Performance and welfare of dairy buffaloes subjected to different cooling strategies during subtropical summer.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different cooling strategies on milk yield and physiological and behavioral responses of Nili Ravi buffaloes during subtropical summer in Pakistan. Thirty Nili Ravi buffaloes were randomly assigned to three treatments: (1) CNT buffaloes cooled with the application of water using handheld hosepipe twice daily, 3 min each with a water flow rate of 40 L/min; (2) 2SS, buffaloes cooled with sprinklers twice daily; (3) 3SS, buffaloes cooled with sprinklers thrice daily. Each of the sprinkler sessions lasted for 1 h with a 12-min cycle (3 min water on, 9 min off). The trial was carried out from mid-July until the end of September 2019. The average ambient afternoon temperature humidity index was 86.9. The results indicated that the buffaloes in the 3SS group had lower respiration rate and rectal temperature than those in the CNT and the 2SS groups (P < 0.01). The 3SS group had more daily milk yield (P = 0.019) and milk fat % (P < 0.01) than the CNT and 2SS groups. The lying time and the lying bout length were significantly longer in the 3SS than in the CNT and 2SS groups. The blood cortisol levels tended to be lower in the 3SS group than in the CNT and 2SS groups (P = 0.051). In conclusion, the 3SS cooling strategy had more milk yield, more milk fat, and better welfare than the CNT strategy using less groundwater and both performed better than the 2SS strategy.

Effect of feeding calcium propionate supplemented cotton seed cake on milk yield, milk composition and aflatoxin concentration in lactating buffaloes.

The objective of the current study was to reduce aflatoxin in a cotton seed cake (csc)-based diet and to decrease M1 level in milk by treating it with increasing levels of calcium propionate. Sixteen multiparous Nili-Ravi buffaloes were allocated to one of four treatments in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The treatments were calcium propionate treatment on csc at 0, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75%. The duration of each period was 20 days. The level of aflatoxin was 100 ug/kg aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in the control diet. Calcium propionate application decreased the concentration of aflatoxin M1, and the treatments were 1.63, 0.83, 0.29 and 0.44 ug/kg in 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75%, respectively. Milk yield and milk composition were not affected across the whole range of treatment. In conclusion, oral intake of calcium propionate reduced the AF transfer from feed to milk without changing milk yield and composition.

Effect of fans and showers on the physiological measures and reproductive performance of Holstein Friesian bulls during subtropical summer.

The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of fans and showers on the physiological measures and reproductive performance of Holstein Friesian bulls during subtropical summer in Pakistan. Thirty-six bulls with an average body weight of 898.0 ± 135.2 kg (mean ± SD) and an average age (4 to 6 years) were randomly divided into three treatment groups: (1) CTL, bulls kept under shade only; (2) FN, bulls provided with fans under shade; and (3) FNS, bulls provided showers in addition to fans under shade. The trial was carried out for 6 months from April to September 2016 and was categorized into two seasons (dry summer and humid summer). Ambient temperature, relative humidity, temperature-humidity index, dry matter intake (DMI), water intake, rectal temperature (RT), pulse rate (PR) and respiration rate (RR) were recorded daily. Semen characteristics and selected blood metabolites were measured every 2 weeks. The results indicated that the DMI of the bulls was similar between the treatment groups. Water intake, RT, PR and RR were significantly lower in the FNS group than in the CTL and FN groups (P < 0.001). Semen characteristics, including semen concentration, post-thaw semen motility, progressive motility, amplitude of lateral head displacement, straightness, live-to-dead ratio, plasma membrane integrity, normal acrosomal ridge and DNA integrity, were not different between the treatment groups (P > 0.05). The FNS group tended to have a higher semen volume than that of the FN and CTL groups (P = 0.10). Blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the FNS group than in the FN and CTL groups (P < 0.05). Blood urea nitrogen and testosterone were not different among the treatment groups (P > 0.05). The current results indicated that showers with fans improved the welfare of Holstein Friesian bulls by lowering physiological measures in addition to increasing trends in semen volume during subtropical summer.

Effect of fat supplementation on physiological and reproductive performance of Holstein Friesian bulls during summer.

The objective of current study was to determine the effect of fat supplement on physiological and reproductive performance of Holstein Friesian bulls during subtropical summer in Pakistan. Eighteen bulls were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: (1) CTL, basal diet without fat supplementation; (2) FS100, basal diet with 100 g fat supplementation (Energizer-RP-10®, IFFCO, Johor, Malaysia); (3) FS200, basal diet with 200 g fat supplementation. Basal diet consisted of 50% green fodder (corn silage), 25% wheat straw, and 25% concentrate on dry matter basis. Diets were offered for 14 weeks from May to August 2016. The average daily temperature-humidity index ranged from 85 to 88 for the experimental period. The results indicated that there was no difference in dry matter intake, water intake, rectal temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate among the treatment groups. Fat supplementation did not influence semen traits including sperm motility, progressive motility, amplitude of lateral head displacement, live-to-dead ratio, normal acrosomal ridge, plasma membrane integrity, and DNA integrity. The interaction of season with fat revealed that FA200 significantly increased post thaw semen motility and progressive motility during hot humid summer (P < 0.05). Analysis of blood metabolites showed that blood urea nitrogen was higher in FS200 compared with CTL and FS100 groups (P < 0.05). There was no effect of fat supplementation on blood testosterone level. Glucose showed quadratic trend in response to fat supplementation. It could be concluded that addition of fat only improved motility and progressive motility of sperms during hot humid summer.

Effects of increasing dietary protein supplies on milk yield, milk composition, and nitrogen use efficiency in lactating buffalo.

Nitrogen efficiency of lactating buffalo can be increased by providing dietary crude protein (CP) precisely to the requirement. Twelve lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes (6 primiparous and 6 multiparous) at 76 ± 37.5 days in milk (DIM) were used in this study. The treatments were diets providing three levels of CP (% DM basis): (1) low-protein = 11%; (2) medium-protein = 13.1%; (3) high-protein = 14.2% according to a 3 × 3 Latin square design. The period length of each treatment was 21 days and the total duration of experiment was 63 days. The diets were designed to provide similar energy. The nitrogen intake of buffalo increased linearly by increasing CP levels. Dry matter intake showed a tendency toward decrease in quadratic fashion, whereas milk yield decreased linearly in high-protein diet. No effect was observed on milk protein yield and content. Increasing the dietary CP levels increased plasma urea nitrogen, whereas glucose and triacylglycerol levels remain unaffected. Efficiency of dietary nitrogen utilization to milk averaged 21% and showed both linear and quadratic decreases by increasing the protein supply levels. In conclusion, low CP level showed higher milk production with low plasma urea nitrogen and high nitrogen efficiency in this experiment.

Effect of increasing dietary metabolizable protein on nitrogen efficiency in Holstein dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine the effects of increasing levels of metabolizable protein (MP) on lactation performance and nitrogen (N) efficiencies in lactating dairy cows. METHODS: Nine multiparous cows in mid lactation [113±25 days in milk] received three treatments in a 3×3 Latin square design with a period length of 21 days. The treatments were three diets, designed to provide similar energy and increasing supply of MP (g/d) (2,371 [low], 2,561 [medium], and 2,711 [high] with corresponding crude protein levels [%]) 15.2, 18.4, and 20.9, respectively. RESULTS: Increasing MP supplies did not modify dry matter intake, however, it increased milk protein, fat, and lactose yield linearly. Similarly, fat corrected milk increased linearly (9.3%) due to an increase in both milk yield (5.2%) and milk fat content (7.8%). No effects were observed on milk protein and lactose contents across the treatments. Milk nitrogen efficiency (MNE) decreased from 0.26 to 0.20; whereas, the metabolic efficiency of MP decreased from 0.70 to 0.60 in low to high MP supplies, respectively. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased linearly in response to increasing MP supplies. CONCLUSION: Increasing MP supplies resulted in increased milk protein yield; however, a higher BUN and low MNE indicated an efficient utilization of dietary protein at low MP supplies.

Heat Stress Mitigation: Impact of Increased Cooling Sessions on Milk Yield and Welfare of Dairy Buffaloes in a Semiarid Summer.

The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of increasing cooling sessions from three to five times a day on milk yield and the welfare of dairy buffaloes during a semiarid summer in Pakistan. Eighteen Nili Ravi buffaloes were randomly assigned to three cooling strategies: (1) CTL, where buffaloes were cooled with a handheld hosepipe twice daily for 5 min each; (2) 3CS, where buffaloes were cooled using sprinklers three times daily; and (3) 5CS, where buffaloes were cooled using sprinklers five times daily. Each sprinkler cooling session lasted 1 h, with a 6 min cycle of 3 min of water on and 3 min off. Results showed that the 5CS group produced 1.6 and 3.2 kg more milk per day compared to the 3CS and CTL groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Both the 5CS and 3CS groups had consistently lower core body temperatures and respiration rates than the CTL group. Buffaloes in the 5CS group spent significantly more time eating (p < 0.001). Additionally, the 5CS group exhibited lower cortisol and blood urea nitrogen levels (p = 0.001) and higher glucose levels than the CTL group (p = 0.006). In conclusion, increasing cooling sessions to five times daily improved milk yield and welfare compared to the traditional cooling strategy (CTL) in dairy buffaloes during semiarid summers, highlighting the benefits of optimized cooling practices.

Performance of Holstein cows subjected to different cooling sessions during subtropical summer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effect of different cooling sessions (CSs) as a water conservation strategy on physiological, and production responses and welfare in Holstein Friesian cows during subtropical summer in Pakistan. METHODS: Twenty-one cows were subjected to three CS in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: i) eleven hours continuous cooling with sprinklers - control (CNT), ii) four CS, and iii) two CS. The CNT represented the practices of the commercial dairy farms in the area, while the other CSs were used as water reduction strategies. Each CS lasted for 1 h with a 12 min cycle (3 min water on and 9 min off) with a sprinkler flow rate of 1.25 L/min. RESULTS: The average temperature humidity index of the shed and the outside open area were 81.9 and 82.5, respectively. The results showed that both physiological responses were highest in the 2CS group followed by the CNT and the 4CS (p = 0.001). The CNT and 4CS groups had similar milk yield (p = 0.040). The 4CS group had more lying and eating times than the CNT and 2CS groups (p = 0.000). The cortisol level in the 2CS group was 2.0 and 2.2 µg/dL more than the CNT and the 4CS groups, respectively (p = 0.000). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the 4CS was more efficient in cooling the cows and had better welfare, as it yielded similar milk yield, and better physiological responses than the CNT despite using 90% less water.

Effects of Sprinkler Flow Rate on Physiological, Behavioral and Production Responses of Nili Ravi Buffaloes during Subtropical Summer.

Water buffaloes wallow in water to combat heat stress during summer. With the decreasing reservoirs for wallowing, the farmers use sprinklers to cool the buffaloes in Pakistan. These sprinklers use a large quantity of groundwater, which is becoming scarce. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of different sprinkler flow rates on the physiological, behavioral, and production responses of Nili Ravi buffaloes during summer. Eighteen buffaloes were randomly subjected to three sprinkler flow rate treatments in a double replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The flow rates were 0.8, 1.25, and 2.0 L/min. During the study, the average afternoon temperature humidity index was 84.6. The 1.25 and 2.0 L/min groups had significantly lower rectal temperature and respiratory rates than the 0.8 L/min group. Water intake was significantly higher in the 0.8 L/min group. Daily milk yield was higher in the 1.25 and 2.0 L/min groups than in the 0.8 L/min group. These results suggested that the sprinkler flow rates > 0.8 L/min effectively cooled the buffaloes. The sprinkler flow rate of 1.25 L/min appeared to be more efficient, as it used 37.5% less water compared to the 2.0 L/min.