Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
B. McClearn, L. Delaby, T. J. Gilliland, N. Galvin, C. Guy, M. Dineen, F. Coughlan, B. McCarthy
Summary: This study investigated the impact of cow genotype and parity on dry matter intake and production efficiencies in pasture-based systems. The Jersey x Holstein-Friesian cows showed the highest production efficiency, which decreased slightly when a third breed was introduced. Cows with higher parity levels had higher dry matter intake and milk yield, indicating a significant effect of parity on production efficiency.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Robert Wijma, Daniel J. Weigel, Natascha Vukasinovic, Dianelys Gonzalez-Pena, Shaileen P. McGovern, Brenda C. Fessenden, Anthony K. McNeel, Fernando A. Di Croce
Summary: Pregnancy losses in dairy cattle can have negative impacts on both animal health and economic outcomes. This study developed a genomic prediction model to identify high-risk cows and aid in the selection of more profitable and productive animals. The results showed that the model effectively predicted the risk of abortion in lactating Holstein dairy cows, providing valuable information for genetic selection towards healthier cows.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. Daniel Barreiro-Vazquez, Marta Miranda, Andres Barreiro-Lois
Summary: This study aimed to establish a protocol for renal Doppler ultrasound in adult healthy Holstein-Friesian cows and provide reference values for renal resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI). The right kidney in cattle is always visible through a right abdominal window, while the left kidney is rarely accessible. Normal RI and PI values for the right kidney were 0.49 +/- 0.07 and 0.70 +/- 0.15, and for the left kidney were 0.53 +/- 0.05 and 0.79 +/- 0.11 in healthy Holstein-Friesian cows. An upper cut-off value for RI of 0.63 and for PI of 1.00 is suggested.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Melina Richardet, Hernan G. Solari, Victor E. Cabrera, Claudina Vissio, Daniel Aguero, Julian A. Bartolome, Gabriel A. Bo, Cristina I. Bogni, Alejandro J. Larriestra
Summary: A simulation model was developed to capture the complexity and dynamics of bovine mastitis, considering its multiple effects. The model allows for customization and supports decision-making of producers and veterinarians.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
R. Schmitt, L. Pieper, S. Borchardt, J. M. Swinkels, C. -c. Gelfert, R. Staufenbiel
Summary: This study assessed the effects of a single transdermal administration of flunixin meglumine (FM) in early postpartum Holstein Friesian dairy cows on milk yield, culling risk, and reproductive performance. The study found that FM treatment reduced systemic inflammation, leading to higher milk yield, reduced culling risk, and improved reproductive performance in the subsequent lactation.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
T. E. Altvater-Hughes, L. C. Wagter-Lesperance, D. C. Hodgins, C. A. Bauman, S. Larmer, B. A. Mallard
Summary: The objective of the study was to identify associations between high immune response in dairy cows and colostral IgG concentrations. The findings showed that high immune response cows produced significantly higher levels of IgG in colostrum compared to cows with average or low immune response. These results suggest that selective breeding to enhance immune response in dairy cows can contribute to higher-quality colostrum in succeeding generations.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jaka Jakob Hodnik, Marko Jankovec, Jozica Jezek, Ziga Krusic, Stefan Mitterhofer, Joze Staric
Summary: Cattle on pasture are exposed to solar UV radiation, and this study aimed to determine the minimal erythema dose (MED) required for sunburn on intact-hair-covered and shaved areas of Holstein Friesian cattle. Results showed a strong correlation between hair length and MED, with each millimeter of hair increasing the MED by 316 J/m(2).
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Thidarat Gunha, Kanokwan Kongphitee, Bhoowadol Binsulong, Kritapon Sommart
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cassava in the diets of mid-lactation dairy cows and determine the net energy value of cassava chips for lactation. The findings indicate that increasing the cassava chips in the diets could improve nutrient intake, digestibility, energy balance, milk yield, and milk composition without affecting enteric methane yield. The net energy value of cassava chips for lactation was estimated as 8.03 MJ/kg DM.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sanne van Gastelen, Hendrik Jan van Dooren, Andre Bannink
Summary: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the balance between enteric and manure CH4 emissions from cows and to assess the magnitude of synergistic effects for CH4 and nitrogenous emissions. The results showed that when corn silage was replaced with grass silage in the diet, enteric CH4 and cow-associated NH3 and N2O emissions were relatively lower. However, the emissions of CH4 and N2O from stored manure were not affected by the diet, while NH3 emission tended to be lower.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
W. Muizelaar, G. van Duinkerken, Z. Khan, J. Dijkstra
Summary: This study aimed to determine the effect of Chondrus crispus, Saccharina latissima, and Fucus serratus on lactational performance and enteric methane production in dairy cattle. The results showed that Saccharina latissima increased milk yield and lactose content, but did not affect methane emissions.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sanne van Gastelen, Jan Dijkstra, Kelly Nichols, Andre Bannink
Summary: The study investigated the effects of abomasal infusion of NH4Cl and ground corn on cows in early lactation, finding that metabolic acidosis and hindgut acidosis have negative impacts on lactational performance. Abomasal infusion of NH4Cl altered the acid-base status of cows, particularly in combination with ground corn infusion. Metabolic acidosis was associated with decreased milk lactose content, energy retention, and nutrient intake, while hindgut acidosis decreased digestibility of nutrients and increased hindgut fermentation.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Sanne van Gastelen, Jan Dijkstra, Sven J. J. Alferink, Gisabeth Binnendijk, Kelly Nichols, Tamme Zandstra, Andre Bannink
Summary: The study aimed to induce hindgut acidosis with corn starch infusion and metabolic acidosis with BHB infusion in dairy cows. Both acidosis states had effects on milk production and energy balance in cows, but did not significantly impact overall health.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Juraj Medo, Jana Ziarovska, Michal Duracka, Eva Tvrda, Stefan Banas, Michal Gabor, Matus Kysel, Miroslava Kacaniova
Summary: This study characterized the bacterial profile of semen collected from Holstein Friesian breeding bulls using high-throughput sequencing, identifying two microbial clusters based on Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, as well as Fusobacteria. Bacterial contamination of semen is important for bull health and semen quality, with potential transmission of diseases.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Elena Borelli, Nicholas N. Jonsson, Katharine S. Denholm
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for poor colostrum yield in dairy cows and quantify the effects of controllable variables (length of dry period and nutrition during transition) on colostrum yield. The study found that increased daily temperature range was associated with decreased colostrum yield, while increasing UV index, lactation number, and number of days dry increased colostrum yield.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
R. Schmitt, L. Pieper, S. Borchardt, J. M. Swinkels, C-C Gelfert, R. Staufenbiel
Summary: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transdermal administration of flunixin meglumine (FM) on inflammatory and metabolic markers, uterine health, and pain in postpartum dairy cows. The results showed that FM treatment slightly reduced inflammation and the risk for metritis in primiparous cows, improved metabolic profile in multiparous cows, and reduced expressions of pain in all cows.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhangrui Cheng, Laura Buggiotti, Mazdak Salavati, Cinzia Marchitelli, Sergio Palma-Vera, Alistair Wylie, Haruko Takeda, Lijing Tang, Mark A. Crowe, D. Claire Wathes
Summary: This study compared the transcriptomic profiles in circulating leukocytes between healthy cows and those with naturally occurring subclinical or clinical mastitis, revealing more intensive changes attributed to clinical mastitis. Most of the differentially expressed genes were associated with cell killing and immune processes. Notably, many upregulated genes encoding antimicrobial peptides in clinical mastitis were not upregulated in subclinical mastitis, suggesting a key role in combating disease organisms.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hadi Atashi, Miel Hostens
Summary: The study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for milk urea concentration in Holstein dairy cows and its relationship with milk yield and compositions. The results show that there is a moderate heritability of MU and some genetic correlations between MU and important traits. Further research is needed to understand the relationships between MU and traits like longevity and metabolic diseases.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
E. T. Kelly, C. G. McAloon, M. A. Crowe, M. E. Beltman
Summary: This study estimated the overall cow-level true prevalence of IAI in Irish dairy cows using a Bayesian latent class model and found that it is relatively low.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Laura Buggiotti, Zhangrui Cheng, Mazdak Salavati, Claire D. Wathes
Summary: The study identified genes and pathways associated with lactation number in cows that are comparable to those related to aging in humans and model organisms. Changes in energy utilization and immune responses were also detected in leukocytes from older cows.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
M. J. Doran, F. J. Mulligan, M. B. Lynch, A. G. Fahey, N. J. Ryan, C. McDonnell, S. McCabe, K. M. Pierce
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of different cow genotypes and supplement crude protein concentration on milk production, finding that genotypes had a significant impact while the supplement CP concentration did not. Providing low CP concentration had no negative influence on milk production during the main grazing season, potentially offsetting any negative effects with increased pasture dry matter intake.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhangrui Cheng, Danielle L. McLaughlin, Mark W. Little, Conrad Ferris, Mazdak Salavati, Klaus L. Ingvartsen, Mark A. Crowe, D. Claire Wathes
Summary: The functionality of circulating leukocytes in dairy cows is suppressed after calving, and this can be mitigated by appropriate nutrition. RNA sequencing of circulating leukocytes showed that multiparous (MP) and primiparous (PP) cows responded differently to diets, with MP cows on low concentrate (LC) diet showing upregulation of immune defence mechanisms and poorer fertility, while PP cows on high concentrate (HC) diet showed stronger immune responses and longer interval of calving to conception. The findings suggest that age, nutrient supply, and immunity affect the health and subsequent fertility of the cows.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
S. H. Evers, L. Delaby, K. M. Pierce, B. Horan
Summary: The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of different feeding strategies within intensive seasonal production systems on pasture production, utilization, sward quality, and the milk production, body weight, and body condition score of dairy cows. The results showed that the group with high pasture availability had the highest pasture quality and feed supply, while the medium and low pasture availability groups had slightly lower levels. Supplementing grass silage did not affect milk production, body weight, or body condition score of the cows.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
S. H. Evers, L. Delaby, K. M. Pierce, B. McCarthy, E. L. Coffey, B. Horan
Summary: The study evaluates the effects of individual animal characteristics on cost-effective production efficiency parameter for dairy cows. It finds that dairy cow breed, genetic potential, milk production, body weight, daily total dry matter intake, and energy balance significantly affect production efficiency. Animals with higher efficiency produce more milk, have higher intake levels, and lower body weight.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
L. Cahill, D. Patton, B. Reilly, K. M. Pierce, B. Horan
Summary: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing stocking rate (SR) and extending grazing season (GS) length on pasture and animal productivity on a marginal, poorly draining soil type. The study found that extending the grazing season significantly increased pasture production, while stocking rate had no significant effect on cow production. These findings provide strong evidence for achieving high levels of pasture utilization and milk production per hectare, while reducing the need for supplementary feed in spring-calving grazing systems.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhangrui Cheng, Conrad A. Ferris, Mark L. Crowe, Klaus Ingvartsen, Clement Grelet, Amelie Vanlierde, Leslie Foldager, Frank Becker, D. Claire Wathes
Summary: This study investigated the changes in hepatic global transcriptomic profiles in early lactation Holstein cows of different lactations. The results showed that multiparous cows had distinct hepatic gene expressions compared to primiparous cows, indicating liver dysfunction and potential metabolic and immune disorders. These problems may increase involuntary culling, thus reducing the average longevity in dairy herds.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
P. Lonergan, M. Beltman, S. T. Butler, M. A. Crowe, A. C. O. Evans, T. Fair, S. Fair, N. Forde, B. Gasparrini, D. A. Kenny, A. Miyamoto, J. M. Sanchez
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Stephen T. Butler, Alan D. Crowe, Stephen G. Moore, Pat Lonergan
Summary: A unique aspect of seasonal-calving pasture-based systems of dairy production is the intense focus on achieving a concentrated herd-calving period in late winter and early spring. The concentration of calving period results in a large number of male dairy calves being born at the same time, which is a potential welfare concern. Sex-sorted semen can be used to address this issue, but it may have poorer pregnancy per artificial insemination.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
S. G. Moore, C. Feehily, R. C. Doyle, F. Buckley, P. Lonergan, P. D. Cotter, S. T. Butler
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the differences in microbial composition and functional potential of the vaginal and uterine microbiota between dairy cows diagnosed with or without purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) at 3 weeks postpartum. The results showed that the differences in microbial composition and functional potential between PVD- and PVD+ cows were dependent on parity and breed.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mark Timlin, Ellen Fitzpatrick, Kieran Mccarthy, John T. Tobin, Eoin G. Murphy, Karina M. Pierce, John P. Murphy, Deirdre Hennessy, Michael O'Donovan, Niamh Harbourne, Andre Brodkorb, Tom F. O'Callaghan
Summary: This study examines the impact of increasing proportions of grazed pasture in the diet on the composition, quality, and functionality of bovine milk. The results show that milk from cows fed with grazed pasture has better quality, more nutritionally beneficial fatty acid composition, and lower atherogenic index compared to cows fed with total mixed ration (TMR) or partial mixed ration (PMR).
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Stephen T. Butler, Alan D. Crowe, Stephen G. Moore, Pat Lonergan
Summary: A unique aspect of seasonal-calving pasture-based systems of dairy production is the need to achieve a concentrated herd-calving period, which results in a large number of male dairy calves being born at the same time. The use of sex-sorted semen and in vitro embryo production can address this issue and contribute to genetic progress and the development of the beef-on-dairy market.