Stefan Mihina

Effect of suckling during early lactation and changeover to machine milking on plasma oxytocin and cortisol levels and milking characteristics in Holstein cows

Plasma concentrations of oxytocin and cortisol, and milk yield and flow rates, were compared in three primiparous cows and two cows in their second lactation during suckling and subsequent machine milking. After calving, cows suckled their calves for 3-4 weeks and then the experiment was carried out over 4 d. Blood samples were taken prior to, during and after suckling or evening machine milking (EMM) on day 1 of the experiment (the last day of suckling), day 2 (first EMM) and day 4 (third EMM). After weaning and rehousing, cows were machine milked twice daily. During the first EMM, average milk yield and flow rate in the second minute of milking were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than corresponding values for the other 2 d. Plasma oxytocin concentrations were lower during the first than during the third EMM (P < 0.001) and suckling (P < 0.001), and more oxytocin was released during the third EMM than during suckling (P < 0.01). Cortisol concentrations were higher during and after the first EMM than during the third EMM. Thus in cows sucked for several weeks after calving and then separated from their calves and rehoused we found a transient decrease in oxytocin release, milk yield and flow rates during the first machine milking.

Dairy Cows Produce Less Milk and Modify Their Behaviour during the Transition between Tie-Stall to Free-Stall

Simple Summary The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of moving cows from the barn with stanchion-stall housing to free-stall housing on their behaviour and production. Cows lay down up to ten hours after removing. The cows in their second lactation and open cows tended to lie sooner after removing than cows in their first lactation and pregnant cows. The times of total lying and rumination were increasing from the first day to the tenth day after removing. Cows produced 23.3% less milk at the first day following the transfer than at the last day prior to moving (23.76 ± 7.20 kg vs. 30.97 ± 7.26 kg, p < 0.001). Loss of milk was gradually reduced and on the 14th day, cows achieved maximum production. The difference was found in milk losses due to the shift between cows in first and second lactation. Abstract Transfer of cattle to an unknown barn may result in a reduction in its welfare. Housing and management practices can result in signs of stress that include a long-term suppression of milk efficiency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of moving cows from the stanchion-stall housing to free-stall housing on their behaviour and production. The Holstein cows were moved into the new facility with free-stall housing from the old barn with stanchion-stall housing. Cows lay down up to ten hours (596.3 ± 282.7 min) after removing. The cows in their second lactation and open cows tended to lie sooner after removing than cows in their first lactation and pregnant cows. The times of total lying and rumination were increasing from the first day to the tenth day after removing (23.76 ± 7.20 kg vs. 30.97 ± 7.26 kg, p < 0.001). Cows produced 23.3% less milk at the first day following the transfer than at the last day prior to moving (p < 0.001). Loss of milk was gradually reduced and maximum production was achieved on the 14th day. The difference was found in milk losses due to the shift between cows on the first and second lactation (p < 0.01). The results of this study suggest that removing from the tie-stall barn with a pipeline milking system into the barn with free-stall housing and a milking parlour caused a decline in the cows’ milk production. However, when the cows are moved to a better environment, they rapidly adapt to the change.

Effect of Climatic Conditions on Differences in Thermo-Technical Properties of Organic Bedding in Laboratory Testing

Abstract The aim of this experiment was to analyse the influence of climatic factors on the thermal performance of separated liquid manure. The samples of organic bedding were collected from the lying area of dairy housing and preparatory store. The measurement of properties of recycled manure solids (RMS) was carried out in laboratory conditions. Samples were examined with determining the temperature effect on the thermal conductivity λ of ’dry‘ separated liquid manure (with a dry matter content of 60%) and ’wet‘ liquid manure (with a dry matter content of 26%), in air temperatures ranging from 0 °C to 40 °C. Subsequently, the thermal resistance of three selected types of cows lying structures was calculated for winter and summer boundary values. Based on the results of thermal conductivity and thermal resistance, it was observed that dry separated liquid manure as an alternative bedding has, in low temperature (up to 5 °C), the most suitable thermal performance if it is maintained in a dry condition (with a dry matter content of 60%). With increasing temperature (above 20 °C) and increasing humidity of bedding (below 26%), thermo-technical properties get worse; however, when comparing the thermal resistance of the cow bed structure with sandwich mattresses with a 50 mm layer of organic bedding and the deep cubicle filled with 200 mm of organic bedding, the thermal resistance of floor structure decreases by 7.6% or 18.4%, respectively. With a proper handling of the recycled organic bedding, it is possible to use its economic advantages.

Impact of Gestation and Lactation Stage on the Dairy Cow Response Following Removal to Unfamiliar Housing and Milking System

The objective of this study was to test the hypotheses that milk yield and behaviour at milking after relocation are impacted by gestation and lactation stages. Forty-one Holstein cows were relocated from the tie-stall barn with pipeline milking system into the barn with free-stall housing and herringbone milking parlour. Milk yield and order at the milking were recorded electronically. A significant decrease in daily milk yield was detected immediately after relocation (the first day) compared with the last day before treatment (23.76±7.21 kg vs 30.97±7.26 kg; P<0.001). However, the performance drop did not last long; after fourteen days milk production exceeded the mean original level (32.16±8.87 kg). No significant differences were found in the comparison of cows according to gestation stages. Cows in the second and first stages of lactation showed the highest declines in milk yield on the first day (36.77±6.34 kg and 33.76±7.44 kg vs 28.14±7.00 kg and 25.50±8.20 kg; P<0.05). Cows in the late lactation stage came into the parlour later than the other cows, equally during morning and evening milkings (P<0.05). Relationships between the lactation stage and milking orders were positive and significant (0.3730*, 0.3946*, 0.4822**). We found that milk yield and behaviour at milking after relocation were influenced by the stage of lactation of the cows; however, the gestation stage had little long-term effect on the variables measured.

Effects of High Temperatures on Milk Production of Dairy Cows in East Central Europe

Summer climates causes stress in dairy cows leading to depress production. Heat stress increases maintenance energy requirements, lowers dry matter intake, especially forage intake, making it difficult to meet energy needs. The most noted negative effects of heat stress are decreased milk yield. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of high temperatures on dairy cow milk production in southern Slovakia. We tested the hypotheses that the milk yield is impacted by the breed (Red Holstein, Slovakian Pied cattle and Holstein) and by the cooling (fan or fogger+fan), and the season. Production data included 57,927 test-day records belonging to 20 herds. Four herds were Red Holstein cattle (9,365 records), 8 herds had Slovakian Pied cattle (22,936 records), and cows of Holstein breed were in 8 herds (25,626 records). All herds were situated in lowlands, from 130 m to 182 m above sea level. Herds were distributed according to cooling of cows during high temperatures. First group of cows (10 herds) was evaporative cooled before milking by water spray cooling equipment installed in the holding pen twice daily. Second group of cows (10 herds) was cooled using only forced ventilation (automatically controlled fans without misting in housing and feeding areas). In the months June to August were recorded 84 summer and 50 tropical days. Eighty four days were with the temperature-humidity index above 72.0 and 50 days above 78.0. The highest performance for the year was found in Holstein cows (9637.8 ± 405.0 kg; P<0.01). Evaporative cooled cows produced more milk than non-cooled (9234.4 ± 387.8 versus 8288.4 ± 392.7 kg; P<0.001). The average monthly milk yield was non-significantly higher in evaporative cooled cows for the whole period with high temperatures (from May to September). The highest milk production per month was found in Holstein cows and the lowest in Slovakian Pied cattle (P<0.05). In the season comparison, the highest production was recorded in the period January-April (P<0.001).

Effect of the Season at the Birth on the Performance and Health of Calves

Heat stress negatively affected production by hutch calves. Summertime heat adversely affects productivity by the decreased feed intake and daily gain. The objective of this paper was evaluate effects of high temperatures on the growth, feed consumption and health condition of calves kept in individual hutches in southern Slovakia (East Central Europe). We tested a hypothesis that the calf performance would be influenced by the season at birth, sire lineage and gender. Sixty-three Holstein calves were used. They were reared in individual hutches from the second day of life to weaning at the age of 8 weeks and then in group pens. The calves originated from 5 sires. All calves were divided according to the season at birth. The same conditions of nutrition were ensured. Feed and water refusals were removed and weighed back each morning. Air temperature and relative humidity were accurately recorded during the entire 24 hour periods. Fluidity, color, consistency, odor of feces and health condition was evaluated two times daily. The data were analyzed using a GLM ANOVA. We recorded 52 summer days and 14 tropical days for this summer period. Eighteen days with the THI value above 72.0 were found in the June, in the months July and August we found 22 and 26 these days. The total number of days with the THI values higher than 78.0 was twenty-six for summer period. The calves born during the summer had the lowest live body weight from the first week to the 90th day of age. The highest growth was recorded in calves born in the fall. A significant difference was detected also for the period from birth to weaning (P<0.01). The tendency of lower growth of calves born in summer was confirmed in the period to the 180th day of life. Calves born in the spring drank up 36.4 kg of water to the weaning, calves born in the summer drank up 73.6 kg, and calves born in the fall drank up 54.2 kg of water. However, we did not obtain sufficient evidence of effects exerted by the sire lineage and gender. No significant differences were found in parameters of health and feces.