• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.184-195
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the micro-agribusiness realities of dairy farms by surveying both farmers' opinions and consumers' recognition of dairy farm products for in a value-chain analysis. In most cases, dairy farms produced fermented milk for sales and to prepare cheese both for sales and for providing the necessary material for farm visitors. Value-chain analysis did not seem to be a viable strategy for dairy farmers, except when assessing the quality of farmstead milk products in comparisons of dairy farm milks and commercial milk products. Consumers had a wide range of experience with milk products and had no willingness to buy products from dairy farms because of the high cost and the lack of product diversity. Our findings established three strategies for improving the economic feasibility of dairy farms. First, the price should be reduced by adopting a production balance to establish a farm-gate price, i.e., not as quota milk but as surplus milk. Second, consumers should be educated on the prescription of cheese at home. Third, a value-chain based on cooperative partnerships should be established among dairy farms. In addition, to improve the consumers' satisfaction on the diversity and quality of farm dairy products, developments of new value-added milk products made from the milk of cows allowed to graze on mountain pastures are needed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2013

This study was done to determine the seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in cattle with reproductive disorders reared in eastern Gyeongbuk province. A total of 146 cattle blood samples from 83 farms in eastern Gyeongbuk province were collected in 2011~2012. Among them, 17 (11.6%) samples from 11 (13.3%) farms were seropositive for C. burnetii by ELISA. In dairy cattle with mastitis, 15 (38.5%) milk samples from 9 (42.9%) farms were seropositive among 39 milk samples from 21 farms. Among the seropositive farms, one farm with high seroprevalence was selected to assess the seroprevalence of C. burnetii in the bulk-tank milk (BTM) and blood samples of dairy cattle. The BTM sample from the farm was seropositive to C. burnetii and 6 (15%) out of 40 dairy cattle were seropositive. In cattle with reproductive disorders including infertility, abortion and stillbirth, 2 (1.9%) samples from 2 (3.2%) farms were positive among 107 samples collected from 62 farms. Among 2 positive samples, one of them is dariy cattle (100%) and the other is Korean cattle (0.9%) (P<0.001). This suggests that Korean cattle was relatively resistant to C. burnetii. Based on the data obtained, we identified association between C. burnetii shedding in milk and chronic subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle. Since seroprevalence of C. burnetii is relatively high in dairy cattle, further intensive studies on C. burnetii among the high risk milk farms and dairy cattle herds are needed to evaluate infection status.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum infection in dairy cattle of northern Gyeonggi province in Korea. A total of 716 dairy cattle from 14 dairy farms were tested for the presence of antibodies against N. caninum using a commercial ELISA test kit. Herd and individual seroprevalences of N. caninum were 92.8% (13/14) and 23.1% (166/716), respectively. The seroprevalence of dairy cattle according to age was the highest at 49~72 months (27.4%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). No significant relationship between N. caninum seropositivity with the herd size of the dairy farms was found (P>0.05). The results indicate that N. caninum infection spreads widely in dairy farms of northern Gyeonggi province in Korea.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2023

Background: Reproductive management practices play crucial roles to maximize the reproductive performance of cows, and thus contribute to farm profitability. We aimed to assess the reproductive management of cows currently practiced in the dairy farms in an urban farming system. Methods: A total of 62 dairy farms were randomly selected considering all size of farms such as small (1-5 cattle), medium (6-20 cattle) and large farms (> 20 cattle) from selected areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The reproductive management-related parameters viz. estrus detection, breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis, dry cow and parturition management, vaccination and treatment of reproductive problems etc. were obtained in a pre-defined questionnaire during the farm visit. Results: The visual observation method was only used (100.0%; 62/62) for estrus detection irrespective of size of the farms; while farmers observed cows for estrus 4-5 times a day, but only for 20-60 seconds each time. Regardless of farm size, 89.0% (55/62) farms used artificial insemination (AI) for breeding the cows. Intriguingly, all farms (100.0%) routinely checked the cows for pregnancy at 35-40 days post-breeding using rectal palpation technique by registered veterinarian. However, only 6.5% (4/62) farms practiced dry cow management. Notably, all farms (100.0%) provided nutritional supplements (Vit D, Ca and P) during late gestation. However, proper hygiene and cleanliness during parturition was not practiced in 77.4% (48/62) farms; even though 96.7% (60/62) farms treated cows by registered veterinarian for parturition-related problems. Conclusions: While farmers used AI service for breeding and timely check their cows for pregnancy; however, they need to increase observation time (30 minutes/ observation, twice in a day: early morning and early night) for estrus detection, consider dry cow management and ensure hygienic parturition for maximizing production.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2015

In March 2015, the milk quota system in Europe that had lasted for more than 30 years was abolished to improve the competitiveness of the European dairy sector in the international market. Despite an increase in the consumption of dairy products in Europe, the milk price is expected to stabilize in the next decade after a decrease between 2015 and 2016. This stabilization of prices will be caused by a significant increase in production, with the proportion exceeding domestic demand to be exported. In the international market, the price of milk will reduce in the next decade, leading to a restructuring of the milk sector with a lower number of farms, but with higher production and efficiency. Mountain farms will follow the same trend, although these farms play an important social role by providing ecosystem services such as maintaining cultural services, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting soil stability, and improving the aesthetic value of the landscape. Nevertheless, they remain at a disadvantage compared with lowland farms. To prevent the loss of mountain farms, there is thus a need to valorize the ecosystem services that they provide and promote the processing of milk into certified products of high quality.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.1031-1040
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to characterize factors influencing genetic improvement of dairy cattle for milk production at farm level. Data were accumulated from 305-day milk yields and pedigree information from 1,921 first-lactation dairy cows that calved from 1990 to 2007 on 161 farms in Central Thailand. Variance components were estimated using average information restricted maximum likelihood procedures. Animal breeding values were predicted by an animal model that contained herd-year-season, calving age, and regression additive genetic group as fixed effects, and cow and residual as random effects. Estimated breeding values from cows that calved in a particular month were used to estimate genetic trends for each individual farm. Within-farm genetic trends (b, regression coefficient of farm milk production per month) were used to classify farms into 3 groups: i) farms with negative genetic trend (b<-0.5 kg/mo), ii) farms with no genetic trend (-0.5 kg/$mo{\leq}b{\leq}0.5$ kg/mo), and iii) farms with positive genetic trend (b>0.5 kg/mo). Questionnaires were used to gather information from individual farmers on educational background, herd characteristics, farm management, decision making practices, and opinion on dairy farming. Farmer's responses to the questionnaire were used to test the association between these factors and farm groups using Fisher's exact test. Estimated genetic trend for the complete population was $0.29{\pm}1.02$ kg/year for cows. At farm level, most farms (40%) had positive genetic trend ($0.63{\pm}4.67$ to $230.79{\pm}166.63$ kg/mo) followed by farms with negative genetic trend (35%; $-173.68{\pm}39.63$ to $-0.62{\pm}2.57$ kg/mo) and those with no genetic trend (25%; $-0.52{\pm}3.52$ to $0.55{\pm}2.68$ kg/mo). Except for educational background (p<0.05), all other factors were not significantly associated with farm group.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.429-434
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• 1999

In this study the financial performance of small scale dairy farms participating in the government subsidy programme and the impact of this government intervention on the number of animals owned, production and consumption of milk and labour employment in the farm households have been examined. After receiving the subsidy, dairy farmers expanded their herd size. The major changes occurred in the ownership of calves, heifers and cows in all categories of farms. Significant increases in production and consumption of milk as well as in labour employment were observed. The rates of increase for all the parameters studied were much higher in farms adopting cross breeding compared to those in only local-breed farms. The analysis showed that dairying was a profitable business. However, profitability was greater with cross-bred than with local-bred animals.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.7 no.1_2
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• pp.27-34
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• 1980

The status of artificial insemination was surveyed by investigating 20796 heads of adult dairy cattle out of 30464 heads at 1649 dairy farms located Seoul and Gyung-Gi and Chung-Cheong province area, and the results are as follows: 1. There were 286 small farms feeding less than 5 heads occupying 17.3% of total farm number, and 1083 medium sized dairy farms feeding between $6{\sim}20$ heads occupying 65.64% and also 280 large dairy farms feeding more than 21 heads occupying 17.06% of total. 2. Population of cow aging from 2 to 6 years were 87.26% and among 20907 heads of dairy cattles which had calved previously 13196 heads had histories of one to four calving 90.40%. 3. The successful conception rate with first A. I. occupied only 53.43% and 92.4% after third A. I. service. The average A. I. frequency for successful conception per/head was 1.8 times. 4. The breeding status was pregnancy 61.72%, uncertain pregnancy 19.39%, and as physiological vacancy 12.48% and reproductive disorders 10.62%. 5. Among 1264 heads of reproductive disorders 856 heads were clue to ovarian diseases and occupied 68.98% of total disorders and uterus diseases 10.64% and repeat breeders occupied 17.64%.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.309-317
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• 2009

The present study describes an investigation on an epidemic of Tuberculosis (TB) which has been occurred among dairy cattle farms in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do since 2007. The investigation was performed in three ways as follows: 1. Collecting information about bovine TB outbreaks using investigation reports, an on-the-spot and tracing-back investigations; 2. Analyzing the outbreak pattern; 3. Establishing hypothesis and performing statistical analysis on potential risk factors. In the early 2000s, TB outbreaks were sporadically reported in beef cattle, and only a small number ($1{\sim}2$) of reactors was confirmed in each of outbreak farms. The number of TB outbreaks has been suddenly increased from 2007, mainly in dairy cattle farms. And these outbreaks were temporarily clustered during the period, from March 2007 to April 2009 (relative risk, RR = 13.7, p < 0.001). And two spatial clusters of which radiuses were 0.3 km (RR = 6.9, p < 0.001) and 0.9 km (RR = 3.6, p < 0.01). The analysis to find risk factors was performed on 99 dairy farms (21 outbreaks), which are located in the most seriously affected village during 2007-2009. Middleman (odds ratio, OR = 47.4, p < 0.05) and raw milk collecting system (OR = 6.9, p < 0.05) were recognized as with the highest association. Considering the fact that all the outbreak farms except one had their own manure composting tank, it might be that the manure containing pathogen was leaked from tank and transmitted to other farms by fomites such as middleman or raw milk collecting system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.855-857
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• 2001

The aim of this study was to assess the associations of some potential risk factors and occurrence of calf mortality in large-scale dairy farms. Njoro area of the Rift valley, Kenya was selected due to its potential of large-scale dairy farms, since the time of the Europeans settlers. The study was retrospective and focused on the calves dying from January 1996 through October 1998. Sample of studied population consisted of 105 calves extracted from the farm records. Data was collected using a questionnaire and were grouped into farm-level and animal-level factors. Calf mortality was 15.6% and important risk factors for calf mortality were sex of calf, season of birth, pneumonia disease, age of dam when calf was born and house type for calves. Female calve born during colder wet seasons and born to dams of 2-4.5 years of age were equally at higher risk. Calves raised in movable pens compared to those raised in permanent pens were at higher risk of mortality from pneumonia. Animal level factors were major causes of calf mortality in commercial farms used in this study and therefore details study is needed in these factors in controlling the calf mortality rates.