The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of diets containing different inclusion levels (0%, 7%, 14%, 21% and 28%) of soybean meal fermented by Lactobacillus acidophilus (SMFL) on the zootechnical performance and intestinal health of South American catfish juveniles (Rhamdia quelen). The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replications and lasted 56 days. Five isoproteic (39% crude protein) and isoenergetic (4300 kcal of gross energy kg⁻¹) diets were formulated where SMFL was included in replacement of fish meal. Two hundred forty South American catfish juveniles (3.0 ± 0.5 g) were distributed in 20 tanks (70 L) connected in a recirculation aquaculture system. At the end of the experiment, the inclusion of SMFL up to 21% in replacement of fish meal did not affect the zootechnical performance and also decreased the concentration of Vibrionaceae bacteria present in the intestine compared to the control group. The amount of total lactic and heterotrophic bacteria, the enzymatic activity and the intestinal morphometry did not differ between dietary treatments. The results demonstrate that fermentation with Lactobacillus acidophilus enables greater inclusion of soybean protein in South American catfish diets and promotes the control of intestinal pathogenic bacteria.

Crossbreeding in dairy cattle has been used to improve functional traits, milk composition, and efficiency of Holstein herds. The objective of the study was to compare indicators of the metabolic energy balance, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), glucose, body condition score (BCS) back fat thickness (BFT), as well as milk yield and milk composition of Holstein and Simmental cows, and their crosses from the prepartum period until the 100th day of lactation at the Livestock Center of the Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich, Germany). In total, 164 cows formed five genetic groups according to their theoretic proportion of Holstein and Simmental genes as follows: Holstein (100% Holstein; n = 9), R1-Hol (51–99% Holstein; n = 30), first generation (F1) crossbreds (50% Holstein, 50% Simmental; n = 17), R1-Sim (1–49% Holstein; n = 81) and Simmental (100% Simmental; n = 27). The study took place between April 2018 and August 2019. BCS, BFT blood parameters, such as BHBA, glucose, and NEFA were recorded weekly. A mixed model analysis with fixed effects breed, week (relative to calving), the interaction of breed and week, parity, calving year, calving season, milking season, and the repeated measure effect of cow was used. BCS increased with the Simmental proportion. All genetic groups lost BCS and BFT after calving. Simmental cows showed lower NEFA values. BHBA and glucose did not differ among genetic groups, but they differed depending on the week relative to calving. Simmental and R1-Sim cows showed a smaller effect than the other genetic groups regarding changes in body weight, BCS, or back fat thickness after a period of a negative energy balance after calving. There was no significant difference for milk yield among genetic groups, although Simmental cows showed a lower milk yield after the third week after calving. Generally, Simmental and R1-Simmental cows seemed to deal better with a negative energy balance after calving than purebred Holstein and the other crossbred lines. Based on a positive heterosis effect of 10.06% for energy corrected milk (ECM), the F1, however, was the most efficient crossbred line.

This study evaluated the factors influencing the variation in the lactose content of milk in Holstein and Jersey herds in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil, using multivariate analysis. Data from 73 dairy herds in the Dairy Herds Improvement Program of the State of Santa Catarina were provided by the Santa Catarina Association of Cattle Breeders (ACCB). A total of 46,242 monthly records of Holstein and Jersey (59 and 41 % of the total records, respectively) cows from 2009 to 2012 were analyzed using multiple correspondence, factor, and cluster analyses. Lactose content was observed to correlate with somatic cell count and parity, whereas the evaluated breeds, as well as the production and concentrations of fat and protein in the milk, were not associated with the lactose content. The cows were categorized into three groups, the first consisting of cows of both breeds with low lactose content (4.19), high somatic cell score (5.82), and higher parity (2.50), contrasting with two other groups each with mean values characteristic for Holstein and Jersey breeds, respectively. Analysis of cows without subclinical mastitis ( < 200,000 somatic cells ml-1) revealed that the relationship of parity with lactose level was independent of the effect of somatic cells. Lactose contents less than 4.4 % were observed in autumn. Overall, the present study suggests that the lactose content of milk is influenced by somatic cell count and parity and that it varies seasonally; however, it is not related to breed, milk yield, milk fat content, or milk protein level.

We aimed to determine the relationship of milk yield, milk composition, and somatic cell score (SCS) with functional traits (lameness score, udder cleanliness score, udder depth, and teat end hyperkeratosis score) and physiological status (parity and days in milk (DIM) of cows housed in compost bedded pack barn system (CBP) using multivariate analysis. Data were collected in September and October of 2017 and evaluated using factor and cluster analysis. Four factors were formed, with the first factor showing the [...] ABSTRACT We aimed to determine the relationship of milk yield, milk composition, and somatic cell score (SCS) with functional traits (lameness score, udder cleanliness score, udder depth, and teat end hyperkeratosis score) and physiological status (parity and days in milk (DIM) of cows housed in compost bedded pack barn system (CBP) using multivariate analysis. Data were collected in September and October of 2017 and evaluated using factor and cluster analysis. Four factors were formed, with the first factor showing the

The objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of production factors on milking frequency and the latter’s effect on animal welfare in robotic milking. The experiment was performed with Holstein Friesian cows housed in free-stall barns. To assess the impact of production factors, body condition score, milk yield, and concentrate intake were determined. To determine the effects of the milking frequency on welfare, the locomotion and teat-end scores and serum cortisol level were evaluated. Three experimental groups were formed according to the daily average milking frequency: 1.0 to 1.9, 2.1 to 2.9, and above 3.0 milkings per day. The decrease in milking frequency during lactation was related to the reduction in concentrate intake and milk yield. The increase in milking frequency was related to the reduction in the milk flow and the increase in milking duration. Milking frequency was affected by concentrate intake, locomotion problems, milk yield, and lactation stage. The cortisol level and teat-end conditions were not affected by milking frequency. Milking frequency impacts milk flow, duration of milking, and milk composition; however, there is no effect on the indicators of animal welfare.