Case of suspected theobromine poisoning in dairy cattle

High-yielding dairy cows collapsed and died displaying signs of a disturbed central nervous system (muscle tremor, convulsion) and a considerably reduced body condition score. An intense diagnostic screening did not allow to confirm a definite diagnosis. Therefore, further analyses including an evaluation of feeds and feeding were initiated. The herd was fed a total mixed ration (TMR) based on corn and grass silage of moderate nutritive value supplemented with various amounts of chocolate chips. In retrospect, the amount of chocolate chips added to the respective TMR batches could not be quantified. These chips were purchased from a company producing bakery and chocolate products for human consumption and added to the silage and therefore to the TMR in order to increase the energy intake of the animals. Because the TMR, which was fed during the time of the incidence, was no longer available, a sample of a later batch of silage was examined. The amount of chocolate chips was quantified (0.44% per fresh matter), and a theobromine analysis was performed in the chocolate chips of the available batch (69.7 mg/100 g fresh matter). Because of the possible link between chocolate intake and observed signs, an immediate cessation of using the chocolate chips was recommended in addition to an optimisation of the TMR, that is an increase of the energy density. Even though the theobromine intake during the time of the incidence is unknown and information about toxicity of theobromine in ruminants is limited, we suspect that the feeding of chocolate in this case caused all signs including the sudden death of the cows. Further reasons are that no differential diagnoses were established and the problems at the farm stopped after removing the chocolate from the TMR.     

马铃薯渣饲用研究进展及应用前景分析

马铃薯淀粉渣富含养分、成本低、产量高,是良好的饲料来源。文章分析马铃薯的饲用价值,从青贮和发酵两方面综述马铃薯渣的饲用化研究现状,并提出马铃薯渣饲用潜力开发的主要制约因素,展望其饲用化的应用前景,为马铃薯渣的饲用化研究提供参考。     

兴安盟地区旱作条件下11个苜蓿品种生产性能和饲用价值比较

为筛选兴安盟地区旱作条件下适宜引进栽培的优良苜蓿品种,在兴安盟乌兰浩特市呼和马场种植11个苜蓿(Medicago sativa)品种,通过连续2年观测参试品种的越冬率、株高、产量、茎叶比及营养成分等指标,对旱作条件下11个苜蓿品种的生产性能和饲用价值进行灰色关联分析。结果表明:图牧2号、敖汉苜蓿和呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿两年的平均越冬率较高;SK3010、呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿和敖汉苜蓿在株高、生长速度和干草产量方面表现较好;图牧2号的茎叶比均最大,其次是呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿、SK3010和敖汉苜蓿;WL168HQ、斯普雷德和呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿两年的粗蛋白质含量均高于18%;巨能2和斯贝德的粗纤维含量较高;WL168HQ、呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿、WL343HQ、SK3010和WL319HQ的粗灰分含量均高于10%。对11个苜蓿品种的越冬率、产量特性和饲用品质进行灰色关联分析表明,呼伦贝尔杂花苜蓿的综合表现最优,适合在该地区种植推广。     

计算机视觉技术在智慧羊场中的研究进展

智慧羊场具有科学化、标准化管理的优点,是羊场转型发展的趋势。计算机视觉技术是人工智能的核心,可以实现非接触性、自动化、实时监测羊的个体信息。本文总结并分析了计算机视觉在羊场的个体识别方法、行为识别方法、体尺与体重估测、疾病监测的研究现状,并指出计算机视觉在智慧羊场的进一步发展趋势。 [关键词] 计算机视觉|智慧羊场|个体识别|行为识别|体尺与体重估测|疾病监测     

提升犊牛日增重的方法研究

犊牛阶段的生长状况对牛只的生产性能具有重要影响,为提高牧场效益,牧场越来越追求犊牛阶段生长的最大化。通过饲喂代乳粉达到犊牛断奶前1.0 kg日增重,对牛只生产性能的提升具有重要意义。本文主要介绍增加犊牛日增重对牛只生产性能的积极影响,同时根据荷兰Schils的试验对代乳粉的选择和饲喂流程提出建议,以期对牧场合理使用代乳粉,实现犊牛阶段生长最大化提供参考。     

自动化饲喂饲养模式下哺乳犊牛的饲养管理

犊牛是牧场发展的后备军,优质的犊牛培育是牧场可持续发展的有利保障之一。因此,科学的犊牛饲养管理措施和合理的犊牛饲养模式对于犊牛培育极其重要。通过对自动化饲喂饲养模式下哺乳犊牛的饲喂技术、管理措施以及疾病预防等方面进行综述,重点介绍初乳、饲喂计划、补饲、奶粉及开食料、饲喂标准、饲养环境、管理细节差异、疾病治疗方案等内容,以期对自动化饲喂饲养模式下的牧场提供参考。     

奶牛围产期饲养管理要点

奶牛围产期的饲养管理是规模化奶牛场生产环节中的重中之重,该项工作不仅影响奶牛泌乳量和生鲜乳品质,还直接决定新生犊牛的健康水平和奶牛的产后恢复情况。因此,各牧场需要加强奶牛围产期的饲养管理,让奶牛在分娩前后平稳过渡。本文从营养需要、分群、饲养和环境等方面介绍了奶牛围产前期和围产后期的管理需要,以期为围产期奶牛的科学饲养管理提供理论参考。