Comparison of Resting and Feeding Behaviour for Cows Milked by an Automatic Milking System versus by a Milking Parlour

M. Spolders¹, U. Meyer¹, G. Flachowsky¹, M. Coenen²

¹Institute of Animal Nutrition
Federal Agricultural Research Centre
Bundesallee 50, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany

²Institute of Animal Nutrition
School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover
Bischofsholer Damm 15
D-30173 Hannover, Germany

(Received February 9, 2004; accepted May 6, 2004)

Abstract

Spolders, M., Meyer, U., Flachowsky, G. and Coenen, M. 2004. Comparison of resting and feeding behaviour for cows milked by an automatic milking system versus by a milking parlour. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 69-80.

This study deals with the influence of an automatic milking system on animal behaviour (especially feed intake, lying behaviour and stress condition) as compared to a conventional milking parlour. These influences were studied in three experiments with German Holstein dairy cows kept in a cubicle house. Harmonized with the milking procedures, roughage intake was spread more evenly over the day when cows were milked automatically. After feeding, roughage intake of cows milked automatically varied in a narrow range (0.5 to 0.8 kg per cow per hour) than for cows milked in the parlour (0.45 to 1.1 kg per cow per hour). An effect of feeding time on feed intake was observed for both milking systems. Fewer cows rested in the cubicles per hour when they were milked automatically. The high ranking cows preferred a few number of lying cubicles for resting, whereas cows with a lower ranking rested in nearly all lying cubicles. Cows which were milked in the automatic milking system were shown to have an average cortisol concentration of 5.07±3.15 ng/ml in blood serum, as compared to 2.73±1.10 ng/ml for those milked in the parlour. Although not significant, the results may indicate a tendency towards increased stress for the cows milked automatically.

Crude Protein Degradation of Some Energy Feeds Measured by Nylon Bag Technique

Leyla Turgut, Muhlis Macit, Mevlüt Karao™lu

Department of Animal Science
College of Agriculture
Atatürk University
25240, Erzurum, Turkey

(Received August 12, 2003; accepted May 10, 2004)

Abstract

Turgut, L., Macit, M. and Karao™lu, M. 2004. Crude protein degradation of some energy feeds measured by nylon bag technique. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 81-84.

This study was carried out to determine degradability of crude protein (CP), feed value parameters (a, b, a+b and c) and effective crude protein degradability (ECPD) by in sacco (nylon bag) technique for some commonly used energy feeds (barley, wheat, wheat bran) produced in Erzurum province. Three ruminally cannulated Morkaraman rams of 2 years were used in this research. The energy feeds were incubated for 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 48 h. Effective degradability were calculated using rumen outflow rate (k) (0.05/h) coefficient obtained from Neway P.C. package program. Results obtained by the nylon bag technique indicated that the crude protein degradability values at 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 h seem lower in barley than in wheat and wheat bran but wheat grain had higher values at all of the incubation periods except for at 2 h than those of wheat bran and barley. The crude protein degradability values of wheat and wheat bran at 8, 16 and 24 h incubation periods are close to each other.

Crystalline Amino Acid Supplementation of Grain Sorghum-Based Low Protein Diets for Growing-Finishing Pigs¹

Robert O. Myer,* Daniel W. Gorbet

University of Florida
North Florida Research and Education Center
Marianna, FL 32446, USA

(Received January 2, 2004; accepted May 05, 2004)

Abstract

Myer, R.O. and Gorbet, D.W. 2004. Crystalline amino acid supplementation of grain sorghum-based low protein diets for growing-finishing pigs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 85-90.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of crystalline lysine, threonine, methionine and tryptophan supplementation of grain sorghum based, low protein diets for growing and finishing pigs (from 31 to 114 kg avg. body wt.). Three similar trials, each with 60 crossbred pigs were done and each involved a comparison of nutritionally adequate grain sorghum-based diets formulated with 1) soybean meal (47%) as the supplemental source of amino acids (control) or with 2) L-lysine HCI, L-threonine, DL-methionine and L-tryptophan plus enough soybean meal to meet the requirements of the other amino acids. Overall, dietary treatment had no effect (P>0.10) on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, average loin area, backfat thickness or estimated carcass lean percentage. Overall average daily lean gain, however, was lower (P<0.10) for pigs fed the low protein, amino acid supplemented diets compared to pigs fed the control diet. Results indicated that the diet crude protein concentration can be reduced substantially upon amino acid supplementation with no detrimental effect on pig growth performance, however, there was some evidence of decreased lean gain.

Anthelmintic Treatment of Goats on an Arid Range and its Effect on Milk Production in Late Lactation

M. Mellado, H. González, J.E. Garía, R. García

University Autonoma Agraria Antonio Narro
Department of Nutrition and Feeds
Saltillo, Coah, 25315, México

(Received May 21, 2003; accepted February 20, 2004)

Abstract

Mellado, M., González, H., García, J.E. and García, R. 2004. Anthelmintic treatment of goats on an arid range and its effect on milk production in late lactation. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 91-95.

The effect of a single anthelmintic treatment (Closantel^R; subcutaneously at 8.0 mg kg^-1 BW) on milk production and its composition, live weight change and blood chemistry in mix-bred goats was studied in an arid zone of northern Mexico. Twelve adult goats towards the end of lactation (120 d; end of the rainy season) were treated, whereas ten adult goats were used as untreated controls. Fecal egg count (FEC) in the treated group dropped 93% (P<0.01) 21 days after treatment, but this FEC reduction did not affect liveweight change, milk yield and milk composition. These data suggest a high resilience of the host against the sub-clinical nematode infection, therefore, in this area goat milk producers are likely not to be benefited economically by using anthelmintics.

Prediction of Body Weight from Body Measurements in Morkaraman Sheep

Mehmet Topal^1*, Muhlis Macit²

¹Department of Biometry
²Department of Animal Science
College of Agriculture, Atatürk University
25240, Erzurum-Turkey

(Received August 12, 2003; accepted April 21, 2004)

Abstract

Topal, M. and Macit, M. 2004. Prediction of body weight from body measurements in Morkaraman sheep. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 97-100.

In this research, linear regression models were used for estimation of body weights from various body measurements in Morkaraman sheep. Simple and multiple regression models were fitted with body weight (BW) as dependent variable and body length (BL), heart depth (HD), height at wither (HW), chest width (CW), heart girth (HG) and pump width (PW) as independent variables. The model including heart girth was the best fitted simple regression model (R²_p=0.752, MSEp =10.944, Cp=8.771) and the model including heart girth and pump width was the best fitted multiple regression model (R²_p=0.784, MSEp =9.678, Cp=1.846). The highest correlation (0.867) was determined between HG and BW and the lowest correlation (-0.014) was determined between CW and BL. According to variance inflation factors, multicollinearity among body measurements was not determined.

Effect of Diet Forage-to-Concentrate Ratio on Partition of Dietary Energy and Nutrients in Fed and Fasted Sheep

H. Sano^1*, T. Ito¹, Y. Terashima²

¹Faculty of Agriculture
Iwate University,
Morioka 020-8550, Japan

²Faculty of Animal Science
Kitasato University
Towada 034-8628, Japan

(Received April 26, 2003; accepted April 30, 2004)

Abstract

Sano, H., Ito, T. and Terashima, Y. 2004. Effect of diet forage-to-concentrate ratio on partition of dietary energy and nutrients in fed and fasted sheep. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 101-108.

A total collection method and open-circuit calorimetry were used to measure partition of dietary energy and protein and nutrient oxidation in sheep fed on a high roughage diet (HR diet) or a high concentrate diet (HC diet). Fasting metabolism was also determined. Digestible and metabolizable energy intakes did not differ between the diets. Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide and methane emissions were similar in both diets and decreased (P=0.0001) during fasting. Digestible nitrogen (N) intake was greater (P=0.03) for the HC diet, whereas N balance remained unchanged due to enhanced (P=0.005) urinary N excretion. Heat production was similar in both diets and decreased (P=0.0002) during fasting. Carbohydrate and fat oxidation did not differ between the diets, whereas protein oxidation was greater (P=0.02) for the HC diet than for the HR diet. During fasting protein oxidation remained unchanged, carbohydrate oxidation decreased (P=0.0003) and fat oxidation tended to increase (P=0.08). In this study, type of diet influenced energy and protein partition in sheep. However, these results were not entirely attributed to type of diet because energy and protein intakes influenced these variables.

Effect of Dehydrated Pig Faeces in the Ration on Rumen Degradability, Kinetics of Passage and in vivo Digestibility in Holstein Steers

^aJ.R. Salcedo-Meza*, ^aR. Castellanos-Molina, ^bJ.D. Garza-Flores, ^cZ.I. Tejada-Castañeda, ^dJ.C. Segura-Correa, ^aR. Rodríguez-Vázquez, ^dJ.C. Ku-Vera**

^aCINVESTAV-Instituto Politécnico Nacional
Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional 2508
Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, C.P. 07300, México, D.F.

^bCENIFyMA, INIFAP-SAGAR
Km 1 Carretera Colón-Ajuchitlán
Apdo. Postal 29A; C.P. 76260, Querétaro, México

^cCENID-Microbiologia, INIFAP-SAGAR
Km 15.5 Carretera México-Toluca
Col. Palo Alto, C.P. 05110, México, D.F.

^dFacultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán
Km 15.5, Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil
Apdo. Postal 4-116 Itzimná, C.P. 97100 Mérida, Yucatán, México.

(Received April 23, 2003; accepted February 8, 2004)

Abstract

Salcedo-Meza, J.R., Castellanos-Molina, R. Garza-Flores, J.D., Tejada-Castañeda, Z.I., Segura-Correa, J.C., Rodríguez-Vázquez, R. and Ku-Vera, J.C. 2004. Effect of dehydrated pig faeces in the ration on rumen degradability, kinetics of passage and in vivo digestibility in Holstein steers. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 109-116.

To assess the effect of 20, 25, 30 and 35% dehydrated pig faeces (DPF) in rations based on sorghum and cane molasses four Holstein steers in a 4 x 4 Latin square design were fed 2.6 kg DM/100 kg LW/day. Rumen degradability for DM and OM of DPF among rations did not differ (P>0.05). Potential degradation of DM and CP of sorghum straw was improved (P<0.01) when the level of DPF in the ration was increased. Effective degradability for DM and CP of DPF increased gradually (P<0.01) with levels of DPF. The lowest extent of OM effective degradability (P<0.01) was observed at the highest (35%) level of DPF in the ration. Effective degradability for CP of sorghum straw increased (P<0.01) and that for DM and OM changed (P<0.01) only at the highest level of inclusion of DPF. Rate of passage of digesta through the reticulo-rumen decreased linearly (P<0.01) with the inclusion of DPF. In vivo digestibilities for DM, OM, ADF and NDF decreased and for CP increased with graded levels of DPF in the ration (P<0.01). In conclusion, DPF can be included up to 35% of DM in the ration of beef cattle, without negatively affecting rumen fermentation.

Laying Performance, Serum Lipoproteins, Cholesterol and Triglyceride of Hens as influenced by Dietary Fat Sources

Saban Celebi, Necati Utlu¹

Ataturk University
Department of Animal Science
College of Agriculture
Erzurum, Turkey

(Received on August 12, 2003; accepted March 13, 2004)

Abstract

Celebi, S. and Utlu, N. 2004. Laying performance, serum lipoproteins, cholesterol and triglyceride of hens as influenced by dietary fat sources. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 121-124.

There were five dietary treatment groups. Control group was fed with basal diet without added fat (CO), experimental groups were fed on a diet supplemented with 2% of either of tallow (TO), a mixture of tallow and flaxseed oil (1:1 w/w) (MTFO), sunflower oil (SO) and flaxseed oil (FO). Fat supplementation improved egg production (P<0.01), FO and SO supplementation increased serum HDL and decreased total cholesterol (TCOL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and triglyceride (TG). These results suggest that dietary FO and SO may be a valuable ingredient to layers for reducing serum TG and increasing serum HDL-C without any adverse effect.

Environmental and Breed Effects on Test Day Milk Yields of Dual-Purpose Crossbred Cows under Tropical Conditions of Mexico

M.M. Osorio¹, J.C. Segura²

¹Campus Tabasco del Colegio de Postgraduados
AP 24 Cárdenas Tabasco, México

²Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán
Km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil
AP 4-116, Mérida, Yucatán, México

(Received April 23, 2003; accepted February 6, 2004)

Abstract

Osorio, M.M. and Segura, J.C. 2004. Environmental and breed effects on test day milk yields of dual-purpose crossbred cows under tropical conditions of México. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 125-128.

To determine the effects of some environmental factors and genotype on test day yield (TDY) of milk of cows under a dual-purpose system, 5566 TDY records from 321 lactations of dual-purpose crossbred cows (233 Holstein x Zebu and 88 Holstein x Sahiwal lactations) from an experimental station of the Colegio de Postgraduados at Cardenas, Tabasco, Mexico were used. Data were classified according to the following factors : year of calving (1992-1999), season of calving (dry, rainy or windy and rainy), parity (1, 2, 3 or 4, 5 or more), genotype (Holstein x Zebu, Holstein x Sahiwal) and 21 levels of DIM interval. The average TDY was 9.46 kg±2.14 kg of milk/day. All factors explored, except season of calving, affected milk yield (P<0.01), Holstein x Zebu cows produced on an average 996g more milk/day than Holstein x Sahiwal cows. The highest TDY was observed during the rainy season of calving.

Determination of Some Blood Parameters of Fingerling Sturgeon (Huso huso) in Guilan Province of Iran

D. Shahsavani, M. Mohri

Department of Clinical Sciences
School of Veterinary Medicine
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Mashhad 91775-1793, Iran

(Received May 21, 2003; accepted February 15, 2004)

Abstract

Shahsavani, D. and Mohri, M. 2004. Determination of some blood parameters of fingerling sturgeon (Huso huso) in Guilan province of Iran. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 25: 129-130.

To study the normal blood picture of fingerling sturgeon (Huso huso), blood samples from 120 fingerling fishes (3-5 g) were analysed. These had 0.881x10¹²/l RBC, 30% PCV, 67.3 g/l Hb, 340.52 fl MCV, 76.39 pg MCH, 22.43% MCHC, 4.284x10⁹/l WBC, 20.56% heterophil, 75.82% lymphocyte, 2.20% eosinophil, 0.342% monocyte, 0.742% band cell, 0.336% metamyelocyte.