Beef heifer development within three calving systems

A 3-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effects of calving system, weaning age, and postweaning management on growth and reproduction in beef heifers. Heifer calves (n = 676) born in late winter (average birth date = February 7 +/- 9 d) or early spring (average birth date April 3 +/- 10 d) were weaned at 190 or 240 d of age, and heifers born in late spring (average birth date May 29 +/- 10 d) were weaned at 140 or 190 d of age. Heifers were managed to be first exposed to breeding at approximately 14 mo of age. After weaning, the calves were randomly assigned to treatments. Heifers on the constant gain treatment were fed a corn silage- and hay-based diet. Heifers on delayed gain treatments were placed on pasture but were fed grass hay or a supplement, or both, depending on the forage conditions. Three months before their respective breeding seasons, delayed gain heifers were moved to drylot and fed a corn silage- and barley-based diet (late winter or early spring) or moved to spring rangeland (late spring). The data were analyzed using mixed model procedures with calving system, weaning age, and postweaning management options creating 12 treatments. Average daily gain was 0.36 +/- 0.05 (SED) kg/d less (P < 0.001) for delayed gain heifers during the initial phase, whereas these heifers gained 0.44 +/- 0.03 kg/d more (P < 0.001) than constant gain heifers during the last 90 d before breeding. Body weights at the beginning of the breeding season did not differ (P = 0.97) between constant gain and delayed gain heifers but were affected by calving system and weaning age, reflecting some of the differences in initial BW. Prebreeding BW for heifers weaned at 190 d of age were 36 +/- 6.4 kg heavier (P < 0.001) for those born in late winter and early spring compared with late spring and were 388, 372, and 330 kg for heifers weaned in October at 240, 190, or 140 d of age (linear effect, P < 0.001). The proportion of heifers exhibiting luteal activity at the beginning of the breeding season was not affected (P = 0.57) by treatment. Approximately half of the heifers were randomly selected for breeding. Treatment had no effect (P = 0.64) on pregnancy rates. In conclusion, heifers from varied calving systems and weaning strategies can be raised to breeding using either constant or delayed gain strategies without affecting the percentage of heifers cycling at the beginning of the breeding season. These results suggest that producers have multiple options for management of heifer calves within differing calving systems.     

Calving system and weaning age effects on cow and preweaning calf performance in the Northern Great Plains

A 3-yr study evaluated late winter (Feb), early spring (Apr), and late spring (Jun) calving systems in conjunction with varied weaning strategies on beef cow and calf performance from Northern Great Plains rangelands. Crossbred cows were randomly assigned to one of three calving systems (on average n= 168.calving system(-1).yr(-1)) and one of two weaning times (Wean 1, 2) within each calving system. The Feb and Apr calves were weaned at 190 and 240 d of age, whereas Jun calves were weaned at 140 and 190 d of age. Breeding by natural service occurred in a 32-d period that included estrous synchronization. Cows were managed throughout the year as appropriate for their calving season. Quantity and quality of hay and supplements were provided based on forage and weather conditions, physiological state of the cows, and available harvested feed resources within a year. After weaning, two-thirds of the early weaned steers were fed in confinement in Montana, and one-third were shipped to Oklahoma and were grazed or fed forage. One-half of the early weaned heifers grazed seeded pastures, and the other half was fed in confinement. Early weaned calves were weighed on approximately the same day as late-weaned calves. Birth weight and overall rate of gain from birth to weaning did not differ for calves from the three calving systems. Calf weaning weight differed by weaning age within calving system (P = 0.001), and calves from the Jun calving system that were weaned at 190 d of age tended (P = 0.06) to be lighter than calves of the same age from the Feb or Apr calving systems. Cow BW change and BCS dynamics were affected by calving system, but the proportion of cows pregnant in the fall was not. Cows suckled until later dates gained less or lost more BW during the 50 d between the first and second weaning than dry cows during this period. The previous year's weaning assignment did not affect production in the following year. Estimated harvested feed inputs were less for the Jun cows than for the Feb and Apr cows. We conclude that season of calving and weaning age affect outputs from rangeland-based beef cattle operations.     

产犊季节对荷斯坦牛第一胎泌乳性能的影响

[目的]为了研究不同产犊季节对荷斯坦奶牛第一胎泌乳性能的影响,以便为长江中下游地区荷斯坦奶牛合理安排配种时间提供科学依据。[方法]利用海丰奶牛场有限公司2009年引进2480头澳系进口荷斯坦牛产犊季节及其第一胎泌乳性能的数据,分析不同产犊季节对第一胎泌乳天数、全泌乳期实际产奶量、305d校正奶量、305d脂肪产量和305d蛋白产量的影响。[结果]表明:不同产犊季节对第一胎泌乳天数和全泌乳期产奶量影响极显著(P0.01),显著影响305天脂肪产量(0.01P0.05),春季产犊的奶牛泌乳天数最长(358±10d),而冬季产犊的奶牛泌乳天数最短(299±18d),春季与夏季产犊奶牛的全泌乳期产奶量显著高于秋季、冬季产犊奶牛(P0.05),夏季产犊奶牛305d脂肪产量最高。[结论]综合各产犊季节样本量及相应泌乳性能,认为该场澳系进口荷斯坦牛最适宜产犊季节为夏末秋初,此时泌乳性能最好。该结果对同类地区引进澳系进口荷斯坦牛繁殖与生产管理有借鉴作用。     

Influence of milk production potential on forage dry matter intake by multiparous and primiparous Brangus females

Brangus cows (n = 29) were used in three experiments to evaluate the effects of parity (multiparous vs. primiparous) and potential genetic merit for milk production (high vs. low) on forage intake during late gestation, early lactation, and late lactation. Cows were selected for milk production based on their sire's EPD for milk production (MEPD). Cows had ad libitum access to (130% of previous 2-d average intake) low-quality hay (5.3% CP and 76% NDF), and cottonseed meal was supplemented to ensure adequate degradable intake protein. All females were adapted to diets for at least 7 d, and individual intake data were collected for 9 d. During the lactation trials, actual milk production was determined using a portable milking machine following a 12-h separation from calves. During late gestation, multiparous cows consumed 24% more (P = 0.01) forage DM (kg/d) than primiparous cows; however, parity class did not influence forage intake when intake was expressed relative to BW. Furthermore, MEPD did not influence forage intake during late gestation. During early lactation, multiparous cows produced 66% more (P < 0.001) milk than primiparous cows, and high MEPD tended (P = 0.10) to produce more milk than low MEPD. Multiparous cows consumed 19% more (P < 0.0001) forage DM than did primiparous cows when expressed on an absolute basis, but not when expressed on a BW basis. High-MEPD cows consumed 8% more (P < 0.05) forage DM than did low-MEPD cows. During late lactation, multiparous cows produced 84% more milk than primiparous cows, although MEPD did not influence (P = 0.40) milk yield. In addition, multiparous cows consumed 17% more (P < 0.01) forage DM per day than primiparous cows, but when intake was expressed relative to BW, neither parity nor MEPD influenced forage DMI during late lactation. Milk yield and BW explained significant proportions of the variation in forage DMI during early and late lactation. Each kilogram increase in milk yield was associated with a 0.33- and 0.37-kg increase in forage DMI for early and late lactation, respectively. Results suggest that multiand primiparous cows consume similar amounts of low-quality forage DM, expressed per unit of BW, during late gestation and lactation. Selecting beef cows for increased genetic merit for milk production increases forage DMI during early lactation.     

丙酸镁对泌乳早期奶牛体况、泌乳性能和代谢参数的影响

选用36头经产奶牛,根据泌乳期、上一泌乳期305 d产奶量和预产期,采用随机区组设计分为4组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,处理1,2和3组分别在基础日粮基础上添加丙酸镁50,100和150 g/d,研究丙酸镁对泌乳早期奶牛采食量、泌乳性能、血液代谢参数和尿酮浓度的影响。结果表明,添加丙酸镁对奶牛的采食量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率、乳糖率和乳干物质率无显著影响,添加丙酸镁100和150 g/d对产乳量、饲料转化效率、体况及代谢参数有改善,该二处理组产奶量、饲料转化效率、体况评分、能量平衡、血浆葡萄糖和胰岛素浓度均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而血浆游离脂肪酸和β-羟丁酸浓度显著低于对照组(P<0.05),尿酮浓度(除100 g/d组产后7 d测定值与50 g/d组无显著差异外)显著低于对照组和50 g/d组(P<0.05)。根据试验结果,丙酸镁适宜添加量为100 g/d。     

Effects of breeding season length and calving season on range beef cow productivity

A 5-yr study was conducted beginning in 1983 with 460 cows to evaluate the effects of three breeding seasons (30, 45, and 70 d in length) and two times of spring calving, March (early) and April (late), on cattle production under Nebraska Sandhills range conditions. Criteria evaluated included pregnancy and weaning percentages, calving date and distribution, cow weights and body condition at four intervals, calf birth and weaning weights, and cow productivity. The 30-d breeding season included a 10-d estrus synchronization and AI period; in the other breeding seasons only natural breeding was used. The same sires were used over the entire study period. Percentage of cows pregnant and percentage of calves weaned were lower (P less than .01) for cows bred for 30 d than for cows bred for 45 or 70 d. Average calving dates were similar among the breeding groups within the early and late calving herds. Pregnancy rates from AI were higher (P less than .01) for the cows calving in April (64%) than for the cows calving in March (41%). Cows calving in April lost less weight between precalving and prebreeding and were heavier (P less than .05) at prebreeding time than the cows calving in March. Calf weaning weights were not different (P greater than .10) among any of the breeding season groups or between the two calving herds when calves were weaned at a similar age. Cow productivity (calf weaning weight per breeding female) was highest (P less than .05) for the cows bred for 70 d (186 kg), intermediate for the cows bred for 45 d (172 kg), and lowest for cows bred for 30 d (162 kg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

荷斯坦牛泌乳前期体况评分及其对泌乳性能和离群寿命的影响

为了探究荷斯坦牛泌乳前期体况评分（body condition score,BCS）的影响因素及BCS对生产性能和离群寿命的影响,本研究收集江苏省某大型牛场2018年1月至2020年12月共7 811头荷斯坦牛泌乳前期BCS、生产性能测定（dairy herd improvement,DHI）结果及淘汰记录,利用多因素方差分析法在分析奶牛泌乳前期BCS变化及影响因素基础上,重点分析泌乳前期BCS及其变化对泌乳性能和离群寿命的影响,利用Cox回归对泌乳前期不同BCS的荷斯坦牛生存曲线进行绘制,并对不同BCS荷斯坦牛的淘汰原因进行卡方检验。结果表明,全群泌乳前期BCS均值为（2.95 ±0.32）。胎次、产犊季节和泌乳天数对泌乳前期BCS有极显著影响（P<0.01）,1胎牛和夏季产犊的母牛泌乳前期BCS均最高;5~30、31~60、61~100 d BCS呈显著下降。泌乳前期BCS对产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率、体细胞评分等均有极显著影响（P<0.01）。产奶量和高峰奶量随BCS的增加呈极显著下降（P<0.01）。泌乳前期BCS与产奶量、高峰奶量呈极显著负相关（P<0.01）,与乳蛋白率呈极显著正相关（P<0.01）。泌乳前期BCS的变化对SCS和高峰奶量均有显著影响（P<0.05）。泌乳前期BCS对离群胎次和淘汰月龄有极显著影响（P<0.01）。生存分析表明,BCS为2.75的牛只生存概率最大。2胎和4胎母牛、冬季产犊的母牛不同BCS淘汰比例均呈极显著差异（P<0.01）;低产淘汰的牛只泌乳前期BCS淘汰分布具有极显著差异（P<0.01）。在本研究牛群中,当泌乳前期BCS为2.75时,牛只生产性能较佳且淘汰风险最低,本研究为规模化牛场荷斯坦牛泌乳前期的饲养管理提供了参考。     

Papillomatous digital dermatitis on a commercial dairy farm in Mexicali, Mexico: Incidence and effect on reproduction and milk production

This retrospective study of papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) was performed using data for cows that calved between July 1993 and June 1994 on a Mexicali, Mexico, dairy farm in order to calculate incidence rates, and to compare milk yield and reproduction data between affected and nonaffected dairy cows. A total of 190 out of 577 (33%) cows were affected during lactation and six (1%) during the dry period. Fifty-two of 77 (68%) cows that had lesions in the previous lactation and were also present on the farm in the current lactation had lesions in the current lactation. The highest risk for PDD occurred during the first month of lactation (9%). The yearly estimated cumulative incidence risk was 35% and the incidence density rate was 44.6 cases per 1000 cow-months. More animals were affected in summer and fall than in winter and spring. Purchased animals were 3.4 times more likely to be affected than animals born on the farm. Survival analyses indicated healthy cows conceived 93 days after calving (median), but affected cows conceived 113 days after calving (median) (P < 0.01). PDD-affected animals produced less milk than healthy cows, but the difference was not statistically significant in the multiple regression.     

影响荷斯坦牛产奶量差的因素分析

产奶量差是奶牛个体同一胎次前后2个泌乳月产奶量的差值,可准确反映产奶量变化情况。为探究影响荷斯坦牛产奶量差的因素,本研究收集整理了江苏省某大型奶牛场2015-2018年55 193头次荷斯坦牛生产性能测定记录,并利用最小二乘法分析胎次、测定年度、产犊季节、泌乳月4个因素对荷斯坦牛产奶量差的影响。结果显示:胎次、测定年度、产犊季节、泌乳月及其交互作用对产奶量和产奶量差均有极显著影响(P<0.01)。其中,不同胎次、测定年度和产犊季节的荷斯坦牛总产奶量在第2个泌乳月增加最快,产奶量差为8.79kg;头胎第6泌乳月、二胎第7泌乳月和三胎及以上第6泌乳月产奶量下降最大,产奶量差分别为-2.86kg、-4.59kg和-6.13kg;2015-2018年4个测定年度中,第10、第6、第7、第6泌乳月产奶量降低最大,产奶量差分别为-2.26kg、-4.98kg、-4.44kg和-3.56kg;春季产犊的荷斯坦牛第4泌乳月、夏季产犊的荷斯坦牛第12泌乳月、秋季产犊的荷斯坦牛第9泌乳月、冬季产犊的荷斯坦牛第6或第7泌乳月产奶量下降最大,产奶量差分别是-4.34kg、-4.71kg、-5.36kg和-5.40kg。此外,产奶量差与泌乳持续力呈极显著正相关(P<0.01),与产犊间隔呈显著正相关(P<0.05),与泌乳天数、高峰奶、乳脂率、蛋白率、305d产奶量呈极显著负相关(P<0.01)。因此,产奶量差作为衡量奶牛产奶量变化的指标之一,可为牧场进行科学饲养管理提供参考。     

Effects of first breeding age on the production and reproduction of Holstein heifers up to the third lactation

The effects of early initiation of first service for dairy heifers on their fertility and productivity up to the third lactation were examined under constant raising and management conditions. Eight Holstein heifers in their early breeding regimens and eight Holstein heifers in their late breeding regimens were initiated to be bred at 12 and 15 months of age, respectively, and were first calved at 21.5 and 25.1 months of age, respectively, with bodyweights of 563 and 638 kg after calving, respectively. Early first breeding resulted in a lower bodyweight and a lower body condition score, but it did not affect the fertility or milk production during the first lactation of heifers as cows. The calving intervals of cows to the second and third calving were similar in early and late bred heifers. Although the early bred heifers had a significantly lower fat‐corrected milk yield at the second lactation than that of the late bred heifers, early breeding did not impair the productivity indicated by the mean milk yield per day from birth to the end of the third lactation with a shorter production period.     

线性模型对影响奶牛产奶性能的主要相关因素分析

利用一般线性模型研究各种因素对奶牛产奶性能的影响。牛场、胎次和产犊季节对奶牛产奶量影响差异极显著(P0.01),随着奶牛胎次的增加,奶牛产奶量增加;夏季产犊的奶牛产奶量最低,冬季产犊的最高;体细胞计数对奶牛产奶量没有显著性影响(P0.05),但随着体细胞数的增加,产奶量下降。牛场、胎次和体细胞计数对乳脂率有极显著的影响(P0.01),第三牛场平均乳脂率为4.38%,显著高于其他三个牛场;随着胎次的增加,乳脂率有下降趋势;随体细胞数增加,乳脂率升高;产犊季节对奶牛乳脂率没有显著影响(P0.05)。牛场、产犊季节和体细胞数对乳蛋白率的影响极显著(P0.01),体细胞数增加,乳蛋白率升高;夏季和秋季产犊的奶牛乳蛋白率较高,春季和冬季较低;胎次对乳蛋白率没有显著影响(P0.05)。表型相关分析表明:SCC与产奶量呈显著负相关(r=-0.158,P0.05),SCS与产奶量相关性接近显著水平(r=-0.140,P=0.055)。SCC/SCS与乳脂率、乳蛋白率呈正相关,但未达到显著性水平(P0.05)。     

Calf growth in captive Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus): effects of birth date and hind milk production and composition

This study examines effects of birth date, hind milk production and its composition, and weight of hind and calf at birth (HBW and CBW, respectively) on calf growth responses born to Iberian hinds (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) and lactating over 34 wk. Males showed daily gains greater than those of females (P = 0.04). Calf birth weight was strongly related to calf gain over a standard (15-wk) lactation (P < 0.01), but HBW did not influence growth or CBW (P > 0.10). After correcting for nutrient supply, birth date did not affect growth, but birth date x total protein yield (TPY), birth date x total fat yield (TFY), and birth date x total lactose yield (TLY) interactions influenced growth (P < 0.001), and early-born calves showed greater growth than those born late for wk 2 to 34 (P < 0.05). Calf birth weight showed the highest correlation with protein-to-fat ratio in milk (P < 0.001), a high correlation with milk protein content (P < 0.05), and a low negative correlation with fat (P < 0.10). Calf gains also showed the highest correlation with protein-to-fat ratio in milk (P < 0.05). Similarly, total milk yield (TMY), TPY, and TFY during lactation affected growth as single factors (P < 0.001). Calves showed not only an overall difference in daily gain between calves born early or late (P = 0.02), but also a greater speed of growth independently of CBW (percentage of weight gained per week, P < 0.001). Early-born calves were heavier at 12 and 18 mo (P < 0.05). Results suggest that selecting hinds of high milk production and nutrient supply and advancing calving date may increase growth of calves and their performance at adulthood.     

激生系列苗促奶牛泌乳的试验初报

选产后2—3个月内未配种的中国荷斯坦牛20头，根据产奶水平、产犊日期和胎次均分两组．每组10头。试验组用生长抑素基因工程苗激生系列(1号、3号)免疫，对照组注射生理盐水。试验共观察75天，结果发现，试验组在免疫有效期内(免疫后14d-75a)，平均每头免疫奶牛增产0．81kg／d。     

Milk yield and lactation length of Ghana Sanga and its crosses with the Friesian Raised under agropastoral system

Milk yield traits and lactation length of two breeds of cattle raised on natural pasture with little or no supplementation were assessed. A total of 42 573 daily milk records on 98 Friesian-Sanga cows collected over a period of 10 years and 17 790 daily milk records on 72 Sanga cows spanning a 6-year period were used in the study. Traits examined for each breed were daily milk yield, total milk yield, 305-day milk yield, 305-day milk yield/day and lactation length. Friesian-Sanga cows outperformed their Sanga counterparts in all traits studied. Friesian-Sanga cows had an average daily milk yield of 1.35?±?0.00 kg; average total milk yield of 266?±?12 kg; average 305-day milk yield of 339?±?10 kg; average 305-day milk yield/ day of 1.11?±?0.03 kg and mean lactation length of 201.1?±?6.9 days. Average values for Sanga cows were 1.01?±?0.00 kg as daily milk yield; 162?±?12 kg as total milk yield; 244?±?10 kg as 305-day milk yield; 0.80?±?0.03 kg as 305-day milk yield/day. Mean lactation length for Sanga cows was 164.1?±?9.4 days. Season of calving significantly (P?<?0.05) influenced daily milk yield of Friesian-Sanga cows and all traits of Sanga cows with animals calving in the major rainy season surpassing those that calved in the minor and dry seasons. Daily milk yield for both Friesian-Sanga and Sanga cows was significantly (P?<?0.05) influenced by season of lactation. Daily milk yield gradually declined from second parity towards the sixth parity for Friesian-Sanga cows. A gradual increase in daily milk yield from first to third parity was observed in Sanga cows. Year of calving significantly influenced all traits for both breeds. Genetic improvement in milk yield traits and lactation length is achievable for both breeds of cattle as co-efficient of variation of traits were moderate to high.     

Milk yield and survival of Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle after laparoscopic correction of left-displaced abomasum

The milk yield and survival of 91 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows that had had a left-displaced abomasum (LDA) corrected laparoscopically were compared with those of 193 control cows matched for herd, parity and calving date. Ninety per cent of the LDA treatments were performed within four weeks after calving. The risk of being culled during the whole observational period of at least three years was 1.5 times greater for the LDA cows than for their matched herdmates (P<0.01). The risk of being culled in the current lactation was 1.8 times greater for the LDA cows (P=0.01), but risk of being culled after the next calving following the LDA correction was similar for both groups. For the lactation in which the LDA was corrected, there was no difference in the 305-day milk production of 80 of the LDA cows and 182 of the matched cows; however, the mean interval from calving to first service during the same lactation was longer for the LDA cows (115 v 98 days) and the mean calving interval was also longer (451 v 418 days).     

Comparison of crossbred cows containing various proportions of Brahman in spring or fall calving systems: II. Milk production

Monthly estimates of 24-h milk yield were obtained on 160 spring-calving and 153 fall-calving crossbred cows containing various proportions (0, 1/4 or 1/2) of Brahman breeding, all bred to Limousin sires. Milk production was measured using weigh-suckle-weigh procedures. Interactions between crossbred group and season of calving were not significant. Across seasons, milk production rarely was affected by proportion of Brahman breeding; however, milk yield, averaged over six monthly measurements, was greater (P less than .10) for cows out of Hereford dams than for cows out of Angus dams. Averaged over six monthly measurements, estimated 24-h milk yield ranged from 5.3 kg for Hereford x Angus to 6.2 kg for Brahman x Hereford cows. Season of calving affected milk yield during the first and fourth measurement periods. Fall-calving cows produced more (P less than .01) milk during the first period whereas spring-calving cows produced more milk during the fourth period. Lactation patterns for the two seasons differed. Spring-calving cows had a more typical lactation curve, whereas the curve for fall-calving cows showed more variability in milk yield throughout lactation. Phenotypic correlations between monthly measurements of 24-h milk yield and calf performance tended to be moderate and positive within the spring group. Correlations for the fall group, although positive, tended to be weaker than those found in the spring group.     

Efficacy of intramuscular treatment of beef cows with oxytetracycline to reduce mastitis and to increase calf growth

Spring-calving multiparous Angus x Hereford cows were used to determine the efficacy of intramuscular treatment with oxytetracycline to reduce the incidence of mastitis-causing bacteria, decrease milk somatic cell counts (SCC), and increase calf growth. During 2 yr, milk samples were collected from each quarter from a total of 319 cows at 8 to 14 d after calving and at weaning, to determine the presence of bacteria and SCC. A California mastitis test (CMT) was performed on milk from each quarter of each cow at the initial sample collection. Cows with a CMT score of 1, 2, or 3 in at least one quarter, were randomly assigned to receive either an intramuscular injection of oxytetracycline (n = 63) or the control vehicle (n = 60), and cows with a CMT score of 0 or trace in all four quarters were not treated (n = 196). Calf weights were determined at birth, early lactation, and weaning. The number of somatic cells in milk and the percentage of quarters that were infected increased as CMT score increased (P < 0.01). The presence of mastitis-causing bacteria at calving increased (P < 0.05) the incidence of infection at weaning. The presence of mastitis-causing bacteria at weaning was associated with increased SCC for quarters and average SCC for cows (P < 0.01). Average SCC per cow at weaning increased (P < 0.05) as the number of infected quarters per cow increased. Treatment did not alter (P > 0.10) the percentage of cows or quarters infected with mastitis-causing bacteria or SCC of cows or quarters at weaning. Average SCC per cow was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with calf weights at early lactation, but not with weaning weights of calves. Treatment did not influence (P > 0.10) calf weights at early lactation or at weaning. Cows with one or more dry quarters after calving had calves that weighed less at early lactation and weaning than cows with four functional quarters (P < 0.01). Intramuscular oxytetracycline treatment of beef cows that had CMT scores of 1 or greater after calving did not reduce intramammary infection rates or increase calf weights at weaning.     

Milk production and composition in captive Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus): effect of birth date

This study describes milk production and milk composition of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) females (hinds) and the effect of calving date and BW change of hinds by milking over 34 wk. All hinds produced milk throughout the 34-wk study period, well over the standard lactation period. Total milk yield was 224.1 +/- 21.1 L, and daily production was 0.91 +/- 0.06 L. Milk yield decreased with lactation stage (P = 0.01) and the later a calf was born (P = 0.008), and it was greater in posterior quarters (P < 0.05). Milk yield was unaffected (P > 0.10) by side position or milking order of the udder. Milk production did not correlate with hind BW (P > 0.1). Hinds lost 4.4% BW during lactation (P < 0.001); losses increased the later a calf was born (P = 0.012). Iberian red deer milk had 11.5% fat, 7.6% protein, 5.9% lactose, and 26.7% DM. Stage of lactation affected fat (P < 0.001), protein (P = 0.002), DM (P < 0.001), and protein:fat ratio (P < 0.001), but not lactose (P > 0.1). These constituents became concentrated as lactation proceeded, and protein was substituted by fat. Calving date had a similar concentrating effect on fat (P < 0.001) and DM (P < 0.001), whereas it decreased lactose (P = 0.015) and protein (P = 0.002), thus producing a substitution of protein by fat (ratio of protein to fat, P < 0.001). Milking order of quarters or their position had no effect on milk composition (P > 0.10). Results suggest that milk production and milk energetic quality might increase by advancing calving date in red deer hinds.     

产犊季节和胎次对测定奶牛日泌乳性能的影响

[目的]通过研究产犊季节、胎次对奶牛测定日泌乳性能的影响,以期为指导日粮配方调整、增加牛奶产量和提升原料奶质量提供科学依据。[方法]采集江苏某奶牛场2012年度408头奶牛共3012条生产性能测定记录,用线性模型分析产犊季节和胎次对测定日产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率、脂蛋比、305d产奶量及体细胞评分的影响进行分析。[结果]表明：不同产犊季节对测定日产奶量和305d产奶量的影响极显著（P〈0．01）,对乳脂率、乳蛋白率、脂蛋比无显著影响;不同胎次除对乳脂率影响显著外（P〈0．05）,对其它奶牛泌乳性能及体细胞评分均影响极显著（P〈0．01）。[结论]夏、秋两季产犊奶牛的305d产奶量高;2～3胎产犊奶牛的泌乳性能较佳,随着胎次的增加,特别是5胎及以后,泌乳性能的各项指标都有不同程度的降低。     

Artificial long-day photoperiod in the subtropics increases milk production in goats giving birth in late autumn

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether exposure to a photoperiod of artificial long days in autumn increased milk yield in subtropical goats milked once (Exp. I) or twice daily (Exp. II). In Exp. I, starting at d 10 of lactation, 1 group of does was kept under naturally decreasing photoperiod (DD1X; n = 8), whereas the other group was submitted to an artificial photoperiod of long days (LD1X; n = 8; 16 h light:8 h darkness). The kids were weaned 28 d after parturition, and dams were manually milked once daily. Milk yield and milk components (fat, protein, and lactose) were assessed up to 140 d of lactation. From d 0 to 28 of lactation (suckling phase), mean daily milk yield did not differ between DD1X and LD1X goats (2.3 ± 0.2 kg vs. 2.4 ± 0.2 kg; P = 0.717). However, between d 29 and 84 (early milking phase), mean daily milk yield was greater in LD1X does than in DD1X does (2.6 ± 0.1 kg vs. 2.1 ± 0.1 kg; P = 0.001). Finally, between d 85 and 140 (late milking phase), mean daily milk yield was greater in LD1X goats than in DD1X goats (P ≤ 0.05) only during the first 2 wk. In Exp. II, one group of goats was exposed to a photoperiod of naturally decreasing days (DD2X; n = 8) and another group was submitted to an artificial photoperiod of long days (LD2X; n = 7). In both groups, kids were weaned on d 28 of lactation and the dams were manually milked twice daily. During the nursing phase, mean daily milk yield did not differ between the DD2X and LD2X groups (2.5 ± 0.3 kg vs. 2.6 ± 0.2 kg; P = 0.767). In the early milking phase, mean daily milk yield was greater in LD2X than in DD2X goats (3.3 ± 0.2 kg vs. 2.8 ± 0.2 kg; P = 0.022), whereas during the late milking phase, milk yield did not differ between the 2 groups (P = 0.946). In both experiments, milk composition was not significantly influenced by exposure to long-day photoperiod. We conclude that, in subtropical female goats that start lactation in late autumn, exposure to an artificial long-day photoperiod stimulates milk yield, even if goats are milked once daily. In addition, combining exposure to long days with twice-daily milking will increase further milk yield in such goats without affecting milk components.