The current water scarcity situation in South Africa is a threat to sustainable development. The present paper has assessed the water footprint of milk produced and processed in South Africa using the procedures outlined in the water footprint assessment manual. The results show that 1352 m3 of water is required to produce one tonne of milk with 4% fat and 3.3% protein in South Africa. The wate...

The objectives of the study were to develop a multivariate framework for analyzing energy balance data from lactating cows and investigate potential changes in maintenance requirements and partial efficiencies of energy utilization by lactating cows over the years. The proposed model accounted for the fact that metabolizable energy intake, milk energy output, and tissue energy balance are rando...

Four crossbred (75% Holstein Friesian) lactating dairy cows, with an average live weight of 418±5 kg and 36±10 d in milk were randomly assigned according to a 2×2 factorial arrangement in a 4×4 Latin square design to evaluate the effects of cassava hay (CH) and rice bran oil (RBO) on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, milk yield, and milk composition. Factor A was non-su...

To produce milk that is healthier for human consumption, the present study evaluated the effect of including canola oil in the diet of dairy cows on milk production and composition as well as the nutritional quality of this milk fat. Eighteen Holstein cows with an average daily milk yield of 22 (± 4) kg/d in the middle stage of lactation were used. The cows were distributed in 6 contemporary 3x...

The aim of this study was to determine the best level of utilization of dried waste of cassava starch extraction (WCSEd) as a substitute for corn for lactating cows. Four lactating cows were fed diets with increasing levels (0%, 33%, 66% and 100%) of WCSEd as a substitute for corn. The intake and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, milk production and composition, blood parameters of glu...

This investigation summarizes the effect of epinephrine administration on milk production and plasma hormones. The epinephrine and nor-epinephrine hormone are released during stress and may have adverse effect on milk yield of lactating animals. Lactating cows were administered epinephrine intravenously (@0.5 ug/kg body wt./ day) for a period of five days. Blood samples were collected before an...

1 Dept of Medicine Animal, Production and Health Padova Univ., Agripolis, Viale dell’Università, 16, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy 2 Istituto Zooprofilattico delle Venezie, Viale dell’Università, 10, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy ABSTRACT The study aimed at evaluating the effect of a daily dose of 14 g of choline administrated by using soy lecithins (LC group), a by-product of the biodiesel production ...

in pasture-based milk production systems, using available farm resources in order to reduce feeding costs, the composition and functional properties of dairy cows’ milk are of considerable importance to the dairy farmer, manufacturer and consumer. basically, there are three options for altering the composition and/or functional properties of milk: 1) cow nutrition and grazing management, 2) cow...

A feeding trial utilizing lactating dairy cows was conducted to compare Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) and alfalfa hay. Response criteria included feed intake, weight change, and yield and composition of milk. Dry matter intake and milk yield of cows fed alfalfa hay exceeded that of those fed gamagrass hay. There was no significant difference in milk composition, and average weight c...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of replacing progesterone injections by progesterone vaginal inserts on productive and reproductive parameters of lactating cows with reproductive problems after prolonged periods of heat stress. Fifteen Holstein cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 1) treated with two progesterone vaginal inserts (P4-INS); 2) treated with prog...