• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.208-215
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• 2017

This study was designed to investigate the carryover effects of high-forage to concentrate (F: C) diet in bred heifers on feed intake, feed efficiency (FE) and milk production of primiparous lactating Holstein cows. The experiment was conducted for 589 days (d) from onset of pregnancy through to the end of first lactation. Twenty-four bred heifers (Body weight: $BW=345.8{\pm}45.4kg$ and $15{\pm}1.2mon$ of age) randomly assigned to two groups of 3 pens containing 4 heifers each and fed high forage (HF) diet with F: C ratio of 91.7: 8.3% and low forage (LF) diet with F: C ratio of 77.8: 22.2% throughout the pregnancy period. After calving, lactating cows were fed total mixed ration (TMR) based diet. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed in dry matter intake (DMI) of bred heifers and primiparous lactating cows in both HF and LF groups. The FE of mid-to-late lactation period was higher (p< 0.05) in HF than LF group. However, the HF group showed higher (p < 0.05) milk yield, 4 % fat corrected milk (FCM) and energy corrected milk (ECM) than LF group during the 305 d lactation. The LF group showed higher (p < 0.05) milk fat, crude protein (CP), milk urea nitrogen (MUN), solid not fat (SNF) and somatic cell count (SCC) than HF group. It is concluded that restriction of F: C ratio to 91.7: 8.3% to bred heifers has the potential carryover effects to maintain higher milk yield and FE with no adverse effect on feed intake and milk composition of primiparous lactating Holstein cows.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1013-1023
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• 2022

Body condition score (BCS) at calving is a vital indicator of the effectiveness of the beginning of lactation in dairy animals. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of BCS at calving on milk production and transition success in dairy buffaloes. Thirty-six (36) Nili Ravi buffaloes were enrolled at 40 days of expected calving and followed through 90 days of lactation. The buffaloes were categorized into three groups according to their BCS (on a scale of 1-5 with 0.25 increments) as follows: 1) low, buffaloes with BCS ≤ 3.0; 2) medium, buffaloes with BCS 3.25-3.5; and 3) high, buffaloes with BCS ≥ 3.75. All buffaloes were fed a similar diet ad libitum. The lactation diet had increased concentrate allowance according to milk yield. The results revealed that the BCS at calving did not affect milk yield; however, fat percentage (fat%) was lower in the low-BCS group. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar among the treatment groups, although post-calving BCS loss was greater in the high-BCS group compared to the medium- and the low-BCS groups. Similarly, the buffaloes in the high-BCS group had higher non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration compared to the low- and medium-BCS groups. No cases of metabolic disorders were observed during the study. The present results suggest that the buffaloes in the medium-BCS group appeared to perform better compared to the low- and the high-BCS groups with respect to milk fat% and blood NEFA concentration.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.567-574
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• 2021

Objective: In this study we investigated the effect of seasonal thermal stress on milk production and milk compositions between Holstein and Jersey dairy cows under the temperate-climate in Korea. Methods: A total of 9 Holstein lactating dairy cows (2.0±0.11 parity) which had a daily milk yield of 29.77±0.45 kg, and days in milk of 111.2±10.29 were selected similarly at the beginning of the experiments in each season. Also, a total of 9 Jersey lactating dairy cows (1.7±0.12 parity) which had a daily milk yield of 20.01±0.43 kg, and days in milk of 114.0±9.74 were selected similarly at the beginning of the experiments. Results: Results showed that the average ambient temperature (℃) and temperature-humidity index (THI) were higher in summer, and were lower in winter (p<0.05). The average relative humidity (RH, %) was higher in autumn than that of other seasons (p<0.05). Milk production was significantly decreased (Holstein 29.02 kg/d and Jersey 19.75 kg/d) in autumn than in other seasons (Holstein 30.14 kg/d and Jersey 20.96 kg/d). However, the milk production was negatively correlated in Holstein cows, and positively correlated in Jersey cows with THI values increased from 16 to 80. In addition, milk yield was increased by 15% in Holstein cows and decreased by 11% in Jersey cows with the THI values increased from 16 to 20. The fat and protein content percentage was significantly higher in Jersey milk than in Holstein milk, furthermore the fat and protein content yield was higher in Jersey cow milk than that of Holstein cow's milk with all THIs. Conclusion: From the study results, we concluded that Jersey cows might be less adaptable to low temperature of the winter, and this would have a negative impact on dairy farmer income since Korea's milk price estimation system places a higher value on milk yield than on milk compositions or sanitary grades.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.650-657
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• 2002

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of forage:concentrate ratios and feeding principles on milk yield, milk composition, body weight change, postpartum oestrus and feed cost. A total of 36 crossbred F1 cows (Holstein Friesian${\times}$Local Yellow) in the 8th week of lactation were used. In each experiment, animals were divided into three groups using a randomized block design according to the milk yield of the previous eight weeks. Cows were fed 30, 50 and 70% concentrate in the diet based on DM. In experiment 1 (Fc), cows were given the same amount of DM with constant ratios of forage and concentrate within treatments. In experiment 2 (Fa), cows were given the same constant amounts of concentrate as in experiment 1 and ad libitum forage. The forage consisted of a natural grass mixture based on 5 species of grasses with high nutritive values. There was no difference in total DM intake between treatments within experiments. However, cows fed forage ad libitum had higher DM intakes compared to cows fed constant forage (1.6, 4.5 and 9.5% for cows fed 70, 50 and 30% forage, respectively). Daily milk yield of cows fed forage ad libitum was higher than that of cows fed constant forage:concentrate ratio. Within experiment, milk yield was highest for cows fed 30% DM forage, followed by cows fed 50% and then cows fed 70% forage (11.17, 10.98 and 10.71 for the 30Fc, 50Fc and 70Fc cows; 11.73, 11.16 and 10.81 kg for the 30Fa, 50Fa and 70Fa cows, respectively). Decreased forage ratio in the diets resulted in decreased milk fat content and tended to increase milk protein. Increased concentrate ratio in the diet and feeding forage ad libitum increased body weight gain. The effect of forage:concentrate ratio on postpartum oestrus was not significant. The feed cost per kg milk produced was lowest for the cows fed 70% forage. It is concluded that increased ratio of concentrate resulted in increased body weight gain, milk yield, milk protein, and decreased milk fat. Feeding forage ad libitum increased feed intake, milk yield and body weight gain. The ratio of 50% forage is more suitable for milk production and animal condition, but in terms of feed cost and under the conditions of small dairy farmers, the 70% ad libitum forage feeding is recommended.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.161-164
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• 1999

Dairy performances of Pabna cows and its crossbreds with Sahiwal (SL) and Friesian (F) in the Baghabarighat dairying area of Bangladesh were evaluated. Four SL and three F sires were used for the crossbreeding. The exotic sire effect of individuals on their daughters were also evaluated in this study. It showed that the genetic group had a significant (p<0.05) effect on birth weight, age at first heat, calving interval, lactation length and lactation yield. The lowest birth weight (17.9 kg), longest age at first heat (39.2 m) and calving interval (16.3 m) shortest lactation length (199 d) and lowest lactation yield (728 L) were found in Pabna cows. The highest birth weight (22.5 kg). shortest age at first heat (25.5 m) and calving interval (13.7 m), longest lactation length (253 d) and highest lactation yield (1936 L) were found in the F crossbreds. Within the same breed, the effect of individual sire was significant (p<0.05) on age at first heat, lactation length and lactation yield. Individual sire effects of SL bulls differed significantly (p<0.05) but F sires had a non-significant (p>0.05) effect on calving interval in their progeny. The fat % and SNF % in milk and number of services required for conception did not differ (p>0.05) among inter-and intra- breed sire groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1525-1538
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• 2007

Because of the increasing evidence of potential benefits of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on human health, there is a need to investigate its status in commercial dairies and develop feeding strategies to enhance the content and supply of CLA in milk and milk products. A two-year experiment was conducted to study the status of milk fat c-9, t-11 CLA on four selected commercial dairy farms in Utah (two) and Idaho (two), USA. Farms A and C grazed cows on pasture and supplemented with 7.0 kg/cow per day of their respective grain mixes during summer, while conserved forage and grain mix was fed during winter. Farm B fed a total mixed diet all year, with 10% of diet dry matter as fresh cut pasture during summer. Farm D had 1/3 of its cows grazed on pasture and supplemented with a total mixed diet during summer, while the rest were fed a total mixed diet. All cows in Farm D were fed a total mixed diet during winter. Farms A, B, C, and D had on average 80, 400, 150, and 500 milking cows, respectively, with Holstein or its crosses as the major breed. On a year-round basis, Farms A and C produced milk with 60% or more milk fat c-9, t-11 CLA and transvaccenic acid (TVA) contents than Farm B. Similarly, Farm D produced 30% or more c-9, t-11 CLA and TVA in milk than Farm B. Milk fat content of CLA and TVA was 150-200% more during summer compared with winter. Individual cows varied from 0.16 to 2.22% in milk fat c-9, t-11 CLA contents and 89% of the cows had c-9, t-11 CLA contents between 0.3 and 1.0% of milk fat. Individual cow variation was larger on Farms A and C compared with Farm D, with least variation on Farm B. Variation was larger in summer than in winter. The bulk tank milk c-9, t-11 CLA content varied from 0.27 to 1.35% of milk fat. Cows on Farms A and C produced similar or higher amounts of milk fat c-9, t-11 CLA on a daily basis even though their milk yield was lowest among the dairies. Concentration and supplies of c-9, t-11 CLA and TVA were highest from June through September and lowest from February through April, which should be the months for targeting improvement in the content and supply of milk fat c-9, t-11 CLA and TVA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.204-210
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• 2003

To see the effect of Beragfat T-300, a by pass fat, on the production and composition of milk, four primiparous crossbred cows in their early lactation were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square Design. Each period was of 30 days including 15 days of adjustment period. The diets were formulated to contain 0, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5% of Bergafat and were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The intake of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, Cellulose and ADL were not affected, however, the EE intake was increased by the supplementation of Bergafat in the diet of cows. The digestibilities of NDF and EE remained unaffected, whereas the digestibilites of DM, OM and CP were reduced. Milk yield remained unaltered, while 4%FCM yield increased as a result of adding Bergafat in the daily ration. Bergafat upto 4.5% of the diet DM can be added in the diet of crossbred cows without any adverse effect on the DM intake and digestibilities of DM and NDF. Furthermore, Bergafat does not cause any butter fat depression in the milk of cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.390-395
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• 2006

This work was conducted to study the effect of rumen-protected choline (RPC) addition on milk performance and blood metabolic parameters in transition dairy cows. In Experiment 1, fourteen Chinese Holstein dairy cows were supplemented with 0 or 20 g/d of RPC from 7 d before expected calving to 21 d post partum. Feeding of RPC tended to increase milk yield and milk protein percentage, while milk fat and lactose percentage were not changed. Plasma concentrations of glucose tended to increase as cows consumed RPC, while plasma concentrations of triglycerides, very low density lipoproteins, cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acids were not significantly different between the two groups. In Experiment 2, thirty-six Chinese Holstein dairy cows were supplemented with 0, 30, 60 or 90 g/d RPC from 15 d before expected calving to 15 d post partum. Feeding of RPC tended to increase yield of milk and 4% fat-corrected milk for all the lactating cows, and milk composition was similar among the four groups. Plasma concentrations of glucose were remained at a higher level in 30 or 60 g/d RPC-supplemented groups, and nonesterified fatty acids were decreased in the 30 g/d group. Concentrations of triglycerides tended to reduce in 30 and 90 g/d RPC-supplemented animals, and cholesterol was reduced in 0 or 30 g/d group. These results suggest that RPC addition tended to increase milk yield and improve blood metabolic parameters during transition dairy cows, and feeding 30 g/d of RPC may be the optimal.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1093-1097
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• 2004

This study was aimed to establish the amount of enzose (corn dextrose) for optimum N fixation in urea treated corncobs (UTC) and their dietary effect on nutrient intake, digestibility and milk yield in crossbred cows. Corncobs were treated with 5% urea and ensiled in laboratory silos with 0, 2, 4 and 6% enzose for 15 days. Total nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and neutral detergent insoluble N contents were increased in UTC with the level of enzose. Five early lactating crossbred cows (Sahiwal$\times$Holstein Frisian) were used in a 5$\times$5 Latin Square Design to see the influence of UTC ensiled with 6% enzose on nutrient intake, digestibility, milk yield and its composition. Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated. The UTC30 (control), UTC40, UTC50, UTC60 and UTC70 diets contained 30% UTC ensiled without enzose and 40, 50, 60, 70% UTC ensiled with 6% enzose, respectively. Dry matter, NDF and ADF intakes were increased with the increasing level of UTC ensiled with enzose in the diets of cows. Dry matter, NDF and ADF digestibilities were significantly higher with diets containing UTC ensiled with enzose. Milk yield was significantly higher in cows fed UTC70 compared to those fed on other diets. The milk crude protein percentage was significantly different across treatments. However, milk fat, total solids, solid not fat, true protein and non-protein nitrogen contents of milk remained similar across all diets. Ensilation of UTC with 6% enzose improved the nitrogen retention and thus enhanced the feeding value of UTC for lactating cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1374-1388
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• 2007

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the hypothesis that cows grazing on pasture produce the highest proportion of c-9 t-11 CLA in milk fat and no further increase can be achieved through supplementation of diets rich in linoleic acid, such as full-fat extruded soybeans or soybean oil. In experiment 1, 18 lactating Holstein cows were used in a randomized complete block design with measurements made from wk 4 to 6 of the experiment. In experiment 2, three cannulated lactating Holstein cows were used in a $3{\times}3$ Latin square design. Each period was 4 wk with measurements made in the final wk of each period. Cows in both experiments were assigned at random to treatments: a, conventional total mixed ration (TMR); b, pasture (PS); or c, PS supplemented with 2.5 kg/cow per day of full-fat extruded soybeans (PES). In both experiments, feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, and fatty acid profile of milk and blood serum were measured, along with fatty acid composition of bacteria harvested from rumen digesta in experiment 2. In experiment 3, 10 cows which had continuously grazed a pasture for six weeks were assigned to two groups, with one group (n = 5) on pasture diet alone (PS) and the other group (n = 5) supplemented with 452 g of soy oil/cow per day for 7 d (OIL). In experiment 1, cows in PS treatment produced 350% more c-9, t-11 CLA compared with cows in TMR treatment (1.70 vs. 0.5% of fat), with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (1.50% of fat). Serum c-9, t-11 CLA increased by 233% in PS treatment compared with TMR treatment (0.21 vs. 0.09% of fat) with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (0.18% of fat). In experiment 2, cows in PS treatment produced 300% more c-9 t-11 CLA in their milk fat compared with cows in TMR treatment (1.77 vs. 0.59% of fat), but no further increase for cows in PES treatment (1.84% of fat) was observed. Serum c-9, t-11 CLA increased by 250% for cows in PS treatment compared with cows in TMR treatment (0.27 vs. 0.11% of fat), with no further increase for cows in PES treatment (0.31% of fat). The c-9, t-11 CLA content of ruminal bacteria for cows in PS treatment was 200% or more of TMR treatment, but no further increase in bacterial c-9, t-11 CLA for cows in PES treatment was observed. Supplementation of soy oil in experiment 3 also did not increase the c-9 t-11 CLA content of milk fat compared with cows fed a full pasture diet (1.60 vs. 1.54% of fat). Based on these findings, it was concluded that supplementing with feeds rich in linoleic acid, such as full-fat extruded soybeans or an equivalent amount of soy oil, to cows grazing perennial ryegrass pasture may not increase milk fat c-9 t-11 CLA contents.