Milk production, fertility and the modern dairy cow

Livestock ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-75
Author(s):  
Lisa Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Significant Progress ◽  
Desirable Trait

Increasing the volume of milk produced per cow has been a successful direction of the dairy industry for many years. Management of genetics, the physical environment and changes in nutrition have ensured significant progress has been made towards maximising the milk yield per cow. This production focus has come at a cost however, with increased milk yield seemingly being at odds with the desirable trait of reproductive efficiency.

Effect of first 60-day cumulative milk yield on days open in Holstein dairy cows in Iran

2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 148-148
Author(s):  
A. Heravi Moussavi ◽  
M. Danesh Mesgaran ◽  
T. Vafa
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Root Cause ◽  
Principal Factors ◽  
Days Open ◽  
Holstein Dairy Cows

Reproduction and milk production are the principal factors that are influencing dairy farm profitability. The dairy industry in Iran has changed dramatically in the last decade. The shift toward more productive cows and larger herds in Iran is associated with a decrease reproductive efficiency (Heravi Moussavi et al., 2004). Increased knowledge about the principal causes of reduced fertility is essential. The root cause of the declining fertility is probably a combination of a variety of physiological and management factors that have an additive effect on reproductive efficiency. Dairy cattle are inseminated and pregnancy is established while dairy cows are lactating. Based on the analyses of large datasets, there is clearly an antagonistic relationship between milk production and reproduction in dairy cattle (Lucy, 2001). It was shown that the hazard ratio for cumulative first 60-day milk yield and conception in high producer cows was 8 percent less than the others and also high milk yield was a risk factor for several reproductive disorders (Grohn and Rajala-Schultz, 2000). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of first 60-day cumulative milk yield on days open in Iranian Holstein dairy cows.

Differences in the behaviour of high and low yielding dairy cows selected by genetic merit

2002 ◽  
Vol 2002 ◽  
pp. 220-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Cooper ◽  
D. R. Arney ◽  
C. J. C. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
High Nutrient

The effects of high milk yields on the behaviour and welfare of the dairy cow are unclear. A high milk yield increases the need to consume sufficient fodder in an attempt to meet high nutrient demands. The failure to meet the demands may result in persistent hunger in the dairy cow having to modify her behaviour by employing various coping strategies. These modifications may help the cow overcome a state of hunger but at the expense of being unable to express other important behaviours. The objective of this study was therefore to determine whether the behaviour and welfare of the genetically high yielding dairy cow is being compromised by the increased nutritional demands of milk production, and to investigate the possibility that an increased amount of time spent in food-directed behaviours may have a detrimental effect on the time available to perform other important behaviours.

Consequences for reproductive function of metabolic adaption to load

1999 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 99-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Webb ◽  
P. C. Garnsworthy ◽  
J. G. Gong ◽  
R. S. Robinson ◽  
D. C. Wathes
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Follicular Growth ◽  
Embryo Survival

AbstractAn effective method for enhancing milk production efficiency in dairy cows is to increase milk yield and significant progress has been achieved through intense selection, assisted by the application of new reproductive techniques. However this increased milk yield has been accompanied by a slow but steady decline in dairy cow fertility. The two main reasons for this reducing level of fertility appear to be selection for increased milk yield and large herd sizes, although the affect of the introduction of Holstein genes needs to be investigated. In addition, other negative consequences such as an increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases and lameness have been observed. This has given rise to public concern that the high-yielding dairy cow may be under a state of metabolic stress during peak lactation and therefore the welfare and performance of other body functions are compromised.The reason for this decline in fertility is not well understood, although a nutritional influence on the initiation of oestrous cycles, follicular growth, oocyte quality and early embryonic development has been implicated. In early lactation dietary intake is unable to meet the demands of milk production and most cows enter a period of negative energy balance. Negative energy balance has a broadly similar effect to undernutrition leading to a mobilization of body reserves. Furthermore diets high in rumen degradable protein lead to an excess of rumen ammonia, which before it is converted to urea by the liver and excreted in the urine, may cause an alteration in the reproductive tract environment reducing embryo survival. Such major changes in the metabolic and endocrine systems can therefore influence fertility at a number of key points.Possible reproductive sites where inadequate nutrition may have detrimental effects include: (i) the hypothalamic/pituitary gland where gonadotropin release may be impaired; (ii) a direct effect on the ovaries, where both follicular growth patterns and corpus luteum function may be directly influenced; (iii) the quality of the oocyte prior to ovulation may be reduced and coupled with an inadequate uterine environment will result in reduced embryo survival and (iv) there may be effects on subsequent embryo development. The initiation of normal oestrous cycles post partum is usually delayed in dairy cows with a higher genetic merit for milk production, confirming that intense selection towards high milk yield can compromise reproductive function. In addition, the effects of increased milk yield may include changes in circulating GH and insulin concentrations, which in turn alter both insulin-like growth factor (IGF) and IGF binding protein production. Nutrition has recently been shown to have a direct effect at the level of both the ovaries and the uterus to alter the expression of these growth factors.In conclusion, further knowledge is required to determine how the metabolic changes associated with high milk output reduce fertility. Identification and understanding of the mechanisms involved and the key sites of action responsible for compromised reproductive function, will enable the identification of possible indices for future multiple-trait selection programmes.

scholarly journals DAIRY INDUSTRY OF THE EAST KAZAKHSTAN REGION: STATE AND PROSPECTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 133-139
Author(s):  
ZH.H. KAZHIEVA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
East Kazakhstan ◽  
The Republic

As a result of the study of the state and problems in the dairy industry of the East Kazakhstan region - the leading region for production of dairy products in the country, development of dairy cattle breeding in the Republic of Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan region from 2010-2019 was analyzed, using indicators of gross milk yield, average annual cow population, milk yield per cow, structure of milk production in the region by categories of farms. The dynamics of production of dairy products in the region is considered based on the analysis of the volumes of milk production and main types of dairy products; assessment of the level of the average annual production capacity of enterprises, population's demand for dairy products and its actual consumption is presented. Along with this, the main problems of the development of dairy industry in the region are identified: low level of utilization of production capacities, shortage and low quality of used raw materials that do not meet the requirements of sanitary standards, an outdated material and technical base, and ways of solving them are proposed. The formation of specialized dairy farms of large and medium size, the development of agricultural cooperation will contribute to the provision of raw materials for dairy factories in the region. State support and stimulation of the activities of these forms of management will increase production of raw materials for the dairy industry in the region, improve its quality, as a result of compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements, carrying out veterinary and breeding work at the required level, as well as integrated approach to ensuring employment of rural population and food security of the country.

scholarly journals Effect of winter pasture residuals' and grazing- off on subsequefit milk production and pasture performance

1994 ◽  
pp. 55-59
Author(s):  
D.A. Clark ◽  
W. Carter ◽  
B. Walsh ◽  
F.H. Clarkson ◽  
C.D. Waugh
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pasture Productivity

Concern at the effect of winter pasture residuals on pasture productivity led to the comparison of different wintering systems at the DRC No. 3 Dairy from May-December 1993. Three farmlets were designed to have 2000 kg DM/ha average farm cover at calving, but with pastures grazed to either 900, 1400 or 1800 kg DM/ha at least once during the winter. A fourth farmlet was spelled from grazing from 25 May-4 July to give an average farm cover at calving of 2900 kg DM/ha. Pasture regrowth, composition and structure, milk yield, liveweight and reproductive performance were measured. A simulation model UDDER was used to generalise from the specific experimental results. Pasture regrowth in July-August was greater on the wintering-off treatment than those grazed during winter, but treatment differences in late spring were inconsistent. Wintering-off decreased ryegrass tiller and white clover growing point densities in August but differences had disappeared by November. Winter grazing treatment had no effect on any component of milk production from calving to late October. From late October until m&December-milk-protein-and.milksolids y i e l d were less on the wintering-off treatment than the mean of the other three treatments (0.62 vs 0.68 kg/cow/day) and (1.49 vs 1.59 kg/cow/day), respectively. Grazing to different winter pasture residuals had no consistent effects on subsequent pasture productivity, composition or milk yield. Simulation showed that wintering-off can lead to increased milksolids production when average farm cover in September is predicted to fall below 1750 kg DM/ha. Timing and amount of conservation become c&i&i1 slfterwintering;off if pasture quality and hence milk production are to be maintained in late spring. Keywords: dairy cow, milksolids, milk yield, pasture regrowth, pasture residual, pasture structure

A new cactus variety for dairy cows in areas infested with Dactylopius opuntiae

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. F. Monteiro ◽  
M. A. Ferreira ◽  
A. S. C. Véras ◽  
S. I. Guido ◽  
M. P. Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Microbial Protein ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fibre ◽  
Lactating Cows

Spineless cactus is an important part of dairy cow diet in the semiarid Brazilia. Severe infestation of cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell) destroyed a vast area of the most common species of cactus planted in the region; Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. resistant varieties with superior agronomic performance were recently selected, but they still need to be tested with dairy cows. We evaluated the use of a resistant variety, ‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ (OEM, Opuntia spp.), in dairy cow diet. We tested its effect on intake, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein, blood parameters and performance of lactating cows. Ten cows with an average milk yield of 20 kg/day were assigned to an experiment using a double 5 × 5 Latin square design. The experimental diets consisted of five replacement levels of Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck cv. (‘Miúda’) by ‘OEM’ (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) on a dry-matter (DM) basis) and were formulated considering the ingredient composition. The roughage:concentrate ratio was 70:30 on a DM basis. The replacement of ‘Miúda’ by OEM did not change the intake (kg/day) of DM (18.0), organic matter (16.3), crude protein (CP, 2.8), total digestible nutrients (11.6), non-fibre carbohydrates (7.6) and neutral detergent fibre (5.7), or the apparent digestibility (g/kg) of DM (655), organic matter (694), CP (739) and non-fibre carbohydrates (950), whereas apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fibre increased linearly. Microbial protein production (1.5 g/day), microbial protein efficiency (129.2 g CP/kg total digestible nutrients), plasma urea nitrogen (21.4 mg/dL), nitrogen balance (123 g/day), feed efficiency (1.1), nitrogen efficiency (0.2), milk production (20.0 kg/day), fat-corrected milk production (20.1 kg/day) and milk composition were not influenced by the replacement. Therefore, we recommend the use of OEM in the diet of lactating cows with an average milk yield of 20 kg/day.

scholarly journals Transition Period of the Dairy Cow Revisited: I. Homeorhesis and Its Changes by Selection and Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Holger Martens
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Milk Secretion

The transition period of the dairy cow involves the end of pregnancy, parturition, and the onset of lactation. Multifaceted and rapid changes occur during this time, and in particular, the increase of milk secretion requires the large-scale reorientation of metabolism. The underlying mechanisms of this metabolic regulation are collectively named homeorhesis, a process that governs milk production during this phase and that exhibits (A) a chronic nature, (B) the simultaneous inclusion of multiple tissues, and (C) altered responses to homeostatic signals, but (D) no direct feedback mechanisms for possible control or limitation. Priority of milk production is one important consequence of this homeorhetic regulation with possible constraints on other physiological functions. These general properties of the homeorhetic regulation of milk secretion are specifically characterized by a) milk production according milking (suckling) frequency, b) a natural but inadequate dry matter intake, c) the mobilization of fat acids + glycerol from adipose tissue and of amino acids from protein, d) the partitioning of metabolites, IgG, and dietary nutrients to the mammary gland, e) the stimulation of milk production by high protein intake, and f) a negligible negative energy balance (NEB) at low milk production. Such a combination assures the optimal milk yield for the nutrition of the calf and for its successful survival but without a metabolic challenge or health risk for the cow. However, selection for higher milk production (uncoupled from calf nutrition) and management have changed the above-listed properties, and the regulation of homeorhetic milk production of the modern high-producing dairy cow is nowadays mostly characterized by a) increasing and maximal milk production at increased milking frequency and, under certain circumstances, the uncoupling of the GH-IGF-1 axis, b) enduring insufficient dry matter intake in relation to requirement, c) the mobilization of energy (lipolysis) and release of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) above the acute requirement, d) the mobilization of amino acids, e) the partitioning of metabolites, IgG, and dietary nutrient to the mammary gland, f) the potential enhanced partitioning of energy to the mammary gland at high CP intake, g) a sudden and long-lasting NEB, and h) possibly lower weight gain or even net loss of energy during the entire lactation period. These altered and often unfavorable characteristics of high milk production are, furthermore, still regulated by homeorhesis and are thus also given top priority, lack feedback control, and possibly ensue at the expense of other functions without regard for health risks. Hence, the promotion of milk yield by breeding or management might cause metabolic overload, imbalances, or even antagonisms and makes possible health hazards evident. The high incidence of various diseases, the untimely culling rates, and the increasing number of dead cows during early lactation support the assumption of general health threats at high milk production. For this reason, more attention should be paid to the physiological mechanisms of homeorhetic-regulated milk production, its indisputable alterations by breeding and management, and the resulting health risks.

scholarly journals Association between protein feeding and reproductive efficiency in the dairy cow: specific emphasis on protein feeding in Finland

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 365-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.J. SHINGFIELD ◽  
M. JOKELA ◽  
K. KAUSTELL
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Endocrine Function ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
Protein Feeding ◽  
On Farm

Associations between protein feeding and reproductive efficiency in the dairy cow are reviewed. Examination of published data indicated that reproductive responses assessed as days open, services per conception or conception rate following changes in protein feeding tend to be inconsistent. Discrepancies can arise due to between-study variations in experimental design, statistical analysis, sample population size, uterine health, cow age, parity, reproductive management or nutrient intake. Detri-mental effects on reproductive efficiency following periods of excessive protein feeding are often attributed to increases in tissue urea and ammonia oncentrations leading to impaired reproductive hysiology, modified endocrine function or exacerbated postpartum negative energy balance. Examination of data collected from Finnish dairy herds (n = 16 051) participating in the national milk recording scheme during 1993 indicated that milk production was maximised in herds fed diets containing 180 g crude protein/kg dry matter. In contrast, no consistent relationships were identified between increases in on-farm protein feeding necessary to secure higher milk production and herd reproductive efficiency assessed as calving interval, first service interval and number of inseminations per calving. Further examination of data derived from 5 437 herds within the National recording scheme indicated that on-farm reproductive efficiency was independent of large variations in the mean annual urea concentration of bulk tank milk. It is concluded that increases in the crude protein content of Finnish dairy cow rations from 150 to between 170 and 180 g/kg dry matter would allow improvements in milk production to be realised without leading to significant reductions in reproductive efficiency.;

scholarly journals Analysis of the yield milk effect on the economics of milk production

2012 ◽  
Vol 48 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Kopeček
Keyword(s):  
Cost Function ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Economic Data ◽  
Agricultural Enterprises ◽  
Maximum Profit ◽  
The Cost

Relations between the level of milk yield and the economic results of dairy cows breeding were analysed on the base of operational and economic data received from 135 agricultural enterprises. The analysis was aiming at the optimization of milk production expressed by means of the cost function. By evaluating the above-mentioned relations, there was recorded a tendency of the faster growth of milk yield compared to the costs for market milk for one feeding day of a dairy cow. On the base of the expense function, there was expressed the maximum profit for a litre of market milk, the maximum profit for a dairy cow per year and the interval of profitability of milk production in 2000.

Predicting milk responses to cereal-based supplements in grazing dairy cows

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 746 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Heard ◽  
M. Hannah ◽  
C. K. M. Ho ◽  
E. Kennedy ◽  
P. T. Doyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Correction Factor ◽  
Bias Correction ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Milk Protein ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
Fat Yield

The feeding of cereal-based supplements is common in the Australian dairy industry, as it allows cows to increase intakes of total dry matter (DM) and metabolisable energy (ME), while achieving greater stocking rates, greater pasture utilisation and greater milk production per hectare than occurs when cows are fed pasture-only diets. However, for this practice to be profitable, it is important to know how much extra milk, milk protein and milk fat are produced for each kilogram DM consumed. This is difficult to determine in such a complex biological system. We combined information from 24 concentrate-feeding experiments using meta-analysis techniques, so as to develop improved prediction models of the milk, milk protein and milk fat produced when cereal-based concentrates are fed to grazing, lactating dairy cows. Model terms, consistent with biological processes, linear, quadratic and factorial, were selected according to statistical significance. The models were then tested in two ways, namely, their goodness of fit to the data, and their ability to predict novel production data from a further six, unrelated, experiments. A sensitivity analysis was also undertaken to determine how sensitive these predictions are to changes in key inputs. The predictive model for milk yield was shown to very closely reflect milk yield (kg/cow.day) measured under the experimental conditions in unrelated experiments (r = 0.96), with very little bias (Lin’s bias correction factor = 0.98) and high concordance (Lin’s concordance coefficient = 0.95). Predictions generated by multiplying predicted milk protein concentration by predicted milk yield closely matched observed milk protein yield (kg/cow.day) (r = 0.96, Lin’s bias correction factor = 0.98, Lin’s concordance coefficient = 0.95), and predictions found by multiplying predicted milk fat concentration by predicted milk yield closely matched observed milk fat yield (kg/cow.day) (r = 0.94, Lin’s bias correction factor = 0.99, Lin’s concordance coefficient = 0.93). Factors included in the new models for milk, milk protein and milk fat yield reported here have been identified previously as elements that can influence milk production. The value to the dairy industry from being able to predict profitable amounts of concentrates to feed at various stages throughout lactation is considerable. For farmers and their advisers, being able to apply these models to estimate the immediate marginal milk protein and milk fat responses to supplementary feeds should lead to more robust, efficient and profitable milk production systems.

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