Environmental factors affecting milk, fat and protein yields in Jersey cattle in Zimbabwe.
Summary of "Environmental factors affecting milk, fat and protein yields in Jersey cattle in Zimbabwe."
A study was carried out to establish the factors affecting milk, butterfat and protein yields in Zimbabwean Jersey cattle. A total of 10,986 unedited 305-day lactation records were obtained from Zimbabwe Livestock Identification Trust containing 25 herds, with cows calving in the period 1996-2008. The general linear model procedure of the Statistical Analysis Systems version 9.1.3 was used to determine the environmental factors. Herd-year-season, calving interval, days dry and both the linear and quadratic effects of age at calving fitted as covariates significantly (P < 0.0001) affected the milk, fat and protein yields. Herd-year-season accounted for 36%, 36% and 35% to the total variation in milk, fat and protein yields, respectively. Milk, fat and protein yields increased with an increase in calving interval. The optimum dry period for milk, fat and protein yields obtained was 60-75 days dry. The relationship between the production traits and age at calving was both linear and quadratic, implying that milk, fat and protein yields increase with the age of the animal. It is thus necessary to preadjust data for these environmental factors when carrying out genetic evaluations of production traits in dairy cattle.
Affiliation
Malawi College of Forestry and Wildlife, Private Bag 6, Dedza, Malawi, edward.em2@gmail.com.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Tropical animal health and production
ISSN: 1573-7438
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21116716
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9750-8
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex
A multifactorial disease of CATTLE resulting from complex interactions between environmental factors, host factors, and pathogens. The environmental factors act as stressors adversely affecting the IMMUNE SYSTEM and other host defenses and enhancing transmission of infecting agents.
Milk Sickness
An acute, often fatal disease caused by the ingestion of milk, milk products, or the flesh of cattle or sheep which have a disease known as trembles. It is marked by weakness, anorexia, vomiting, constipation, and sometimes muscular tremors. It is caused by poisoning by white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum) and the rayless goldenrod (Haplopappus heterophyllus). (From Dorland, 27th ed)
Milk Hypersensitivity
Allergic reaction to milk (usually cow's milk) or milk products. MILK HYPERSENSITIVITY should be differentiated from LACTOSE INTOLERANCE, an intolerance to milk as a result of congenital deficiency of lactase.
Milk Proteins
The major protein constituents of milk are CASEINS and whey proteins such as LACTALBUMIN and LACTOGLOBULINS. IMMUNOGLOBULINS occur in high concentrations in COLOSTRUM and in relatively lower concentrations in milk. (Singleton and Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed, p554)
Vesicular Stomatitis New Jersey Virus
A species of VESICULOVIRUS causing VESICULAR STOMATITIS primarily in cattle, horses, and pigs. It can be transmitted to humans where it causes influenza-like symptoms.
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