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Raboisson D, Lhermie G, Guatteo R. A New Tool to Assess the Economic Impact of Q Fever on Dairy Cattle Farms. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1166. [PMID: 38672314 PMCID: PMC11047405 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
To support farmers in their decisions related to Q fever, a dedicated economic assessment tool is developed. The present work describes the calculator, its economic rationale, and the supporting assumptions. The calculator integrates a yearly compartmental model to represent population dynamism and the main interactions between disorders linked to Q fever, especially reproductive disorders (abortion, retained foetal membranes, purulent vaginal discharge and endometritis, extra services, and calving-conception delays). The effects of the nontangible cost of the disease on human health, the welfare of the animals, and the workload of farmers were not integrated into the model. The model shows high-level sensitivity to the prevalence of Q fever in the herd prevaccination and to the costs of abortion and extra days of calving-conception intervals. Breakeven points, i.e., cost values that allow us to achieve positive vaccination benefits, are also reported. For herds with moderate or high prevalence rates of Q fever prevaccination (>30%), a vaccination benefit is observed. The vaccine should be considered a type of insurance in herds with low prevalence rates of Q fever prevaccination (≤20%). The calculator was developed to aid decision-making at the farm level, and no conclusion can be extrapolated as a generic trend based on the present work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier Raboisson
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Univ Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
- ENVT, Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Guillaume Lhermie
- CIRAD, UMR ASTRE, 34398 Montpellier, France
- ASTRE, CIRAD, INRAE, Univ Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France
- ENVT, Université de Toulouse, 31400 Toulouse, France
- Department of Production Animal Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
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2
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Haque MH, Narayan S, Islam MS, Akter M, Hasan MM, Islam R, Rashid MB. A simple, inexpensive and portable on-farm test for pregnancy diagnosis and ovary status in cows via chemical analysis of urine. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 677:113-118. [PMID: 37572390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Ovary dysfunction causes an aberrant endocrine surge at various reproductive cycle stages, negatively impacting fertility and economic profit. Optimizing dairy cow performance requires determining ovarian status and detecting early pregnancy. Still, little to no information is available about the diagnosis of the ovarian condition using urine chemical analysis at the field level in Bangladesh. This study aimed to develop a simple, inexpensive and portable on-farm technique for pregnancy diagnosis and ovary status determination in cows via chemical urine analysis. Fifty reproductively healthy cows were recruited from different donor farms. Prior to artificial insemination (AI), all selected cows were placed in a single ovsynch program. TAI (timed artificial insemination) was carried out. Urine was routinely collected from Day 0-55 days at estrus cycle stages for routine chemical analysis using barium chloride (BaCl2), followed by commercially available protein strip tests. The developed techniques for pregnancy and ovary status diagnosis in cows were validated with rectal palpation (RP). Barium chloride (BaCl2) analysis of urine revealed white precipitation corresponding to a mature follicle in the ovary during estrus and colorless precipitation corresponding to the corpus luteum during the diestrus period. Positive pregnancy was indicated by the presence of a colorless precipitate in the BaCl2 test, and a protein value of less than 100 mg/dl was found in the protein strip test. The maximum accuracy (42/50, 84%) was observed between 25 and 35 days, as confirmed by RP. Perplexing results were seen 45-55 days after AI, between pregnancies and luteal cystic disease. In both cases, we discovered that the BaCl2 precipitation was colorless. However, the protein value in the context of luteal cystic disease was found to be higher than 100 mg/dl. The barium chloride test, followed by protein strip tests, is a simple and portable way to diagnose pregnancy and determine ovarian status in cows at the field level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Hakimul Haque
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
| | - Shamarendra Narayan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh
| | - Md S Islam
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh
| | - Mousumi Akter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh
| | - Md M Hasan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh
| | - Rakibul Islam
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad B Rashid
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, 5200, Bangladesh.
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Sitko EM, Di Croce FA, McNeel AK, Weigel DJ, Giordano JO. Effect of reproductive management programs that prioritized artificial insemination at detected estrus or timed artificial insemination on the economic performance of primiparous Holstein cows of different genetic merit for fertility. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:6495-6514. [PMID: 37474372 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this randomized controlled experiment was to evaluate the effect of reproductive management programs that prioritized artificial insemination (AI) at detected estrus (AIE) or timed AI (TAI) during the first lactation on the economic performance of dairy cows of different genomically enhanced predicted transmitting ability for fertility. Lactating primiparous Holstein cows from 6 commercial farms were stratified into high, medium, and low fertility groups based on a reproduction index value calculated from multiple genomically enhanced predicted transmitting abilities to predict the number of days to achieve pregnancy. Within herd and fertility group, cows were randomly assigned either to a program that prioritized AIE (P-AIE; n = 1,416) and used TAI for cows not AIE for all AI services or another that prioritized TAI and had an extended voluntary waiting period for first service and prioritized TAI for second and greater AI services (P-TAI; n = 1,338). Cash flow (CF) per cow accumulated for the experimental (first) and second calving interval (CIN) and cash flow per slot per 28 mo after calving in the experimental lactation were calculated. Market and rearing heifer cost values were used for estimating CF. For cows in the high fertility group, a positive effect of delayed pregnancy on milk income during the first lactation was observed (+$248 for P-TAI) but was insufficient to generate significant differences in CF between treatments mainly because of milk income compensation in the second lactation (+$125 for P-AIE) and minor reductions in reproductive cost and gains in calf value for the P-AIE treatment. In this regard, CF for 2 CIN was greater for the P-TAI treatment by $61 and $86 for market and rearing replacement heifer cost, respectively. Similarly, CF per slot was favorable to the P-TAI treatment but only by $13 and $47 for market and rearing replacement heifer cost, respectively. For cows in the low fertility group, CF was numerically in favor of the P-AIE treatment due to a pregnancy and herd exit dynamics that resulted in gains in milk income over feed cost during the first ($29) and second ($113) lactation. Differences in CF for the 2 CIN were $58 and $47 for market or rearing heifer value, respectively, and $77 and $19 for market and rearing heifer values, respectively for the slot analysis. Differences in CF between cows of different genetic merit for fertility were consistent across treatment and estimation method. Of note, cows in the low fertility group had greater CF than cows in the high fertility group in all comparisons, ranging from $198 per cow for 2 CIN to as much as $427 per slot. For the low fertility group, greater milk production contributed directly (milk income over feed cost) and indirectly (reduced culling) to increased CF. We concluded that genetic merit for fertility and CF are associated because cows of inferior genetic potential for fertility had greater CF than cows of superior genetic for fertility despite some increased costs and reduced revenues. Also, the magnitude of the CF differences observed for cows of different genetic merit for fertility managed with the P-AIE or P-TAI program may be valuable to commercial dairy farms but did not allow to conclusively support the choice of a type of reproductive management strategy for cows of different genetic merit for fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Sitko
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | | | | | | | - J O Giordano
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
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Yagisawa T, Uchiyama J, Takemura-Uchiyama I, Ando S, Ichii O, Murakami H, Matsushita O, Katagiri S. Metataxonomic Analysis of the Uterine Microbiota Associated with Low Fertility in Dairy Cows Using Endometrial Tissues Prior to First Artificial Insemination. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0476422. [PMID: 37098918 PMCID: PMC10269553 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04764-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The deterioration in reproductive performance in association with low fertility leads to significant economic losses on dairy farms. The uterine microbiota has begun to attract attention as a possible cause of unexplained low fertility. We analyzed the uterine microbiota associated with fertility by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in dairy cows. First, the alpha (Chao1 and Shannon) and beta (unweighted and weighted UniFrac) diversities of 69 cows at four dairy farms that had passed the voluntary waiting period before the first artificial insemination (AI) were analyzed with respect to factors including farm, housing style, feeding management, parity, and AI frequency to conception. Significant differences were observed in the farm, housing style, and feeding management, except parity and AI frequency to conception. The other diversity metrics did not show significant differences in the tested factors. Similar results were obtained for the predicted functional profile. Next, the microbial diversity analysis of 31 cows at a single farm using weighted UniFrac distance matrices revealed a correlation with AI frequency to conception but not with parity. In correlation with AI frequency to conception, the predicted function profile appeared to be slightly modified and a single bacterial taxon, Arcobacter, was detected. The bacterial associations related to fertility were estimated. Considering these, the uterine microbiota in dairy cows can be varied depending on the farm management practices and may become one of the measures for low fertility. IMPORTANCE We examined the uterine microbiota associated with low fertility in dairy cows derived from four commercial farms via a metataxonomic approach using endometrial tissues prior to the first artificial insemination. The present study provided two new insights into the relevance of uterine microbiota with respect to fertility. First, the uterine microbiota varied depending on housing style and feeding management. Next, a subtle change was observed in functional profile analysis: a formation of uterine microbiota was detected to be different in correlation with fertility in one farm studied. Considering these insights, an examination system on bovine uterine microbiota is hopefully established based on continuous research on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jumpei Uchiyama
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Iyo Takemura-Uchiyama
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shun Ando
- Hokkaido Agriculture Mutual Aid Association, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Osamu Ichii
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
- Laboratory of Agrobiomedical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hironobu Murakami
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Osamu Matsushita
- Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Seiji Katagiri
- Laboratory of Theriogenology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
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The Marginal Abatement Cost of Antimicrobials for Dairy Cow Mastitis: A Bioeconomic Optimization Perspective. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10020092. [PMID: 36851396 PMCID: PMC9962292 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10020092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining udder health is the primary indication for antimicrobial use (AMU) in dairy production, and modulating this application is a key factor in decreasing AMU. Defining the optimal AMU and the associated practical rules is challenging since AMU interacts with many parameters. To define the trade-offs between decreased AMU, labor and economic performance, the bioeconomic stochastic simulation model DairyHealthSim (DHS)© was applied to dairy cow mastitis management and coupled to a mean variance optimization model and marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) analysis. The scenarios included three antimicrobial (AM) treatment strategies at dry-off, five types of general barn hygiene practices, five milking practices focused on parlor hygiene levels and three milk withdrawal strategies. The first part of economic results showed similar economic performances for the blanked dry-off strategy and selective strategy but demonstrated the trade-off between AMU reduction and farmers' workload. The second part of the results demonstrated the optimal value of the animal level of exposure to AM (ALEA). The MACC analysis showed that reducing ALEA below 1.5 was associated with a EUR 10,000 loss per unit of ALEA on average for the farmer. The results call for more integrative farm decision processes and bioeconomic reasoning to prompt efficient public interventions.
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Performing Early Pregnancy Tests in Milk and Their Effect on Cow Welfare and Reproductive Performance Compared to Rectal Pregnancy Tests 40 to 45 Days Post Insemination. DAIRY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/dairy3030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The main pregnancy test method for dairy cows is rectal palpation performed around 40–45 days from last insemination. This is an invasive examination that disrupts the cow’s routine, potentially affecting its well-being. We examined the effectiveness of a commercial kit for performing pregnancy tests on milk samples compared to rectal palpation at 28- and 42-days post insemination. Accordingly, the purpose of the current study was to check if performing early pregnancy test instead of rectal palpation would result in better welfare and improvement of the reproductive performance, at least in part, of the cows. At 28 days, we examined the effect of early pregnancy testing on reproductive performance, especially number of days open. At 42 days, we determined the pregnancy test methods’ effects on cow welfare measures and milk production. For the day 28 experiment, cows on one farm were divided into two groups: one milk-tested for pregnancy on 28 to 30 days after insemination, and the other tested by routine veterinary examination (42 to 45 days after insemination). The milk test resulted in a 16-day reduction in days open for cows identified as non-pregnant on day 28 compared to day 42 (rectal examination), potentially improving reproductive performance on the dairy farm. For the day 42 experiment, test effects on cow welfare as seen in pedometer data and milk production were examined on two large dairy farms. Test-day milk production did not differ significantly between milk-tested and rectally palpated groups, but well-being indices of milk-tested cows improved, especially in winter months. The reason for this can be because, in the summer, cows are interrupted due to colling activities. In addition to fewer days open and economic improvement, early milk tests for pregnancy can free up the practitioner for other tasks on the dairy farm.
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Walsh DP, Fahey AG, Lonergan P, Wallace M. Economics of timed artificial insemination with unsorted or sexed semen in a high-producing, pasture-based dairy production system. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:3192-3208. [PMID: 35181145 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study used a stochastic simulation model to estimate the potential economic benefit of using timed artificial insemination (TAI) in combination with conventional unsorted (TCONV) and sexed (TSEX) semen in heifers only (TCONV-H, TSEX-H) and in both heifers and lactating cows (TCONV-HC, TSEX-HC) in a high-producing, pasture-based production system. The scenarios were compared with a conventional reproductive policy (CONV) in which heifers and cows were inseminated with conventional unsorted semen after estrus detection. Sensitivity analysis was also used to estimate the effect of hormone costs from TAI use on the profitability of each program relative to CONV. The mean annual (± standard deviation) profit advantage (ΔPROF) over CONV for TCONV-H, TCONV-HC, TSEX-H, and TSEX-HC scenarios were €3.90/cow ± 4.65, €34.11/cow ± 25.69, €13.96/cow ± 6.83, and €41.52/cow ± 42.86, respectively. Combined application of both technologies was shown to return a greater annual ΔPROF on average compared with that achievable from TAI alone. However, the risk of not returning a positive annual ΔPROF varied across the scenarios with higher risk in TCONV-H and TSEX-HC. Specifically, TCONV-H and TSEX-HC had a 24 and 18% chance, respectively, of not returning a positive annual ΔPROF. Sensitivity analysis showed that when hormone costs increased by €10/cow TCONV-H and TSEX-HC had a 38 and 23% chance, respectively, of not returning a positive annual ΔPROF. The range in ΔPROF for TCONV policies was most sensitive to the TAI pregnancy rate and TSEX policies were most sensitive to the relative fertility achieved with sexed compared with unsorted semen. This study has shown TAI and sexed semen are complementary technologies that can increase genetic gain and profitability in a pasture-based, dairy production system.
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Walsh
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8, Dublin, Ireland
| | - A G Fahey
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - P Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M Wallace
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8, Dublin, Ireland
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Khemarach S, Yammuen-art S, Punyapornwithaya V, Nithithanasilp S, Jaipolsaen N, Sangsritavong S. Improved reproductive performance achieved in tropical dairy cows by dietary beta-carotene supplementation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23171. [PMID: 34848807 PMCID: PMC8633284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02655-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Dairy farming in tropical climates is challenging as heat stress can impair reproduction in cows. Previous studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of beta-carotene supplementation on bovine reproductive performance. This study was performed in Thailand, where the temperature-humidity index (THI) during the experimental periods was measured to range from 78.4 to 86.1. Lactating Holstein cows classified as repeat breeders (previous artificial insemination [AI] failures) were randomly assigned into two treatments, control treatment (T1; received placebo, n = 200) and test treatment (T2; received 400 mg/h/day of beta-carotene, n = 200). All cows were subjected to a protocol for synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination (TAI). The day of the 1st ovulation synchronized protocol was defined as day 0, and the total experimental period was 160 days. Daily placebo or beta-carotene supplements were given orally on day 0 and each subsequent day of the experiment. Diagnosis of pregnancy was performed using ultrasound on day 30 after insemination. Non-pregnant cows were subjected to further ovulation synchronizations (maximum of four) and TAI over a period of 160 days. Milk samples were collected every ten days throughout the experiment. The samples were analyzed for beta-carotene concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. The pregnancies per AI of the cows in T2 were significantly greater than that of T1 from the 2nd to 4th TAI. During the entire experimental period, the pregnancies in T2 were significantly greater than that of T1. Cox's proportional hazards regression model data indicated a 44% greater probability of pregnancy for cows receiving beta-carotene. The concentrations of milk beta-carotene in T2 were significantly greater than T1 from the 2nd to 4th TAI. Significantly greater SOD and GPx activities were observed in T2 than T1, suggesting a reduction of oxidative stress in cows treated with beta-carotene. Dietary supplementation with beta-carotene thus improves the reproductive performance of repeat breeders exposed to heat stress, possibly by reducing oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soparak Khemarach
- grid.7132.70000 0000 9039 7662Department of Animal and Aquatic Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Saowaluck Yammuen-art
- grid.7132.70000 0000 9039 7662Department of Animal and Aquatic Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
| | - Veerasak Punyapornwithaya
- grid.7132.70000 0000 9039 7662Department of Food Animal Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100 Thailand
| | - Sutichai Nithithanasilp
- grid.419250.bNational Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand Science Park, 12120 Thailand
| | - Narongrit Jaipolsaen
- grid.419250.bNational Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand Science Park, 12120 Thailand
| | - Siwat Sangsritavong
- National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand Science Park, 12120, Thailand.
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MALIK MH, VERMA HK, SHARMA RK. Financial losses and cost benefit analysis of controlling anestrus in dairy animals of Punjab. THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v91i9.116458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the financial losses associated with anestrus and cost benefit analysis of various factors controlling this disease in dairy animals of Punjab region. The overall economic loss incurred by dairy farmers due to anestrus irrespective of species of animals was ` 24,362. The mean economic losses per animal per year was almost same in crossbred cattle (` 27,511.48±1,227.60) and buffaloes (` 27,038.69±1,128.05) and lower in indigenous cattle (` 18,296.95±1,317.53). When the average annual losses due to different components were estimated, the largest component was due to replacement cost followed by milk yield loss cost, future calf reduction and veterinary charges. Among different agro-climatic zones (ACZs), highest loss was observed in Central Plain Region (` 27,384.63±2,407.03) and the least affected zone was Flood Plain Region (` 19,135.6±4,326.50). While controlling anestrus at farm level through different control measures, the overall benefit cost ratio was estimated to be 5.33. The projected loss in Punjab state due to anestrus in dairy animals was estimated to be ` 2135.79 crore. It may be concluded that the mean economic losses per animal per year was higher in crossbred cattle and buffaloes, where the largest component was due to replacement cost followed by milk yield loss, future calf reduction and veterinary charges. In order to control economic losses due to anestrus, it is important to improve all aspects related to heat detection, and to provide appropriate preventive or therapeutic measures.
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Perez Marquez HJ, Ambrose DJ, Schaefer AL, Cook NJ, Bench CJ. Evaluation of infrared thermography combined with behavioral biometrics for estrus detection in naturally cycling dairy cows. Animal 2021; 15:100205. [PMID: 34171567 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Low estrus detection rates (>50%) are associated to extended calving intervals, low economic profit and reduced longevity in Holstein dairy cows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of infrared thermography and behavioral biometrics combined as potential estrus alerts in naturally (not induced) cycling dairy cows housed in a tie-stall barn. Eighteen first lactation cows were subjected to transrectal ultrasonography to determine spontaneous ovulation. The dominant follicle (DF) disappearance was used retrospectively as an indirect indicator of ovulation, and to establish the estrus period (48-24 h prior the DF disappearance). Raw skin temperature (Raw IR) and residual skin temperature (Res IR) were recorded using an infrared camera at the Vulva area with the tail (Vtail), Vulva area without the tail (Vnotail), and Vulva's external lips (Vlips) at AM and PM milking from Day 14 until two days after ovulation was confirmed. Behavioral biometrics were recorded on the same schedule as infrared scan. Behavioral biometrics included large hip movements (L-hip), small hip movements (S-hip), large tail movements and small tail movements to compare behavioral changes between estrus and nonestrus periods. Significant increases in Raw IR skin temperature were observed two days prior to ovulation (Vtail; 35.93 ± 0.27 °C, Vnotail; 35.59 ± 0.27 °C, and Vlips; 35.35 ± 0.27 °C) compared to d -5 (Proestrus; Vtail; 35.29 ± 0.27 °C, Vnotail; 34.93 ± 0.31 °C, and Vlips; 34.68 ± 0.27 °C). No significant changes were found for behavioral parameters with the exception of S-hip movements, which increased at two days before ovulation (d -2; 11.13 ± 1.44 Events/5min) compared to d -5 (7.30 ± 1.02 Events/5min). To evaluate the accuracy of thermal and behavioral biometrics, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed using Youden index (YJ), diagnostic odds ratio, positive likelihood ratio (LR+), Sensitivity, Specificity and Positive predicted value to score the estrus alerts. The greatest accuracy achieved using thermal parameters was for Res IR Vtail PM (YJ = 0.34) and L-hip PM (YJ = 0.27) for behavioral biometrics. Combining thermal and behavioral parameters did not improve the YJ index score but reduced the false-positive occurrence observed by increasing the diagnostic odds ratio (26.62), LR+ (12.47), Specificity (0.97) and positive predicted value (0.90) in a Res IR Vtail PM, S-hip AM, S-hip PM combination. The combination of thermal and behavioral parameters increased the accuracy of estrus detection compared to either thermal or behavioral biometrics, independently in naturally cycling cows during milking.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Perez Marquez
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada.
| | - D J Ambrose
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; Livestock Research and Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Edmonton, AB T6H 5T6, Canada
| | - A L Schaefer
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; Animal Inframetrics Inc., Box 5451, Lacombe, AB T4L 1X2, Canada
| | - N J Cook
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; Livestock Research and Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Lacombe Research Centre, 6000 C & E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada
| | - C J Bench
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
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11
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Hamed AMAE, Kamel ER. Effect of some non-genetic factors on the productivity and profitability of Holstein Friesian dairy cows. Vet World 2021; 14:242-249. [PMID: 33642810 PMCID: PMC7896893 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2021.242-249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Milk yield (MY) is one of the main factors that affect the economic profitability of dairy farms. Thus, increasing the MY per animal and decreasing the feed cost can lead to economic gains, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dry period length (DPL), days open (DO), and days in milk (DIM) on the productivity and profitability of dairy cow farms. Materials and Methods: Data used in this study were taken from 3095 lactation records of Friesian dairy cows of private and governmental sectors. The data were classified into 4 DPL categories: DPL1 <45 days; DPL2 45-60 days; DPL3 61-75 days, and DPL4 >75 days, 3 DO categories: DO1 ≤90 days; DO2 91-110 days and DO3 >111 days, and 8 DIM categories: DIM1 180-210 days; DIM2 211-240 days; DIM3 241-270 days; DIM4 271-300 days; DIM5 301-330 days; DIM6 331-360 days; DIM7 361-447 days; and DIM8 >447 days. Results: The average net profit (NP) was significantly different (p<0.05) among different categories of DPL, DO, and DIM in both production sectors, where high estimates of NP were calculated for DPL3 (30667.3 EGP), and it was the lowest for DPL1 (19690.6 EGP). DO2 had the highest NP (30754.1 EGP), while DO3 had the lowest NP (24875.5 EGP). DIM3 had the highest NP (29569.3 EGP), while DIM8 had the lowest NP (19528.4 EGP). Conclusion: Finally, we can conclude that DPL 61-75 days, DO 91-110 days, and DIM 241-270 days had the highest level of total MY, total return, and NP. Private dairy cow farms achieve a higher level of NP than governmental ones under subtropical Egyptian conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira M Abd-El Hamed
- Economics and Farm Management, Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Qalyubia, Egypt
| | - Eman R Kamel
- Economics and Farm Management, Department of Animal Wealth Development, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Moshtohor, Toukh 13736, Qalyubia, Egypt
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Dobos A, Gábor G, Wehmann E, Dénes B, Póth-Szebenyi B, Kovács ÁB, Gyuranecz M. Serological screening for Coxiella burnetii in the context of early pregnancy loss in dairy cows. Acta Vet Hung 2020; 68:305-309. [PMID: 33156002 DOI: 10.1556/004.2020.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is one of the commonest infectious diseases worldwide. A Coxiella burnetii prevalence of 97.6% has been found by ELISA and PCR tests of the bulk tank milk in dairy cattle farms of Hungary. The herd- and individual-level seroprevalence rates of C. burnetii in the examined dairy cows and farms have dramatically increased over the past ten years. Three high-producing industrial dairy farms were studied which had previously been found ELISA and PCR positive for C. burnetii by bulk tank milk testing. Coxiella burnetii was detected in 52% of the 321 cows tested by ELISA. Pregnancy loss was detected in 18% of the cows between days 29-35 and days 60-70 of gestation. The study found a higher seropositivity rate (80.5%) in the cows that had lost their pregnancy and a seropositivity of 94.4% in the first-bred cows that had lost their pregnancy at an early stage. The ELISA-positive pregnant and aborted cows were further investigated by the complement fixation test (CFT). In dairy herds an average of 66.6% individual seropositivity was detected by the CFT (Phase II) in previously ELISA-positive animals that had lost their pregnancy and 64.5% in the pregnant animals. A higher (Phase I) seropositivity rate (50.0%) was found in the cows with pregnancy loss than in the pregnant animals (38.5%). The high prevalence of C. burnetii in dairy farms is a major risk factor related to pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Dobos
- 1CEVA-Phylaxia Co. Ltd., Szállás u. 5., H-1107, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Enikő Wehmann
- 3Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Béla Dénes
- 4National Food Chain Safety Office, Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bettina Póth-Szebenyi
- 5National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, Research Institute for Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Meat Science, Herceghalom, Hungary
| | - Áron B. Kovács
- 3Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Miklós Gyuranecz
- 3Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Budapest, Hungary
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Crociati M, Sylla L, van Straten M, Stradaioli G, Monaci M. Estimating the net return of a remote calving alarm system in a dairy farm. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:9646-9655. [PMID: 32747104 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2020-18253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the net return of the implementation of a remote calving monitoring system for obstetrical and neonatal assistance on the herd economy in a dairy farm model. A total of 680 parturitions over a 7-yr period were evaluated. Age at first calving was restricted from 23 to 27 mo for primiparous cows to be included. Among groups of cows that were ready to calve in a 15-d interval, primiparous and multiparous were randomly assigned to the experimental group and monitored through a calving alarm system, whereas the others accounted for controls. Final parturition groups were as follows: control primiparous (CPP, n = 218), control multiparous (CM, n = 345), monitored primiparous (MPP, n = 56), and monitored multiparous (MM, n = 61). Monitored groups received prompt calving assistance and first neonatal care, whereas the presence of farm personnel was discontinuous for controls. A biological model was built considering significant differences in calf loss, early culling, milk production, and days open between groups. Then, a partial budget model was used to estimate costs and net return on a simulated herd of 100 lactating cows. Incidence of calf death was greater in control groups (11.06% and 10.73% in CPP and CM, respectively) compared with monitored cows (0.00% and 1.69% in MPP and MM, respectively). Multiparous cows with calf loss had increased relative risk (relative risk = 3.487) for early culling compared with multiparous counterparts with no neonatal loss. Daily milk production in the first 2 mo was 3.79 kg greater in multiparous cows with no dead calf, compared with their counterparts. A significant difference in median days open was found in MPP and CPP (118 and 148 d, respectively). In the final economic model, different simulations were analyzed. They were created assuming different prices or hypothesizing calving monitoring only in primiparous animals. The model estimated different, but always positive, net return. In conclusion, implementing a calving alarm system led to a net return from €37 to 90 per cow per year (€1 = US$1.15 at the time of the study). However, the device alone is not sufficient: it must be supported by qualified calving monitoring and assistance. Optimized personnel presence in the calving area at the right time leads to prompt calving and neonatal calf assistance and colostrum feeding within the first hours of life, thus reducing calf death and days open, and increasing milk production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Crociati
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Lakamy Sylla
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Michael van Straten
- Hachaklait, Mutual Society for Cattle Insurance and Veterinary Services in Israel Ltd., 20 Habareket St., 388900, Caesarea Industrial Park, Israel
| | - Giuseppe Stradaioli
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Via Delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Monaci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, via S. Costanzo 4, 06126 Perugia, Italy
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Masello M, Ceglowski B, Thomas MJ, Giordano JO. A reproductive management program aimed at increasing reinsemination of nonpregnant dairy cows at detected estrus resulted in similar reproductive performance to a program that favored timed artificial insemination. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:3719-3729. [PMID: 32089314 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to compare time to pregnancy and proportion of cows not pregnant 210 d after first service for cows managed for second and subsequent artificial insemination (AI) services with a reproductive management program that promoted reinsemination at detected estrus (AIE) or a program that promoted timed AI (TAI). After first service, lactating Holstein cows were blocked by parity and randomly assigned to d 32 Resynch (D32R; n = 464) or AIE Resynch (AIER; n = 512). To determine the effect of management strategies on time to pregnancy and cows not pregnant by the end of a 210 d at-risk period after first AI service, cows remained in AIER and D32R until pregnancy or herd exit. Cows in D32R received a GnRH treatment 32 ± 3 d after AI (first treatment intervention; FTI). Nonpregnancy diagnosis was conducted 7 d later by transrectal ultrasonography when nonpregnant cows with a corpus luteum (CL) ≥15 mm completed the Resynch protocol (PGF2α, 56 h later GnRH, and 16 to 18 h later TAI) and cows without a CL (NoCL cows) were enrolled in a PreG-Ovsynch protocol (GnRH, 7 d later GnRH, 7 d later PGF2α, 56 h later GnRH, and 16 to 18 h TAI) to receive TAI. For the AIER treatment, nonpregnant cows with a CL ≥15 mm observed by transrectal ultrasonography 32 ± 3 d after AI (i.e., FTI) received PGF2α to induce estrus. Cows not AIE within 7 d were enrolled in Resynch (GnRH, 7 d later PGF2α, 56 h later GnRH, and 16 to 18 h TAI). Cows in the NoCL group in AIER were enrolled in PreG-Ovsynch. Detection of estrus was performed based on visual observation of behavioral signs of estrus and tail-paint removal. Binomial data were analyzed with logistic regression and time to event data with Cox's proportional regression. After the FTI, a greater proportion of cows were AIE in AIER than D32R (36.0 vs. 11.9%) and more cows were AIE within 7 d of the FTI for AIER (25.0%) than D32R (4.8%). Overall pregnancy per AI at 68 ± 3 d after AI did not differ (AIER = 35.5% vs. D32R = 34.7%). The hazard of pregnancy up to 210 d after first AI for all cows enrolled (hazard ratio = 1.04, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.19) and for cows that received treatments only (D32R = 308, AIER = 349; hazard ratio = 1.00, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.19) did not differ. We conclude that a program aimed at increasing the proportion of cows reinseminated at detected estrus by treatment with PGF2α at 32 ± 3 d after AI may be an alternative strategy for dairy farms that prefer or need to inseminate more cows at detected estrus rather than by TAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Masello
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
| | - B Ceglowski
- Dairy Health and Management Services, Lowville, NY 13367
| | - M J Thomas
- Dairy Health and Management Services, Lowville, NY 13367
| | - J O Giordano
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
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MALIK MH, VERMA HK, SHARMA RK. Prevalence, risk factors and constraints in control of repeat breeding in dairy animals of Punjab. THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v89i8.93011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the occurrence of repeat breeding (RB) and constraints in controlling this disease in cattle and buffalo in Punjab. Livestock owners/households (720) constituted the ultimate sampling units for the study. The dairy farmers were categorized into small (5–10 animals), medium (11–50) and large (>50) farmers. The overall prevalence of repeat breeding in the study area was 27.6%. It varied significantly with respect to herd size and categories of animals except in buffaloes. The highest prevalence was observed in crossbred cattle (41.8%), followed by indigenous cattle (32.0%) and buffaloes (17.6%). Repeat breeder animals were mostly high yielders (with >15 kg milk yield), calved mostly in winter season, having below average body condition score (BCS). No significant correlation was observed between parity (lactation number) and type of calving and prevalence of repeat breeding. The major constraint (rank I) perceived by farmers was culling of affected problematic cows, and lack of effective and accurate estrus detection in buffaloes. The other major constraints perceived in the study area were high cost of veterinary medicine, poor conception rate following artificial insemination and inaccessibility of qualified veterinarian. The lack of knowledge regarding animal nutrition and higher cost of branded feed available in the market were responsible for low body condition score of affected animals. Thus, a comprehensive policy and programmes involving various stakeholders are required for effective control of repeat breeding in Punjab.
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Bellingeri A, Cabrera V, Gallo A, Liang D, Masoero F. A survey of dairy cattle management, crop planning, and forages cost of production in Northern Italy. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2019.1580153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bellingeri
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Dipartimento di Scienze animali, della nutrizione e degli alimenti (DIANA), Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Victor Cabrera
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Antonio Gallo
- Dipartimento di Scienze animali, della nutrizione e degli alimenti (DIANA), Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Di Liang
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Francesco Masoero
- Dipartimento di Scienze animali, della nutrizione e degli alimenti (DIANA), Facoltà di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Ambientali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy
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17
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Raboisson D, Citerne P. Marginal cost of the calving interval in beef cows is not uniform. Vet Rec 2018; 183:160. [PMID: 29275322 DOI: 10.1136/vr.104193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
To understand the profitability of reproduction management measures, an economic assessment based on a beef cow life simulation was proposed. It accounted for the discounted feeding costs of the dam and its calves for the different periods of their lives up to their sale and for the overall production from calves adjusted by mortality and culling. The calibration was proposed for various combinations of typical French and European situations. The maximal cash flow was observed for the lowest calving interval, corresponding to the maximal number of calves produced. The marginal cost of the calving interval was not uniform: on average, it was twice as high at a calving interval of 360 days (€1/day) as at 500 days (€0.5/day). It was also higher when age at first calving was lower and when culling was late or the replacement rate was low. The results were sensitive to the costs of the calves' diets and to the market prices for calves. These assessments may assist the evaluation of the profitability of various measures taken in the field when faced with deteriorating calving intervals in beef production.
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18
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Stangaferro M, Wijma R, Masello M, Thomas MJ, Giordano J. Economic performance of lactating dairy cows submitted for first service timed artificial insemination after a voluntary waiting period of 60 or 88 days. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:7500-7516. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-14484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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19
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Dennis N, Stachowicz K, Visser B, Hely F, Berg D, Friggens N, Amer P, Meier S, Burke C. Combining genetic and physiological data to identify predictors of lifetime reproductive success and the effect of selection on these predictors on underlying fertility traits. J Dairy Sci 2018; 101:3176-3192. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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20
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Invited review: Helping dairy farmers to improve economic performance utilizing data-driving decision support tools. Animal 2018; 12:134-144. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731117001665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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21
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Skenandore CS, Pineda A, Bahr JM, Newell-Fugate AE, Cardoso FC. Evaluation of a commercially available radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay for the analysis of progesterone and estradiol and the comparison of two extraction efficiency methods. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2017; 60:61-66. [PMID: 28454055 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The measurement of progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) is essential for monitoring reproductive cycles and can aid in diagnosing the cause of poor reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Readily available, reproducible, accurate, non-radioactive assays are needed for the assessment of P4 and E2 in bovine serum. The gold standard for hormone assessment, radioimmunoassay (RIA), was compared with enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). Serum collected from various points in the estrous cycle was extracted with radiolabeled P4 (ie, 3H-P4; HE) and without 3H-P4 (CE) before being used in the assay. For the assessment of P4, there is a great degree of correlation between the RIA and EIA (adjusted R-square = 0.95; Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) = 0.98, P < 0.001). A difference between the RIA and EIA methods was not detected for E2 concentrations (P = 0.16), but the correlation between techniques was poor (adjusted R-squared = 0.73; PCC = 0.87, P = 0.002). There was no difference in the serum extraction efficiency as measured with 3H-P4 as opposed to without (P = 0.94). The two methods for the measurement of serum extraction efficiency were highly correlated (adjusted R-square = 0.83; PCC = 0.92, P < 0.001). The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) showed an excellent agreement between RIA and EIA for P4 determination (0.89) and between HE and CE methods (0.90). Although the 95% limits of agreement of the Bland-Altman plots encompassed 89% (8/9) and 92% (12/13) of the differences between methods for P4 quantification and extraction respectively, the CCC indicated an excellent agreement among them. The CCC between RIA and EIA for E2 quantification was 0.68 which corresponds with a fair agreement; however, the 95% limits of agreement of the Bland-Altman plot encompassed 100% (9/9) of differences between methods. The EIA and CE methods are comparable alternatives to the RIA and HE methods, respectively and can be used to quantify P4 and E2 for bovine serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Skenandore
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Animal Sciences Laboratory, 1207 W Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - A Pineda
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Animal Sciences Laboratory, 1207 W Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - J M Bahr
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Animal Sciences Laboratory, 1207 W Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - A E Newell-Fugate
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
| | - F C Cardoso
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Animal Sciences Laboratory, 1207 W Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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Kelley DE, Galvão KN, Mortensen CJ, Risco CA, Ealy AD. Using Doppler ultrasonography on day 34 of pregnancy to predict pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2017; 100:3266-3271. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2016-11955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Freick M, Passarge O, Weber J. Lack of effects of an equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) administration between days 9 and 15 postpartum on reproductive performance in a Holstein dairy herd. Reprod Domest Anim 2017; 52:429-436. [PMID: 28109010 DOI: 10.1111/rda.12928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recently, it has been demonstrated that administration of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in the postpartum period in dairy cows can enhance follicle growth, reduce the interval from calving to first ovulation and increase plasma estradiol concentrations, and, thus, could enhance reproductive performance in a dairy herd when administered on day 6 postpartum. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a single dose of eCG between days 9 and 15 postpartum on parameters of reproductive performance in dairy cows. German Holstein cows (n = 1937; primiparous cows: n = 748; pluriparous cows: n = 1189) in a commercial dairy farm were randomly assigned to three experimental groups. Animals within the group eCG received a single dose of 600 IU eCG intramuscularly (i.m.) between days 9 and 15 postpartum followed by an i.m. administration of 500 μg cloprostenol after 14 days. Those of treatment group PG received cloprostenol only between days 23 and 29 postpartum. Cows of the control group remained untreated. Starting on day 49 postpartum, cows were subjected to a Presynch-Ovsynch protocol and inseminated artificially. The impact of application time (days postpartum) of eCG on the intervals calving to first service and calving to conception was statistically not significant. Outcomes of reproductive performance (i.e. first service conception rate, proportion of pregnant cows until 100 and 150 days in milk [DIM], number of inseminations until 150 DIM, calving to first service interval and calving to conception interval) did not differ significantly between treatment group eCG and group PG compared to control group. Regarding postpartum eCG administration, significant interactions between treatment and parity, season, milk yield, and early puerperal disorders, respectively, could not be shown. In conclusion, an eCG treatment of dairy cows between days 9 and 15 postpartum to increase reproductive performance cannot be recommended under the given circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Freick
- Veterinary Practice Zettlitz, Zettlitz, Germany
| | - O Passarge
- Veterinary Practice Zettlitz, Zettlitz, Germany
| | - J Weber
- Veterinary Practice Zettlitz, Zettlitz, Germany
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Dolecheck K, Heersche G, Bewley J. Retention payoff–based cost per day open regression equations: Application in a user-friendly decision support tool for investment analysis of automated estrus detection technologies. J Dairy Sci 2016; 99:10182-10193. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2015-10364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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25
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The economic impact of subclinical ketosis at the farm level: Tackling the challenge of over-estimation due to multiple interactions. Prev Vet Med 2015; 122:417-25. [PMID: 26276398 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Subclinical ketosis (SCK) is a major metabolic disorder that affects dairy cows, and its lactational prevalence in Europe is estimated to be at 25%. Nonetheless, few data are available on the economics of SCK, although its management clearly must be improved. With this in mind, this study develops a double-step stochastic approach to evaluate the total cost of SCK to dairy farming. First, all the production and reproduction changes and all the health disorders associated with SCK were quantified using the meta-analysis from a previous study. Second, the total cost of SCK was determined with a stochastic model using distribution laws as input parameters. The mean total cost of SCK was estimated to be Є257 per calving cow with SCK (95% prediction interval (PI): Є72-442). The margin over feeding costs slightly influenced the results. When the parameters of the model are not modified to account for the conclusions from the meta-analysis and for the prevalence of health disorders in the population without SCK, the mean cost of SCK was overestimated by 68%, reaching Є434 per calving cow (95%PI: Є192-676). This result indicates that the total cost of complex health disorders is likely to be substantially overestimated when calculations use raw results from the literature or-even worse-punctual data. Excluding labour costs in the estimation reduced the SCK total cost by 12%, whereas excluding contributors with scarce data and imprecise calibrations (for lameness and udder health) reduced costs by another 18-20% (Є210, 95%PI=30-390). The proposed method accounted for uncertainty and variability in inputs by using distributions instead of point estimates. The mean value and associated prediction intervals (PIs) yielded good insight into the economic consequences of this complex disease and can be easily and practically used by decision makers in the field while simultaneously accounting for biological variability. Moreover, PIs can help prevent the blind use of economic results in the field when only the mean value is considered.
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Deng Q, Odhiambo JF, Farooq U, Lam T, Dunn SM, Gänzle MG, Ametaj BN. Intravaginally administered lactic acid bacteria expedited uterine involution and modulated hormonal profiles of transition dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:6018-28. [PMID: 26188583 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this investigation was to evaluate whether intravaginal infusion of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) around parturition could expedite involution rate of the uterus and improve reproductive performance of postpartum dairy cows. One hundred pregnant Holstein dairy cows were assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups: (1) 1 dose of LAB in wk -2 and -1 and 1 dose of carrier in wk 1 relative to the expected day of parturition (TRT1); (2) 1 dose of LAB in wk -2, -1, and 1 (TRT2); and (3) 1 dose of carrier in wk -2, -1, and 1 (CTR). The LAB treatment was a lyophilized mixture of Lactobacillus sakei FUA3089, Pediococcus acidilactici FUA3138, and Pediococcus acidilactici FUA3140 with a cell count of 10(8) to 10(9) cfu/dose. Uterine involution and ovarian activity was evaluated by transrectal ultrasonography weekly from d 7 to 49 postpartum. Blood samples were collected from a subset of cows to quantify prostaglandin (PG) F2α metabolite (PGFM), PGE2, and progesterone. Cows treated with LAB had smaller cross-sectional areas of gravid horn and uterine body on d 14 postpartum. Cows in TRT2 resumed ovarian cyclicity earlier, as indicated by increased concentrations of serum progesterone. Cows in TRT1 had fewer days open than those in the CTR (110 vs. 150 d), whereas cows in TRT2 and CTR did not differ in days open. In addition, both TRT1 and TRT2 increased the concentrations of PGFM at calving week, and cows in TRT2 also had greater concentrations of PGE2 on d 14 and d 21 postpartum relative to CTR. Overall, cows treated intravaginally with LAB had smaller gravid horn and uterine body on d 14 postpartum than those in the CTR group. Treatment with LAB also increased concentrations of serum PGFM (3,533±328pg/mL in TRT1, 4,470±372pg/mL in TRT2, and 2,000±328pg/mL in CTR on d 0, respectively), with the TRT1 group having fewer cows that resumed ovarian cyclicity but fewer days open compared with both TRT2 and CTR groups. More research is warranted to better understand the mechanism(s) by which intravaginal LAB expedited uterine involution and affected hormonal profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Q Deng
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - J F Odhiambo
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - U Farooq
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - T Lam
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - S M Dunn
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - M G Gänzle
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5
| | - B N Ametaj
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2P5.
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Shahinfar S, Guenther JN, David Page C, Kalantari AS, Cabrera VE, Fricke PM, Weigel KA. Optimization of reproductive management programs using lift chart analysis and cost-sensitive evaluation of classification errors. J Dairy Sci 2015; 98:3717-28. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Kalantari AS, Cabrera VE. Stochastic economic evaluation of dairy farm reproductive performance. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2015. [DOI: 10.4141/cjas-2014-072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Kalantari, A. S. and Cabrera, V. E. 2015. Stochastic economic evaluation of dairy farm reproductive performance. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 59–70. The objective of this study was to assess the economic value of reproductive performance in dairy farms under uncertain and variable conditions. Consequently, the study developed methods to introduce stochasticity into transition probabilities of a Markov chain model. A robust Markov chain model with 21-d stage length and three state variables, parity, days in milk, and days in pregnancy, was developed. Uncertainty was added to all transition probabilities, milk production level, and reproductive costs. The model was run for 10 000 replications after introducing each random variable. The expected net return (US$ cow−1 yr−1±standard deviation) was $3192±75.0 for the baseline scenario that had 15% 21-d pregnancy rate (21-d PR). After verifying the model's behavior, it was run for 2000 replications to study the effect of changing 21-d PR from 10 to 30% with one-unit-percentage interval. The economic gain of changing 21-d PR from 10 to 30% resulted in a US$75 cow−1 yr−1, and this overall increase in the net return was observed mainly due to the lower reproductive and culling cost and higher calf value. The gain was even greater when milk price and milk cut-off threshold decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin S. Kalantari
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA 53706
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA 53706
| | - Victor E. Cabrera
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA 53706
- Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA 53706
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Sinedino LDP, Lima FS, Bisinotto RS, Cerri RLA, Santos JEP. Effect of early or late resynchronization based on different methods of pregnancy diagnosis on reproductive performance of dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:4932-41. [PMID: 24931532 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2013-7887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the reproductive performance of dairy cows subjected to early (ER) or late (LR) resynchronization programs after nonpregnancy diagnoses based on either pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) ELISA or transrectal palpation, respectively. In addition, the accuracy of the PAG ELISA for early pregnancy diagnosis was assessed. Lactating Holstein cows were subjected to a Presynch-Ovsynch protocol with timed artificial insemination (AI) performed between 61 and 74 DIM. On the day of the first postpartum AI, 1,093 cows were blocked by parity and assigned randomly to treatments; however, because of attrition, 452 ER and 520 LR cows were considered for the statistical analyses. After the first postpartum AI, cows were observed daily for signs of estrus and inseminated on the same day of detected estrus. Cows from ER that were not reinseminated in estrus received the first GnRH injection of the Ovsynch protocol for resynchronization 2d before pregnancy diagnosis. On d 28 after the previous AI (d 27 to 34), pregnancy status was determined by PAG ELISA, and nonpregnant cows continued on the Ovsynch protocol for reinsemination. Pregnant cows had pregnancy status reconfirmed on d 46 after AI (d 35 to 52) by transrectal palpation, and those that lost the pregnancies were resynchronized. Cows assigned to LR had pregnancy diagnosed by transrectal palpation on d 46 after AI (d 35 to 52) and nonpregnant cows were resynchronized with the Ovsynch protocol. Blood was sampled on d 28 after AI (d 27 to 34) from cows in both treatments that had not been reinseminated on estrus and again on d 46 after AI (d 35 to 52) for assessment of PAG ELISA to determine the accuracy of the test. Cows were subjected to treatments for 72d after the first insemination. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) at first postpartum timed AI did not differ between treatments and averaged 28.9%. The proportion of nonpregnant cows that were resynchronized and received timed AI was greater for ER than for LR (30.0 vs. 7.6%). Cows in ER had a shorter interval between inseminations when inseminated following spontaneous estrus (21.7±1.1 vs. 27.8±0.8d) or after timed AI (35.3±1.2 vs. 55.2±1.4d). Nevertheless, the ER did not affect the rate of pregnancy (adjusted hazard ratio=1.23; 95% confidence interval=0.94 to 1.61) or the median days postpartum to pregnancy (ER=132 vs. LR=140). A total of 2,129 PAG ELISA were evaluated. Overall, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values averaged 95.1, 89.0, 90.1, and 94.5%, respectively, and the accuracy was 92.1%. In conclusion, PAG ELISA for early diagnosis of pregnancy had acceptable accuracy, but early resynchronization after nonpregnancy diagnosis with PAG ELISA did not improve the rate of pregnancy or reduce days open in dairy cows continuously observed for estrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D P Sinedino
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611
| | - F S Lima
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611
| | - R S Bisinotto
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611
| | - R L A Cerri
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC VT6 1Z4, Canada
| | - J E P Santos
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
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Boni R, Perrone L, Cecchini S. Heat stress affects reproductive performance of high producing dairy cows bred in an area of southern Apennines. Livest Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2013.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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31
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Bicalho RC, Foditsch C, Gilbert R, Oikonomou G. The effect of sire predicted transmitting ability for production traits on fertility, survivability, and health of Holstein dairy cows. Theriogenology 2014; 81:257-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/14/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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32
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Kamal MM, Opsomer G, Parveen N, Momont HW, Shamsuddin M. Comparative efficacy of the synchrony programmes in subestrus crossbred cows at smallholder farms in Bangladesh. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2013.792736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Vojgani M, Akbarinejad V, Niasari-Naslaji A. Administration of eCG on Day 6 postpartum could enhance reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows. Anim Reprod Sci 2013; 138:159-62. [PMID: 23562450 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2012] [Revised: 02/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Injection of eCG on Day 6 postpartum could enhance early resumption of ovarian activity in Holstein dairy cows. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of eCG treatment on Day 6 postpartum on reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cows. Holstein dairy cows (n=420) were randomly assigned to two groups. Cows in eCG-treated group (n=220) received an intramuscular injection of eCG (500IU Folligon®) on Day 6 postpartum, while cows in the Control group (n=200) received no treatment. Estrus expression was observed thrice daily, and AI was carried out 12 hours after standing estrus. Data were analyzed using GLM and Genmod procedures, and survival analysis. Days to first service decreased in the eCG-treated (74.4±1.76 days) compared to the Control (84.2±2.79 days) group (P=0.008). Calving to conception interval was shorter in eCG-treated (103.9±3.14 days) vs Control (130.3±5.70 days) group (P=0.0006). Cows treated with eCG were inseminated and conceived earlier than untreated cows (P<0.05). In conclusion, injection of eCG on Day 6 postpartum improved reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vojgani
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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34
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Galvão K, Federico P, De Vries A, Schuenemann G. Economic comparison of reproductive programs for dairy herds using estrus detection, timed artificial insemination, or a combination. J Dairy Sci 2013; 96:2681-2693. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-5982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 12/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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35
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36
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Hutchinson I, Shalloo L, Butler S. Expanding the dairy herd in pasture-based systems: The role for sexed semen use on virgin heifers. J Dairy Sci 2013. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-6126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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37
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Kalantari A, Cabrera V. The effect of reproductive performance on the dairy cattle herd value assessed by integrating a daily dynamic programming model with a daily Markov chain model. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:6160-70. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2012-5587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 06/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Giordano J, Kalantari A, Fricke P, Wiltbank M, Cabrera V. A daily herd Markov-chain model to study the reproductive and economic impact of reproductive programs combining timed artificial insemination and estrus detection. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:5442-5460. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-4972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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39
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Heins BJ, Hansen LB, De Vries A. Survival, lifetime production, and profitability of Normande × Holstein, Montbéliarde × Holstein, and Scandinavian Red × Holstein crossbreds versus pure Holsteins. J Dairy Sci 2012; 95:1011-21. [PMID: 22281364 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-4525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Pure Holstein (HO) cows (n=416) were compared with Normande (NO) × HO (n=251), Montbéliarde (MO) × HO (n=503), and Scandinavian Red (SR) × HO (n=321) crossbred cows for survival, lifetime production, and profitability in 6 commercial herds in California. The SR crossbred cows were sired by both Swedish Red and Norwegian Red bulls. Cows calved from June 2002 to January 2009. For analysis of survival to subsequent calvings, lifetime production, and profitability, data were restricted to 3 of 6 herds because they had at least 20 cows in each of the breed groups. All cows had the opportunity to calve at least 4 times. Best prediction, which is used by USDA for national genetic evaluations in the United States, was used to determine lifetime production to 4 yr (1,461 d) in the herd after first calving from test-day observations. Production and survival were estimated after 4 yr to calculate lifetime profit. A profit function was defined to include revenues and expenses for milk, fat, protein, and other solids production; somatic cell count; reproduction; feed intake; calf value; salvage value; dead cow disposal; and fixed cost. The NO × HO (1.2%), MO × HO (2.0%), and SR × HO cows (1.6%) had significantly fewer deaths than did pure HO cows (5.3%) during the first 305 d of first lactation. All crossbred groups had significantly more cows that calved a second, third, and fourth time, and had mean survival that was 300 to 400 d longer than did pure HO cows. The NO × HO, MO × HO, and SR × HO cows had significantly higher lifetime fat plus protein production than did pure HO cows up to 1,461 d after first calving. For profitability (ignoring possible differences in health costs), NO × HO cows had 26% greater projected lifetime profit per cow, but 6.7% less profit per cow-day, than did pure HO cows. On the other hand, MO × HO and SR × HO cows had 50 to 44%, respectively, more projected lifetime profit per cow and 5.3 to 3.6%, respectively, more projected profit per cow-day than did pure HO cows.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
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40
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Effects of sex control and twinning on economic optimization of culling cows in Japanese Black cow-calf production systems. Theriogenology 2012; 77:320-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2011.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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41
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Giordano J, Fricke P, Wiltbank M, Cabrera V. An economic decision-making support system for selection of reproductive management programs on dairy farms. J Dairy Sci 2011; 94:6216-32. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2011-4376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2011] [Accepted: 08/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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42
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Economic effect of bovine abortion syndrome in commercial dairy herds in Southern Chile. Prev Vet Med 2010; 97:9-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2010.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Revised: 07/10/2010] [Accepted: 07/18/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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43
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Economic consequences of reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Theriogenology 2010; 74:835-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2009] [Revised: 03/05/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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44
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McArt J, Caixeta L, Machado V, Guard C, Galvao K, Sá Filho O, Bicalho R. Ovsynch versus Ultrasynch: Reproductive efficacy of a dairy cattle synchronization protocol incorporating corpus luteum function. J Dairy Sci 2010; 93:2525-32. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2009-2930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2009] [Accepted: 02/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Ospina PA, Nydam DV, Stokol T, Overton TR. Associations of elevated nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations with early lactation reproductive performance and milk production in transition dairy cattle in the northeastern United States. J Dairy Sci 2010; 93:1596-603. [PMID: 20338437 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2009-2852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2009] [Accepted: 12/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The objectives were to evaluate the effects of elevated pre- and postpartum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations during the transition period on reproductive performance and milk production in dairy cattle. In a prospective cohort study of 91 freestall, total mixed ration-fed herds in the northeastern United States, blood samples were collected from approximately 15 prepartum and 15 different postpartum transition animals in each herd. All samples were stratified based on pre- or postpartum status at the time of sample collection, and 2,259 and 2,290 animals were used to evaluate reproductive and milk production performance, respectively. Reproductive performance was assessed by time to conception within 70 d post-voluntary waiting period (VWP) and milk production was assessed using mature-equivalent 305-d (ME305) milk yield estimated at 120 d in milk. While controlling for body condition score (BCS), calving season, median ME305 milk production, and parity, NEFA and BHBA concentrations were evaluated with time to event analysis to investigate reproductive performance. These same predictor variables were used to determine the effects of elevated NEFA and BHBA concentrations on ME305 milk yield with herd as a random effect. Heifers and cows were grouped in the final analyses if the results between groups were similar. In all animals sampled prepartum, the risk of pregnancy within 70 d post-VWP was reduced by 19% when NEFA concentrations were >or=0.27 mEq/L. In all animals sampled postpartum, those with NEFA concentrations >or=0.72 mEq/L had a 16% decrease in risk of pregnancy and those with BHBA concentrations >or=10mg/dL had a 13% decrease in risk. In cows and heifers, ME305 milk yield was decreased by 683 kg when prepartum NEFA concentrations were >or=0.33 mEq/L. In heifers sampled postpartum, ME305 milk yield was increased by 488 kg when NEFA concentrations were >or=0.57 mEq/L and increased by 403 kg when BHBA concentrations were >or=9 mg/dL. In cows sampled postpartum, ME305 milk yield was decreased by 647 kg when NEFA concentrations were >or=0.72 mEq/L and decreased by 393 kg when BHBA concentrations were >or=10mg/dL. With the exception of milk production in heifers, this study indicates that increased concentrations of serum NEFA and BHBA had a detrimental effect on reproductive performance and milk production.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A Ospina
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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46
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Kalantari A, Mehrabani-Yeganeh H, Moradi M, Sanders A, De Vries A. Determining the optimum replacement policy for Holstein dairy herds in Iran. J Dairy Sci 2010; 93:2262-70. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2009-2765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/01/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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47
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Olynk NJ, Wolf CA. Economic analysis of reproductive management strategies on US commercial dairy farms. J Dairy Sci 2009; 91:4082-91. [PMID: 18832236 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2007-0858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Reproductive management has received increased attention in recent years as new technologies and programs have been developed to aid dairy managers in efficiently breeding cows and heifers. Efficient breeding of cows and heifers has become increasingly difficult as fertility has decreased because of a correlated negative response with milk yield. Dairy farm survey results were used to parameterize the economic analyses of reproductive management programs. Reproductive management program costs and the levels of reproductive performance achieved with such programs varied significantly among farms and were especially sensitive to on-farm labor costs. For example, visual heat detection requires more hours of labor per cow than use of an estrus synchronization program. Therefore, visual heat detection programs were relatively more sensitive to labor costs than synchronization programs. In addition, past reproductive performance was found to affect the determination of which reproductive program was optimal. Farms that had attained high levels of labor efficiency for visual heat detection in the past had less incentive to adopt a synchronization program than farms with less efficient visual heat detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Olynk
- Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
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48
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KAUFFOLD J, GROEGER S, BERGMANN K, WEHREND A. Use of Contrast Sonography to Test for Tubal Patency in Dairy Cattle. J Reprod Dev 2009; 55:335-8. [DOI: 10.1262/jrd.20168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes KAUFFOLD
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Stephan GROEGER
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University
| | | | - Axel WEHREND
- Clinic for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology of Large and Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University
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Treatment with an intravaginal progestagen and estradiol to prevent prolonged anestrus in crossbred zebu cows under tropical conditions. Trop Anim Health Prod 2008; 40:39-46. [PMID: 18551777 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-007-9051-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To study the effectiveness of a treatment with an intravaginal progestagen in combination with estradiol-17beta (E-17beta) on estrus induction, prevention of prolonged anestrus and fertility in noncycling crossbred zebu cows, a trial was conducted in a farm in Zulia state, Venezuela. Fifty noncycling suckled crossbred cows (B. taurus x B. indicus) with 60 dpp were randomly allotted to one of the following treatments: MAP+E-17beta (n=22), intravaginal device (250 mg of MAP) during 7 days + 50 mg of MAP and 5 mg of E-17beta im (day 0) and 1.5 mg of E-17beta im (day 8) (Pregnaheat-E; VIATECA-Venezuela); CG (n=28), control group without hormonal treatment. The MAP+E-17beta group showed higher (P<0.05) estrus and synchronization rates (59.1 and 36.4 %) than CG (25.0 and 3.5 %). Cows receiving MAP had higher (P<0.05) overall pregnancy rate than CG (45.5 and 17.8 %, respectively). A decreased (P<0.05) anestrus rate was observed in MAP+E-17beta (31.8%) compared to CG (57.1%). Calving-conception interval was shorter (P<0.05) in MAP+E-17beta (132.5+/-16.8 days) than in CG (178.9+/-14.7 days). In conclusion, treatment with MAP+E-17beta at 60 days postpartum was effective to induce estrus, prevent prolonged anestrus, and reduce the calving-conception interval, improving reproductive performance in dual purpose crossbred Zebu cows.
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50
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Meadows C, Rajala-Schultz PJ, Frazer GS, Meiring RW, Hoblet KH. Evaluation of a contract breeding management program in Ohio dairy herds: test day summary and economic measures. Anim Reprod Sci 2008; 104:189-200. [PMID: 17391874 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2006] [Accepted: 02/27/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A field study was conducted to assess the impact of a contract breeding program that was offered by a breeding co-operative and featured tail chalking and daily evaluation of cows for insemination by co-operative technicians; dairy employees no longer handled estrous detection and insemination activities. From early 2002 until mid-2004, herd-level test day summary records related to production and reproduction were obtained for 32 herds identified as well-managed client herds of the breeding co-operative. Using analyses that controlled for other predictors and random herd-level effects, average days to first service were less by 13 days (P=0.0037) and estrous detection rate was greater by 12% (P=0.0011) for program than for non-program herds. Although first service conception rate was slightly less and the program herds used 0.34 more services per conception (P=0.1488) than non-program herds, the program herds averaged 16 fewer days before pregnancy (P=0.028). Test day summary information and representative estimates of feed, milk, and semen prices were used in a spreadsheet-based model to estimate a partial budget annuity value for an average cow in each herd on each test day. Value of an average cow from a contract herd did not significantly differ from a non-contract herd, even though the analyses suggested an economic benefit for the program herds; the modeling did not, however, account for costs of the program implementation. Additional analyses did not find any significant associations between technician and on days to first service, first service conception rate, estrous detection rate, services per conception, or days open.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheyney Meadows
- Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, A100L Sisson Hall, 1920 Coffey Road, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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