Effect of photoperiod on milk yield and quality, and reproduction in dairy goats

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of long day photoperiod (LDPP) on milk production and reproduction in milk goats. A total of 79 goats were randomly assigned to three treatment groups blocked by day of kidding. Group 1 (Gr1, n = 26) was subjected to natural photoperiod from January 6 to December 5. Group 2 (Gr2, n = 24) was subjected to LDPP (20 h light, 4 h dark) from June 22 to December 5. Group 3 (Gr3, n = 29) was subjected to LDPP from January 6 to December 6. Weekly milk weights and samples were collected for fat, protein and somatic cell count (SCC) determinations. Blood serum was harvested for progesterone (P4) determination. Results indicated a significant effect (p < 0.001) between treatments for body weight changes, feed intake and milk yield. Both light treated groups had a significantly higher (p < 0.001) average daily milk output for the entire lactation period than the control group (G1, 2.193 kg/day; G2, 2.517 kg/day; G3, 2.305 kg/day). Milk fat for the overall lactation was significantly higher in Gr3 (+ 0.19 g/100 ml) than for Gr2 (+ 0.06 g/100 ml) when compared to the control group (x g/100 ml) under natural photoperiod. Somatic cell counts throughout lactation were significantly (p < 0.001) lower for Gr2 (1.70 million/ml) and higher for Gr3 (2.03 million/ml), with the control group (Gr1) having an intermediate level (1.96 million/ml). Progesterone levels between June 9 and August 30 indicated that 27%, 48% and 63% of the animals had P4 levels in excess of 1.0 ng/ml serum for Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3, respectively. Pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound in December revealed that a high number of does in the light treated groups (10 of 37) were pseudo-pregnant when compared with the control group (1 of 21). Although light appeared to be effective in increasing milk production, further investigations are needed to evaluate the effect of LDPP on pseudo-pregnancy in dairy goats.     

Foot lameness in dairy goats

An outbreak of foot lameness in a dairy herd of 170 goats is described. The herd, that was kept mostly indoors, was attended between December 2006 and November 2007. During this period, 15% of the goats showed lameness with foot lesions and 24% of the goats showed lameness without foot lesions. The foot lesions consisted of cracks and erosions on the horn of the bulbs of the heel that in most cases extended along the internal side of the axial hoof wall. The clinical diagnosis was interdigital dermatitis. Annual milk production was lower in lame goats compared to those that were not lame (P < 0.05). Furthermore, annual milk yield was significantly affected by the type of foot disease present and was significantly lower in cases with foot lesions than in the animals that were not lame (P < 0.05) and also in the lame goats without foot lesions (P < 0.05).     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Nitrogen and energy utilization in lactating dairy goats fed diets with different legume seeds

The N and energy utilization of diets with different legume seeds was analysed in lactating goats. Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were used and in each case 30% of the protein was supplied by one of four different legume seeds: lupins (L), faba beans (FB), bitter vetch (BV) and vetch (V). A group of eight Granadina goats, allocated to a replicated 4 × 4 Latin Square, were used. The N and energy utilization of the different diets may be considered adequate; milk N/intake N was approximately 0.20, milk N/N balance was approximately 0.50 and milk energy/metabolizable energy was approximately 0.30. Under similar N and energy intakes, faecal and urinary excretion of N and the quantities in milk did not vary significantly. However, the partition of the N balance between milk production and deposit within the body varied depending on the diet. Although this N available to the metabolism was the highest for the FB diet, the quantity of this directed to milk was the lowest. Finally, the faecal and urinary excretion with respect to the quantity directed to milk production did not vary significantly among the different diets.     

Milk production of West African Dwarf goats in The Gambia

Goats are important in the low-input systems of West Africa and their main importance lies in their role for income and saving. In addition, it is known that milk offtake for home consumption is also important. In order to obtain information about the real importance of milk offtake, a recording scheme was operated in 27 villages in the Central River Division of The Gambia from July 1998 until January 2000. Detailed information was obtained from about 1500 kiddings. In the recording scheme, any sheep being milked as well as the goats of the International Trypanotolerance Centre nucleus flock were also recorded. In the villages, 36% of all lactations were used for milk offtake, but the fraction milked was lower for the first two lactations. The average length of lactation was 127 days and the average daily milk offtake was 0.18 L. Goats are milked once a day and the residual milk is left for the kids. Milking starts about one week after parturition and stops when the goat becomes pregnant or the kid(s) die or the goat is drying off. The repeatability of the 90-day milk offtake was 0.24 ± 0.09. Sixty-five percent of goat owner were women and a large fraction of goat owners also owned cattle. Goat milk was used exclusively for home consumption. It is concluded that in breeding and extension work more attention should be given to aspects of milk production.     

辽宁绒山羊全基因组外显子测序研究

本研究应用全外显子捕获测序分析技术构建绒山羊的cDNA文库,研发绒山羊外显子捕获试剂盒进行测序研究。结果共找出9974个突变或SNP位点,其中2组羊中共享的SNP总共4254个,季节性长绒型的群体中独有的SNP有2713个,常年长绒型的群体中独有的SNP有3007个,为常年长绒辽宁绒山羊主效调控基因的QTL定位提供理论依据。     

Prevalence and incidence of intramammary infections in lactating dairy goats

AIM: To determine the prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) of lactating dairy goats between 0 and 4 days postpartum, the prevalence and incidence rate of new IMI at Weeks 2, 14 and 27 of lactation, and the relationship between herd-level prevalence of IMI and bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC).

METHODS: Milk samples were collected from 8% of a herd (total 624 does) from 18 dairy goat herds in the Waikato region of New Zealand, for bacteriology and somatic cell count (SCC) determination, from both glands within 4 days of kidding (Week 0) and again at Weeks 2, 14 and 27. Prevalence of IMI was determined at each time point and incidence rate calculated for Weeks 0–2, 2–14, and 14–27. Greenwood and Reed-Frost models were compared for estimation of the transmission parameter for all pathogens, and for Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) and Corynebacterium spp. separately.

RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from 1,122/4,814 (23.3%) glands, with CNS (13.4%) and Corynebacterium spp. (7.3%) being the most common isolates. Prevalence of any IMI increased with stage of lactation, varied among herds, and increased with age (all p<0.05). Incidence rate was 80, 24 and 7 new IMI/10,000 gland days for Weeks 0–2, 2–14 and 14–27, respectively. Incidence rate for any IMI increased with age and with the presence of an IMI in the contralateral gland, and varied among herds (p<0.001). The transmission of each pathogen was better modelled assuming contagiousness (Reed-Frost models), than not (Greenwood models).

At gland level, IMI increased SCC at all stages of lactation (p<0.001). The gland prevalence of IMI within herds was positively associated with ln BTSCC at Week 2 (p=0.02), but not Weeks 14 or 27 (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of IMI increased with stage of lactation, but the highest incidence rate of new IMI occurred in early lactation. Models accounting for the contagious nature of infection fitted better than those not accounting for contagiousness. BTSCC was only associated with prevalence of IMI in early lactation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Reduction of BTSCC in dairy goats may be best achieved by minimising the prevalence and incidence of new IMI in early lactation. Further studies are required to define management factors associated with the between herd, and stage of lactation, effects on prevalence and incidence rate in order to reduce BTSCC throughout lactation.     

不同处理全棉籽对泌乳牛养分消化率和生产性能的影响

本试验采用交叉设计,选择年龄、胎次、泌乳量、泌乳日龄都较接近的12头荷斯坦奶牛,随机分为6组,每组2头,进行为期45天的饲养试验,研究不同处理的全棉籽替代等量精料对泌乳牛养分消化率和生产性能的影响.结果表明:用2kg不同处理的全棉籽(脱绒、带绒、带绒压扁)等量替代精料后,三个不同处理全棉籽对泌乳牛养分消化率和生产性能的影响差异均不显著(P＞0.05).从CF和NDF的消化率来看,压扁带绒棉籽组有降低CF和NDF消化率的趋势.     

Productivity of Angora goats in the communal rangelands of Molimo-Nthuse area in Lesotho

Production parameters were determined for kidding, offtake and mortality rates, and milk production and composition of Angora goats in two communal agro-ecological zones, Mountains and Lowlands, of Molimo-nthuse area in Lesotho. True incidence rates and risk rates as used in dynamic populations were used to calculate the different production parameters. A completely randomized design was used to compare the differences between the two agro-ecological zones. Angora goats in the two agro-ecological zones produced milk similarly (p > 0.05) in amounts and composition. There were no significant (p> 0.05) differences in annual kidding, mortality and offtake rates between Angora goats kept in the Lowlands and those in the Mountains. However, high mortality rates and mortality risk rates were observed in both zones. Thus, the risk rates that suckling Angora goats would die within their first 6 months after birth were 28% and 34% for the Mountains and Lowlands, respectively. It is suggested that future emphasis should be on reducing kid mortality through better herding of the goats and improvement of pre- and post-partum nutrition of the doe in this communal livestock farming system.     

Effect of bromelain on milk yield,milk composition and mammary health in dairy goats

A 7 month prospective cohort study was designed to determine if feeding bromelain to dairy goats influenced the MSCC, milk yield, milk composition and the incidence of IMI. Forty-four clinically normal goats from 2nd to 6th parities were studied. Daily bromelain dosage was 7.4 grams/animal (185-mg/Kg weight). Samples for diagnostic bacteriology were collected from each udder half every 2 weeks. Samples for MSCC and composition were obtained every 42 days. Milk yield was also recorded every 42 days. Bromelain affected milk protein and fat but not MSCC, milk yield or milk lactose. Bromelain did not decrease the MSCC in healthy goats. Milk protein and fat increased in the bromelain treated group (P < 0.01), which is important for dairymen because premiums are paid milk fat and protein content. No clinical mastitis was detected in the goats for the total study period and incidence rate of subclinical IMI was 5.7%. Relative risk was 1.50 (0.28 < RR < 8.12) which means that the bromelain had no significant effect on IMI (P > 0.05). In addition, the use of pineapple by-products could be especially important in tropical countries were pineapple waste seems to be a pollution problem.     

改良山羊生长发育的分析

本文主要对宁夏中卫山羊与天津地区土种山羊杂交后代某些血液理化指标和肌肉中蛋白质脂肪氨基酸含量进行测定,并与本地土种山羊进行了对比,以分析杂交后代的生长发育特征.     

添加缬氨酸和异亮氨酸对哺乳母猪及其仔猪生产性能的影响

本试验旨在探讨在哺乳母猪日粮中添加缬氨酸和异亮氨酸对母猪及其仔猪生产性能、母猪采食量和乳成分的影响.试验选用健康、体况、预产期相近的第2胎法系JALAX母猪144头,分成3个处理组,即对照组、试验A组和试验B组,每个处理48头母猪.对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验A组饲喂添加低水平支链氨基酸日粮(基础日粮 缬氨酸0.26% 异亮氨酸0.06%),试验B组饲喂添加高水平支链氨基酸日粮(基础日粮 缬氨酸0.36% 异亮氨酸0.14%).试验从母猪妊娠108 d进产房开始,到仔猪21日龄断奶时结束.试验结果表明:(1)添加缬氨酸和异亮氨酸提高了仔猪的断奶窝重、断奶窝增重、平均日增重和21日龄仔猪成活率,但以试验A组的效果较好,和对照组比,上述指标分别提高了23.10%(P<0.01)、30.45%(P<0.01)、19.26%(P<0.05)和7.16%(P<0.05);(2)添加缬氨酸和异亮氨酸提高了哺乳母猪哺乳11～15 d,16～21 d以及哺乳全期的采食量,试验A组比对照组分别提高了35.61%(P<0.01)、27.72%(P<0.01)和24.21%(P<0.01),试验B组虽然与对照组之间差异不显著(P>0.05),但有提高的趋势;(3)添加缬氨酸和异亮氨酸极显著提高了泌乳第1天、第7天和第15天乳中乳脂、乳蛋白、总固形物、非乳脂固体的含量(P<0.01),极显著降低了乳糖的含量(P<0.01),但以试验A组的效果最好;(4)添加缬氨酸和异亮氨酸极显著提高了初乳(泌乳第1天)的总必需氨基酸、总非必需氨基酸以及总氨基酸的含量(P<0.01),但对第7天和第15天乳中氨基酸含量影响不显著.因此,日粮中添加缬氨酸和异亮氨酸可以提高哺乳母猪的日采食量和改善母猪乳品质,从而提高哺乳仔猪的生长性能.     

氯化钠对饲喂棉饼诱发山羊泌尿系结石的预防试验

16只3~5月龄阉割波尔公山羊随机分为4组,即对照Ⅰ组(n=3)、对照Ⅱ组(限水对照组n=3)、试验Ⅰ组(n=5)、试验Ⅱ组(限水试验组,n=5)。对照组饲喂羊精料和花生秧,试验组饲喂棉饼和稻草,同时在试验组棉饼中加入4%棉饼量的氯化钠,对照Ⅰ组和试验Ⅰ组在试验期间不限制饮水,而对照Ⅱ组和试验Ⅱ组每天限制饮水,经预试期后试验期为4个月。结果表明:(1)添加氯化钠各试验组均未发现临床型尿石症,未添加氯化钠对照Ⅰ组有1头发病,未添加氯化钠限水对照Ⅱ组有3头发病。(2)添加氯化钠不限制水组,山羊的饮水量、排尿量较未添加氯化钠组(对照组)明显增加,尿液pH值明显降低,且差异显著;而添加氯化钠限水组,山羊的排尿量、尿液pH值与限水对照组差异不显著。(3)两个试验组血清醛固酮含量较对照组明显降低,并且尿沉渣生成量明显减少。由此推测氯化钠预防棉饼诱发山羊泌尿系结石的机理是通过降低血清中的醛固酮含量,减轻醛固酮对肾脏的损害,减少了结石核心的形成和尿液中盐类结晶沉着点,在非限饮水的情况下羊还可通过增加饮水量和排尿量,使沉渣生成量减少,从而有效地防止尿石症的发生。     

Analysis of production objectives and breeding practices of dairy goats in Kenya

Production objectives and breeding practices of smallholder households participating in dairy goat breeding projects were analysed in relation to their ability to bring about sustainable genetic improvement in the dairy goat flocks in Kenya. A stratified survey involving 311 goat keepers in 4 project sites was used. This employed both qualitative and quantitative research methods to get a holistic view of dairy goats, and take into account the full array of contributions of dairy goats to the smallholder households. Milk production and sales of breeding stock were high priority functions for the objective to create a financial buffer. The breeding objective traits that farmers perceived as being of primary importance were milk yield, growth rate, body size, fertility and disease tolerance. There were logical trade-offs in the choice of these traits by farmers. Female dairy goats were mainly culled due to old age, poor fertility, small body size and poor health. Farmers did not place a large significance on unsatisfactory milk performance when culling female goats, mainly due to the very small production size and the high demand existing for breeding animals. Factors affecting milk yield and flock size presented satisfied a P < 0.1 significance level. The performance levels of dairy goats were mainly influenced by breeding strategies and the resource availability at the farm level. The optimisation of genotype x environment interactions remains the biggest challenge given the objectives set by the farmer.     

霉菌毒素吸附剂对荷斯坦牛产奶性能及免疫功能的影响

本研究采用配对试验设计,选择年龄、胎次、产奶量、泌乳天数相近的荷斯坦牛30头,随机分成两组,每组15头,对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮基础上饲喂复合霉菌毒素吸附剂20g/(头·d),其他饲养管理方式不变。预饲期7d,正试期63d,分别测定产奶量、乳成分、血液生化指标、抗氧化能力及免疫调节功能指标。结果表明,饲粮中添加复合霉菌毒素吸附剂对奶牛产奶量及乳成分无显著影响(P>0.05),试验组较对照组乳中黄曲霉毒素、玉米赤霉烯酮和伏马毒素分别降低了13.36%(P<0.05)、8.64%(P<0.05)、3.75%(P>0.05),血清中黄曲霉毒素、玉米赤霉烯酮和伏马毒素分别降低20%(P<0.05)、14.62%(P<0.05)、13.88%(P<0.05)。两组血液生化指标及抗氧化指标差异不显著(P>0.05),试验组的IL-1、IL-6水平低于对照组,但差异不显著(P>0.05),TNF-α含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。以上结果提示在不影响泌乳牛正常生产性能情况下,使用复合霉菌毒素吸附剂可以降低奶牛体内及乳中霉菌毒素的残留。     

Performance of tropical dairy cows fed whole crop rice silage with varying levels of concentrate

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of concentrate/milk yield ratios on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation efficiency, and milk production in dairy cows fed with a basal diet of whole crop rice silage (WCRS). Sixteen crossbred cows (75 % Holstein-Friesian (HF) and 25 % Thai cows) in mid-lactation were assigned to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatments corresponding to four concentrate/milk yield ratios (0, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 (kg/kg)) were used. All cows were offered WCRS (with 1.5 % urea and 3 % molasses) ad libitum. Silage and concentrate were fed individually twice a day. Results revealed that dry matter intake (12.8–14.5 kg/day), nutrient digestibility (62.5–68.7 %), and rumen fermentation efficiency were not significantly affected by concentrate supplementation. Milk yield (10.2–11.5 kg/day) and milk composition were similar between cows fed with sole WCRS and those supplemented with concentrate mixture, although milk fat tended to increase in cows fed with sole WCRS. In conclusion, sole WCRS fed to dairy cows without concentrate supplementation resulted in similar feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, and milk production as compared to those supplemented with concentrate in lactating dairy cows. These results suggest that in tropical areas where rice crop is surplus, WCRS could sustain reasonable levels of milk production among dairy cows with little or no concentrate supplementation provided that urea and molasses are included in the silage.     

Risk factors for intramammary infections and relationship with somatic-cell counts in Italian dairy goats

Routine examination of milk was performed on five herds of lactating goats in northern Italy as part of a milk quality-monitoring program in the year 2000. As part of the study, aseptic samples of foremilk were collected monthly from both half udders during the entire lactation for 305 goats, resulting in a total of 4571 samples. The samples were tested with cytological and bacteriological analyses to evaluate the relationship between mammary infections and somatic-cell count (SCC; Fossomatic (TM) method). Prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) was 40.2% (n = 1837) of all udder-half samples examined. The most-prevalent mastitis agents were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS), 80% (n = 1474 udder-half samples); within this group, Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most-prevalent species (38%). Other prevalence were Staphylococcus aureus 6% (n = 112 udder-half samples) and environmental pathogens 14% of infected udder-half samples (n = 251) with a diverse mixture of species, none of which had a frequency of >4%. Enterococcus faecalis was the most-frequently isolated among this group. Neither Salmonella spp. nor Listeria monocytogenes were detected. The risk (sample level) of infection differed across herds, parities, and stage of lactation according to results from logistic multiple regression. Infection was more common among goats in third and fourth parities and during the later stages of lactation. Of the 2734 samples from uninfected udder halves, the mean log₂ SCC was 3.9 cell/ml; of the 1837 bacteriological positive samples, the mean log₂ SCC was 5.6 cell/ml. According to results from a linear mixed model, concentrations of somatic cells tended to increase with increasing age and days in milk and with the presence of bacteria. Infection with S. aureus was associated with the highest SCS.     

柴达木绒山羊与当地山羊杂交改良试验

为了提高当地山羊的生产性能,用柴达木绒山间对当地山羊进行杂交改良。结果表明,杂一代在体重、产绒量及绒层厚度上均显著高于当地山羊羔羊（P〈0.05）,杂一代在当地适应性好、杂交优势明显。     

日粮粗蛋白质水平对哺乳母猪及仔猪生产性能的影响

选用分娩日期相近的天津白猪 1 8头 ,按胎次、体重随机分成 3个处理组 ,每个处理 6个重复 ,每个重复 1头母猪。哺乳母猪自由采食 ,自由饮水。 3个处理日粮的蛋白质水平分别为 1 4.0 %、1 6.5%、1 9.0 %。试验期为 7周。分别于母猪分娩后 0天、3 5天测定背膘厚度、体重、采食量 ;对仔猪隔周称重 ;母猪分娩后 2 1天于前腔静脉采血 ,分离血清后分析血清尿素氮、血清总蛋白、肌酸酐。 2 8天在第一、最后两对有效乳头取奶样 ,分析总固形物、乳蛋白、灰分。试验结果表明 ,母猪体重损失、背膘厚度、采食量、乳成分、以及哺乳期仔猪增重在 3个蛋白水平上差异不显著。高蛋白日粮有提高母猪产奶量的趋势(P <0 .0 7)。母猪的血清尿素氮浓度处理间差异极显著 (P <0 .0 1 )。     

Genetic and phenotypic parameters of milk yield, milk composition and age at first kidding in Saanen goats from Mexico

A total of 4007 lactation records from 1520 Saanen goats kidding from 1999 to 2006 and obtained from 10 herds in Guanajuato, Mexico, were analyzed to estimate the heritabilities, repeatabilities, as well as genetic, environmental and phenotypic correlations for milk yield (MILK), fat yield (FAT), protein yield (PROT), fat content (%FAT), protein content (%PROT) and age at fist kidding (AFK). A five-trait repeatability model was used to estimate (co)variances for milk traits, and a four-trait animal model for first lactation records was used to estimate (co)variances involving AFK. For MILK, FAT, PROT, %FAT, %PROT and AFK, heritability estimates were 0.17 ± 0.04, 0.19 ± 0.05, 0.17 ± 0.04, 0.32 ± 0.06, 0.38 ± 0.07 and 0.31 ± 0.09, respectively. Repeatabilities for MILK, FAT, PROT, %FAT and %PROT were 0.43 ± 0.02, 0.42 ± 0.02, 0.42 ±0.02, 0.64 ± 0.02, and 0.63 ± 0.02, respectively. The genetic correlations between MILK and FAT, and between MILK and PROT, were high and positive (0.72 ± 0.08 and 0.87 ± 0.04, respectively). Genetic correlations between MILK and %FAT, between MILK and %PROT and between MILK and AFK, were − 0.24 ± 0.16, − 0.30 ± 0.15 and − 0.18 ± 0.23, respectively. Genetic correlations between AFK and FAT and between AFK and PROT were − 0.09 ± 0.24 and − 0.17 ± 0.25, respectively; and genetic correlations between AFK and %FAT and between AFK and %PROT were 0.29 ± 0.35 and 0.14 ± 0.27, respectively. Selection for milk traits is possible using a repeatability animal model. Selection for milk production traits would probably not increase AFK, but more precise estimates of the genetic correlations are required. Selection to lower AFK is possible. These (co)variance estimates would make it possible to predict the selection responses from different economic indices in order to maximize the economic responses for the local markets.     

我国北方放牧绵羊奶中碘含量的研究

我国北方放牧绵羊奶中碘含量的研究焦淑贤，高福森，刘彬，余顺祥（中国农业科学院畜牧研究所，北京１０００９４）Ｊ．ＬｉｎｄｄｓａｙＤ．Ｍａｓｔｅｒｓ（ＣＳＩＲＯＤｉｖｉｓｉｏｎｏｆＡｎｉｍａｌＰｒｏｄｕｃｔｉｏｎＵｎｄｅｒｗｏｏｄＡｖｅｎｕｅＦｌｏｒｅａ...