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Author: Hoffmann, Gundula × Subject: Dairy cow ×

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    Comparative study of behavioural and milking traits in cows milked with a conventional or individual quarter milking system (Multilactor®) and with different milking persons
    (Warsaw : De Gruyter Open, 2017-4-28) Hoffmann, Gundula; Liermann, Wendy; Ammon, Christian; Rose-Meierhöfer, Sandra
    The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a new type of milking system on the behaviour of cows during milking by comparing a conventional milking system (CON) with an individual quarter milking system (MUL), MultiLactor®. Sixty-eight dairy cows were observed during their milking times (32 cows in CON, 36 cows in MUL) using video recordings to analyse their behavioural traits. The udder preparation duration, milking duration and milk yield were also evaluated. No significant differences were found between the CON and the MUL regarding cows' head posture (P=0.38), body posture (P=0.85), number of steps (P=0.08) and number of kicks (P=0.56). However, the milk yield was lower (P=0.02), just as the udder preparation duration (P<0.01) and milking duration (P=0.01) were shorter in the CON compared to the MUL. In addition, in regard to the milking person, differences were displayed in the head posture of the milked cows, kick-off or loss of teat cup or milking cluster, and frequency of udder preparation. In conclusion, the investigated milking systems did not markedly influence the behaviour of dairy cows; however, udder preparation duration, milking duration and milk yield were significantly greater for the MUL than for the CON. However, the milking person appears to have a greater impact on the behaviour of the cows than the milking system. © 2017 Sciendo. All Rights Reserved.
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    Changes in the Spectrum of Free Fatty Acids in Blood Serum of Dairy Cows during a Prolonged Summer Heat Wave
    (Basel : MDPI, 2021) Mylostyvyi, Roman; Sejian, Veerasamy; Izhboldina, Olena; Kalinichenko, Olena; Karlova, Lina; Lesnovskay, Olena; Begma, Natalia; Marenkov, Oleh; Lykhach, Vadym; Midyk, Svitlana; Cherniy, Nikolay; Gutyj, Bogdan; Hoffmann, Gundula
    This experiment was conducted to study the effect of a prolonged hot period on the fatty acid (FA) composition in blood serum of dairy cows. Eighteen multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to the hyperthermia group (HYP, n = 8) in August (summer season) and the control group (CON, n = 10) in October (autumn season). Blood from animals of the HYP group was collected in one heat wave, which was preceded by a long period of heat stress (HS, temperature-humidity index (THI ≥ 72)). Blood from cows of the CON group was collected under thermal comfort conditions (THI < 68). The spectrum of free fatty acids (FFA) in the blood serum was analyzed by gas chromatography. The concentration of FFA increased, including saturated FAs and monounsaturated FAs, in the blood serum of cows under conditions of prolonged HS. This was associated with the mobilization of FA into the bloodstream from adipose tissue, as a consequence of negative energy balance. An increase in the ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated FAs may indicate biomembrane dysfunction and adversely affect dairy cows. This study showed that prolonged periods of heat can affect the FA composition of blood. How much this leads to changes in the FA composition of milk and the quality of food products remains to be seen in further research.