Sensors for detecting and logging spatial distribution of urine patches of grazing female sheep and cattle

Urine excreted in patches by grazing livestock accounts for much of the nitrogen (N) loss to the environment in grazing systems. These losses arise mainly through N leaching to ground water and gaseous losses to the atmosphere. Models of grazing systems ideally require data on urination frequency, N load in each urination event and spatial distribution patterns of urine. To date there has been a lack of suitable equipment for obtaining information on urination characteristics of grazing animals. This paper describes a urine sensor that detects and logs each urination event of female sheep and cattle. A thermistor suspended below the vulva continuously measures ambient temperature except when urine passes over it, causing the temperature to rise to near body temperature. Field validation showed 85% and 78% of sensor-detected urination events by sheep and cattle sensors, respectively, were seen by the observer. Some of the urination events identified by the sensor but not seen by the observer were confirmed by video footage. For cattle, only one observed urination event was not detected by the urine sensor, giving a 4% error rate of detection. Daily urination frequencies (ewes: 13-23 events day⁻¹; cows: 11-26 events day⁻¹) were similar to published data for these species. A custom-made GPS unit worn on the rump of the ewe and on the collar of the cow logged animal position continuously so that urine patch position could be determined. Examples of urine distribution patterns by ewes and beef cows in large, hilly paddocks clearly show campsite locations where a disproportionate number of urination events occurred. For sheep, the correlation between time spent in an area and the number of urination events in the same area was r = 0.82, but this correlation was weaker for cattle (r = 0.54).     

Study of Digital Management System of Milking Process on Large-Sized Dairy Farm

This study was to supply the systemic and full milking process data to support the implementation of both dairy herd improvement （DHI） and digital feeding of dairy cattle. This study designed the relational structured database and developed a set of digital management information system on milking process of intensive dairy farm using Visual Basic 6.0, Access databases, and Crystal report combining the milking characteristics of a grown cow, such as quality and sanitation testing indexes of raw milk. The system supplies a series of convenient, intelligent input interfaces of crude datum, and can count, analyze, and graphically show milking datum based on different types and different parities of cows or herds in a specific duration, and can dynamically produce some important derived data, such as days of grown cow, daily average of milk production of grown cow, days of cow milk production, and daily average of milking cow production; and can carry out all-pervasive data mining. With the help of system analysis and software design techniques, it is possible to realize precision farming for a dairy cattle herd based on whole digital management of milking process and realtime prediction on nutrient requirements and ration of dairy cattle, as well as dairy herd improvement.     

NEW ZEALAND DAIRY FARM SYSTEMS AND KEY ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

• NZ dairy farming systems are based on year-round grazing of perennial pasture (ryegrass/white clover). • Milk production per hectare has increased by about 29% with increased use of externally-sourced feeds over the last two decades. • Externally-sourced feeds with a low protein concentration can potentially reduce N₂O emissions and N leaching per unit of production. • Systems analysis is important for evaluating mitigations to minimize trade-offs between environmental impacts. This paper provides an overview of the range of dairy pasture grazing systems used in New Zealand (NZ), the changes with increased inputs over time and associated key environmental effects including nitrogen (N) leaching and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. NZ dairy farming systems are based on year-round grazing and seasonal milk production on perennial ryegrass/clover pasture where cows are rotationally grazed in paddocks. There was an increase in stocking rate on NZ dairy farms from 2.62 cows ha⁻¹ in 2000/2001 to 2.84 cows ha⁻¹ in 2015/2016. During the same period annual milk solids production increased from 315 to 378 kg·yr⁻¹ per cow. This performance has coincided with an increase in N fertilizer use (by ~ 30%) and a twofold increase in externally-sourced feeds. Externally-sourced feeds with a low protein concentration (e.g., maize silage) can increase the efficiency of N utilization and potentially reduce N losses per unit of production. Off-paddock facilities (such as standoff or feed pads) are often used to restrict grazing during very wet winter conditions. A systems analysis of contrasting dairy farms in Waikato (largest NZ dairying region) indicates that the increased input would result in an increase in per-cow milk production but little change in efficiency of milk production from a total land use perspective. This analysis also shows that the increased inputs caused an 11% decrease in N footprint (i.e., N emissions per unit of milk production) and a 2% increase in C footprint (i.e., greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per unit of milk production).     

集约化奶牛场泌乳数字化管理系统研究

 【目的】为牛群品种改良（DHI）和奶牛精细饲养提供系统和完整的产乳数据。【方法】本研究采用Visual Basic 6.0、Access数据库、水晶报表等软件开发技术,结合成母牛的泌乳特性和原奶的质量和卫生检测指标,设计了关系型数据表,开发了集约化奶牛场产乳过程的数字化管理系统。【结果】系统提供的对源数据的录入具有智能性,能对不同性质、不同胎次的个体和群体进行指定时间段上产奶数据的多种统计、分析与图形化处理,能动态产生重要的派生数据如成母牛头天数、成母牛日均产、泌乳牛头天数、泌乳牛日均产等,实现了牛群产乳数据多层面的数据挖掘。【结论】通过系统分析和软件开发技术,在全面实现集约化奶牛场产乳环节的数字化管理 基础上,并与奶牛的营养需要预测与日粮供给相结合,为按个体或群体实施奶牛的精细饲养和品种改良提供了可能。     

荷斯坦牛两类性情评定方法分析及其对日产奶量与体细胞评分的影响

为探究奶牛性情的影响因素及其对日产奶量和体细胞评分的影响,于2019年7月-8月对北京地区2个牛场1 100头泌乳牛进行了挤奶性情评分和主观性情评分的收集,并通过Logistic回归模型分析奶牛各性情评分的影响因素,利用GLM过程分析各性情评分对日产奶量和体细胞评分的影响,此外,通过计算秩相关系数检验不同性情评分之间的...     

Spatial variability of soil properties and yield of a grazed alfalfa pasture in Brazil

Knowledge of the spatial variability of soil properties and of forage yield is needed for informed use of soil inputs such as variable rate technology (VRT) for lime and fertilizers. The objective of this research was to map and evaluate the spatial variability of soil properties, yield, lime and fertilizer needs and economic return of an alfalfa pasture. The study was conducted in a 5.3 ha irrigated alfalfa pasture in Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil that was directly grazed and intensively managed in a 270-paddock rotational system. Alfalfa shoot dry matter yield was evaluated before grazing. Soil samples were collected at 0–0.2 m depth, and each sample represented a group of 2 or 3 paddocks. Apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) was measured with a contact sensor. The cost of producing 1 ha of alfalfa was estimated from the amount of lime and fertilizer needed and was then used to estimate the total cost of production for the dairy system. The alfalfa dry matter yield was used to simulate the pasture stocking rate, milk yield, gross revenue and net profit. The spatial variability of soil properties and site-specific liming and fertilizer needs were modeled using semi-variograms with VESPER software, the soil fertility information and economic return were modeled with SPRING software. The results showed that geostatistics and GIS were effective tools for revealing soil and pasture spatial variability and supporting management strategies. Soil nutrients were used to classify the soil spatial distribution map and design site-specific lime and fertilizer application maps. Spatial variation in forage and spatial estimates of stocking and milk yield are adequate pasture management tools. Spatial analyses of needs, forage availability and economic return are management tools for avoiding economic problems, as well as potential environmental problems, caused by unbalanced nutrient supplies and over- or under-grazing.     

新疆地区荷斯坦牛长寿性与产奶量的遗传力估计及相关性分析

【目的】产奶性状和长寿性状均是奶牛育种中的重要性状。近年来奶牛选育中追求高产,在产奶量不断提高的同时,长寿性却呈下降趋势。随着平衡育种理念的发展,各奶业发达国家陆续将长寿性状纳入其奶牛综合选择指数。为此,探究产奶量和奶牛长寿性间的关系,为新疆地区制定中国荷斯坦奶牛综合选择指数,实现平衡育种和奶业高质量健康发展提供借鉴。【方法】收集新疆地区3个规模化牛场1997—2020年间的各项生产记录,计算在群天数和生产寿命,共计获得7 206条奶牛长寿性记录和15 218条头胎305 d产奶量记录。收集个体三代系谱信息共计18 183条,其中包括903头公牛以及20 883头母牛。首先利用SAS 9.2软件的GLM过程分析场、出生年份、出生季节和初产月龄对新疆地区中国荷斯坦牛在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量的影响,计算出在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量的最小二乘均值。再利用SPSS 19.0 软件计算新疆地区中国荷斯坦牛在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量Pearson相关系数。其次利用DMU软件中AI-REML结合EM算法并配合多性状动物模型,估计新疆地区荷斯坦奶牛在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量的遗传方差、表型方差、协方差,计算在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量之间的遗传相关。最后利用动物模型 BLUP 法对新疆地区中国荷斯坦牛在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量进行育种值的估计,并绘制遗传趋势图。【结果】对新疆地区中国荷斯坦牛在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量进行基本统计分析结果显示：新疆地区中国荷斯坦奶牛平均在群天数1 754.7 d,平均生产寿命937.33 d,头胎305 d产奶量平均为9 362.94 kg。GLM程序分析显示不同场、出生年份、出生季节以及初产月龄效应对在群天数、生产寿命以及头胎305 d产奶量均有极显著影响（P<0.01）。新疆地区中国荷斯坦牛在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量的遗传力为0.11（0.03）、0.11（0.03）和0.33（0.03）。在群天数和生产寿命之间遗传和表型相关高,相关系数分别为0.99和0.98;305 d产奶量与在群天数和生产寿命表型之间呈正相关,相关系数分别为0.079和0.077,而遗传相关则呈负相关,相关系数分别为-0.18和-0.20。对新疆地区中国荷斯坦在群天数、生产寿命和头胎305 d产奶量遗传趋势图绘制可知,在群天数和生产寿命,均随着参测牛头数增加育种值变化较大,整体呈下降趋势;荷斯坦牛的头胎305 d产奶量同样随着参测牛头数的增加,育种值变化较大,但是总体呈现上升趋势。【结论】因此在对产奶量进行选育提高同时,应当兼顾长寿性,避免随着产奶量的提高,导致奶牛长寿性的下降。     

放牧对黄土高原丘陵沟壑区林草地土壤理化性状的影响

在黄土高原丘陵沟壑区-山西偏关县通过放牧试验,研究了草地和柠条林地在不同放牧强度、不同放牧畜种条件下表层土(0~10 cm)的物理和化学性质。结果表明,放牧强度直接影响着草地和柠条林地土壤的物理结构。随放牧强度的增加,牲畜对土壤的践踏加剧,导致土壤紧实度增加,容重上升,含水量下降。草地和柠条林地土壤的有机C、全N和全P含量都随放牧强度的增加而减少,而速效K含量则都表现为中度放牧>重度放牧>轻度放牧;从畜牧羊种来看,绵羊相对于山羊来说对放牧地践踏较轻,其放牧地土壤容重较小,土壤含水量、有机C、全N、全P和速效K含量则较高。     

规模化奶牛场数字化网络管理平台开发与应用

【目的】利用网络数据库技术,建立规模化奶牛场生产过程数据网络整合与智能分析共享平台,以满足规模化奶牛场数字化管理水平,提高繁育效率及遗传进展。【方法】基于奶牛从发情、配种、孕检、妊娠、产犊、泌乳、干奶到下一个繁殖周期的生产管理流程,将奶牛划分为犊牛、青年牛、育肥牛、泌乳牛、干奶牛5种类型,在设计采集生产母牛及公牛基本信息及数据标准规范后,采用Microsoft.Net框架、SQL Server 2008网络数据库及FusionCharts网络绘图等技术,研究构建规模化奶牛场繁殖、泌乳及健康等数据管理及智能分析平台。【结果】平台一级子系统包括系统维护、牛只管理、繁殖管理、产乳管理、饲养管理、健康管理、统计分析及场内管理。在8大子系统上总共实现的功能模块多达96项。其中,系统维护6项,牛只管理10项,繁殖管理13项,含DHI数据的产乳管理14项,饲料管理4项,健康管理10项,统计分析18项以及场内管理21项。平台主要实现了对奶牛繁殖与泌乳生产核心数据的网络远程数字化管理,主要包括公、母牛个体繁殖状态的全程记录、不同胎次的泌乳数据的记录、牛只资料卡等在线动态分析、各类基础数据的排序与输出等。在数据挖掘分析上,可在线计算平均胎间距、泌乳牛胎次结构、高低产母牛数量、系谱跟踪及近交系数等。在生产提示功能设计上,可处理的项目包括发情配种、初检复检、产犊泌乳、干奶、催乳、淘汰及犊牛断奶等各类将发生的生产事件,而且可对大部分统计分析数据进行可视化图形渲染处理,如胎次产量分布图、年度产奶比较图、二叉树谱系图及泌乳曲线图等。【结论】对生产过程基本数据的分析与数据挖掘,提升了基础数据的利用价值,更有利于奶牛场管理者的科学决策。     

美拉德反应产物对奶牛生产性能和乳品质的影响

[目的]研究日粮中添加美拉德反应产物（MRPs）对奶牛生产性能和乳品质的影响。[方法]在220头荷斯坦泌乳奶牛精料中添加1000mg/kg的MRPs,研究其对奶牛生产性能和乳品质的影响。试验期为1个月,统计每天的奶产量,每次挤奶时用全自动乳品成分分析仪测定乳脂和乳蛋白,试验末用平皿细菌总数计算法测牛奶中的细菌数。以2007年同期数据为对照。[结果]添加MRPs的试验牛奶产量比对照牛增加了6．81％（P〈0.01）,乳脂提高了3．98％（P〈0.01）,乳蛋白提高了2．44％（P〉0．05）,试验开始前奶中细菌数为〈40万cfu/ml,试验末为〈10万cfu/ml。[结论]日粮中添加MRPs能显著提高奶产量和乳脂含量,增加乳蛋白含量,降低奶中细菌数目,改善乳品质。     

Robotic milking technologies and renegotiating situated ethical relationships on UK dairy farms

Robotic or automatic milking systems (AMS) are novel technologies that take over the labor of dairy farming and reduce the need for human–animal interactions. Because robotic milking involves the replacement of ‘conventional’ twice-a-day milking managed by people with a system that supposedly allows cows the freedom to be milked automatically whenever they choose, some claim robotic milking has health and welfare benefits for cows, increases productivity, and has lifestyle advantages for dairy farmers. This paper examines how established ethical relations on dairy farms are unsettled by the intervention of a radically different technology such as AMS. The renegotiation of ethical relationships is thus an important dimension of how the actors involved are re-assembled around a new technology. The paper draws on in-depth research on UK dairy farms comparing those using conventional milking technologies with those using AMS. We explore the situated ethical relations that are negotiated in practice, focusing on the contingent and complex nature of human–animal–technology interactions. We show that ethical relations are situated and emergent, and that as the identities, roles, and subjectivities of humans and animals are unsettled through the intervention of a new technology, the ethical relations also shift.     

河南省奶牛生产性能测定数据质量分析(英文)

统计分析河南省奶牛生产性能测定数据,以此建立数据筛选标准,为奶牛遗传评估工作奠定基础。收集河南省奶牛生产性能测定中心2008年1月至2016年4月155 893头中国荷斯坦牛2 152 451条测定记录,使用SAS 9.4软件MEANS过程统计分析测定次数、测定间隔、首次测定泌乳天数、公牛后代女儿数及其分布场数、首次产犊月龄和系谱完整率等指标在不同测定年份和牧场规模的变化,并采用SQL语句筛选出可用于遗传评估的数据。结果表明,2008~2015年,河南省内参加生产性能测定的奶牛个体数由7 379头增加到93 706头,测定日产奶量由19.91 kg增加到24.05 kg,体细胞数则由4.11×105个/ml降低到2.77×105个/ml;泌乳天数在5~305 d的记录占70.92%;测定次数由平均3.20次增加到6.31次;测定间隔由70.22 d下降到33.83 d;首次产犊月龄在25月龄的个体最多,占头胎个体数的12.57%;后代女儿数在20头以上且女儿分布在10个牧场以上的公牛占6.05%;一代系谱完整率为82.54%;筛选后可用于遗传评估的数据占总记录的20.67%,小于其他同类型研究。     

奶牛性情的影响因素及其对产奶性能的作用

为探究奶牛性情的影响因素及其对产奶性能的作用,对2015年7—8月北京地区7个牛场的泌乳奶牛进行了性情和体况评分并测量其直肠温度,收集牛场7—8月份的DHI报告,利用固定模型分析性情评分的影响因素以及性情对校正奶和体细胞评分的影响。结果表明:场胎效应对于性情有显著影响(P0.05);不同牛场因为管理奶牛方式不同,造成奶牛性情的差异;胎次对于奶牛性情有较大的影响,头胎牛性情敏感的比例趋向更高;同时发现,上午奶牛直肠温度对性情有显著影响(P0.05),上午直肠温度越高,奶牛性情温顺的概率较高;性情对校正奶没有显著性影响,但是性情较温顺的牛有产奶量较高的趋势;性情对体细胞评分没有显著性影响,该模型中的场胎效应与性情的互作显著(P0.05)。因此,可通过性情评分评估牛场管理的科学合理程度,牛场管理应更加重视奶牛福利。     

新疆褐牛乳中体细胞数与产奶性状的影响因素分析

【目的】分析影响新疆褐牛乳中体细胞数（SCC）与产奶性状的非遗传因素,为有效指导并提高新疆褐牛的生产性能提供科学依据。【方法】构建协方差分析模型,利用SAS 9.2软件分析不同场、胎次、泌乳月及两两间互作效应等非遗传因素对262头新疆褐牛SCC与产奶性状的影响,并阐述各性状间的相互影响关系;采用Excel 2 013对新疆褐牛1 510条DHI数据进行整理,利用相邻两月SCC差值等级划分方法,绘制了不同牛场SCC变化趋势及其与产奶性状间的变化规律。【结果】场和胎次对新疆褐牛SCC及产奶性状均有极显著影响（P＜0.01）;泌乳月效应对产奶量和乳中SCC影响极显著（P＜0.01）,对乳糖率有显著影响（P＜0.05）,对其它乳成分无显著影响（P＞0.05）;不同场、胎次、泌乳月两两间互作效应对新疆褐牛SCC均无显著影响（P＞0.05）,而场和胎次互作效应对产奶量和乳成分有极显著影响（P＜0.01）,场和泌乳月互作对乳脂率和乳中干物质有极显著影响（P＜0.01）,对乳糖率有显著影响（P＜0.05）,对其它性状无显著影响（P＞0.05）;胎次和泌乳月互作效应对新疆褐牛各产奶性状均无显著影响（P＞0.05）。随着新疆褐牛乳中SCC增加,乳中干物质含量增加,而产奶量、乳脂率、乳蛋白率和乳糖率下降;绘制泌乳期SCC差值与产奶量和乳糖率变化曲线发现,随着SCC差值升高,产奶量及乳糖率均降低,表明使用SCC差值等级法能够有效评价奶牛产奶量变化并及时判定奶牛乳房炎的发病趋势。通过比较新疆褐牛两个牛场的产奶量、乳成分以及SCC控制情况,发现二号牛场各性状均优于一号牛场,其产奶量较高、SCC较低,且不同胎次水平的乳脂率、乳糖率及乳中干物质均较高,体现较好的生产管理水平。【结论】针对新疆褐牛非遗传因素的研究表明,为有效提高和改善该乳肉兼用牛品种的产奶性能和奶品质,应着力改善牛场管理水平、优化环境卫生及规范挤奶设备等;一号牛场应加强生产管理水平和DHI监测记录,通过控制新疆褐牛SCC来降低和避免泌乳牛的乳房炎隐患。     

丹麦规模化畜牧场经营设施研究

简要地介绍了丹麦猪场、奶牛场的常见设施构造．介绍了猪场中产房、受精房、妊娠房、后备猪房、保育猪房及肉猪场的主体构造组成;较普遍使用的半漏缝地板;以及一些猪场配备的喂料控制系统．介绍了奶牛场中的挤奶设施、生活设施等主要组成情况;奶牛场一般使用电动的挤奶器挤奶;使用电动传输带将粪便排出．     

中国荷斯坦奶牛第三泌乳期泌乳曲线模型的研究

 【目的】满足对奶牛个体营养需要量的精确预测,探索乳成分的分泌规律。【方法】以中国荷斯坦奶牛第三泌乳期305 d的产奶量为基础,从5 000—11 999 kg,按1 000 kg为间隔分为7个区间对196头奶牛进行分组, 分别采用Wood、Gompertz经验模型和Dijkstra机理模型对每月测定并校正到标准日期的产奶数据进行模拟,通过SAS非线性参数估计和均方误差(MSE)分析,筛选得到了21套泌乳产量区间的泌乳曲线模型,并通过模型的参数揭示了每个区间的起始产量(y0)、达到泌乳高峰时的天数(tm)、高峰产量(ym)和泌乳持续力(r(th))等泌乳特性指标。【结果】通过分析模型参数及特性指标的规律表明,上述3类数学模型均能较好反映中国荷斯坦奶牛第三泌乳期不同产量区间的泌乳曲线规律,但是带有3个参数的Wood和Gompertz经验模型的比带有4个参数Dijkstra机理模型的参数估计过程既简单又有效,而且模型的参数(a、b和c)及所反映泌乳特性参数(y0、tm、ym、r(th))与泌乳区间平均产量(Yavg)的规律性也好于后者。【结论】上述泌乳区间泌乳曲线模型的建立为准确预测奶牛营养需要、实施奶牛第三胎的精细饲养提供了基础模型。     

奶牛场用水特征及节水措施

为了系统全面地掌握奶牛养殖场用水特征,提出科学合理的节水措施,采用查阅文献和实地调研相结合的方法,概述了国内外奶牛养殖现状,系统总结了奶牛养殖各环节用水特征、变化规律及影响因素。结果显示:饮用水、清洁水、降温水是国内外奶牛养殖主要用水构成,养殖规模、泌乳牛比例、挤奶厅类型、气候特点等是影响奶牛场用水特征的主要因素,构建涵盖多因素的用水量预测模型是研究热点。分析确定了饮用水、挤奶厅用水和喷淋用水是奶牛养殖重点节水环节,并对后续奶牛场养殖过程节水研究提出了具体建议。     

半胱胺对奶牛生产性能及血清激素水平的影响

选择 3 2头泌乳母牛 ,随机分为 4组 ,每组 8头 ,饲养 47d。在各组奶牛精料中按每天每头分别添加 0、2 0、3 0、40g半胱胺添加剂CT -2 0 0 0 ,研究半胱胺对奶牛生产性能及血液激素指标的影响。试验结果表明 :①精料中添加半胱胺显著提高奶牛产奶量5 .0 1% ,降低料奶比 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,对精料采食量无显著影响 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;②添加半胱胺有提高无脂固形物、乳脂与乳糖趋势 ,但差异不显著 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;③添加半胱胺 2 0、3 0、40g可分别显著 (P <0 .0 5 )提高血清胰岛素水平 19.82 %、2 3 .73 %与 3 0 .0 0 % (P <0 .0 1) ,但对血清中T3、T4 有降低趋势 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;④精料中每日每头添加CT -2 0 0 0 2 0g较 3 0、40g剂量对提高奶牛生产性能效果更佳     

孕牛血中cAMP、cGMP水平变化的测定

选择３０头妊娠奶牛，根据妊娠不同分为妊娠前期（＜１００ｄ）、妊娠中期（１００～２００ｄ）和妊娠后期（＞２００ｄ）３组，应用放射免疫法测定孕牛血浆和外周血单个核细胞（ＰＢＭＣ）的ｃＡＭＰ和ｃＧＭＰ的含量．结果表明：随着妊娠期延长，孕牛血清和单个核细胞的ｃＡＭＰ是逐渐减少，而ｃＧＭＰ则是逐渐升高，但与对照组相比差异不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）；血浆中ｃＡＭＰｃＧＭＰ之比值均比对照组高且差异显著（Ｐ＜０．０５），但随妊娠期延长而逐渐下降．