Acta Fytotechnica et Zootechnica Online (Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra)
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Metabolic status related to claw disorders
Get PDFReceived: 2016-07-25 | Accepted: 2016-08-02 | Available online: 2017-03-31http://dx.doi.org/10.15414/afz.2017.20.01.06-09The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between metabolic status and claw disorders. 122 Holstein cows from 2 farms in west Slovakia between years 2012 and 2016 were observed. Total 226 test-day records of milk yield of cows between 8 to 150 days in milk (DIM) were analysed. Maximum 2 test-day records before functional claw trimming were observed. The influence of F/P ratio to claw disorders (IDHE, DD, SU) was analysed with PROC GLM of SAS. The model included the fixed effect of breed, year of calving, calving season, number of lactation and the random effects of days in milk and F/P ratio. During the functional claw trimming was found that 27 cows were affected by IDHE, 9 cows by DD and 27 cows by SU. Observed cows in average produced 39.48 ±9.53 kg of milk. The mean of F/P ratio was 1.17 ±0.22 and the mean of days in milk was 78 ±38.42. The models described the occurrence of claw disorders from 13.20 % in case of DD to 18.85 % by IDHE. The prevalence of SU was described by model on 17.34 %. The effect of F/P ratio increased significantly (P > 0.05) the occurrence of SU by 30.33 %.Keywords: Holstein, cow, test-day yield, fat/protein ratio, claw disorderReferences NOCEK, J.E. (1997) Bovine Acidosis: Implications on Laminitis. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 80, pp. 1005-1028. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(97)76026-0RABOISSON, D., MOUNIÉ, M. and MAIGNÉ, E. (2014) Diseases, reproductive performance, and changes in milk production associated with subclinical ketosis in dairy cows: A meta-analysis and review. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 97, pp. 7547-7563. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8237DUFFIELD, T.F. et al. (2009) Impact of hyperketonemia in early lactation dairy cows on health and production. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 92, pp.571-580. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1507BUTTCHEREIT, N. et al. (2012) Genetic parameters for energy balance, fat/protein ratio, body condition score and disease traits in German Holstein cows. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, vol. 129, pp. 280-288. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2011.00976.xHARDER, B. et al. (2006) Genetic parameters for health traits and their relationship to different persistency traits in German Holstein dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 89, pp. 3202-3212. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(06)72595-4MANSKE, T., HULTGREN, J. and BERGSTEN, C. (2002) The effect of claw trimming on the hoof health of Swedish dairy cattle. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, vol. 54, pp. 113-129. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(02)00020-xSCHÖPKE, K. et al. (2013) Relationships between bovine hoof disorders, body condition traits, and test-day yields. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 96, pp. 679-689. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5728VERMUNT, J.J. and GREENOUGH, P.R. (1995) Structural characteristics of the bovine claw: Horn growth and wear. horn hardness and claw conformation. British veterinary journal, vol. 151, pp. 157-180. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0007-1935(95)80007-7BERGE, A.C. and VERTENTEN, G. (2014) A field study to determine the prevalence, dairy herd management systems, and fresh cow clinical conditions associated with ketosis in western European dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 97, pp. 2145-2154. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7163ZINK, V. et al. (2014) Analyses of genetic relationships between linear type traits, fat-to-protein ratio, milk production traits, and somatic cell count in first-parity Czech Holstein cows. Czech Journal of Animal Science, vol 12, pp. 539-547.BUTTCHEREIT, N. et al. (2010) Evaluation of five lactation curve models fitted for fat:protein ratio of milk and daily energy balance. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 93, pp. 1710-1712. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2198HEUER, C., SCHUKKEN, Y.H. and DOBBELAAR, P. (1999) Postpartum body condition score and results from the first test day milk as predictors of disease, fertility, yield, and culling in commercial dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 82, pp. 295-304. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(99)75236-7GAO, X. and OBA, M. (2014). Relationship of severity of subacute ruminal acidosis to rumen fermentation, chewing activities, sorting behaviour, and milk production in lactating dairy cows fed a high-grain diet. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 97, pp. 3006-3016. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7472COLLARD, B.L. et al. (2000) Relationships between energy balance and health traits of dairy cattle in early lactation. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 83, pp. 2683-2690. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(00)75162-9BICALHO, R.C. and OIKONOMOUS, G. (2013) Control and prevention of lameness associated with claw lesions in dairy cows. Livestock Science, vol. 156, pp. 96-105. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.06.007COOK, N.B., NORDLUND, K.V. and OETZEL, G.R. (2004) Environmental influences on claw horn lesions associated with laminitis and subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 87, pp. E36-E46. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(04)70059-4VERMUNT, J.J. (1992) “Subclinical” laminitis in dairy cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, vol. 40, pp. 133-138. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1992.3571
Intercropping experiments in Hungarian vineyards
Get PDFIntensive mechanical soil cultivation and herbicide treatment was often the preferred technology in vineyards in the second half of the 20th century. In the last decades we increasingly experienced the disadvantages of these suboptimal technologies: soil degradation, erosion and deflation damages. Alternative cultivation methods were sought for research and practice, especially in organic viticulture. The use of well-adapted cover-crop mixtures in the vine inter-rows poses a possible solution for weed control, soil conservation and biodiversity development. The technology has a special importance on steep slopes: it helps to prevent erosion damages and provides easier cultivation circumstances. In 2012 the Hungarian Research institute of Organic Agriculture in collaboration with other experts and growers began to study three different species-rich cover crop mixtures (Biocont-Ecovin, Legume mixture, Grass-herb mixture) in Hungarian vineyards. Each mixture was sown in three neighbouring inter-rows at each experimental site. After sowing (March 2012) we studied vegetation composition (June 2012, 2013 and 2014), pruning weight and diameter of the second bearing spur of the stocks, yield quality and quantity. Most of the sown species established successfully and in 2012 we found that Biocont-Ecovin and the mixture of legumes were the most effective in weed suppression. For 2013 we detected lower weed coverage in the inter-rows sown with the grass-herb and legume mixtures, while in control and Biocont-Ecovin inter-rows we detected increasing weed coverage. In the third year (2014) we found in every plot? that the grass-herb mixture-covered inter-rows were the least weedy. The most successful species in the inter-rows are: Coronilla varia, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Onobrychis viciifolia, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens, Trifolium pratense. Viticultural measurements (2014) show a 10-13 % decrease of yield in case of covered inter-rows, and a 26 and 21 % reduction in pruning weight (Gróf Degenfeld and Tokaj-Hétszőlő), especially apparent in young plantations. For Hungarian conditions it is therefore recommended to implement this technology in every second inter-row where erosion control is not required.Keywords: grapevine, cover crops, erosion, biodiversity, species rich mixture
Nutrient balance of ecological and conventional cropping system
Get PDFThe field trial was conducted during 1999–2005 at the RIPP in Piešťany in water protected zone. The nutrient balance of N, P, K, Mg and Ca was calculated for individual crops and for six crop rotation pattern as a whole. Incorporation of straw, catch crops and FYM was used. Crop rotation pattern of common pea – winter wheat – early potato – spring barley – red clover – winter wheat was growing under ecological system and conventional system with two level of nitrogen input. Balance of nutrients for the whole crop rotation in both systems was positive. Incorporation of fertility building crops (green manures and catch crops) in sufficient way positively influence the nutrient balance across the whole crop rotation. In ecological system balance of main nutrients in kg ha-1 was as follows: N+52.5, P+1.2, K+35.8, Mg+7.3, Ca+95.9.Keywords: ecological system, conventional system, crop rotation, nutrient balanc
Effect of Feed Supplements on the Occurrence of Coccidia Oocysts in the Digestive Tract of Pheasants
No full textReceived: 2015-07-16 | Accepted: 2016-05-20 | Available online: 2016-05-30dx.doi.org/10.15414/afz.2016.19.02.51-53The occurrence of coccidiosis is an enormous problem of pheasant farming. The aim of this study is to show, that this disease can be cured by unconventional dietary supplements. Dietary supplements which were used in this study were as follows: prebiotics (Ascophyllum nodosum), probiotics (Lactobacillus thermophilus) and homeopathics. Four groups of pheasants were made - three experimental groups and one control group. All groups were consisted of 12 individuals. The pheasant Phasianus colchicus was used in this experiment. Dietary supplements were served for 30days. The favourable effect of homeopatics (P < 0.05) and Lactobacillus thermophilus (P < 0.05) on the intestinal tract of pheasant was statistical significant.Keywords: Eimeria tenella, homeopatics, prebiotics, probiotics, Phasianus colchicusReferences Ayed, M.H. and Ghaoui, F. (2011) Efficiency of supplementing Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus for improved growth performance and carcass yield in broilers. Research Opinions in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, vol. 1, pp. 371-374.Berchieri, A. et al. (2006) Evaluation of isopathic treatment of Salmonella enteritidis in poultry. Homeopathy, vol. 95, pp. 4-97.Dibaji, S.M., Seidavi, A. and Asadpour, L. (2012) Effect of dietary inclusion of the synbiotic Biomin IMBO on broilers’ some blood metabolites. Research Opinions in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, vol. 2, pp. 10-13.FULLER, R. (1989) Probiotics in man and animals. Journal of Applied Bacteriology, vol. 66, pp. 365-378. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.1989.tb05105.xGASSAL, S. (2003) Untersuchungen zum Ekto- und Endoparasitenbefall von Fasanhähnen (Phasianus colchicus). Dissertation, Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät der Universität Leipzig, p 255.Houndonougbo, M.F., Chrysostome, C.A.A.M. and Amoussa, Z.L.A.O. (2011) Tchoukoutou residue and yogurt as feed additives in broilers feed. Research Opinions in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, vol. 1, pp. 597-600.KALAC, P. (2003) Functional foods – Steps to Health. Czech Budejovice, Dona, p. 130 (in Czech).Khan, R.U., Rahman, Z., Javed, I. and Muhammad, F. (2012) Effect of vitamins, probiotics and protein on semen traits in post-molt male broiler breeders. Animal Reproduction Science, vol. 135, no. 4, pp. 85-90.Panda, A.K. et al. (2003) Production performance, serum/yolk cholesterol and immune competence of white leghorn layers as influenced by dietary supplementation with probiotic. Tropical Animal Health and Production, vol. 35, pp. 85-94.ROCHA, D.R.A. and PACHECO, R.D.L. (2006) Amarante AFT, Efficacy of homeopathic treatment against natural infection of sheep by gastrointestinal nematodes. Brasilia Journal Parasitology Veteterinaria, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 24-27.Sojoudi, M.R., Dadashbeiki, M. and Bouyeh, M. (2012) Effects of different levels of symbiotic. Research Opinions in Animal and Veterinary Sciences, vol. 2, pp. 243-248.STREITZ, E. (2006) Alternative additives – an area with great potential. DGS Magazin, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 30-33.Velkers, F.C. et al. (2005) Isopathic and pluralist homeopathic treatment of commercial broilers with experimentally induced colibacillosis. Research Veterinary Science, vol. 78, pp. 77-83. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2004.06.00
Statistical Analysis of Conformation Traits of New Zealand White Rabbits in a Breeding Farm
Get PDFThe aim of the study was the statistical analysis of conformation traits ofNew Zealandwhite rabbits from a breeding farm for a period of ten years. Analysis of variance showed a statistically highly significant effect of gender on body size and weight of the animal, as well as on fur quality, body built and racial type. The year of license had statistically highly significant impact on animal size, body weight, fur quality, the specific racial features, body built, racial type and the total number of points received by the rabbits. The interaction of gender and year of license had statistically high impact only on body weight, while there was no statistically significant effect for other analyzed traits. The study also estimated phenotypic correlations between the studied traits. The correlations were quite varied and ranged between - 0.772 (between racial type and the year of the license) to 0.6017 (between body built and the total sum of points).
Weak point analyze of nutrient cycles in organic dairy farms
Get PDFThe aim of the current study is to clarify if weak points analyze of nutrient cycles in organic dairy farms enables farm managers to identify the points in the farm nutrient cycle at which nitrogen leaching is most critical. Different nutrient cylce system levels of the Educational and Research Farm at the Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gladbacherhof have been observed. The weak point at this farm was localised at the cropland level with an nitrogen efficiency of only 49 %. In the present study it can be resumed that weak points analyse is able to identify critical points in the nitrogen cycle of a farm system. The analyse has to go on „deeper“ levels of the nutrient cycle.Keywords: dairy producition, nitrogen leaching, nutrient cycl
GWAS in practical cattle breeding in Czech Republic, single step method, genetic progress
Get PDFDevelopment of genetic evaluation of animals is permanent process. It was going from estimated breeding value (EBV) calculated by CC-test, across a BLUP – animal model and RR-TDM, to the genomic enhanced breeding value (GEBV) using genetic markers. Methods of genetic evaluation become a part of marketing strategies of insemination companies. Therefore all countries and association of breeders seek to be compatible with others. Now we are in a period of massive global implementation of genomic evaluation, which combines traditional BLUP with huge quantity of genetic SNP markers. Multi-step procedures are now usual in practice, which work with deregressed proofs. Development of methods attained to the single-step procedure (ssGBLUP) which overcomes some difficulties of previous methods, improves reliabilities of evaluation and compares all animals, genotyped and ungenotyped, in entire nation-wide population. Genomic evaluation influence above all young genotyped animals. In Czech Republic single-step procedure is routinely used for national evaluation of milk, linear type traits, reproduction and longevity. GEBVs are accompanied by genomic reliabilities. Genetic trends over last 20 years are in some traits different for genomic evaluation compared to traditional BLUP evaluation, although input data and genetic parameters (heritability) are the same and genotyped animals were only small proportion from entire evaluated population. Differences in genetic trends increase mainly in new batches of animals. Reason of it could be in the changed variability of breeding values and “genomic correction” of relationship between animals, which is expanded from genotyped animals to others individuals in a population. Keywords: genomic breeding value, single-step, genomic relationship, genetic trend, SNP ReferencesBauer, J. et al. (2014) Approximation of the reliability of single-step genomic breeding values for dairy cattle in the Czech Republic. Anim. Sci. Papers and Reports, 32, pp. 301-306.Bauer, J., Přibyl, J. and Vostrý, L. (2015) Contribution of domestic production records and Interbull EBV on approximate reliabilities of single-step genomic breeding values in dairy cattle. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 60, 263-267.Candrák, J., Kadlečík O. and Schaeffer L.R. (1997) The use of test-day model for Slovak cattle populations. In: Proc. 48th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production, Vienna, Austria, August 25–28.Christensen, O.F. and Lund, M.S. (2010) Genomic prediction when some animals are not genotyped. Genet.Sel.Evol. 42, pp. 2.Fisher, R.A. (1918) The correlation between relatives in the supposition of Mendelianinheritance. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb. 52, pp. 399-433. Fragomeni, B.O. et al. (2015) Hot topic: Use of genomic recursions in single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) with a large number of genotypes. J. Dairy Sci., 98, pp. 4090-4094.Gao, H. et al. (2012) Comparison on genomic predictions using three GBLUP methods and two single step blending methods in the Nordic Holstein population. Genet. Sel.Evol. 44, pp. 8.Legarra A., Aguilar I. and Misztal, I. (2009) A relationship matrix including full pedigree and genomic information. J. Dairy Sci., 92, pp. 4656-4663.Masuda, Y. et al. (2016) Implementation of genomic recursions in single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor for US Holsteins with a large number of genotyped animals. J. Dairy Sci., 99, pp. 1968-1974.Mendel, G.J. (1866) Versuche über Pflanzen-Hybriden. Verh. Naturforsch. Ver. Brünn 4, pp. 3–47 (1901, J. R. Hortic. Soc. 26, pp. 1–32).Meuwissen, T.H.E., Hayes, B.J. and Goddard, M.E. (2001) Prediction of total genetic value using genome-wide dense marker maps. Genetics, 157, pp. 1819–1829.Misztal, I., Legarra A. and Aguilar, I. (2009) Computing procedures for genetic evaluation including phenotypic, full pedigree, and genomic information. J. Dairy Sci., 92, pp. 4648–4655.Misztal, I. et al. (2013) Methods to approximate reliabilities in single-step genomic evaluation. J. Dairy Sci., 96, pp. 647-654.Pešek, P., Přibyl, J. and Vostrý, L. (2015) Genetic variances of SNP loci for milk yield in dairy cattle. J. Appl. Genet., 56, pp. 339-347.Přibyl, J. et al. (2014) Domestic and Interbull information in the single step genomic evaluation of Holstein milk production. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 59, pp. 409-415.Přibyl, J. et al. (2015) Domestic estimated breeding values and genomic enhanced breeding values of bulls in comparison with their foreign genomic enhanced breeding values. Animal, 9, pp. 1635-1642.VanRaden, P.M. (2008) Efficient methods to compute genomic predictions. J. Dairy Sci., 91, pp. 4414–4423.VanRaden, P.M. et al. (2011) Genomic evaluations with many more genotypes. Genet. Sel.Evol. 43, pp. 10.Wright, S. (1921) Systems of mating. Genetics. 6, pp. 111-178.Zavadilová, L. et al. (2014) Single-step genomic evaluation for linear type traits of Holstein cows in Czech Republic. Anim. Sci. Papers and Reports vol. 32, pp. 201-208.
Hungarian on-farm research program for varroa control in organic beekeeping
Get PDFVarroatosis as the current bane of the beekeepers is causing the biggest economic damage in the apicultural sector. Consistent control of varroatosis should be provided without harmful effects such as the occurrence of toxic residues in the hive products. In the technology of organic beekeeping only natural materials are allowed to be used such as essential oils and organic acids. Since 2013 within the beekeeping on-farm research program, we are collaborating with beekeepers throughout Hungary in comparative trials for testing the efficacy of different types of varroa control treatments and management practices. The trials are set up in market operations. One essential task of the program is to monitor the infestation level systematically with practical mite-counting techniques.Keywords: organic beekeeping, on-farm research, varroa contro
Genomic and conventional breeding values for clinical mastitis
Get PDFConventional and genomic breeding values for clinical mastitis were estimated,based on a dataset of 15,905 cows (36,250 lactations) from 10 farms, calving years from 1996 to 2014. The number of genotyped bulls was 2647 and 799 of them had offspring among the surveyed cows. Pedigree consisted of 64,306 individuals. Analyzed trait was defined as the number of incidence of clinical mastitis per standard lactation. Parity was limited from 1 to 7. The highest proportion of mastitis disease was observed in early lactation and decreased with month of lactation, while there was an upswing of diseases with parity. Genetic trend for cows showed a deteriorating tendency for clinical mastitis. From 1992 to 2010 there was a rise in the relative values of breeding values from 88% to 112% (worsening). Relative breeding values of these bulls were on average above 100%. The correlations between classical genomic breeding values and the values were high: 93% for the whole sample, 81% to 48 young genomic bulls without daughters born in years 2011 and 2012
Non-chemical weed control systems in organically grown spring oilseed rape
Get PDFThis study aims to determine the impact of different non-chemical weed control systems on organically grown spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) crop weediness and yield of seeds. Non-chemical weed control systems: 1) thermal (water steam), 2) mechanical (inter-row loosening), and 3) smothering (self-regulation). Thermal (1.5–1.8 times) and mechanical (2.5–6.8 times) weed control systems significantly reduced the number of weed seedlings in spring oilseed rape crop, compared with the weed smothering system. The most effective system of weed control in rape crop was mechanical (efficiency 30.9–75.5 %). Efficiency of thermal weed control system, compared with mechanical, was lower, 28.4–40.0 %. Before rape harvesting in plots where mechanical weed control was applied, compared with plots where weed smothering was used, the number of weeds was significantly 3.2–4.4 times lower, and dry matter mass of weeds was 2.2–3.1 times lower. The yield of rape seeds increased with increasing efficiency of thermal and mechanical weed control. In 2014, the yield of rape seeds depended on number of weed seedlings and dry matter mass of weeds before rape harvesting.Keywords: spring oilseed rape, weed control systems, weed, yield, organic farmin