Effects of heat-stress-reducing systems on blood constituents, milk production and milk quality of Holstein and Jersey cows and heifers on pasture.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different heat-stress-reducing systems, i.e., sprinkler + artificial shade, shower + artificial shade, and artificial shade, on serum mineral, hormonal, hematological, and metabolite profiles, on milk production, and milk composition in lactating cows and pubertal heifers of Holstein and Jersey breeds. For this purpose, 12 animals were used: 3 Holstein cows with an average (mean ± SD) body weight of 600 ± 30 kg, 53 ± 11 months of age, and milk yield of 27 ± 3.5 kg/day; 3 Jersey cows with an average body weight of 370 ± 11 kg, 40 ± 6 months of age, and milk production of 11 ± 1.5 kg/day; 3 Holstein heifers (325 ± 25 kg and 16 ± 0.6 months of age); and 3 Jersey heifers (250 ± 25 kg and 13 ± 0.6 months of age). Animals were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments that included three treatments (sprinkler + artificial shade, shower + artificial shade, and artificial shade), two breeds (Holstein, Jersey), and two physiological stages (lactating cows, heifers). The experimental treatments influenced (P < 0.05) the concentrations of triiodothyronine, with the shower and shade systems showing greater and similar concentrations (99.5 and 96.3 µg/dL, respectively) when compared with sprinkler treatment (89.2 µg/dL). There was an effect (P < 0.05) of breed on the concentrations of Na + , K + , hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume levels with the Holsteins having lower levels of Na + , K + , hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean corpuscular volume (101.1, 4.0 ng/mL, 11.2 g/dL, 24.7%, and 42.3 µm3, respectively) than the Jerseys (106.5 and 4.3 ng/mL, 12.4 g/dL, 27.7%, and 46.3 µm3, respectively. Total cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins were influenced by physiological stage (P < 0.05). Concentrations of cholesterol and high-density lipoproteins were higher for cows (94.1, and 56.9 mg/dL, respectively) than for heifers (56.9 and 42,9 mf/dL, respectively). Milk production and fat content were affected (P < 0.05) by breed (P < 0.05), with Holstein cows producing more milk (23.9 kg/day) than Jersey cows (12.0 kg/day), but Jersey cows had higher fat concentration (4.6%) than Holstein cows (3.0%). Therefore, the three different thermal-stress-reducing-systems tested were able to maintain the serum biomarkers within normal physiological ranges. However, the most appropriate thermal-stress-reducing-systems would be a sprinkler systema because it uses less water compared with the shower system.

Combination of pelleting and monensin does not affect antioxidant properties and fatty acids in milk of grazing dairy cows supplemented with a concentrate containing soybean seeds.

This study was performed with the main objective of evaluating the effect of the combination of pelleting and monensin on fatty acids (FA) composition, the concentration of total polyphenols and flavonoids, and the oxidative stability of milk in cows fed a concentrate containing soybean seeds. Eight Holstein multiparous cows were distributed in a replicated Latin square design. The four supplement treatments consisted of the combination of two factors (pelleting and monensin) and one concentrate as follows: (1) unpelleted concentrate with no monensin (CO); (2) pelleted concentrate with no monensin (PE); (3) unpelleted concentrate with 96 mg of monensin/kg of dry matter, DM (MO); and (4) pelleted concentrate with 96 mg of monensin/kg of DM (PM). There was no interaction between pelleting and monensin for milk production and concentration of milk protein, lactose, total polyphenols, flavonoids, conjugated dienes (CD), and reducing power. Fat and total solids concentration in milk were decreased when cows were fed pelleted (PE and PM) concentrates. Feeding cows with PE and PM concentrates increased the CD concentration in milk. Regarding milk FA concentration, there was no difference among treatments for total saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FA. The most prominent result was that pelleting increased the milk concentration of omega-3 FA. Altogether, the present study suggests that the pelleting process can improve the milk fat quality by increasing the omega-3 FA, while the combination of pelleting and monensin in the diet of grazing dairy cows fed soybean-based concentrate adds no further improvements to FA profiles and oxidative stability of milk.

Effect of supplementation with Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and vitamin E on milk lipoperoxidation in cows receiving diets containing ground soybean seeds.

This research communication addresses the hypothesis that the association of dietary vitamin E and Yerba Mate could help to prevent or decrease oxidation of milk enriched in unsaturated fatty acids (UFA). Four multiparous lactating Holstein cows were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square. Treatments were: (1) control diet with no Yerba Mate or vitamin E; (2) diet containing 375 IU/kg vitamin E; (3) diet containing 30 g/kg Yerba Mate; and (4) diet containing 375 IU/kg vitamin E and 30 g/kg Yerba Mate. To increase unsaturated fatty acids in milk, cows were fed 172 g/kg soybean seeds (on a dry matter basis). There was no interaction between vitamin E and Yerba Mate supplementation for milk antioxidant-related (polyphenols, reducing power, conjugated dienes, and TBARS) analyses. Milk reducing power was increased when cows were supplemented with Yerba Mate. Our results suggest that the association of dietary vitamin E and Yerba Mate does not help to prevent or decrease oxidation of milk in UFA.

Horizontal arrangements: strategy for reducing the asymmetry information for dairy farmers in Paraná, Brazil / Arranjos horizontais: estratégia para redução da assimetria de informações para produtores de leite no Paraná, Brasil

An empirical investigation was conducted to study whether dairy farmers involved in horizontal arrangements (HA) have lower information asymmetry than those who do not participate in HA. Our assumption is that greater access to information results in fewer risky decisions in production systems. One hundred and twenty semi-structured questionnaires were applied to dairy farmers located in four different geographical regions in Paraná State, Brazil. Exploratory factor analysis was used to define factors related to information asymmetry in dairy agribusiness system (DAS) and four factors were defined. In a second step, the 120 dairy farmers were split into two groups: the first one involved in HA and the second one not involved in HA. Mean test (t-student) were performed to compare these groups between factors. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed for factors related to transaction information and for general market information, and dairy farmers participating in HA achieved the greatest values. Finally, it can be concluded that dairy farmers who participate in HA have higher access to information, which can create an environment with lower information asymmetry and, consequently, be subject to lower risks than dairy farmers who do not participate in HA.

O objetivo definido neste trabalho foi verificar se produtores de leite que participam de arranjos horizontais (AH) possuem menor assimetria de informações, frente àqueles que não participam desses arranjos. Parte-se do pressuposto de que o maior acesso à informação resulta em menor risco para o produtor rural. Foram aplicados 120 questionários semiestruturados junto a produtores rurais de leite, localizados em quatro macrorregiões do Estado do Paraná. Foi realizada a análise fatorial exploratória (AFE) para definição de fatores relacionados à assimetria de informação em Sistemas Produtivos Leiteiros (SPL's). Os 120 produtores entrevistados foram divididos em dois grupos: aqueles que participavam de arranjos horizontais (AH) e aqueles que não participavam. Esses grupos foram confrontados com os fatores gerados na análise anterior. Foi encontrada diferença significativa (P<0,05) para os fatores "Informações relacionadas às transações" e "Informações globais para a atividade", sendo que produtores de leite que participavam de arranjos horizontais obtiveram melhores resultados. Por fim, conclui-se que produtores que participam de AH têm mais acesso à informação, o que pode criar um ambiente de menor assimetria de informações e consequentemente de menor risco, comparativamente a produtores que não participam de AH.

Pelleting in Associated with Sodium Monensin Increases the Conjugated Linoleic Acids Concentration in the Milk of Dairy Cows Fed Canola Seeds.

To evaluate the effects of the pelleting and the addition of sodium monensin on production, the chemical and lipid composition of milk and butter physical characteristics, 4 Holstein dairy cows (135 days of lactation) with an average milk production of 14.7 kg/d, were supplemented with a concentrate containing ground canola seeds. The cows were assigned to a 4×4 Latin square design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments: i) ground maize, soybean meal, mineral and vitamin supplements, and ground canola seeds (CG); ii) CG concentrate with 31.5 mg of monensin added per kg of dry matter (DM); iii) CG pelleted concentrate; iv) CG concentrate with monensin addition pelleted. There was no difference in milk production and composition. The addition of monensin increased milk concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), the PUFA/saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio, and omega 6. The pelleting increased the concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, the PUFA/SFA ratio, and the omega 6/omega 3 ratio, but decreased the concentration of SFA. The association between pelleting and the addition of monensin increased the concentration of conjugated linoleic acids by 46.9%. The physical characteristics of butter were not affected by the evaluated diets. We concluded that the concentrate with 31.5 mg of monensin added per kg DM basis combined with the pelleting improves the lipid composition of milk from Holstein cows that are on pasture and supplemented with ground canola seeds, without changing the production, milk composition, and spreadability of butter.

Cassava peel as a replacement for corn in the diet of lactating cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the replacement of corn with cassava peel in the diets of dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were used. The experimental treatments consisted of four replacement levels of corn with cassava peel (0, 33, 66, and 100 %). The replacement of corn with cassava peel linearly decreased the intake and digestibility of dry matter and organic matter, but did not alter the intake of neutral detergent fiber and crude protein. In addition, there was a linear decrease in milk production. The milk components (g/kg) of fat, protein, lactose, and total solids were not altered. Although cassava peel decreased intake, digestibility, and milk production, the replacement of corn with cassava peel may be advantageous in locations close to the starch industry.

Adequação de sistemas de produção leiteira da região de Maringá frente à instrução normativa 51 (IN-51/2002) e impacto sobre o preço de venda / Suitability of dairy production systems in the area of northwest of Parana front normative instruction number 51 of ministry of agriculture and impact on the selling price

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a adequação de sistemas de produção leiteira da região de Maringá à Instrução Normativa-51 (IN-51/2002) e os impactos destas obre o preço de venda do leite, usando como parâmetros os níveis de contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e contagem bacteriana total (CBT). Foi realizado um levantamento da qualidade do leite e do preço pago ao produtor, com base nos valores médios do CONSELEITE, durante o período de janeiro de 2010 a março de 2011. As análises de CCS e CBT foram realizadas no Laboratório da APCBRH em Curitiba-PR, utilizando os equipamentos Somacount 500® e Bactoscan®, respectivamente. Em função das amostras de leite coletadas pode-se inferir que apenas 28% das propriedades avaliadas encontram-se enquadrados na IN-51/2002.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of dairy production systems in the area of Northwest of Parana front of Normative instruction number 51 and their impact on the selling price of milk using the levels of SCC and TBC in milk. A survey on milk quality and the price paid to producers, based on average values of CONSELEITE, was carried out from January 2010 to March 2011. Analyses of milk SCC and TBC were conducted at the Laboratory of APCBRH in Curitiba-PR using the Somacount 500 ® and Bactoscan ® equipment, respectively. Only 28% of the properties were set within the normative instruction 51 using milk samples collected for the present survey.

Monitoring the nutritional and reproductive state of dairy cows through the presence of urea in milk

The effects of farm, parity (PO) and month of parturition on milk production, percentage of fat and protein, somatic cell count (SCC), and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration were assessed on four specialized dairy farms using 120 cows. Also, the effects of MUN on gestation rate (GR) and artificial insemination rate (AIR) in early lactation were studied. The parameters of production and milk quality were similar among farms and were not influenced by the month of parturition. Farm D presented the highest MUN concentration. Concentration of MUN, percentages of fat and protein and SCC were not influenced by PO. Cows with a value of MUN between 10.1 and 13.0 mg/dL had the highest AIR and GR between days 55 and 70 postpartum and after 70 days in milk. These data suggested that MUN concentration was a useful parameter to predict the nutritional and reproductive stages of dairy cows.

Avaliaram-se os efeitos de fazendas, ordem de parto (OP) e mês de parição sobre a produção de leite (PL), porcentagem de gordura, de proteína, contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e nitrogênio uréico no leite (NUL) de quatro fazendas leiteiras especializadas, totalizando 120 vacas em lactação. Estudaram-se, também, os efeitos do NUL sobre a taxa de gestação (TG) e taxa de inseminação (TIA) no início da lactação. Os parâmetros produtivos e de qualidade do leite foram semelhantes entre fazendas e não sofreram influência do mês de parição. A Fazenda D apresentou a maior taxa de NUL. A OP não influenciou a NUL, por cento de gordura, por cento de proteína e CCS. Os animais com NUL entre 10,1 - 13,0 mg/dL apresentaram as maiores TIA e TG, tanto nas fases de 55 - 70 dias como após 70 dias pós-parto. Conclui-se que o NUL é um parâmetro útil para monitorar o estado nutricional e reprodutivo de vacas leiteiras.

Physical-chemical characteristics and fatty acids composition in dairy goat milk in response to roughage diet

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito de fontes de volumosos (feno de alfafa T1; feno de aveia T2 e silagem de milho T3) nas características físico-químicas (densidade, pH, acidez, teores de gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais) e composição em ácidos graxos (C:4 a C:20) do leite. Foram utilizadas 9 cabras Saanen em lactação, em delineamento experimental triplo quadrado de Youden (3 animais x 2 períodos). Não houve efeito (P>0,05) dos tratamentos nas variáveis físico-químicas. Através de análise multivariada, verificou-se três padrões distintos de ácidos graxos: leite com maior quantidade de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta e dos ácidos C17:1w7 e C18:2w6 (T1); leite com quantidades equivalentes de ácidos graxos de cadeia curta, média e longa (T2) e leite com maiores quantidades dos ácidos C16:1w7, C17:0, C18:1w9 e C20:0 (T3). Estes resultados indicaram que a fonte de volumoso em dietas de cabras em lactação afeta a composição em ácidos graxos, sem alterar as características físico-químicas do leite. Os ácidos mais sensíveis aos efeitos dos tratamentos foram: C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C16;0, C16:1w7, C18:0 e C18:3w6.

Influência da adiçäo de probióticos na dieta sobre o estado sanitário e desempenho de bezerros da raça Holandesa / The influence of probiotics addiction in the diet on the sanitary state and the performance of calves Holstein

A experimento foi realizado no Setor de Bovinocultura de Leite da Fazenda Experimental de Iguatemi, Maringá, Paraná, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do uso de probióticos sobre o índice de diarréia, mortalidade e desempenho (altura e peso) de bezerros. As mediçöes de peso e altura foram feitas logo após o nascimento dos animais, aos 30 e aos 60 dias de idade. Foram utilizados 19 bezerros puros por cruza Holandês, do nascimento aos 60 dias de idade, machos e fêmeas. Os bezerros foram distribuídos em três tratamentos: (A) leite integral + probiótico em pó solúvel, (B) leite integral + probiótico em pó solúvel e pasta probiótica de administraçäo oral e (C) leite integral. Foram fornecidos feno e concentrado à vontade após 20 dias de idade. Os índices de diarréia e mortalidade foram nulos para os três tratamentos. Näo houve diferença significativa para o ganho médio diário e mudança nas alturas tomadas nas cernelhas do nascimento aos 60 dias de idade entre os tratamentos A (0,56 kg/dia e 0,055 cm/dia), B (0,41 kg/dia e 0,075 cm/dia) e C (0,51 kg/dia e 0,043 cm/dia)