A survey of northern Victorian dairy farmers to investigate dairy calf management: colostrum feeding and management

Objectives

To describe colostrum management practices carried out in northern Victorian dairy herds and to identify weaknesses in these areas that may affect calf health and welfare by comparing the results with the current industry recommendations

Methods

A questionnaire to obtain information about colostrum management and calf‐rearing practices was sent to commercial dairy farming clients of Rochester Veterinary Practice between June and September 2013. The questionnaire consisted of a general herd overview and colostrum harvesting practices.

Results

The response rate was 39% (58/150). Many dairy producers were not meeting the current industry recommendations in the following areas: (1) time of removal calf from the dam, (2) relying on calf suckling colostrum from the dam to achieve adequate passive transfer, (3) failing to supplement calves with colostrum, (4) feeding inadequate volumes of colostrum, (5) delayed colostrum harvesting, (6) pooling of colostrum, (7) failing to objectively assess colostrum quality or relying on visual assessment and (8) storing colostrum for a prolonged periods of time at ambient temperatures.

Conclusion

The results from this survey highlight the need for greater awareness of industry standards for colostrum management and feeding hygiene.

     

Improved milk production through PG–PL system by provision of in‐house shelter management in lactating Murrah buffaloes during winter season

Comprehensive information on the role of β‐casein and plasminogen–plasmin (PG–PL) system in milk secretion of Murrah buffaloes during winter season is lacking, although effects of cold stress can be ameliorated to an extent by altering microclimate at farm level. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the changes in productivity along with PG–PL system of milk, plasma hormones and metabolites of buffaloes during winter (December–January) season under two different management systems. Average minimum temperature and wind chill index during this season were 7.02 and 12.74 °C respectively. Buffaloes were divided in two groups of six animals each: control and treatment, where treatment group animals were placed in‐house with floor bedding of paddy straw and the control group animals in loose housing system without straw bedding. Physiological responses were recorded, and milk and blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for six‐week experimental period. Under in‐house management system, buffaloes experienced better comfort by alleviating environmental stress as their physiological responses such as respiration rate and pulse rate were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) as compared to the control, which subsequently resulted higher milk yield by 9.92% (p < 0.05). Analysis of milk samples revealed higher concentration of plasminogen (10.6 vs. 8.05 μg/ml; p < 0.01) and β‐casein (p < 0.05), and lower plasmin level (0.299 vs. 0.321 μg/ml; p < 0.05) in buffaloes under treatment group. It was also found that plasma cortisol, glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids levels were higher (p < 0.01) in control group as compared to the treatment animals by 13.6%, 8.14% and 12.6% respectively. However, milk composition, growth hormone, epinephrine and norepinephrine level in plasma were similar in both the groups. Hence, it may be concluded that provision of in‐house shelter management with floor bedding of paddy straw during winter was effective to minimize environmental stress and improved milk production through manipulation of PG–PL system in buffaloes.     

不同氮肥管理对机插水稻产量及氮肥利用的影响

研究了不同氮肥管理对机插水稻武粳15产量及肥料利用率的影响.结果表明:施氮量270～330kg/hm2.基蘖肥:穗肥为5:5～6:4能获得较高产量.随着施氮量增加,氮肥利用率降低.在施氮水平为300kg/hm2情况下,基蘖肥:穗肥为5:5的肥料利用率较高.     

北京市森林生态效益功能定位及其经营对策

系统分析北京市森林的作用和经营目的,包括对社会和谐和文明发展的作用,对建设社会主义新农村和解决三农问题的作用,及为市民的生产和生活提供生态安全屏障等.分析认为,实现森林多资源经营,并以发挥其生态功能为主是北京市森林经营的关键,对森林生态效益进行计量评价是实现此目标最好的手段.提出北京市森林经营仍需要从政策上、管理上和技术上等方面去考虑.     

生态旅游景区注意力管理的探讨

介绍了国内外对"注意力"、"注意力管理"研究的现状.论述了注意力管理在生态旅游景区中应用的重要意义.生态旅游景区的注意力管理包涵经营者的注意力管理,对环境保护的注意力管理、员工的注意力管理、生态旅游者的注意力管理、当地居民的注意力管理等.     

我国森林经营方案问题研究评述

回顾了森林经营方案编制的历史,较全面地阐述了森林经营方案在编制、实施与管理中存在的问题.指出了编制与实施森林经营方案在理论上与技术工作中需要进一步研究解决的问题.对森林经营方案编制的发展趋势进行了初步分析.     

运筹帷幄的决策工具——运筹学

运筹学是关于做决定的科学,运筹学集数学和其他科学方法为一体,对现实问题进行模型化并提出解决方案,把它科学地应用到各企业管理中,可有效地帮助企业做出合理的决策.     

浅谈供热企业的成本管理

供热企业搞好成本管理是企业实现经济效益的重要目标.如何弄清成本观念,成本信息满足成本管理需要,强化现代成本管理手段和对策,是必须引起重视的问题.     

浅谈工程造价的预结算审核

工程造价的预结算审核是合理确定工程造价的必要程序及重要手段.本文从工程造价中存在的问题,工程造价审核的内容、方法等三个方面论述了工程造价及其预结算的审核工作过程.