Effects of Supplemental Complex Water Soluble Vitamin on Production Performance,Blood Biochemical Parameters and Oxidation Resistance of Dairy Cows

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of supplemental complex water soluble vitamins on production performance, blood biochemical parameters and oxidative resistance of dairy cows in spring and summer.The experiment was designed by 2×2 factorial randomized blocks design.Eighty healthy dairy cows with similar parity and body weight were randomly divided to four groups, with 7 days of adaptation and 70 d experimental phase.The dairy cows in group Ⅲ and Ⅳ were fed a basal diet supplemented with complex water soluble vitamins in spring.The dairy cows in group Ⅱ and Ⅳ were fed a basal diet supplemented with complex water soluble vitamins in summer.The results showed that the ADFI and daily milk yield of dairy cows receiving water soluble vitamin in spring were extremely significantly higher (P<0.01);The ADFI of dairy cows receiving water soluble vitamin was significantly higher in summer (P<0.05) and daily milk yield were extremely significantly higher (P<0.01);The butterfat rate was extremely significantly increased and SCC was extremely significantly decreased in spring and summer (P<0.01);Supplementation of water soluble vitamin was also significantly increased LYM (P<0.05).In summer, T-AOC, T-SOD were extremely significantly increased (P<0.01), and TP, CK, LDH, TP, HDL and ALB were extremely significantly decreased (P<0.01) by water soluble vitamin supplementation than that of control group.In conclusion, complex water soluble vitamins could increase the production performance and non-specific immune function, improve the oxidative resistance and relieved the heat stress of the dairy cows.     

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.     

Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria Causing Dairy Cow Mastitis in Liaoning and Drug Sensibility Test of Pathogenic E.coli

In order to understand the main bacterial pathogen species causing dairy cow mastitis in Liaoning, as well as the characteristics of drug sensitivity of the pathogenic E.coli,the milk samples from 75 dairy cows with clinical manifestations for mastitis in certain large-scale dairy farm in Liaoning were collected.The bacteria in milk were cultured and isolated with biochemical methods and in vitro drug sensitivity tests were processed with the isolated E.coli strains.The results showed that the main bacterial pathogen for dairy cow mastitis were E.coli（separation rate 58.7%),S.aureus（64.0%）and S.agalactiae（54.7%),and multiple infection including double and triple infection were identified.The drug sensitivity tests on the isolated E.coli indicated that the E.coli isolates were highly resistant to sulfonamides（resistance rate>85%）and chloramphenicol（resistance rate>30%),and they were relatively low resistant to ampicillin（9.5%),ciprofloxacin（9.5%),ceftiofur（7.1%）and ofloxacin（4.8%).The results was able to provide reliable theoretical basis for prevention and control of dairy cow mastitis in Liaoning area.     

甘肃省某奶牛场肠杆菌性乳房炎主要病原菌的分离鉴定与耐药性分析

为查明甘肃省某奶牛场发生临床型奶牛乳房炎的主要病原菌并选择治疗用敏感药物,随机无菌采集了6份临床型病牛乳样和1份大罐乳样,采用划线分离、菌落形态观察、革兰染色镜检、生化鉴定及16S rDNA序列分析等方法进行细菌分离鉴定,同时采用K-B法测定主要分离菌株对抗菌药物的敏感性。结果表明,从临床型乳房炎乳样中分离鉴定出大肠埃希菌、芽胞杆菌、凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(腐生葡萄球菌)3种细菌,其中大肠埃希菌的分离率最高,为66.67%;从大罐奶样中也分离出大肠埃希菌。药敏试验结果表明,大肠埃希菌对氨苄青霉素、阿莫西林、头孢噻吩、杆菌肽、红霉素均存在不同程度的耐药,耐药率为29%~100%;对诺氟沙星、恩诺沙星、氟苯尼考、头孢哌酮等药物敏感。说明此次牛场临床型乳房炎的主要病原菌是大肠埃希菌、葡萄球菌和芽胞杆菌,而且分离的大肠埃希菌具有多重耐药性。根据检测分析结果,给奶牛场提出针对性的防控措施,临床型乳房炎的发病率下降,病情得以控制。     

Discrimination of “grazing milk” using milk fatty acid profile in the grassland dairy area in Hokkaido

Milk produced by the grazing system, referred to as “grazing milk” contains many components required for human health. The milk fatty acid (FA) profile is strongly associated with the diet on the farms. In the present study, based on the FA profile of farmer's bulk milk, we determined how to discriminate between milk produced on grazing and on a confinement system. A field survey was conducted four times (grazing and confinement season) in the Konsen (29 farms) and Okhotsk (25 farms) area in Hokkaido. Farmer's bulk milk samples and details of feeding management were collected and the FA profile of milk was measured. Milk produced during the grazing season contained less C16:0 and cis‐9 C16:0, and more C18:0, cis‐9 C18:1, trans‐11 C18:1, cis‐9,12 C18:2, cis‐9,trans‐11 C18:2 and cis‐9,12,15 C18:3 than milk produced during the confinement season. Discrimination analysis using 16 FA revealed that almost all milk samples were discriminated correctly (confinement season: 90% correct and 10% borderline, grazing season: 88% correct, 9% borderline and 3% incorrect). For farmers that were categorized incorrectly and were considered borderline in the grazing season, the dependency on pasture was low compared with that for farmers correctly discriminated. Therefore, to claim “grazing milk”, a high dependency on pasture is required for grazing dairy farmers.     

Effect of farm characteristics and practices on hygienic quality of ovine raw milk used for artisan cheese production in central Italy

A survey on ovine dairy farms directly transforming own‐produced milk, in the Italian Marche region, was carried out to assess flock and milking practices that may influence milk hygienic‐sanitary conditions. A census survey established that 24 dairy farms were located in this region. Bulk milk samples were collected throughout the milking period in each dairy farm in 2013. Analyzed variables were: (i) chemical parameters such as fat, protein and lactose content, dry matter and pH; and (ii) total bacterial (TBC) and somatic cell counts (SCC). Chemical parameter values were in agreement with published data while, geometric mean (GM) log₁₀ SCC was 5.91 and TBC GM was 57 978 colony forming units/mL, in compliance with Eropean Union criteria. A positive correlation was found between SCC and TBC when GMs of all farm data were considered (Spearman's rho = 0.7925; P = 0.0001). Statistical analysis did not show significant correlation between SCC or TBC GM and dairy farm principal characteristics. Although SCC levels detected in the present study should suggest the need to implement mastitis control programs, Marche's dairy sheep flocks revealed a good hygienic condition level. This is an important aspect in implementing safety for end users of the final product.     

Relationship of rumen fill and fermentation to diurnal and seasonal variation of herbage intake in dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture

To clarify the effect of digesta weight in the reticulorumen on diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in herbage intake, six ruminally cannulated, non‐lactating dairy cows were grazed on perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture during morning and evening sessions in spring and autumn. The digesta weight of fresh matter, dry matter (DM) and fiber in the reticulorumen at the beginning and the end of each grazing session was lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). Although the digesta weight was similar between the sessions at the beginning of grazing, it was greater for the evening than for the morning at the end of grazing (P < 0.01). The large particles proportion in the digesta was lower for the morning than the evening (P < 0.01), and it was lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). The concentrations of volatile fatty acids in rumen fluid were generally higher in spring compared with autumn. The herbage DM intake during the evening was greater compared with the morning in both seasons (P < 0.01). However, there was no difference in herbage DM intake between seasons. The results showed that the rumen digesta fill was not the sole factor explaining diurnal and seasonal variation of herbage intake in grazing dairy cows.     

Herbage intake and ruminal digestion of dairy cows grazed on perennial ryegrass pasture either in the morning or evening

This study aimed to clarify diurnal fluctuations of herbage intake, ruminal fermentation of herbage carbohydrates and proteins, and digesta particulate weight in the rumen of grazing dairy cows. Six ruminally cannulated, non‐lactating dairy cows were grazed on perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture either in the morning (04.00 to 08.00 hours) or the evening (16.00 to 20.00 hours). Cows grazed in the evening spent more time (P < 0.01) and consumed more herbage (P < 0.01) compared with cows grazed in the morning. Higher (P < 0.05) daily mean concentrations of total volatile fatty acid, propionate and n‐butyrate in rumen fluid were observed for cows grazed in the evening compared with cows grazed in the morning. Although cows grazed in the evening ingested more crude protein compared with cows grazed in the morning, no significant difference in NH₃‐N concentration in rumen fluid was observed between them. The ratio of purine‐derivative concentration to creatinine concentrations was higher (P < 0.01) in the urine of cows grazed in the evening than in cows grazed in the morning. These results clearly indicated that evening grazing was advantageous for dairy cows compared with morning grazing, in terms of ruminal fermentable energy intake and nitrogen utilization efficiency.     

Variability in concentrations of zinc in serum and feed when using zinc oxide as a supplement for the prevention of facial eczema

AIMS: To determine the variability of concentrations of Zn in feed, when used as a supplement to prevent facial eczema, and to determine the variability in concentrations of Zn in serum between cows and herds that are being supplemented with ZnO in feed, using in-shed feeders or on a feed pad.

METHODS: Sixteen commercial dairy farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand were enrolled, that were supplementing cows with ZnO in the feed using either an automatic in-shed feeder (ASF) or a feed pad (FP) using a feed-out or mixer wagon. On each farm 10 cows were selected by the farmer, that were assumed to be representative of the age and liveweight of the herd. Four hours after supplement feeding, each cow was weighed and a blood sample collected for measurement of concentrations of Zn in serum. Three samples of feed were collected from each farm for Zn analysis, from the beginning, middle and end of the feed being distributed. Levene’s test for homoscedasticity was used to analyse whether there were differences in variation of individual concentrations of Zn in serum, and in the feed, between the two feeding systems. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between age, feeding method or liveweight and concentrations of Zn in serum, after accounting for the variability between farms.

RESULTS: Of the 163 cows sampled, concentrations of Zn in serum were between 20–35?µmol/L in 75/163 (46 (95% CI=38–54)%) cows; were <20?µmol/L in 71/163 (44 (95% CI=36–52)%) cows, and >35?µmol/L in 17/163 (10 (95% CI=6–16)%) cows. The variation in concentrations of Zn in serum in individual cows differed between farms (p<0.001), and the variability was greater for cows fed using a FP than ASF (p<0.001). There was no difference in the variation of concentrations of Zn in feed between the two feeding methods (p=0.54), but concentrations of Zn in serum were associated with the amount of Zn offered in feed (p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICIAL RELEVENCE: There was significant variability between farms in the concentrations of Zn in the serum of cows being supplemented with ZnO in feed. Only 46% of cows sampled had concentrations of Zn between 20–35?µmol/L. Effective management of facial eczema should include monitoring Zn in the feed and in serum to ensure cows are receiving the correct dose they require.