Genetic and environmental effects over milk production of buffalo cows in Brazil

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the relevance of environmental and genetics effects on milk production of buffalo cows in Brazil. The data were based on the Buffalo Genetic Improvement Program - PROMEBUL, using information of 1,911 cows (107 Jafarabadi, 101 Mediterranean, 1,056 Mu/Tab and 647 crossbred females) with parturition between 1982 and 2003. The mathematic model for evaluating milk production included the fixed effects of herd, parturition year (1982 to 2003) and month (January to December), calf's sex (male or female), genetic group (Jafarabadi, Mediterranean, Murrah, and crossbreed), number of milking (one or two), lactation order (1 to 12) and duration of lactation (as a linear effect). The mean milk production in herds was 1,590.36 +/- 609.25 kg. All sources of variation were significant (P<0.05) for the studied characteristics, except calf's sex. The mean milk production per genetic group was 1,651.4; 1,592.2; 1,578.3 and 1,135.5 kg, for Murrah, Mediterranean, Crossbred and Jafarabadi, respectively. The duration of lactation was the most important source of variation over milk production, followed by the year of parturition, herd, parturition order, genetic group and month of parturition.

Produção de leite, leite residual e concentração hormonal de vacas Gir × Holandesa e Holandesa em ordenha mecanizada exclusiva

In a machine milking system in which calves were not present, oxytocin concentration (OT), cortisol release (CORT), milk yield and residual milk were evaluated for cows of three genetic groups: 1/2Gir x 1/2Holstein (n=6, genetic group F2), 1/4Gir x 3/4Holstein (n=6, genetic group F3) and Holstein (n=6, genetic group H). Group H had higher milk yield than groups F2 and F3, whereas OT was similar among groups. The increase in OT during milk-ing was greater for H and F3 than for F2. Residual milk for F2 was' higher than for F3 and H. The CORT for F2 was higher than for cows of the other two genetic groups. Cows from F2 and F3 were more stressed than H cows during machine milking, but the Gir x Holstein groups did release suffficient OT to induce an effective milk letdown response.

Short Report: Vaccinia Virus in Humans and Cattle in Southwest Region of São Paulo State, Brazil

A new outbreak of Vaccinia virus was observed in Southwest region of São Paulo State. Brazil. The disease was observed in four small dairy farms with manual milking. Lesions were detected in cattle and in humans previously vaccinated and not vaccinated against smallpox. Although several reports of Vaccinia virus outbreaks have been occuring in Brazil, it was not yet reported in this region. This Outbreak reinforces the Viral circulation in Our country. The disease in persons previously vaccinated and not vaccinated against smallpox reinforces the absence of immunity, the risk to the human health, and the need for more epidemiologic and immunologic studies.

Epidemiologia e quadro clínico do botulismo epizoótico dos bovinos no Estado de São Paulo

In order to investigate epidemiological and clinical aspects of beef cattle mortalities caused by botulism, a syndrome popularly known as doença da vaca caída, studies were carried out in 32 naturally affected 4 to 9 year old cows, 27 belonging to the Nellore breed and 5 to crossbred Nellore, all from 27 farms located in municipalities near Botucatu, State of São Paulo. The epidemiological and clinical features were based, respectively, on the farm and herd managements, and on the general physical examination of the cows. Mouse bioassay and complement microfixation tests were performed to detect the presence of botulinum toxins in liver samples. The results showed that the disease occurs in beef cattle of range breeding systems, reared under inadequate mineral nutrition and deficient health management. Pregnant and milking cows represented the group at risk, and the incidence was higher during the rainy season (December to March), with morbidity and mortality rates of 3,2 ± 3,6%. Clinical examination revealed cows with no alterations of vital signs, behavior, visual and auditory acuities and skin sensation; but revealed ruminal hypomotility, anorexia, dehydration, flaccid para or tetraparesis with permanent recumbency, and a paretic or paralytic tongue. The diagnosis of botulism, involving type C and D toxins, was consistent with the epidemiological and clinical findings.

Respostas comportamentais de vacas holandesas, com acesso à sombra constante ou limitada

The experiment was carried out at Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, from January to February 1993, with the objective of evaluating the behavior responses of Holstein cows, with constant or limited access to shade. The experimental design used was completely randomized. Twenty four dairy cows were used, at different lactation stages and production levels, kept in two free stall barns, with or without protection against solar radiation in south-east and north-west edge. The behavior parameters studied were: alimentation, rumination, rest time and frequency and water ingestion frequency. The protection of the free stall barn didn't affect the behavior responses. The alimentation, rumination and rest time, daily, were 3.4, 7.0 e 9.0 hours, respectively. The highest alimentation frequencies were before and after milking. The rumination was mainly during nocturnal period; the rest was more frequent during the period with higher solar radiation. The animals stayed more time in the shelter (13.4 vs 2.5 h/day). The highest daily water ingestion frequencies were in the hot time and next milking, mainly.

Avaliação da relação entre a temperatura da superficie corporal e produção de vacas jersey submetidas à climatização na pré-ordenha

Jersey cows has been used in warm climates because they have better performance in dairy production. Generally milk production is reduced in warm climates due to the consequent reduction in feed intake because of the heat stress. When the heat stress occurs there is an increase in the body temperature, however it is not known if the skin temperature indicates a thermal discomfort or if it influences milk yield. The objective of this research was to verify if there was a correlation between skin temperature and milk yield using two treatments. Treatment (A) where the cows stayed for 30 minutes before the milking period, in a room with a shower and a fan; and treatment (B) where the cows did not had access to any cooling device (control). After milking the skin temperature were recorded in the places: forehead, back, leg and teats. Data were statistically analyzed and, even though in treatment (A) the skin temperature were reduced it was not found correlation between skin temperature and milk yield.

Uso de modelos lineales y no lineales para el estudio de la curva de lactancia en búfalos Murrah y sus cruces en sistemas de cría extensiva en el estado de São Paulo

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Respostas produtivas e comportamentais durante a ordenha de vacas Holandesas em início de lactação

Aiming to compare milk yield, residual milk and behavioral responses of Holstein cows during milking, fourteen experimental cows were mechanically milked twice a day, and evaluated during the first six weeks of lactation. Milk yield was measured daily, and residual milk volume weekly. Body (ribs region), udder and teat temperatures and respiratory frequency were measured twice a week. Animal behavior at the milking parlor was registered using ethograms and interviews with the milkers. During the first weeks of lactation, a higher percentage of kicks, over-steps, milking cups being knocked down, urinations and vocalizations in primiparous cows (p < 0.05) was observed, which were also considered more reactive by the parlors compared to multiparous cows. Multiparous cows produced more milk than primiparous (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in residual milk percentage (p > 0.05), which suggests adaptation of both groups to the milking environment.

Desempenho de cordeiras Bergamácia submetidas a dois sistemas de desmama

This study used 26 Bergamasca ewe lambs weaned at 60 days of age and separated into 2 groups - Artificial suckling: 10 ewes separated from their dams 48 hours after delivery and fed with cow's milk; Controlled suckling: 16 ewe lambs remained with their dams at pasture during the day and then separated at night, returning after morning milking. Following weaning, both groups were confined until they reached 38.6 kg average weight, and then separated into two types of treatment: Pasture rearing: 5 ewes from artificial suckling + 8 ewes from controlled suckling; Confined rearing: 5 ewes from artificial suckling + 8 ewes from controlled suckling. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial, randomized. Average daily milk production for artificial suckling (0.318 kg) was higher than controlled suckling (0.256 kg). The economic return of the controlled suckling treatment was 8.13% higher than for artificial suckling. With regard to the pasture rearing and confined rearing treatment systems, there was no estrus for pasture rearing during experimental period. There was no difference between the weaning systems with regard to eggs per gram. The weaning system influenced the milk production of primiparous females.

Própolis no controle da mastite bovina

Bovine mastitis is considered the main disease causing great economic losses in dairy herds. It is usually treated by antimicrobial chemicals that promote drug resistance, residues in food and environmental contamination. However, consumers in different countries requires more natural foods and with higher quality. Thus, the objective was to check the activities of propolis in controlling bovine mastitis. Seventy-two Holstein cows were used. The mastitis was identified by the California Mastitis Test, somatic cell counts and microbiological examination of milk. Four treatments were held: in group EAP1 10ml of a 30% alcoholic propolis extract (EAP) were given orally for seven consecutive days; in group EAP2 the same procedure described for the first group was used, in addition EAP was used for immersion of the teats before and after milking; in group CA alcohol was used for immersion of the teats before and after milking; and in group CT animals were subjected to soaking and disinfection, procedures routinely used by the property. The results were analyzed by the non-parametric variance model for repeated measures complemented by independent groups in multiple comparisons. There was a decrease of the somatic cell count in all groups. The biological activities of propolis provide great prospects; however, under the conditions evaluated, it was not possible to observe differences between treatments. The great diversity in its chemical composition and the complexity of multiple synergistic mechanisms involved in its biological activity require additional clinical trials.

Qualidade do leite: Utopia sem um programa sério de monitoramento da ocorrência de mastite bovina

Bovine mastitis is still a costly issue in dairy farms, besides public health aspects considering the pathogen transmission to humans. Its multiple etiology with a high number of pathogens involved, demands a rigorous control program for monitoring and milk quality control, based on diagnostic actions and epidemiological vigilance regarding parameters which indirectly are associated with the occurrence of mastitis in dairy herds, as the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and Somatic Cell Count (SCC/mL of milk), of individual milk samples obtained from each cow, and from bulk tank which also allows the Total Bacteria Count (TBC), usually related to the incidence of mastitis, especially in subclinical cases. It is important to reinforce the microbiological milk exam, also to stress the importance of the milking process as a critical point, and to determine risk factors for mastitis. Based on these aspects, this review is presented with the aim to obtain high quality milk products, compromising the personal enrolled in milk production to be conscious that milk quality depends on all, inclusive the consumers which are the final element in the milk production chain.

Enterotoxin genes in coagulase-negative and coagulase-positive staphylococci isolated from bovine milk

The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the main staphylococcal species causing bovine mastitis in 10 Brazilian dairy herds and study their capability to produce enterotoxins. Herds were selected based on size and use of milking technology, and farms were visited once during the study. All mammary glands of all lactating cows were screened using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and a strip cup. A single aseptic milk sample (20. mL) was collected from all CMT-positive quarters. Identification of Staphylococcus spp. was performed using conventional microbiology, and PCR was used to determine the presence of enterotoxin-encoding genes (sea, seb, sec, and sed). Of the 1,318 CMT-positive milk samples, Staphylococcus spp. were isolated from 263 (19.9%). Of these isolates, 135 (51%) were coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) and 128 (49%) were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). Eighteen different species of CNS were isolated, among which S. warneri, S. epidermidis and S. hyicus were the most frequent. The distribution of Staphylococcus species was different among herds: S. epidermidis was found in 8 herds, S. warneri was found in 7 herds, and S. hyicus in 6 herds. Some of the CNS species (S. saprophyticus ssp. saprophyticus, S. auricularis, S. capitis, and S. chromogenes) were isolated in only one of the farms. Genes related to production of enterotoxins were found in 66% (n = 85) of all CNS and in 35% of the CPS isolates. For both CNS and CPS isolates, the most frequently identified enterotoxin genes were sea, seb, and sec; the prevalence of sea differed between CPS (9.5%) and CNS (35.1%) isolates. Staphylococcus warneri isolates showed a greater percentage of sea than seb, sec, or sed, whereas S. hyicus isolates showed a greater percentage of sea than sec. Over 60% of CNS belonged to 3 major species, which carried 62.2 to 81.3% of the enterotoxin genes. The high prevalence highlights the potential for food poisoning caused by these species. For possible high-risk situations for food poisoning, such as milk produced with total bacterial counts greater than regulatory levels and stored under inappropriate temperatures, monitoring contamination with CNS could be important to protect human health. Because the prevalence of CNS intramammary infections in dairy herds is usually high, and these species can be found in great numbers in bulk milk, identification of risk factors for production of staphylococcal enterotoxins should be considered in future studies. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.

Effect of shade and water sprinkling on physiological responses and milk yields of Holstein cows in a semi-arid region

The effects of shading and water sprinkling on physiological responses and milk production were studied in Holstein cows managed in an equatorial semi-arid region. Five cows were observed for 36 days during May and June 2009. We studied the effects of sun, shade, shade plus single sprinkling, shade plus sprinkling every 2. h and shade plus sprinkling every hour on physiological responses, i.e., rectal temperature, coat surface temperature and respiratory rate, and on milk production. Environmental variables, i.e., air temperature, black globe temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, were recorded every 30. min throughout the observation period. The statistical analysis utilized a 5×5 replicated latin square, and the results showed reduced values in physiological variables in cows that were protected from short wave radiation and that received water sprinkling; milk yield increased by approximately 3.5. kg in such animals relative to those not receiving such treatment. However, the milk yield for the morning milking presented similar mean values regardless of whether the animals received shading and sprinkling benefits, which indicates that frequency of sprinkling and amount of time (permanence) in the shade were critical for the effect on milk yield. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Comportamento, produção e qualidade do leite de vacas Holandês-Gir com climatização no curral

This study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the duration of exposure of animals to the evaporative cooling system in the waiting barn on the weather variables (temperature and relative humidity), animal behavior, production and quality aspects of milk from Girolando cows. Sixteen multiparous lactating cows were used having a genetic composition of 7/8 Holstein-Gir and mean milk production of 18 kg animal-1day-1. A 4 × 4 Latin square design was used. The experiment was conducted during the summer season (February-March 2009) and lasted 56 days. The treatments consisted of different periods of 10, 20 and 30 minutes of exposure to acclimatization and control. Time of 30 minutes of exposure to thermal conditioning system enabled the second milking (evening shift), providing an increase in milk production in the next milking of 0.640 kg animal-1. A higher percentage of time spent on food intake and rumination (17.31 and 30.19%) in 30 minutes treatment, compared to control (15.50 and 27.37%), respectively. There was no significant effect of treatments in the composition of milk.