Mixed livestock grazing can offer an alternative management system for rearing dairy replacement heifers (Bos taurus). A 2-yr study was conducted during 2009 (yr 1) and 2010 (yr 2) to determine the effects of co-grazing Holstein heifers under rotational stocking with Boer × Kiko goats on animal performance, pasture DM yield, and botanical composition. Each year, 24 heifers (134 ± 6 d of age and...

Ovaries are absolutely required for development of the mammary parenchyma (PAR) in cattle, reflecting estrogen-dependent epithelial cell proliferation. However, the estrogen receptor (ER) that mediates the mammary estrogen effects, ERalpha, is absent in proliferating epithelial cells. In the mouse, this discrepancy is explained in part by the ability of the mammary fat pad (MFP) to synthesize e...

the objective of this study was to determine the optimum replacement strategy using dynamic programming for dairy herds in fars province. a dairy cow is kept several lactations for milk production in the herd. after spending several lactations, milk production gradually begins to decline, while animal health problems rises simultaneously. so one of the most important management decisions of dai...

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite causing bovine abortion all over the world. The aim of this study was to investigate how common N. caninum infection is among dairy herds in the Czech Republic. Bulk milk samples were collected from 495 dairy herds and analysed for the presence of specific antibodies by a commercial N. caninum iscom ELISA. Five out of 495 dairy herds (1.01%) had percenta...

To make the right decisions, farm managers should have insight into the potential impact of management decisions on technical performance and economic results. In the Netherlands the (non-productive) rearing period of dairy heifers covers, on average, 26 months. Such a significant time lag between input and output makes it difficult for a dairy farmer to recognize the impact of various decision...

Walkway floors have a significant effect on cattle locomotion and claw health, as well as on animal behaviour and general cattle house hygiene; and affected both animals’ welfare and dairy farmers’ profit. There are several qualities floors should fulfil, which contemporary walkway floors do not completely do. From an animal point of view, the most favourable of present passageway floorings in ...

Approximately 88% of Norwegian dairy cattle are housed in tie stalls. Free stall housing for all dairy cattle will be implemented within 20 years. This means that the majority of existing stalls will be rebuilt in the near future. Fifty-seven free stall herds of the Norwegian Red breed were randomly selected and 1547 cows and 403 heifers were trimmed by 13 claw trimmers during the late winter a...

Selection pressure for greater milk solid production, calving ease and early puberty attainment has resulted in the alteration of growth trajectory New Zealand dairy heifers. Although previous data have looked at stature terms height girth, changes as a result seasonal not been examined. In addition, relative contributions appendicular skeleton thorax relation to considered studies. Therefore, ...

background : neospora caninum is considered one of the major causes of repeated abortions in livestock. this study aimed to determine the seropositivity to n. cani-num using indirect elisa and the influence of the infection on the occurrence of abortions in selected dairy herd in slovakia. method: blood samples were obtained from 490 cattle over a period of two years and were tested for n. cani...