing significantly (P < 0.05) influenced cardinal physiological parameters of resident cows. Body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and discomfort index were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T0 as compared to those in T1 cows. Improved housing significantly (P < 0.01) influenced milk yield, composition, quality, and udder health of cows. Daily milk yield depending on parity, monthly milk yield, milk fat, SNF, and protein were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in T1 than those in T0 cows. The milk somatic cell count, modified California mastitis test score, electrical conductivity, and pH of milk samples of T0 cows were significantly (P < 0.0) higher than those of T1. Effect of housing type, parity, and interaction of housing × parity did not cause any significant (P > 0.05) differences in reproductive traits such as service period, break period, calving interval, pregnancy rate, and other cow fertility parameters. Post-partum body condition score and body weight loss did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two groups; however, more loss occurred in T0 than T1. The estimated net profit from housing of cows (N = 20) in a comfortable shed was 2200 kg milk per annum, i.e., 110 kg/cow/annum. The study concluded that a central open-ridge ventilated, double-slope thatched roof design created a favorable micro-environment and it significantly affected cows' comfort index; thermo-comfortable housing significantly reduced the heat stress-oriented drop in milk yield and decline in milk composition, and improved udder health and other milk production traits; however, its impact was non-significant on reproduction and fertility traits in Jersey crossbred cows.

Readily usable strategies to control mastitis for production augmentation in dairy cattle: A review

Mastitis in dairy cattle is the most common management disorder that causes higher economic losses by lowering production and quality of milk leads to substantial economical loss. The aim of this article was to review worldwide important advances in strategies to control mastitis for production augmentation in dairy cattle. Many scientists worked to identify effective strategies to control mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and others. It is necessary to identify mechanisms of infection, define clinical and subclinical states of disease, determine exposure time, and identify pathogen-specific characteristics. Evolvement of management strategies that incorporated hygienic procedures (animal, floor, and milkman), post milking standing period of animal and strategic use of antibiotic or herbal therapy at dry-off, nutritional supplementation, fly control, body condition score optimization, etc., resulted in widespread control of mastitis. The udder, teat of animal, scientific management of milking, automatic milking procedure, genetic selection are considered as important factors to control mastitis. As farm management changed, scientists were directed to redefine control of mastitis caused by opportunistic pathogens of environmental sources and have sought to explore management strategies which will maintain animal well-being in a judicial way. Although significant advances in mastitis management have been made changing herd structure, changing climatic scenario and more rigorous milk processing standards ensure that mastitis will remain important issue for future research.

Influence of pre and postpartum alpha-tocopherol supplementation on milk yield, milk quality, and udder health of Jersey crossbred cows at tropical lower Gangetic region

Background and Aim:

Alpha-tocopherol supplementation influences milk yield, milk quality, and udder health of dairy cows, which needs to be investigated for Jersey crossbred cows at hot-humid climate. Therefore, the present study was framed with an objective to study the effect of pre and postpartum Alpha-tocopherol supplementation on milk yield, milk quality, and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at tropical climate.

Materials and Methods:

For this study, 19 similar parity, body condition score, and production level dairy animals were separated randomly into three groups, namely, Control, T1 and T2. Control group (no supplementation) was compared with two treatment groups, namely, T1 and T2. Supplementation of Alpha-tocopherol was done in concentrate fed to the animals (at 1 g/cow/day) 30 days prepartum to 30 days postpartum in T1 and 30 days prepartum to 60 days postpartum in T2 groups. Observations were taken for different parameters up to 5 months of lactation.

Results:

Statistically analyzed data revealed that overall significantly (p<0.01) more milk production was found in T2, followed by T1 than the control group. Overall significantly (p<0.01) lower somatic cell counts and modified California mastitis tests were recorded in T2, followed by T1 than the control group. Overall significantly (p<0.01), better milk quality in terms of methylene blue reduction test was found in T2, followed by T1 than control groups. Differences in the milk composition of all three groups were non-significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

Supplementation of Alpha-tocopherol during prepartum to initial lactation period may enhance milk yield, milk quality, and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at the tropical lower Gangetic region.