Evaluation of the pH and electrical conductivity in milk from jersey cows during the first month of lactation

In order to assess the influence of the colostrum period on pH and, electrical conductivity, we collected 418 milk samples from 127 Jersey cows. The samples were collected from healthy udders that did not present any bacterial growth in the microbiological examination. They were divided into eight groups as follows < 1/2 day; 1/2 and 1 degrees day; 2 degrees day; 3 degrees day; 4 degrees and 5 degrees day; 6 degrees and 7 degrees day; 8 degrees to 15 degrees day; 16 degrees to 30 degrees days of lactation. The samples were collected before milking and the following analyses were conducted: pH, electrical conductivity. In the first 24 hours of lactation, there was an reduction in electrical conductivity value, associated with an increase in pH value. We observed that transition of secretion from colostrum to milk, occurs during the first week of lactation; from 6(rd) day of lactation for pH value and 3(th) day for electrical conductivity value. We recommend the use the following figures as normal ranges for the first 24 hours of lactation (colostrum period): pH <= 6,51 and electrical conductivity <= 6,33 mS/cm; while for the interval between 2(nd) and 7(th) days of lactation (transition from colostrum to milk) we suggest the use of the values as normal ranges: pH <= 6,66 and electrical conductivity <= 5,93 mS/cm.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in Exon 2 of the BoLA-DRB3 gene in South American cattle

The Bola-DRB3 gene participates in the development of the immune response and is highly polymorphic. For these reasons, it has been a candidate gene in studies of the genetic basis of disease resistance and in population genetic analysis. South American native cattle breeds have been widely replaced by improved exotic breeds leading to a loss of genetic resources. In particular South American native breeds have high levels of fertility and disease resistance. This work describes genetic variability in the BoLA-DRB3 gene in native (Caracu, Pantaneiro, Argentinean Creole) and exotic (Holstein, Jersey, Nelore, Gir) cattle breeds in Brazil and Argentina. PCR-RFLP alleles were identified by combining the restriction patterns for the BoLA-DRB3.2 locus obtained with RsaI, BstY, and HaeIII restriction enzymes. Allelic frequencies and deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were also calculated. Analysis of the 24 BoLA-DRB3 PCR-RFLP alleles identified showed differences in the allele distributions among breeds.

Índice de previsão de produção de leite para vacas Jersey

No Brasil, o uso de vários modelos de criação intensiva e semi-extensiva desfavorece a adoção generalizada de métodos de manejo do gado bovino, principalmente do gado leiteiro. Mesmo assim, a produção leiteira pode ser melhorada a partir do uso de tecnologias que possam garantir o manejo adequado do rebanho. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um índice de previsão de produção de leite para vacas Jersey em lactação, de genética de alta produtividade, em regime semi-estabulado, nas condições tropicais. Para a obtenção do índice, consideraram-se a temperatura e a umidade relativa do ambiente e a velocidade do ar, assim como valores de precipitação pluviométrica, temperatura do solo do pasto e a radiação solar como agentes estressores, os quais podem alterar a produção de leite. O experimento considerou dois tratamentos: A - as vacas permaneceram em sala de espera guarnecida com chuveiro e ventiladores, por um período 30 min antes da ordenha; B - as vacas não tiveram acesso a essa sala de espera (controle). Fora do período de ordenha, as vacas tiveram acesso ao pasto. Observou-se que as diferenças de médias de produção entre os tratamentos não foram estatisticamente significativas. Foram procedidas as análises para efeito de elaboração do modelo e chegou-se a um modelo factível, considerando a relação entre produção e a precipitação, assim como a temperatura máxima do solo do pasto.

Bovine abortion associated with Neospora caninum: Diagnosis and epidemiological aspects of a dairy cattle herd in the northeast region of São Paulo state, Brazil

The objective of this study was to report the presence of Neospora caninum-associated abortion in bovines at a farm in the northeast region of São Paulo State. In January 2010, it was sent to the Department of Pathology, UNESP-Jaboticabal, a bovine fetus with an estimated age of seven months, which was natural of a dairy farm with 300 animals and an average daily production of 3,000 liters of milk, nearly 20 liters per cow. The animals were vaccinated against rabies, foot and mouth disease, carbuncle, brucellosis, leptospirosis, bovine herpes virus type I and bovine viral diarrhea virus. The herd consisted of purebred Holstein animals, Jersey, and mostly by crossbred animals 7-8 (gir x holstein). During necropsy, samples of the serosanguineous liquid present at the thoracic cavity and the heart of the fetus were collected for the detection of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies through Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA). Fragments of brain, cerebellum, tongue, liver, heart and kidneys were collected for the execution of histopathology (HP), immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Polymerase Chain Reaction. In order that IFA could be performed, the owner was requested blood samples without anticoagulants of the mother and other cows in the farm, with or without a history of abortion. At necropsy, it was verified a severe autolysis of the fetus. The serology of the fetus was 1:25, while the serology of the mother was 1:3,200. At HP, it was observed discrete multifocal non-suppurative encephalomyelitis characterized by gliosis and mononuclear inflammatory infiltration associated with cellular debris. DNA amplification of N. caninum was positive in fragments of brain, tongue, cerebellum, heart and kidneys. At IHC, it has been observed immunoreactivity to a cyst located in the tongue. The owner reported that his herd showed endemic episodes of abortion, while 27.69% (18/65) of the 65 animals sampled were seropositive. Although it has not been a significant difference (p>0.05), a higher seropositivity was observed in animals with a history of abortion (10/26) 38.46%, in comparison with animals without previous abortion (8/39) 20.51%. These findings show that the abortion under study was provoked by the protozoan N. caninum, while this is the first report concerning cattle in the northeast region of São Paulo State.

Spleenic Lymphoma and Hemoperitoneum in Jersey Bull: Clinical and Pathological Aspects

Lymphoma is the most prevalent neoplasia in dairy cattle. The etiology can be viral in animals affected by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) or be classified as primary. Lymphoma can affect several organs and according to the system involved, the clinical signs could manifest themselves in different ways. These tumors can be classified through macroscopic characteristics, histology and immunostaining. This classification can be used to predict prognosis and response to therapy. The aim of this case report was to immunostain and classify the tumor, for which anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-CD79 and anti-CD3 markers were used in addition to histopathological findings, in order to classify the tumor. The tumor was positive only for anti-CD3 marker, indicating that it is a tumor of young cells and, in association with histopathology and hematological data, it can be concluded that spleen neoplasia is lymphocytic lymphoma originated from a lymphocytic leukemia.

Whole Genome Analysis of Pinkeye Scores in Angus Cattle

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), known as pinkeye, is a common infectious disease affecting the eyes of cattle. It is characterized by excessive tearing, inflammation of the conjunctiva, and ulceration of the cornea. Although pinkeye is non-fatal, it has a marked economic impact on the cattle industry, due to the decreased performance of infected individuals. Genetic effects on the susceptibility of IBK have been studied and Hereford, Jersey, and Holstein breeds were found to be more susceptible to IBK than Bos Indicus breeds. The objectives of our study were: 1) to estimate genetic parameters of IBK scored in different categories by using genomic threshold model, and 2) to detect markers in linkage disequilibrium with quantitative tract loci (QTL) associated with IBK.

Sindhi-Jersey and Sindhi-Holstein crosses : their external form and internal anatomy compared with those of purebred Jerseys and Holsteins /

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Using accelerometer, high sample rate GPS and magnetometer data to develop a cattle movement and behaviour model

The study described in this paper developed a model of animal movement, which explicitly recognised each individual as the central unit of measure. The model was developed by learning from a real dataset that measured and calculated, for individual cows in a herd, their linear and angular positions and directional and angular speeds. Two learning algorithms were implemented: a Hidden Markov model (HMM) and a long-term prediction algorithm. It is shown that a HMM can be used to describe the animal's movement and state transition behaviour within several “stay” areas where cows remained for long periods. Model parameters were estimated for hidden behaviour states such as relocating, foraging and bedding. For cows’ movement between the “stay” areas a long-term prediction algorithm was implemented. By combining these two algorithms it was possible to develop a successful model, which achieved similar results to the animal behaviour data collected. This modelling methodology could easily be applied to interactions of other animal species.

Virtual fencing applications : Implementing and testing an automated cattle control system

Managing livestock movement in extensive systems has environmental and production benefits. Currently permanent wire fencing is used to control cattle; this is both expensive and inflexible. Cattle are known to respond to auditory and visual cues and we investigated whether these can be used to manipulate their behaviour. Twenty-five Belmont Red steers with a mean live weight of 270kg were each randomly assigned to one of five treatments. Treatments consisted of a combination of cues (audio, tactile and visual stimuli) and consequence (electrical stimulation). The treatments were electrical stimulation alone, audio plus electrical stimulation, vibration plus electrical stimulation, light plus electrical stimulation and electrified electric fence (6kV) plus electrical stimulation. Cue stimuli were administered for 3s followed immediately by electrical stimulation (consequence) of 1kV for 1s. The experiment tested the operational efficacy of an on-animal control or virtual fencing system. A collar-halter device was designed to carry the electronics, batteries and equipment providing the stimuli, including audio, vibration, light and electrical of a prototype virtual fencing device. Cattle were allowed to travel along a 40m alley to a group of peers and feed while their rate of travel and response to the stimuli were recorded. The prototype virtual fencing system was successful in modifying the behaviour of the cattle. The rate of travel of cattle along the alley demonstrated the large variability in behavioural response associated with tactile, visual and audible cues. The experiment demonstrated virtual fencing has potential for controlling cattle in extensive grazing systems. However, larger numbers of cattle need to be tested to derive a better understanding of the behavioural variance. Further controlled experimental work is also necessary to quantify the interaction between cues, consequences and cattle learning.

From robots to animals : Virtual fences for controlling cattle

We consider the problem of monitoring and controlling the position of herd animals, and view animals as networked agents with natural mobility but not strictly controllable. By exploiting knowledge of individual and herd behavior we would like to apply a vast body of theory in robotics and motion planning to achieving the constrained motion of a herd. In this paper we describe the concept of a virtual fence which applies a stimulus to an animal as a function of its pose with respect to the fenceline. Multiple fence lines can define a region, and the fences can be static or dynamic. The fence algorithm is implemented by a small position-aware computer device worn by the animal, which we refer to as a Smart Collar.We describe a herd-animal simulator, the Smart Collar hardware and algorithms for tracking and controlling animals as well as the results of on-farm experiments with up to ten Smart Collars.

Poster : Understanding interactions between autonomous animal control and temperament when cattle are subjected to virtual fencing applications

Virtual fencing has the potential to control grazing livestock. Understanding and refi ning the cues that can alter behaviour is an integral part of autonomous animal control. A series of tests have been completed to explore the relationship between temperament and control. Prior to exposure to virtual fencing control the animals were scored for temperament using fl ight speed and a sociability index using contact logging devices. The behavioural response of 30, Belmont Red steers were observed for behavioural changes when presented with cues prior to receiving an electrical stimulation. A control and four treatments designed to interrupt the animal’s movement down an alley were tested. The treatments consisted of sound plus electrical stimulation, vibration plus electrical stimulation, a visual cue plus electrical stimulation and electrical stimulation by itself. The treatments were randomly applied to each animal over fi ve consecutive trials. A control treatment in which no cues were applied was used to establish a basal behavioural pattern. A trial was considered completed after each animal had been retained behind the cue barrier for at least 60 sec. All cues and electrical stimulation were manually applied from a laptop located on a portable 3.5 m tower located immediately outside the alley. The electric stimulation consisted of 1.0 Kv of electricity. Electric stimulation, sound and vibration along with the Global Position System (GPS) hardware to autonomously record the animal’s path within the alley were recorded every second.

ElectricCOW : A simulator for mobile sensors and actuators mounted on herds of cattle

ElectricCOW is a network, animal behaviour and agent simulator designed to allow detailed simulation of an ad-hoc model network built from small mote-like devices called flecks. Detailed radio communications, cattle behaviour and sensor and actuator network modelling allows a closed-loop environment, where the network can influence the behaviour of its mobile platforms.

A note on inbreeding in dairy cattle breeding

Starting from the study at the beginning of the East German "Heterosisfeldversuch", where PANICKE et al. (1975) considered the possibilities of a targeted use of inbreeding and heterotic effects, we show and discuss results of inbreeding studies in the USA dairy cattle breeding. Several research groups worldwide presented effective tools for managing inbreeding in dairy cattle. Their efforts underline the need of inbreeding studies. Contemplating inbreeding is necessary for any breeding decision to avoid inbreeding depression and for improved genetic analyses, e.g. in QTL- estimation. A novel methodology (HERNANDEZ-SANCHEZ et al., 2004a and b) is suggested for estimating inbreeding at the three levels of population, individual and locus.