Life Sciences Commons^™

Comprehensive Assessment Of Economic, Productive, Phenotypic, And Morphometric Traits In Azikheli Buffalo Breed Of Northern Pakistan, Nadar Khan, Bakhtawara Bibi, Tariq Ahmad, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Muhammad Ibrahim

Journal of Bioresource Management

The study was conducted to illuminate the phenotypic, morphometric, and productive characteristics of the Azikheli buffalo breed. One thousand two hundred pure Azikheli buffaloes (male: female) were randomly selected from the main hub of the Azikheli buffalo breed in Swat (Azikhel). The data were analyzed for comparison and frequency distribution. Phenotypic characteristic of the female buffalo shows that more than 73 % of the body color was golden yellowish. In contrast, in males, this value was 83 %, followed by white-albino and grayish colors. The shape of horns were semi sickle and grayish in color. Morphometric parameters of the breed …

Optimizing Conservation Of Nili Ravi Buffaloes In Southern Region Of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Comprehensive Evaluation Of Phenotypic, Morphometric, And Productive Traits, Arsalan Khan, Israr Ud Din, Hafiz Abdul Majid, Amjad Ali, Akhtar Ali, Muhammad Rizwan, Waseem Ullah, Shah Zeb, Safi Ullah, Imran Khan, Abid Ullah

Journal of Bioresource Management

In Pakistan, Nili Ravi buffalo is highly valued breed due to its high milk yield. Native to Punjab province, the breed is now extensively distributed throughout the country. To assess and optimize the conservation strategies for Nili Ravi buffaloes in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by evaluating their phenotypic, morphometric, productive, and reproductive characteristics. Buffaloes were maintained at Livestock Research and Development Station in Paharpur, Dera Ismail Khan from 2010-2023, under breed conservation program. A sum of 298 records Nili Ravi buffaloes were used for the investigation. The research examined physical attributes such as coat color, horn morphology, and other qualitative characteristics. …

Assessing The Needs Of Utah Dairy Farmers To Inform Extension Programming, Bruce F. Richards, Lendel Narine, Justin Clawson, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Jody Gale

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

A needs assessment was conducted by the Utah State University Dairy Extension Team to identify the most urgent issues faced by Utah dairy farmers. The assessment found that the top five priority needs were implementing new technology, improving public perception of water use, managing risk, succession planning, and reducing feed costs. The results will guide dairy Extension programming in Utah. Several workshops and events have already been planned to address these needs. Overall, the assessment will help USU Extension provide research-based educational programs to meet the needs of the dairy industry in Utah.

Comparing Biofilm Forming Potential Of Listeria Species On Non-Food And Food-Contact Surfaces Of Importance To The Dairy Industry, Hannah Cooper

The Journal of Undergraduate Research

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a foodborne pathogen of major safety concerns. This bacterium can resist/adapt to environmental stressors and persist through forming robust biofilms despite dairy plants following stringent surface cleaning protocols. Surface roughness is considered a major factor controlling bacterial attachment and biofilm formation. Food contact surfaces like stainless steel (SS) have low surface roughness for easy cleaning. On the other hand, non-contact surfaces like floors need a rougher surface to ensure employee safety. Hence, we hypothesized that Listeria biofilm formation would be lower on stainless steel compared to clay brick (CB; common flooring material in dairy plants). …

Is There An Economic Advantage To Planting Diverse Summer Annual Forage Mixtures?, Kelly Mercier, Chris Teutsch, Ray Smith, Kenny Burdine, Edwin Ritchey, Eric Vanzant

The Journal of Extension

This study examined economic implications of planting summer annual mixtures of grasses, legumes, and forbs at varying nitrogen rates. No differences in yield occurred between the three mixtures, indicating that mixtures with lowest seed cost will be most economical. Applying N resulted in yield increases of 12.26 lb DM per lb N applied. Although yield responses to N were positive, sensitivity analyses showed that applying N resulted in positive net returns only when hay prices were high and N prices were low. When utilization rates are accounted for, enterprise budgets determined grazing to be 18% cheaper to implement than haying.

Comparison Of Maize Hybrids For Production Of Quality Fodder And Silage In Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, Ali Hamed, Muhammad Shahid Ibni Zamir, Asif Tanveer, Muhammad Yaseen

Journal of Bioresource Management

Fodder crops have to compete with those of field crops, and the majority of farmers are smallholders in the circumstances of Pakistan. Therefore, this study was planned to search for the best maize hybrid which would serve dual purposes, i.e. for grain production as well as its later usage as fodder and silage. So, seven maize hybrids most commonly grown in the vicinity were selected and compared for their forage production. Maize hybrids were sown on ridges followed by all cultural operations as carried out by farmers. At harvest, plant morphological parameters were measured before ensiling the whole maize plant. …

The Rise Of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, Their Effects, And How We Can Stop Their Growth, Andrea Prisco

Dickinson Law Review (2017-Present)

Dramatic changes in the agricultural industry over the last century have led to the rise of concentrated animal feeding operations– industrial facilities that raise a large number of animals in confined spaces. Animals raised in these facilities suffer from poor quality of life and abuse. For humans, these facilities have had adverse effects on the environment and public health, but they are also associated with high productivity and low food costs. This Comment analyzes the effects of concentrated animal feeding operations on animal well-being, the environment, and public health. This Comment also analyzes current federal legislation that helps combat the …

Transition Cow Metabolites And Physical Traits Influence Days To First Postpartum Ovulation In Dairy Cows, S. Banuelos, J. S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to assess key metabolites and patterns of prepartum and postpartum physical activity as they relate to the onset of first postpartum ovulation in lactating dairy cows. Close-up dry Holstein cows (n = 82) and late gestation heifers (n = 78) were enrolled beginning 3 weeks before expected calving date (day 0). Cows were fit with Cow SensOor ear tags to assess transitional changes in eating, resting, rumination, activity, and ear-surface temperatures. Rectal temperatures were assessed and blood samples were collected on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 to measure concentrations of glucose, free fatty …

Daily Activity Measures And Milk Yield Immediately Before And After A Fertile Estrus, J. S. Stevenson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective was to characterize changes in milk yield and other physical measures during a 7-day periestrual period encompassing estrus (day 0) and insemination. Lactating dairy cows milked thrice daily were fitted with CowManager SensOor ear tags capable of assessing real time eating, rumination, resting, high activity (estrus), ear-surface temperature, and providing heat alerts. Daily milk was unchanged during the periestrual period. Daily ear-surface temperature was greater during days 1 to 3 compared with day 0. Daily rumination and resting times reached nadirs on day 0, with decreases occurring 48 hours before estrus. Both rumination and resting times increased by …

Heat Stress During The Transition Period Is Associated With Impaired Production, Reproduction, And Survival In Dairy Cows, P. R. Menta, V. S. Machado, J. M. Piñeiro, W. W. Thatcher, J. E. P. Santos, A. Vieira-Neto

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objectives of this retrospective cohort study were to determine the association of heat stress exposure during the transition period with production, health, reproduction, and survival during the first 90 days postpartum in dairy cows. A total of 5,722 Holstein cows (2,324 heifers and 3,397 cows) were categorized into environmental condition (EC) groups based on average temperature humidity index (THI) exposure as thermoneutral (TN) or heat stress (HS) during the pre (Pre) and early postpartum (Post) periods into TN-TN, TN-HS, HS-TN, and HS-HS. In heifers, exposure to HS during the Pre, Post, or Pre and Post was associated with a …

Hotline Number To Reach And Offer Agricultural Information To Plain Anabaptists During The Covid-19 Workplace Closures, Emily Shoop, Carly Becker, Nathan Glenn Briggs, Danielle Smarsh

Journal of Amish and Plain Anabaptist Studies

The Penn State Extension Animal Systems Team developed a toll-free hotline phone number to convey short educational messages to maintain contact and outreach to Pennsylvania’s animal producing Amish, Mennonite, and other plain Anabaptist populations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State Extension’s programming went largely online via webinars, online courses, and emails. This change in programming excluded a large sector of Pennsylvania farmers who do not use or have access to the internet and, as such, were liable to miss important best management practice reviews and timely updates in animal agriculture. The Animal Systems Hotline offered callers the choice to listen …

Understanding Milk Consumption Habits Among College Students In Order To Redesign Outreach, Stacey F. Stearns, Adam N. Rabinowitz

The Journal of Extension

College students consume less dairy milk than in the past. Increased competition in the beverage aisle influences their choices. However, much of the population is not meeting the recommended intake guidelines for calcium. A survey of undergraduate college students with university dining plans focused on milk consumption habits, beverage choices, and student attitudes toward healthful foods and nutrition. Results are guiding Extension program educational outreach campaigns to college students. By focusing on the healthful and nutritional benefits of milk, Extension educators could increase consumption among college age consumers, and their long-term healthful outcomes.

Profile Of Antimicrobial Susceptibility From Cattles’S Milk Isolates Suffering From Mastitis In District Lahore, Muhammad Imran, Iqra Rehman, Abdul Qayyum Khan Sulehria, Yasser Mustafa Butt, Abdul Majid Khan, Azizah Ziauddin

Journal of Bioresource Management

Mastitis is highly prevalent infection in cattle causing cost-effective loss in dairy milk production. Escherichia coli is the most frequently isolated bacteria causing mastitis worldwide. The current study was performed to investigate the mastitis prevalence and effect of different antibiotics against pathogens causing it. In sum, 216 milk samples were collected randomly including 108 each from both cows and buffaloes. These samples were subjected to Surf Field Mastitis Test for prevalence of mastitis that found 18.50% and 23.14% in buffaloes and cows respectively. Mastitis was more prevalent both in buffaloes and cows at the age of 9-10 years that was …

Resynchronizing Returns To Estrus After A Prior Insemination, J. S. Stevenson, J. A. Sauls-Hiesterman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In two experiments, GnRH and a progesterone insert (CIDR) were applied to cows after insemination (day 0) to reprogram or synchronize the returning estrus of cows that failed to conceive to that previous insemination. The combination of GnRH (day 14) and a CIDR insert (days 17 to 24) in experiment 1 (n = 347 cows) increased the proportion of nonpregnant cows returning to estrus before pregnancy diagnosis on day 32 by 7.4 percentage points, increased the synchrony of their return by 24.4 percentage points, but delayed that return by 2.3 days compared with controls. In experiment 2 (n = 863 …

Association Of Horizontal Silo Pad Type, Elevation And Core Depth With Indicators Of Silo Ramp Hygiene, Forage Quality, And Digestibility, W. E. Brown, N. M. Bello, M. J. Brouk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Horizontal silo piles without walls are constructed using packing equipment to adequately pack the forage for air exclusion. During packing, the equipment uses a ramp of forage to access the top of the pile, potentially introducing soil into the forage when the base of the silo is made of soil. Soil contains microorganisms which may cause malfermentation and pose health risks to livestock. The objective of this study was to assess the association of horizontal silo pad type, elevation, and core depth with indicators related to silage hygiene and nutrient quality. We hypothesized that ash and mineral content, microbiological profile, …

Effects Of Pre-Cutting Round Alfalfa Hay Bales On Forage Quality And Processing Time, W. E. Brown, E. Harms, J Heimsoth, J. Mcginnis, C. I. Vahl, B. J. Bradford, M. J. Brouk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Round hay balers with knives that cut the hay as it enters the baling chamber reduce the particle size upon baling, and eliminate the need for a tub grinder. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a round hay baler with knives on forage quality of alfalfa hay at baling and after storage, and the effects of the processing method on nutrient composition and particle size distribution. Alfalfa hay was baled (560 M Megawide HC2, John Deere, Moline, IL) with knives every 4 inches (CUT; theo­retical length of cut) or without knives (NORM). At baling and …

Effect Of Stirring And Static Heating On Fibrilization Of Milk Whey Protein: A Processing Approach, G. Rathod, J. Amamcharla

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

When globular proteins such as whey proteins are converted to fibril structure, the functional properties, including viscosity and water holding capacity, are improved. Consequently, they can be used as functional ingredients in a variety of foods such as yogurt and bakery products. In this study, milk whey protein isolates were converted to fibrils by heating at low pH using two different approaches to reduce fibrilization time without compromising the quality of fibrils. Fibrils were made with an intervention of stirring to reduce fibrilization time. Continuous stirring improved the quality of fibrils and speed of the fibrilization.

Dairy Research 2020, M. J. Brouk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Kansas State University is pleased to present the 2020 Dairy Research Report of Progress. Topics include milk processing, physiology, management, nutrition, and feeding of dairy cattle.

Complete Luteolysis And Pregnancy Per Insemination After Modifying The Standard 7-Day Ovsynch Program In Dairy Cows, J. S. Stevenson, B. Atanasov

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two experiments were conducted with Holstein-Friesian cows in the Republic of North Macedonia and with Holstein cows in Kansas. We hypothesized that a single standard dose of PGF_2αinjected on day 8 instead of day 7 in the standard Ovsynch program would increase the proportion of cows with complete luteolysis and increase the synchronization risk compared with control cows receiving a standard dose on day 7. Cows were treated with the standard program (Ov-7x1) or with Ov-8x1 experimental program in experiment 1, using only a single dose of PGF_2α. In experiment 2, a third treatment was added …

Characterization Of A Commercial Whey Protein Hydrolysate And Its Use As A Binding Agent In The Whey Protein Isolate Agglomeration Process, B. Zaitoun, N. Palmer, J. Amamcharla

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Soy lecithin is a commonly used binder in agglomerating dairy powders. Due to the increase in consumer awareness on “clean label” and also to increase the shelf-life of agglomerated whey protein isolate (WPI), the demand of lecithin-free agglomerated WPI has increased. In this work, whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) was utilized as a binder to facilitate the agglomeration of WPI. The first objective was to characterize the chemical properties of three lots of WPH obtained from a commercial manufac­turer. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) of WPH was 13.82–15.35% and not significantly (P>0.05) different between the lots. It was observed …

Barriers To Management Intensive Grazing By Southern Dairy Farmers, Mohammed Ibrahim, Nalini K. Pattanaik, Brian Cornish

Professional Agricultural Workers Journal

Abstract

Interest in Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) [a situation where grazing animals are moved to a fresh pasture every few days in order to have access to adequate forage] practices by farmers have increased steadily over the years. Many research publications on grazing advocate the financial and environmental benefits of grazing. Understanding the challenges of MIG can be an important piece of information for a dairy farmer. A survey was conducted to determine how farmers in the southeastern region perceive the barriers to the adoption of MIG. A greater percentage of MIG southeastern farmers were satisfied or very satisfied with …

Genetic Variation Of The Dgat1 Gene In Dual-Purpose Dairy Cows And Its Influence On Economically Important Breeding Traits, Mark E. Armitage, Emma Swan, Denise O'Meara

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Background
Over the last 10 years, the discovery of individual, or candidate, genes that influence economically important traits has revolutionised how the dairy industry selects cows for breeding programmes. One such gene, the diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) gene is significant in dairy production as it is associated with the synthesis of fat in milk, and polymorphisms within the gene can be used for selection purposes. In this study, the variants (genotypes) of the K232A polymorphism of the DGAT1 gene, within a dual-purpose dairy herd, bred for both dairy and beef production, were determined, and compared to the Economic …

Deliberate Exercise Of Pregnant Holstein Heifers Improves Milk Composition During Lactation, J. Johnson, P. Steichen, B. J. Bradford, A. E. Rhodes, T. G. Rozell

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Exercise has substantial impacts on systemic physiology, but little research has been conducted to assess how it may influence dairy cattle in modern confined production systems. Dairy heifers were walked for up to 45 minutes, 4 days per week for 8 weeks during pregnancy to assess impacts on subsequent health and productivity. Heifers that were exercised had increased milk protein and solids-not-fat concentrations for up to 15 weeks into lactation, and increased milk fat and energy-corrected milk production at some time points during this period, as compared to sedentary contemporaries. No adverse or beneficial effects of exercise were found on …

Disease Prevalence And Its Consequences On Blood Metabolites, Physical Activities, Milk Yield, And Fertility, J. S. Stevenson, S. Banuelos

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Health status of 160 lactating cows was monitored by assessing blood metabolites on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 after calving, in addition measures of physical activity during 20 days surrounding parturition. Cows with clinical disease (any with diagnosis of ketosis, metritis, mastitis, respiratory disease, or milk fever during the first 60 days in milk) were compared with outcomes in healthy cows. Expected differences were observed between health status groups for serum concentrations of free fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate, haptoglobin, and calcium, but not for plasma glucose. Daily postpartum rumination and eating times were decreased in diseased cows and they spent …

Combined Risk Factors And Digestive Disorders In Mid-Lactation Holstein Cows: A Case Study, S. T. Quanz, L. K. Mamedova, M. J. Brouk, P. Gott, B. J. Bradford

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Digestive disorders can be a significant cause of disease on dairies and are frustrating because of their unpredictability. Diets that may support excellent health in most cases may nonetheless result in significant gastrointestinal disease, even leading to deadly conditions such as hemorrhagic bowel syndrome. To our knowledge, there is limited research on these conditions, as many risk factors fail to reproduce disease when experimentally administered to cows, leading many to conclude that these disorders are generally multifactorial in nature and difficult to replicate. In this case study, we document the outbreak and resolution of digestive disorders among 15 control cows …

Does Time Interval From Thawing Multiple Straws Of Semen To Insemination Affect Pregnancy Outcome Of Lactating Dairy Cows?, J. Fehn, L. G. Mendonça

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Technicians must follow guidelines when inseminating cows to avoid impacting the quality of semen and pregnancy per AI (P/AI). The interval from initiation of the thawing process of multiple semen straws until AI is an important aspect to be considered when evaluating the performance of AI technicians. Time interval from thawing to AI can be affected by the skill level of the AI technician, distance from the thawing unit to location of insemination, and labor efficiency. Because modern dairy farms are becoming larger, it is important to evaluate if the interval from thawing to AI is impacting P/AI in large …

Effects Of A High-Protein Corn Product On Nutrient Digestibility And Production Responses In Mid-Lactation Dairy Cows, W. E. Brown, B. J. Bradford

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of a high-protein corn product (56% crude protein; CP) relative to other sources of protein on the lactation performance of dairy cows. Twenty-four Holstein cows (1,367 ± 105 lb of body weight, 111 ± 34 days in milk, 2.28 ± 0.46 lactations; mean ± standard deviation) were randomly assigned to treatment sequence in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design balanced for carryover effects. Cows were individually fed one of four diets with a different protein concentrate source during each 28-day period, including: soybean meal (SBM), high-protein corn product (HPCP), soybean …

Are My Dry Cows Heat-Stressed? A Novel Approach To Assess Heat Stress Of Dry Cows In Commercial Dairy Herds, A. L. Scanavez, C. A. Gamarra, R. S. De Oliveira, L. G. Mendonça

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Heat stress during the dry period causes major economic losses to the dairy industry. However, limited research exists regarding responses of dry cows exposed to various temperature and relative humidity gradients. In addition, no validated methods are currently available to assess heat stress in dry cows. The goals of this study were to describe core body temperature (CBT) responses of dry cows according to a variety of temperature-humidity index (THI) values, and develop and validate a practical method to assess heat stress in dry cows in commercial dairy herds. This study was comprised of 2 parts. In the first part …

Individual Feed Intake Of Transition Cows And Their Daily Activity Measures Of Temperature, Eating, Rumination, Resting, And Activity Times, J. S. Stevenson, C. S. Takiya, B. J. Bradford

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Fifteen transition dairy cows bearing CowSensor^®ear tags were monitored during 14 days before and after calving to assess temperature and behavior outcomes recorded by the sensors, in addition to actual individual dry matter and as-fed feed intake. The sensors—compared with reported visual observation studies—underestimated eating and resting times, but rumination time was estimated reasonably accurately. Expected changes in rumination (decreased acutely before calving and increased linearly to day 14) and general activity (increased acutely just before calving) were observed. More studies are warranted to determine how to use these activity monitors in detecting health disorders of cows that …

Identifying A Milk-Replacer And Weaning Strategy For Holstein Calves Using Automated Behavioral Measures Of Lying And Environmental Enrichment Device Use, E. M. Bortoluzzi, T. M. Hill, L. L. Deikun, L. A. Ruiz, M. J. Goering, T. S. Dennis, F. X. Suarez-Mena, J. D. Quigley, R. L. Schlotterbeck, M. V. Alonso, R. Mazloom, M. Jaberi-Douraki, L. E. Hulbert

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

In dairy production, “weaning readiness” is often based on solid feed intake. The goal of this study was to determine weaning readiness using feed-intake, lying-behaviors, and the use of an environmental enrichment device (EED) in calves that underwent 1 of 4 milk-replacer and weaning protocols. Twenty-eight male Holstein calves (95 ± 2.6 lb BW at 1 d of age) were housed in individual pens and initially fed one type of milk replacer (25% crude protein (CP), 17% fat, 1.45 lb of dry matter (DM)) via nipplebuckets twice a day (AM and PM), and one type of textured calf starter ( …