scholarly journals Influence of different growing conditions on production, milk composition and body condition score for Alpina goat breed

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 635-646
Author(s):  
N. Memisi ◽  
N. Stanisic

This paper presents the results of testing the impact of different farming systems on milk production, milk composition (milk fat, protein and dry matter without fat) and body condition score of Alpine breed goats in different growing systems during one production year. Control of the amount and chemical composition of milk included a total of 59 French Alpine goats at the age of 2-3 years (2-3 lactations), which are divided into two groups with approximate similar body weight. In the first group of goats a stable diet was applied. Goats had a sufficient amount of alfalfa hay available (ad libitum) and the addition of about 0.5 kg of concentrate that is administered twice a day. Goats in the second group in addition to 0.5 kg of alfalfa hay, received 0.25 kg of concentrate and in the period from April to October during the day stayed at the outlet and the surrounding pasture. Control of body weight of goats and body condition were performed once every two months from March to October, while the rate of body condition (BCS) was given score of 1-5. Somatic cell count and chemical quality of milk were controlled on a daily basis in the laboratory for raw milk AD Mlekara - Subotica on the device CombiFoss 6200 FC. Both groups of goats had a statistically significant increase in production of milk (about 45 l) and the average daily milk yield (of about 0.15 l) in the second compared with the third lactation (p <0.01). It was also determined statistically significant effect of lactation on content of protein, dry matter without fat (DMwF) and the number of somatic cells in milk in both groups of goats. Body condition score of the analyzed groups of goats varied over time, and statistically significant differences were found in July (p = 0.021) and September (p = 0.013), where goats from the second group that remained at the pasture in the examined period had higher scores for BCS compared with the first group.

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 467-468
Author(s):  
Fernanda F Santos ◽  
Luciano Brochine ◽  
Vanderlei Benetel Junior ◽  
Maria Laura R Coelho ◽  
Augusto H Gameiro ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the milk production, body weight, and body condition score (BCS) of ewes fed with different energy levels. Seventy-one ewes were used and distributed in three treatments according to the metabolizable energy (ME, Mcal/kg) levels in the diet: CTL = according to the NRC (2007) recommendation for each stage (gestation and lactation); PLUS = CTL plus 10% of ME per kilogram of dry matter; LESS = CTL less 10% ME per kilogram of dry matter. Body weight and body condition score were evaluated a week before the expected date of parturition, a week after giving birth, and at weaning (60 days). Dairy production was evaluated at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 days after giving birth by the indirect method of the two weighing. The experimental design was analyzed as randomized complete blocks. There were no differences on milk production during almost all the lactation curve. Only on day 50 (P = 0.051), CTL was still at peak, while LESS and PLUS had already decreased their production. However, at 60 days, all treatments were already with low production, justifying weaning in this period. Results of weight and BCS showed a significant difference in all periods evaluates. Ewes in the PLUS diet had greater BW and BCS. The BCS before giving birth is expected to be over 3.5 and treatment LESS was the only one that did not achieve this score (2.66, 3.37, 3.83 for LESS, CTL, and PLUS, respectively). At weaning, ewes fed PLUS and CTL had BCS of 3.51 and 2.92, respectively, but treatment LESS had only 1.82. That is prejudicial for the next mating seasonal and this animal. We concluded that LESS diet interfered with the body reserves of sheep.


2008 ◽  
Vol 91 (8) ◽  
pp. 3201-3210 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.K. Toshniwal ◽  
C.D. Dechow ◽  
B.G. Cassell ◽  
J.A.D.R.N. Appuhamy ◽  
G.A. Varga

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 22-22
Author(s):  
Amanda Holder ◽  
Aksel Wiseman ◽  
Adam McGee ◽  
David Lalman ◽  
Claire Andresen

Abstract Several factors influence the overall maintenance requirements of a mature beef cow including age, gain, lactation, pregnancy, and fleshing ability. However, limited research is available to distinguish what sets a hard-fleshing cow apart from an easy-fleshing cow. Cows that are hard-fleshing maintain a lower body condition score (BCS) throughout the year compared to easy-fleshing counterparts. The objectives of this experiment are to determine the differences in characteristics and production between cows classified as easy- vs. hard- fleshing. Characteristics of interest include feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, body weight changes, BCS changes, and other body composition measurements, as well as calf weaning weight. In this study, 24 spring-calving, mature Angus beef cows were classified as either hard-fleshing or easy-fleshing based on BCS and ultrasound measurements for back fat and rump fat. The intake study took place during the second trimester, cows were assigned to an easy- or hard-fleshing pen based on treatment where they remained for the entirety of the 45-day intake study. Each treatment was replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Milk data collection began one month after calving with monthly milkings from May-August. There were no differences (P = 0.9) in DMI, although hard-fleshing cows had greater DMI calculated on a metabolic body weight basis (P = 0.05). There was a trend (P = 0.12) for hard-fleshing cows to wean heavier calves, although there was no difference in mean milk yield (P = 0.44). Body condition score was positively correlated with protein and carbohydrate content of milk with easy-fleshing cows having greater contents of both (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). Overall, an increase in BCS without an increase in DMI may be beneficial from a reproductive standpoint, though more research in this area is needed.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 1581
Author(s):  
Felipe Brener Bezerra de Oliveira ◽  
César Carneiro Linhares Fernandes ◽  
Aline Maia Silva ◽  
Cleidson Manoel Gomes Silva ◽  
Luiz Fernando De Souza Rodrigues ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the impact of nutritional status of Morada Nova sheep at lambing on the reproductive and productive performance and on the survival of lambs in early weaning system. Nineteen, Morada Nova sheep were assigned to two groups according to body condition score (BCS) at lambing: low BCS (n = 11) and high BCS (n=8) with body condition respectively of (mean ± SD) 2.0 ± 0.3 e 2.9 ± 0.1. From birth until lamb weaning (45 days), sheep were weighed weekly and checked the BCS, loin subcutaneous fat thickness, loin depth, hematological profile, milk composition and production, and every three days, we measured the uterine diameter. Lamb weightings were performed up to one week after weaning (52 days). The lower availability of muscle and fat reserves in the low BCS group negatively affected milk production and consequently performance of suckling lambs. However, the results indicated that the uterine involution process, the reproductive parameters including prolificacy, rate of multiple births, number of white blood cells, milk quality, body weight of lambs at birth and mortality rates were not affected by the body condition. The results allowed to describe the responsiveness to opposite nutritional status of Morada Nova sheep, showing their characteristics of adaptation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 62-62
Author(s):  
Amanda Holder ◽  
Aksel Wiseman ◽  
Adam McGee ◽  
David Lalman ◽  
Claire Andresen

Abstract Several factors influence the overall maintenance requirements of a mature beef cow including age, gain, lactation, pregnancy, and fleshing ability. However, limited research is available to distinguish what sets a hard-fleshing cow apart from an easy-fleshing cow. Cows that are hard-fleshing maintain a lower body condition score (BCS) throughout the year compared to easy-fleshing counterparts. The objectives of this experiment are to determine the differences in characteristics and production between cows classified as easy- vs. hard- fleshing. Characteristics of interest include feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, body weight changes, BCS changes, and other body composition measurements, as well as calf weaning weight. In this study, 24 spring-calving, mature Angus beef cows were classified as either hard-fleshing or easy-fleshing based on BCS and ultrasound measurements for back fat and rump fat. The intake study took place during the second trimester, cows were assigned to an easy- or hard-fleshing pen based on treatment where they remained for the entirety of the 45-day intake study. Each treatment was replicated three times in a completely randomized design. Milk data collection began one month after calving with monthly milkings from May—August. There were no differences (P = 0.9) in DMI, although hard-fleshing cows had greater DMI calculated on a metabolic body weight basis (P = 0.05). There was a trend (P = 0.12) for hard-fleshing cows to wean heavier calves, although there was no difference in mean milk yield (P = 0.44). Body condition score was positively correlated with protein and carbohydrate content of milk with easy-fleshing cows having greater contents of both (P = 0.02 and P < 0.01, respectively). Overall, an increase in BCS without an increase in DMI may be beneficial from a reproductive standpoint, though more research in this area is needed.


1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Gemeda ◽  
E. Zerbini ◽  
A. G. Wold ◽  
D. Demissie

AbstractForty pregnant F1 crossbred dairy cows (20 Friesian × Boran and 20 Simmental × Boran) were stratified in a 2 × 2 diet × work factorial experiment (not working-not supplemented, NWNS; not working-supplemented, NWS; working-not supplemented, WNS; and working-supplemented, WS). Working cows pulled sledges 100 days/year (pull = 350 to 450 N, 4 h/day, 4 days/week). Work output of supplemented and non-supplemented cows was similar over 1 and 2 years. Over all 3 years, dry-matter intake relative to metabolic body size (g/kg M0.75 was greater for working, compared with non-working cows. Body-weight changes and body condition score were similar for working and non-working cows. Non-supplemented cows lost weight throughout the first 2-year period, while supplemented cows tended to maintain or gain body weight over 1 and 3 years. Over 2 years, supplementation of working cows proportionately reduced live-weight loss by 0.73 and doubled the number of conceptions and parturitions. Days in milk, milk, milk fat and protein yields were similar for working and non-working cows, but were greater for supplemented, compared with non-supplemented, cows. Total conceptions and calves born in all 3 years tended to be greater for supplemented and non-working compared with non-supplemented and working cows. A productivity index (PI) that took into account food intake was calculated. The PI for supplemented cows over 2 years was greater than that for non-supplemented cows. Meanwhile the PI was similar for working and non-working cows over all periods considered. A similar PI for working and non-working cows under supplementation indicates potential of on-farm adoption of a cow traction technology that includes improved food production and ng strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 48-48
Author(s):  
Kirsten Nickles ◽  
Alejandro E Relling ◽  
Alvaro Garcia-Guerra ◽  
Francis L Fluharty ◽  
Anthony J Parker

Abstract Future climate predictions suggest greater precipitation events and an increase in mean ambient temperature during winter months, creating wet and muddy conditions during the last third of gestation for spring calving beef cows. Cows housed in these conditions will likely have increased energy requirements; however, there is limited data on cow requirements in such circumstances. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of muddy environmental conditions on cow body weight (BW) and body condition score (BCS) in late gestation. Twenty multiparous Angus cows (n = 10/treatment) housed and fed individually were used in this study. Cows were paired based on initial BW, and one cow from each pair was randomly allocated to either the mud (MUD) or control treatment (CON). Cows in the CON treatment were bedded with wood chips and not exposed to mud, while cows in the MUD treatment were housed in mud (23.6 ± 5.8 cm). Cows were fed the same diet, and each pair was fed to the CON cow’s requirements for maintenance and day of gestation. Maintenance requirements were adjusted weekly. From 213 to 269 days of gestation, cows were sampled for BW and BCS weekly. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measurements, and the SLICE option of SAS was used for mean separation. All cows started at similar BW (P = 0.35) and BCS (P = 0.79); however, cows housed in muddy conditions had lesser BW (P &lt; 0.01) and BCS (P &lt; 0.01) at day 269 compared with CON cows, while there were no dry matter refusals from any animals throughout the study. Therefore, MUD cows weighed 37.6 kg less than CON cows by the end of the study while dry matter intake was the same between treatments, indicating that mud greatly increased cow requirements.


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