Study on Fans Cooling of Dairy Cowshed with Free Stall in Northern Mountainous Region of Hebei in Summer

The present objective of the study was to investigate the effect of fans cooling on dairy cow in northern mountainous region of Hebei in summer.Two cowsheds with the same structure and feeding technics were used to investigate the effect of fans on indoor temperature and humidity, physiological parameters and milking performance of dairy cow.The results showed that the average ambient temperature in cowshed with fans was 1.5℃ lower than that of the control cowshed, and the average wind velocity was 0.49 m/s higher than that of the control cowshed, reaching to 0.66 m/s.Temperature-humidity index (THI) of cowshed with fans was significantly lower than that of the control shed during the period of fans running (P<0.05).Besides, the rectal temperature and respiration rate of dairy cows in cowshed with fans were significantly lower than of the control cowshed (P<0.05), and the milk yield per cow per day was 17.0% higher than that of the control cowshed (P<0.05), however, the milk fat, milk protein and milk sugar were no significant difference from the control (P>0.05).Overall, fans could decrease indoor environment, moderate heat stress and increase performance and health of dairy cows in northern mountainous region of Hebei.     

冀北山区散栏奶牛舍夏季风机降温效果的研究

试验旨在研究冀北山区夏季奶牛舍风机的降温效果。选择结构和饲养工艺相似的两栋舍饲散栏牛舍,分析安装风机对舍内温热环境、奶牛生理指标及产奶性能的影响。结果表明,安装风机舍的昼夜均温比对照舍低1.5℃,平均风速比对照舍高0.49 m/s,可达0.66 m/s。风机开启期间安装风机舍温湿指数(THI)显著低于对照舍(P<0.05)。此外,安装风机舍的奶牛直肠温度和呼吸频率显著低于对照舍(P<0.05),且每头牛每天产奶量比对照舍显著提高了17.0%(P<0.05),但乳脂率、乳蛋白和乳糖与对照舍相比差异均不显著(P>0.05)。由此可见,冀北山区奶牛舍安装风机可改善舍内温热环境,缓解奶牛热应激,提高奶牛的产奶性能。     

A serological survey of bovine herpesvirus-1 infection in selected dairy herds in northern and central Italy

Serum samples from a total of 6979 dairy cattle from 55 herds in northern Italy (51 herds) and central Italy (4 herds), were examined by the serum neutralization test for the presence of antibody to bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). It was found that 84.31% of the farms selected in northern Italy and all the farms from central Italy had seropositive animals at titers of 1:4 or higher. The prevalence of infection was essentially the same among the cattle populations of the two selected areas of the country, being of 34.99% in the north and of 38.65% in central regions. A comparison of the data from the present study with those obtained in a serological survey conducted in Italy in 1966, shows that the rate of seropositive cattle to BHV-1 has increased by about 5.0% in the last 30 years.     

Trends in the quality and hygiene parameters of bulk Italian Mediterranean buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) milk: A three year study

Buffalo milk represents an indispensable source of nourishment in many parts of the world and it is the second most consumed milk worldwide. Buffalo milk is actually used for the production of many dairy products such as pasteurized or concentrated milk, butter, yogurt, ice‐cream, dehydrated milk products and cheeses. Due to its high nutritional value and the presence of natural bioactive substances, buffalo milk can also provide health benefits to consumers. In Italy, buffalo milk is used mainly for cheese making, mozzarella PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), which is a highly valued dairy product. This 3‐year study, carried out between 2011 and 2013, was aimed at evaluating the quality of bulk Italian Mediterranean buffalo milk by monitoring physico‐chemical parameters, somatic cell and total bacterial counts. A total of 51 samples of bulk milk were collected from one herd throughout the monitored period. Analysis of variance, carried out to test month, season and year main effects, highlighted remarkable seasonal effects for fat, protein and lactose content, as well as for predicted mozzarella cheese yield, and somatic cell counts. The calculation of simple correlations allowed the identification of positive correlations between estimated cheese yield and fat and protein content.     

非洲奶业发展现状及中非合作潜力研究

奶业是非洲居民重要的收入和就业来源,是重要的农业产业。2018年,非洲奶业生产总值171.22 亿美元,占畜牧业总产值的24.0%;奶牛存栏6 752.49 万头,主要集中在东非、北非和西非地区,养殖方式以散养为主,平均存栏仅3 头,部分品种仍以役用为主,牛奶生产仅是副产品,平均单产512.8 kg/头·年,年生鲜乳产量3 462.85 万t;埃及、肯尼亚和南非是主要的乳制品加工国家,加工量占非洲生鲜乳产量的近30%;2019年乳制品消费量折合生鲜乳为5 468.21 万t,鲜奶是最主要的消费品类,占60%以上,其次是奶粉和奶酪,分别占消费量（折合生鲜乳）的16%和15%,人均消费量有所下降,2019年为41.74 kg/人·年;乳制品贸易长期处于净进口趋势,2018年进口量198.72 万t,进口额48.57 亿美元,北非、西非和东非是主要进口地区。非洲奶牛养殖提升空间巨大,乳制品加工前景广阔,乳制品消费增长空间巨大,中国进一步加强与非洲奶业在奶牛养殖、乳制品加工以及奶业贸易等方面的国际合作,推动奶业走出去。     

Comparison of blood and milk non-specific immune parameters in heifers after calving in relation to udder health

A practical protocol to study udder immune status in field conditions was planned with the aim to assess different non-specific immune parameters in milk samples from dairy heifers during the periparturient period. Five herds located in northern Italy were selected and overall 39 heifers were enrolled in the trial. Milk samples were taken at 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, 60, and 75 days after calving. The parameters assessed were N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAGase), lysozyme, respiratory burst (RB), somatic cell counts (SCC) and serum protein profile. SCC and NAGase were higher in the first sampling after calving, while lysozyme showed large variations during the observation period without a definite trend. The levels of RB observed in the first two weeks after calving, even if lower, were not statistically different from the values observed in samples taken over the following weeks. This study confirmed that the levels of immune components in milk are different from what is observed at blood level in the same cow. A significant decrease in RB in milk polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) post-calving was not observed; milk PMN from healthy cows showed low RB levels, while the values from infected quarters were significantly higher. Significant differences between healthy and infected animals were also observed for milk NAG, lactoglobulin and albumin. These data suggest that udder immune response could be influenced both by the cow immune status and by external factors such as pathogens and management. Therefore, the reduction in immune defences, particularly in heifers, is not unavoidable and methods to boost PMN activity should be explored.     

Parameters for the determination and evaluation of heat stress in dairy cattle in South Africa

Not all parameters are trustworthy and practical to use as parameters to determine heat stress in dairy cattle. The temperature-humidity index (THI) is still the best, simplest and most practical index (parameter) for measurement of environmental warmth which cause heat stress in dairy cattle. It is practical, easy to determine and relatively trustworthy to use body temperature and respiratory rate as parameters to determine heat stress in dairy cattle. These physiological parameters must always be used together with THI values to determine and evaluate heat stress in dairy cattle. For practical purposes, plasma cortisol concentration and milk composition cannot be used as parameters to determine heat stress in dairy cattle although good indications of acute or chronic heat stress can be obtained. Vanillic acid is a break-down product of adrenalin found in milk, but before its concentration in milk can be used as an indicator/parameter of heat stress in dairy cows, more about the pharmacodynamics of adrenaline in the milk has to be known. Selection and breeding of dairy cows on the basis of their adaptibility to heat stress using the most practical heat stress parameters will ensure that their offspring will have superior performance in the prevailing environmental conditions.     

The economics of dairy production.

The structure of the dairy farm industry has been changing rapidly in recent years. Milk production has increased, with dramatic increases in milk produced per cow and with a steep decline in number of milk cows and fewer farms with larger herds. The change in dairy farm size has not been uniform across regions. The growth in farm size has occurred much more rapidly in the Pacific and South regions than in the traditional dairy-producing regions (Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Corn Belt). Using USDA data to examine costs and returns over time reveals that the incentives to produce milk have been much greater in the Pacific and South regions in recent years. Although the cash costs are similar across regions, accounting for all costs including unpaid factors such as labor and capital replacement yields a clear advantage for the Pacific region. Dairy farm size and cost of production are jointly determined. The incentive to increase farm size is derived from the economies of size that may be achieved by spreading the capital, labor, and managerial costs across more units of milk production. Empiric evidence from previous studies indicates a declining cost of production over a large range of herd sizes. Even in the presence of a flat average cost curve, the incentive to maximize farm income provides incentive to increase production. Adjustment costs may fix dairy production facilities in their current use. Those firms facing higher adjustment costs because of individual or regional characteristics or because of different timing of growth will be smaller or grow more slowly than if they faced smaller adjustment costs. This situation may explain the continued lag of farm size and technology adoption in the traditional dairy producing regions relative to the Pacific and South regions where the more recent population growth coincided with the presence of modern, large-scale production technologies. Finally, dairy marketing policies almost certainly have affected the structure and regional pattern of dairy farm size and production. For the most part, however, the policy effects have been of indirect nature. The Pacific region has grown (despite having the lowest average price) by taking advantage of economies of size by specializing in milking cows. The United States dairy industry is a technologically advanced, well-managed, and economically important sector of United States agriculture. Future challenges include the ability to remain viable economically while dealing with environmental and social sustainability issues in the form of new constraints from formal policies and from consumer perceptions.     

The selenium content of milk

The selenium content in milk of dairy cows from different countries varies between 2 and 60 micrograms/kg, because of differences in the selenium content in the feeds. With an increasing selenium content in the feed a decreasing part is secreted into the milk. A bigger part is utilized from natural selenium compounds in the feed than from selenite. In own investigations milk from Swedish cows had significantly lower selenium content during summer and autumn than during winter and spring (p less than 0,0001). The LS-means between different regions also differed significantly (p less than 0,0001). From the autumn of 1980 the feed manufacturers have been allowed to add sodium-selenite to concentrates and mineral feeds in amounts permitting a selenium content of 0,1 mg/kg DM in the total ration of dairy cows. The year after the selenium fortification was allowed, the LS-means for the selenium content of milk were 1 microgram/kg higher than the year before (p less than 0,001). In the southern parts of Sweden the selenium content was 8-10 and in the central and northern parts 7-9 micrograms/kg. These means were substantially lower than the figure of 15 micrograms/kg which was reported from the central part of Sweden two decades ago. The low selenium content in the milk during summer in some parts of Sweden could possibly mean that there is still a risk of selenium deficiency among the cattle. Anyhow the milk will not always cover the selenium requirement of the sucking or milkfed calf.     

Effect of hypodermyiasis in cattle on milk-production indicators in 1st-calvers]

We investigated the effect of hypodermosis on the quantitative and some qualitative indicators of milk from 20 experimental and 18 control first-calvers of the Pinzgau cattle breed. The experiment took place at two experimental localities in mountainous pastures of the Central-Slovakian region. In the experimental animals, treated with Hypocid, the production of milk per dairy cow increased on an average by 115.98 kg, i.e. 24.83%, over the experimental period of 61 days (May, June) with an average invasion intensity of 5.94 larvas in control animals. Milk fat production increased on an average by 7.20 kg, i.e. 34.97%. Production recalculated to FCM milk amounted on an average to 31.61%. The profitability of treating hypodermosis with the Hypocid preparation is expressed by the average savings of 0.40 Kcs per litre of milk per day.     

荷斯坦青年牛初次配种妊娠月龄对头胎和二胎产奶量和繁殖性能的影响

旨在研究母牛初次配种妊娠月龄（age at first pregnancy,AFP）对其泌乳性能和主要繁殖性能的影响。本研究以我国北方地区2个规模化奶牛场13 927头荷斯坦母牛（A牧场8 091头,B牧场5 836头）的生产数据为基础,统计了母牛AFP、头胎和二胎的产奶量、产后首次发情时间、首次配种时间和首次受孕时间,然后将母牛根据AFP的早晚（12~19月龄）分为8组,对各试验组母牛的头胎和二胎产奶量和主要繁殖性能的数据进行比较分析。结果表明：1）2个规模化奶牛场荷斯坦青年牛AFP以13和14月龄为主（总占比70.1%）;2）AFP可显著影响荷斯坦青年牛头胎和二胎的305 d产奶量（P<0.05）,其中AFP为14月龄时A牧场头胎和二胎305 d产奶量均最高,分别为15 102和15 534 kg;3）AFP可显著影响荷斯坦青年牛头胎和二胎产后首次发情时间和受孕时间（P<0.05）,AFP为14月龄时头胎产后首次发情和受孕情况最优;4）对于产后首配时间,除A牧场头胎AFP为16月龄时产后首次配种时间显著高于AFP为17月龄时（P<0.05）外,其余各组间均无显著性差异（P ≥ 0.05）,并且各组间配种时间相差≤ 5 d;5）通过对A牧场在场牛（2 703头）与淘汰牛（660头）的AFP记录数据分析发现,在场牛的AFP为14.52月龄,显著高于淘汰牛的AFP（P<0.05）。因此,在北方地区现有的生产管理水平下,14月龄可能是荷斯坦青年牛最适宜的初次配种妊娠月龄,这对我国规模化奶牛场选择荷斯坦青年牛适宜的初次配种月龄具有一定参考价值。     

乳房炎源生鲜乳中病原微生物的污染现状及防控措施

主要介绍了乳房炎患病牛乳中病原微生物污染情况、耐药情况及防控措施。总结出乳房炎患病牛乳中的病原微生物种类较多, 主要有大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、链球菌和克雷伯菌, 不同地区乳房炎乳样中的病原微生物不同, 产生的耐药性和耐药基因存在差异。旨在为减少因滥用和乱用抗生素导致药物残留和耐药性产生、降低乳房炎患病牛乳中病原微生物的污染以及科学、合理用药提供参考。     

自然生产条件下热应激周期变化揭示泌乳中期奶牛出现“热应激乳蛋白降低征”

本试验在连续3年时间里测定了上海地区热应激周期变化对泌乳中期奶牛生产性能和牛奶品质的影响。通过实地测定并计算分析,绘制了上海地区热应激周期变化图谱,揭示了整个热应激周期中不同热应激程度的分布状况。研究对比了自然生产环境下无热应激与中度热应激对奶牛生产性能和牛奶品质的影响,发现中度热应激极显著降低了奶牛采食量、产奶量、乳脂校正乳产量、能量校正乳产量、乳脂率、乳蛋白含量、总固体含量(P<0.01),而且显著增加了乳中尿素氮含量(P<0.05)。在热应激周期变化研究中发现,中度热应激显著升高泌乳奶牛的直肠温度和呼吸频率(P<0.05),而且呼吸频率比直肠温度对热应激变化的反应更快、更敏感。热应激周期变化对奶牛干物质采食量、产奶量的影响取决于热应激程度,2012年整个热应激周期的热应激程度比较低,热应激周期变化对奶牛干物质采食量、产奶量无显著影响(P>0.05),但是2013年热应激程度更加严重,热应激周期变化对奶牛干物质采食量、产奶量产生了极显著影响(P<0.01)。在牛奶品质中,受热应激影响最大的是乳蛋白合成量(P<0.01)。2012年和2013年2个热应激周期变化对其他乳成分含量没有显著影响(P>0.05),但是两年的热应激周期变化都导致乳蛋白含量显著下降(P<0.05)和乳中尿素氮含量显著升高(P<0.05)。尤其值得注意的是,2012年热应激周期变化并没有导致奶牛采食量下降(P>0.05),而且产奶量也没有显著性差异(P>0.05),但是仍然出现了乳蛋白含量下降和乳中尿素氮含量升高(P<0.05)。这表明热应激周期变化改变了泌乳中期奶牛氮代谢的途径,发生了氮营养重分配(repartitioning)现象,而且这种现象不依赖于采食量和产奶量,可以称之为“热应激乳蛋白降低征”(heat-stressed milk protein decrease syndrome,HS-MPD)。     

1982-2013年新疆不同植被生长时空变化

基于逐像元一元线性回归模型,应用MODIS NDVI数据对AVHRR-GIMMS NDVI 数据进行时间序列拓展,建立了1982-2013年间长时间序列生长季最大NDVI数据集,分析了新疆不同分区的生长季植被NDVI变化及其对气候变化的响应。结果表明,1)北疆平原地区、南疆平原地区和南疆山地地区的植被NDVI变化呈显著增长趋势,北疆山地地区的植被呈下降趋势。2)水分条件和最低气温是影响新疆植被生长的重要因素,但不同分区的影响程度不同。北疆平原地区植被受水分条件影响较大,其中最低气温对农田植被影响较大;南疆平原地区植被受气温和降水的双重作用;山地地区植被受水分条件影响较大。3)从不同植被类型来看,水分条件对草地的影响最大,其次是林地,农田植被受水分条件的限制较小,与灌溉有着直接关系。4)增温增湿的气候条件有利于植被生长;北疆山地地区植被退化趋势受气候变化、火灾、平原草地围栏保护后放牧压力向山地转移等综合因素的影响。     

乳与乳制品中黄曲霉毒素检测研究进展

黄曲霉毒素（aflatoxin，AF）是霉菌产生的毒性极强的次级代谢产物，主要存在于乳与乳制品和霉变谷物中。目前研究较多的黄曲霉毒素有黄曲霉毒素B₁（AFB₁）、AFB₂、AFG₁、AFG₂、AFM₁和AFM₂，黄曲霉毒素物理与化学性质稳定，加热处理很难将其破坏，是目前公认的毒性最强的致癌物之一。黄曲霉毒素不仅会造成动物营养不良及免疫力下降等问题，进入人体后还会对人体的肝脏造成极大的损害，而且原料乳中黄曲霉毒素的存在会对整个乳制品产业链造成严重的危害。因此，建立简便的、特异性好、灵敏度高的检测乳与乳制品中黄曲霉毒素的方法具有十分重要的意义。作者综述了乳与乳制品中黄曲霉毒素的检测方法进展，介绍了国内外近年来质谱法、电化学法、光谱法、色谱法、试纸条法等方法在检测乳与乳制品中黄曲霉毒素的应用，总结以上各种方法在检测乳与乳制品中黄曲霉毒素中的优势与其面临的挑战，并对今后乳与乳制品中黄曲霉毒素检测方法的发展方向进行了展望，以期为设计新的乳与乳制品中黄曲霉毒素检测方法提供思路。     

Effects of total replacement of corn silage with sorghum silage on milk yield,composition, and quality

Background: In the last years, difficulties occurring in corn cultivation(i.e., groundwater shortages, mycotoxin contamination) have been forcing dairy farmers to consider alternative silages. Some experiments conducted on lactating cows have proven that the total replacement of corn silage with sorghum silage did not reduce milk yield.However, this kind of substitution involves supplementing sorghum-based diets with grains, to compensate for the lower starch content of sorghum silage compared to corn silage. Change of silage type and inclusion of starch sources in the diet would influence rumen fermentations, with possible effects on milk composition(i.e., fatty acid profile) and coagulation properties. A worsening of milk coagulation properties would have a negative economic impact in Italy, where most of the milk produced is processed into cheese.This study was designed to compare milk composition and quality, with emphasis on fatty acid profile and coagulation properties, in dairy cows fed two diets based on corn or sorghum silage.Results: The sorghum diet reduced milk yield(P = 0.043) but not 4% fat corrected milk(P = 0.85). Feeding sorghum silage did not influence milk contents of protein(P = 0.07) and lactose(P = 0.65), and increased fat content(P = 0.024).No differences emerged for milk concentrations of saturated(P = 0.61) and monounsaturated fatty acids(P = 0.50),whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids were lower(P 0.001) for the sorghum diet. Concentrations of n-6(P 0.001) and n-3 fatty acids(P = 0.017) were lower in milk of cows fed the sorghum diet. Milk coagulation properties did not differ between the two diets, except the "a30"(the curd firmness, expressed in mm, 30 min after rennet addition), that was lower(P = 0.042) for the sorghum diet.Conclusions: Feeding a forage sorghum silage, properly supplemented with corn meal, as total replacement of corn silage maintained milk composition and did not influence negatively milk coagulation properties, which have a great economic relevance for the Italian dairy industry. Thus, silages obtained from forage sorghums could have a potential as substitute of corn silages in dairy cow diets.     

Effect of eprinomectin treatment on milk yield and quality in dairy cows in South Tyrol, Italy

The effect of treatment with eprinomectin on milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell counts (SCCs) was studied in 105 dairy cows located on seven farms in South Tyrol, Italy. On each farm, half of the animals were treated with eprinomectin and the other half were used as an untreated control group. Three test day records per animal were obtained before treatment (days -117, -75 and -33) and another three test day records were obtained after treatment (days 22, 62 and 131). Test day records comprised milk yield, milk composition, SCC and days in milk. On the day of treatment, blood samples and faecal samples were taken for parasitological analysis. Cows with positive faecal egg counts yielded less milk. A significant effect of eprinomectin on milk yield was observed after treatment and was most pronounced on the second and the third test days after treatment (+1.90 kg [P=0.002] and +2.63 kg [P<0.001], respectively). Furthermore, a significant decrease in SCC was observed on the second test day after treatment.     

A comparison of dairy cattle systems in an irrigated perimeter and in a suburban region: case study from Morocco

Multivariate analyses were used to compare dairy production practices and their consequences on milk yield and profitability in cattle farms from two representative regions of Morocco. A regular follow-up of 118 farms (48 in the Rabat-Salé suburban belt and 70 in the Gharb irrigated perimeter) was undertaken to obtain accurate data. Results show significant differences between the two regions. Intensive milk production was more frequent in the suburban zone (more concentrates and better annual milk yield per cow). When conducting a “within-region” principal components analysis, farms’ discrimination appeared to take into account all management variables (feeding, cattle sales, profitability), with no reference to farms’ structural parameters (arable land and number of cattle). A typology of farms was then established using cluster analysis, with 4 distinct groups, namely: a) concentrates wasters, b) farms with a relatively important milk yield per cow, c) deficit dairy farms and d) beef oriented farms. The last group included almost exclusively farms from the irrigated perimeter (5 out of 7). These results indicate that dairy production promotion in Morocco requires more than just the intensification of forage production, but should focus also on improving management practices. The extension of complete and balanced dairy rations is urgently needed to enhance milk yield and profitability.     

Cell counts in bulked milk supplies from dairy farms of northern Nigeria

Somatic cells in 596 milk samples collected from bulked supplies of 3 northern Nigeria dairy farms were counted by an electronic method following a standard method for the preparation of the milk samples. Mean somatic cell counts per ml indicating low level of infection were 158,597, 166,742 and 155,032 for the 3 farms, without any significant differences. Mean somatic cell counts per ml indicating herd mastitis averaged 354,768 +/- 66,348 and the pathogenic organisms isolated were Escherichia coli and Staphylocucus aureus. Counts useful for future regular monitoring of somatic cells in bulked milk supplies in northern Nigeria are presented.     

过瘤胃胆碱在围产期奶牛的应用研究进展

奶牛养殖过程中,围产期被认为是最重要的时期之一,在该时期奶牛从干奶状态转为泌乳状态,生理上所受的应激造成奶牛泌乳早期采食量降低,易发生能量负平衡.此外,奶牛生产性能和繁殖性能也会降低,并常常伴有一些围产期疾病的发生,如脂肪肝、酮症、乳房炎等.胆碱能影响奶牛的生产与繁殖性能,参与奶牛的脂肪代谢,可降低脂肪肝发生率,提高免疫性能.对围产期奶牛饲喂过瘤胃保护胆碱(rumen protected choline,RPC),可改善奶牛机体代谢,增加小肠胆碱供应,进而提高奶产量、改善乳成分、缓解脂肪肝、减少围产期疾病的发生.本文综述了RPC对围产期奶牛干物质采食量、生产性能、乳成分以及健康状况的影响,旨在为围产期奶牛的养殖提供理论参考依据.