scholarly journals Predicting nutrient excretion from dairy cows on smallholder farms in Indonesia using readily available farm data

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 2039-2049
Author(s):  
Windi Al Zahra ◽  
Corina E. van Middelaar ◽  
Imke J. M. de Boer ◽  
Simon J. Oosting

Objective: This study was conducted to provide models to accurately predict nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) excretion of dairy cows on smallholder farms in Indonesia based on readily available farm data.Methods: The generic model in this study is based on the principles of the Lucas equation, describing the relation between dry matter intake (DMI) and faecal N excretion to predict the quantity of faecal N (Q<sub>FN</sub>). Excretion of urinary N and faecal P were calculated based on National Research Council recommendations for dairy cows. A farm survey was conducted to collect input parameters for the models. The data set was used to calibrate the model to predict Q<sub>FN</sub> for the specific case. The model was validated by comparing the predicted quantity of faecal N with the actual quantity of faecal N (Q<sub>FNACT</sub>) based on measurements, and the calibrated model was compared to the Lucas equation. The models were used to predict N and P excretion of all 144 dairy cows in the data set.Results: Our estimate of true N digestibility equalled the standard value of 92% in the original Lucas equation, whereas our estimate of metabolic faecal N was –0.60 g/100 g DMI, with the standard value being –0.61 g/100 g DMI. Results of the model validation showed that the R<sup>2</sup> was 0.63, the MAE was 15 g/animal/d (17% from Q<sub>FNACT</sub>), and the RMSE was 20 g/animal/d (22% from Q<sub>FNACT</sub>). We predicted that the total N excretion of dairy cows in Indonesia was on average 197 g/animal/d, whereas P excretion was on average 56 g/animal/d.Conclusion: The proposed models can be used with reasonable accuracy to predict N and P excretion of dairy cattle on smallholder farms in Indonesia, which can contribute to improving manure management and reduce environmental issues related to nutrient losses.

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1713-1727
Author(s):  
Ruilan Dong ◽  
Hongmin Dong ◽  
Karen A. Beauchemin ◽  
Hongwei Xin

Abstract. Manure nitrogen (N) output from dairy cattle is a major environmental concern in China. Various empirical models are available to predict manure N output from dairy cattle, but the accuracy and precision of these models has not been assessed for Chinese conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of extant models that predict different forms of manure N output for lactating dairy cows in China with the aim of identifying the best-fit and most suitable prediction models. A total of 35 empirical models were evaluated for their ability to predict N excretion of dairy cows in China fed a wide range of diets. The data set consisted of 99 treatment means from 32 publications with information on animal and dietary characteristics and N output flows. Performance of the models was evaluated using root mean square prediction error (RMSPE) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) analysis. A model (eq. 19) based on N intake (NI) was selected as best for predicting fecal N excretion (RMSPE = 15.8% and CCC = 0.75). Another model that also used NI as an input variable was most suitable for predicting urinary N (RMSPE = 26.0% and CCC = 0.63, eq. 14) and total N (RMSPE = 15.8% and CCC = 0.81, eq. 31). Models predicting urinary urea N (UUN) and urinary N / total N performed poorly. Overall, the deviation of the regression line from the equality line (y = x line) for even the best-fit urinary, fecal, and total N excretion models demonstrated the need to develop improved models for use under Chinese conditions. Using N output data from dairy cows in China to develop manure N output models may help improve environmental stewardship of the dairy industry in China. Keywords: Dairy cows, Evaluation, Manures, Model performance, Nitrogen excretion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Diers ◽  
Robert Weigel ◽  
Heike Culmsee ◽  
Christoph Leuschner

Abstract Background Organic carbon stored in forest soils (SOC) represents an important element of the global C cycle. It is thought that the C storage capacity of the stable pool can be enhanced by increasing forest productivity, but empirical evidence in support of this assumption from forests differing in tree species and productivity, while stocking on similar substrate, is scarce. Methods We determined the stocks of SOC and macro-nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and magnesium) in nine paired European beech/Scots pine stands on similar Pleistocene sandy substrates across a precipitation gradient (560–820 mm∙yr− 1) in northern Germany and explored the influence of tree species, forest history, climate, and soil pH on SOC and nutrient pools. Results While the organic layer stored on average about 80% more C under pine than beech, the pools of SOC and total N in the total profile (organic layer plus mineral soil measured to 60 cm and extrapolated to 100 cm) were greater under pine by about 40% and 20%, respectively. This contrasts with a higher annual production of foliar litter and a much higher fine root biomass in beech stands, indicating that soil C sequestration is unrelated to the production of leaf litter and fine roots in these stands on Pleistocene sandy soils. The pools of available P and basic cations tended to be higher under beech. Neither precipitation nor temperature influenced the SOC pool, whereas tree species was a key driver. An extended data set (which included additional pine stands established more recently on former agricultural soil) revealed that, besides tree species identity, forest continuity is an important factor determining the SOC and nutrient pools of these stands. Conclusion We conclude that tree species identity can exert a considerable influence on the stocks of SOC and macronutrients, which may be unrelated to productivity but closely linked to species-specific forest management histories, thus masking weaker climate and soil chemistry effects on pool sizes.


1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 ◽  
pp. 143-143
Author(s):  
B.L. Nielsen ◽  
R.F. Veerkamp ◽  
J.E. Pryce ◽  
G. Simm ◽  
J.D. Oldham

High producing dairy cows have been found to be more susceptible to disease (Jones et al., 1994; Göhn et al., 1995) raising concerns about the welfare of the modern dairy cow. Genotype and number of lactations may affect various health problems differently, and their relative importance may vary. The categorical nature and low incidence of health events necessitates large data-sets, but the use of data collected across herds may introduce unwanted variation. Analysis of a comprehensive data-set from a single herd was carried out to investigate the effects of genetic line and lactation number on the incidence of various health and reproductive problems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Chibisa ◽  
D. A. Christensen ◽  
T. Mutsvangwa

Chibisa, G. E., Christensen, D. A. and Mutsvangwa, T. 2013. Replacing canola meal as the major protein source with wheat dried distillers’ grains alters omasal fatty acid flow and milk fatty acid composition in dairy cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 137–147. Wheat dried distillers’ grains with solubles (W-DDGS) has a high fat content and is now commonly fed to dairy cows in western Canada. The objective was to determine the effects of replacing canola meal (CM) with W-DDGS on omasal fatty acid (FA) flow and milk FA composition. Four ruminally-cannulated lactating dairy cows were used in a 4×4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Cows were fed either a standard barley silage-based total mixed ration (TMR) (0% W-DDGS, control) or TMR containing 10, 15 and 20% W-DDGS, with W-DDGS replacing CM as the major protein source. The omasal flow of C18:1 trans-10, C18:1 trans-11, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) cis-9, trans-11, and total CLA increased linearly with increasing levels of W-DDGS. There were quadratic changes in milk concentrations of total C18:2, C18:3n-3, total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), and total n-6 PUFA as the level of W-DDGS increased. Feeding increasing amounts of W-DDGS resulted in a linear increase in milk concentrations of CLA cis-9, trans-11, CLA trans-11, trans-13, and total CLA, whereas milk concentrations of C18:1 trans-11 tended to increase linearly when level of W-DDGS increased. Feeding increasing amounts of W-DDGS resulted in quadratic changes in milk concentrations of C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3. In summary, feeding increasing amounts of W-DDGS increased milk concentrations of key FA like C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, CLA cis-9, trans-11, and total CLA, which can potentially improve human health.


Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott C Brown ◽  
Kefeng Wang ◽  
Chuanhui Dong ◽  
Mary B Farrell ◽  
Gary V Heller ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: Accreditation of cerebrovascular ultrasound laboratories by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) or equivalent bodies is supported by The Joint Commission certification of stroke centers. Limited information exists on the accreditation status and geographic distribution of these testing facilities in the US. The aims were to: (1) Identify the proportion of IAC accredited vascular testing facilities used by Medicare beneficiaries for outpatient cerebrovascular testing services; (2) Describe the geographical distribution of these facilities; and (3) Identify variation in the types and volumes of cerebrovascular testing procedures by accreditation status. METHODS: As a part of the VALUE (Vascular Accreditation, Location & Utilization Evaluation) Study, we examined the proportion of IAC accredited facilities that conducted cerebrovascular testing in a 5% CMS random Outpatient Limited Data Set (LDS) for the US in 2011 and investigated their geographical distribution using the Medicare Provider of Services (POS) file. RESULTS: Of the 7,864 total facilities billing Medicare for cerebrovascular testing procedures, only 22% (n=1,723) were IAC accredited. The percentage of facilities conducting cerebrovascular testing that were IAC accredited varied by region (Χ2[3]=400.4, p<0.0001), with 43%, 21%, 17% and 13% located in the Northeast, South, Midwest, and West, respectively. However, when examining the total number of cerebrovascular outpatient procedures conducted in 2011 (total n=38,646), 41% (15,729) were conducted in IAC accredited facilities. Moreover, when examining procedure type across all sites, 98% (38,011) of all cerebrovascular testing procedures conducted were carotid duplex, of which 41% (15,417) were conducted in IAC accredited facilities. In contrast, 1% (n=315) of all cerebrovascular procedures were transcranial (TCD), of which 56% (n=177) were conducted in IAC accredited facilities. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of IAC accredited facilities conducting outpatient cerebrovascular testing is low and varies by region. The growing number of certified stroke centers should be accompanied by more accredited vascular testing facilities that could potentially improve quality of stroke care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 100149
Author(s):  
Pascal Nyabinwa ◽  
Olivier Basole Kashongwe ◽  
Claire d'Andre Hirwa ◽  
Bockline Omedo Bebe

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Pradeep Kumar Shah ◽  
Shashi Bhushan Chaturwedi

 Water pollution, one of the serious environmental issues of the world, results from contaminants being introduced into the natural environment. This study was conducted in the Microbiology laboratory, DAV College, Dhobighat, Lalitpur, Nepal from January to May 2018 with aims to assess the physicochemical and microbiological status of river water of Kathmandu valley. All together 60 water samples were collected, 20 water samples each from different places of Bagmati river, Bishnumati river and river junction (Teku Dovan). The physicochemical parameters including pH, ammonia and iron, hardness and alkalinity were analyzed by standard methods and the microbiological parameters such as total mesophilic count and total coliform count were analyzed by pour plate technique. Among all 60 water samples tested, the temperature (12.8°C), BOD value (3.11 mg/l), iron value (0.87 mg/l) and turbidity (102.2NTU) were found to be highest in Bagmati river water samples whereas the value of TSS (755.2 mg/l), TDS (748.4 mg/l), copper (0.01 mg/l) and COD (911.5 PPM) were found to be highest in water of Bishnumati river. The heavy meals Manganese (0.29 mg/l) and Nickel (0.01 mg/l) were detected only in Bishnumati river water samples. The river junction water samples showed the exceeded value of DO (9.56 mg/l) and chloride (0.12 mg/l). All the 60 samples showed total mesophilic counts more than 300 cfu/ml and the average number of total mesophilic counts were found to be 5.21×106 cfu/ml. The average number of total coliform counts were found to be 2.1×105 cfu/ml in the water samples of Bagmati river, Bishnumati river and river junction. Most of the tested parameter of the samples had more than the standard value of water quality indicating the deterioration of river water quality and thus may affect the aquatic as well as human and animal lives.


1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (90) ◽  
pp. 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
RI Hamilton ◽  
VR Catchpole ◽  
LJ Lambourne ◽  
JD Korr

The process of vacuum ensilage of Setaria Sphacelata (cv. Nandi) (33 per cent DM ; 7 per cent soluble carbohydrates; 1.36 per cent M) was studied, and the resultant silage was evaluated chemically, in milk production trials with dairy cows and in digestion trials with dry cows. The silage was well preserved in a chemical sense (pH 4.5; lactic acid 1.7 per cent, volatile acids 1.2 per cent DM ; volatile bases 9.8 per cent total N) but, because of the structural rigidity of the harvested grass, air could not be completely excluded even from the polythene-covered vacuum stack. The temperature reached 43�C in the first week of storage and considerable surface wastage occurred. The silage (DM digestibility 42 per cent, voluntary DM intake 81 g/kg0.75) was of poorer quality than the grass harvested (DM digestibility 54 per cent, voluntary DM intake 84 g/kg0.75) and, even by feeding concentrates, only a low level of milk production could be sustained in (mainly Jersey) cows in the 5th-9th months of lactation. In silage-fed cows given a protein supplement (cottonseed meal) milk production was lower (3.8 kg day-1) but fat content higher (5.4 per cent) than in those given an energy supplement (sorghum grain) or energy plus protein (4.7 kg day-1 and 4.9 per cent fat). When fed lucerne hay and given the same energy plus protein supplement, cows gave significantly more milk (5.7 kg day-1 and 4.6 per cent fat). The poor nutritive value of the silage is attributed to the nature and composition of the material ensiled rather than to any defect in the ensilage process itself, and may be a feature of most silage made from tropical grasses.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2402
Author(s):  
Jennifer Salau ◽  
Joachim Krieter

With increasing herd sizes came an enhanced requirement for automated systems to support the farmers in the monitoring of the health and welfare status of their livestock. Cattle are a highly sociable species, and the herd structure has important impact on the animal welfare. As the behaviour of the animals and their social interactions can be influenced by the presence of a human observer, a camera based system that automatically detects the animals would be beneficial to analyse dairy cattle herd activity. In the present study, eight surveillance cameras were mounted above the barn area of a group of thirty-six lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows at the Chamber of Agriculture in Futterkamp in Northern Germany. With Mask R-CNN, a state-of-the-art model of convolutional neural networks was trained to determine pixel level segmentation masks for the cows in the video material. The model was pre-trained on the Microsoft common objects in the context data set, and transfer learning was carried out on annotated image material from the recordings as training data set. In addition, the relationship between the size of the used training data set and the performance on the model after transfer learning was analysed. The trained model achieved averaged precision (Intersection over union, IOU = 0.5) 91% and 85% for the detection of bounding boxes and segmentation masks of the cows, respectively, thereby laying a solid technical basis for an automated analysis of herd activity and the use of resources in loose-housing.


Author(s):  
R.W. Muinga ◽  
W. Thorpe ◽  
J.H. Topps

Much of coastal Kenya has a subhumid lowland climate with proven potential for small holder dairy production. Establishment of dairy units to realise this potential is taking place and is being stimulated by a large unsatisfied demand for milk and dairy products. The units use crossbred cows with the recommendation that feeding is zero-grazing based on Napier fodder (Pennisetum purpureum). Napier fodder usually contains insufficient protein to meet the requirements of lactating animals so there is a need to feed a by-product or forage which is rich in protein. The legume shrub Leucaena leucocephala grows well in the subhumid tropics and it has been established already on many smallholder farms. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of lactating dairy cows given Napier fodder only cut at two different stages of growth (1.0 or 1.5 m in height) or supplemented at two levels with freshly cut Leucaena.


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