Davoud Rostami; Abbas Pakdel; Ebrahim Ghasemi; Ali Sadeghi Sefidmazgi
Abstract
Objective: Production, economic, and nutritional metrics are used in the dairy farming industry to maximize profitability and enhance decision-making. The largest share of herd economics is represented by feed costs and milk income. Milk pricing methods in Iran are challenging due to ignoring milk quality ...
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Objective: Production, economic, and nutritional metrics are used in the dairy farming industry to maximize profitability and enhance decision-making. The largest share of herd economics is represented by feed costs and milk income. Milk pricing methods in Iran are challenging due to ignoring milk quality and composition. Using indices such as income over feed cost, milk corrected money, and income equal to feed cost is an effective tool for profit margin analysis and optimal herd management, can be used. This study aims to investigate the profitability of Holstein dairy herds in Isfahan province using technical-economic indices and evaluate the impact of different milk pricing scenarios on profitability based on these indices.
Method: In this study, two datasets were used: The first dataset contains 4,637,629 daily records of milk production, fat percentage, protein percentage, and somatic cell count for 255,804 cows in 120 herds in Isfahan province between 2016 and 2024; a second dataset consists of economic data on five selected herds, including prices for milk and feed. The feed cost was estimated using a regression model based on crude protein and net energy of lactation. NRC (2001) standard equations were used to calculate daily energy and protein requirements. Based on the number and level of milk quality components, four pricing scenarios were considered. For each scenario, technical-economic indices were calculated using SQL SERVER (version 18). The statistical analysis of the indices was conducted by SAS (version 9.4). Furthermore, to evaluate the effect of milk quality on profitability in each pricing scenario, the produced milk was graded based on its quality components. To assess the impact of inputs such as milk production, fat and protein percentages, as well as milk and feed prices on technical-economic indices, a sensitivity analysis was conducted using Microsoft Excel (version 2021).
Results: The average price for each megacalorie of energy and each gram of crude protein was estimated to be 44,215 and 222 Rials, respectively. The income over feed cost per cow per day was estimated at 2,823,520 Rials, with a range of -549,000 to 10,398,000 Rials. Isfahan province dairy farmers spend about 52% of milk income on feed cost, based on an average income equal to feed cost of 21.1 kg. The average milk corrected money (41.1 kg) was about 1% higher than the average milk production (40.8 kg). The average milk-to-feed price ratio was estimated at 1.27 (±0.33), with a range of 0.53 to 4.2. Sensitivity analysis revealed that a 10% decrease in feed prices and a 10% increase in milk prices led to a 13-15% and 22-25% increase in the income over feed cost index, respectively. Grouping based on milk quality showed that improvements in the studied indices occurred only in scenarios with higher baseline levels of milk protein and fat.
Conclusion: Based on the results, advanced pricing scenarios, which account for parameters related to milk hygiene quality and provide higher baseline levels for milk components, significantly improve profitability and encourage the production of higher-quality milk. The sensitivity analysis also revealed that fluctuations in milk production, milk prices, and feed prices have the greatest impact on economic indices. Therefore, revising milk pricing methods and incorporating milk quality components into pricing can motivate dairy farmers to produce higher-quality milk and enhance dairy herd profitability.
amir ahmadikhatir; taghi ghoorchi; abdolhakim toghdari; mohammad asadi
Abstract
Objective: Climate change is a concerning issue that has negative effects on livestock. This global climate situation leads to multiple stresses in livestock, affecting their production and health. Heat stress is the most significant stressor with detrimental effects. High temperature and humidity lead ...
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Objective: Climate change is a concerning issue that has negative effects on livestock. This global climate situation leads to multiple stresses in livestock, affecting their production and health. Heat stress is the most significant stressor with detrimental effects. High temperature and humidity lead to an imbalance between metabolic heat output in the animal's body and its loss to the surrounding environment, resulting in heat stress. One of the solutions to optimize production conditions and livestock health, by improving nutrient metabolism and eliminating or reducing stress conditions, is the use of chromium as a metabolic enhancer. In the condition of stress, the mobilization of glycogen reserves and the production of glucose occur to produce energy to maintain stability in the body. Chromium is one of the scarce essential minerals that plays a important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Chromium is part of the glucose tolerance factor that increases the affinity of insulin receptors to insulin hormone and increases the sensitivity of receptors to insulin. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of feeding milk enriched with inorganic, organic and chromium nanoparticles supplements on performance, digestibility of nutrients, feeding behaviors and microbial protein synthesis of Holstein suckling calves under heat stress conditions.
Methods: Thirty two calves with average weight 37± 3 kg were assigned to four experimental treatments with eight replications in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments included: 1) control (milk without chromium supplement), 2) milk contained 3 mg of chromium in mineral form per day, 3) milk contained 3 mg of chromium in the form of chromium-methionine per day, and 4) milk contained 3 mg of chromium in the form of chromium nanoparticles per day. The duration of the experimental period was 63 days.
Results: The results showed that, in calves fed with chromium nanoparticles-enriched milk, significant improvements were observed in final weight, period weight gain, daily weight gain, total dry matter intake, starter, and reduced feed conversion ratio (P≤0.05). Different forms of chromium had a significant effect on dry matter and organic matter digestibility in suckling calves, with the highest dry matter and organic matter digestibility was related to treatments receiving chromium nanoparticles compared to the control treatment (P≤0.05). Chromium supplementation in inorganic, organic, and chromium nanoparticles forms had no effect on feeding behaviors of calves. However, the standing behavior of calves receiving different forms of chromium increased compared to the control treatment, and the lying behavior decreased (P≤0.05). The intake of different forms of chromium by calves did not cause significant differences in purine derivatives and microbial protein synthesis. However, the amount of urinary uric acid in the control treatment was the highest and the treatment receiving chromium nanoparticles showed the lowest amount (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: In general, the use of chromium, especially in the form of chromium nanoparticles, is recommended for calves under heat stress conditions.
Hadi MORADI; Abolfazl Zali; Mehdi Ganjkhanlou
Abstract
Objective: Body Condition Score (BCS) of ewes has a significant impact on the occurrence and severity of metabolic disorders in late pregnancy and early lactation. Body Condition Score refers to the amount of body fat in ewes and can affect their energy reserves, feed intake, and metabolic performance. ...
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Objective: Body Condition Score (BCS) of ewes has a significant impact on the occurrence and severity of metabolic disorders in late pregnancy and early lactation. Body Condition Score refers to the amount of body fat in ewes and can affect their energy reserves, feed intake, and metabolic performance. Providing trace minerals during pregnancy not only affects the performance and health of ewes but also affects growth and health of lambs both before and after birth. Feed formulations traditionally use inorganic mineral salts that are poorly absorbed and retained by the body. Compared to inorganic forms, the organic trace minerals could be used more effectively, which boosts health and body performance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of organic and inorganic trace minerals on the productive performance of Ghezel ewes with different BCSs in late pregnancy and early lactation, and their newborn lambs.
Material and method: In this study, 72 Ghezel ewes in third parity and an estimated lambing date of 30±5 days were used in a 2 × 3 factorial design, including three levels of BCS (low, moderate and high) and two types of trace mineral supplements (organic and inorganic) .Treatments were as follows: 1) low BCS (<3) and diet containing chelated minerals 2) low BCS (<3) and diet containing inorganic trace minerals, 3) Moderate BCS (3-4) and diet containing chelated minerals, 4) moderate BCS (3-4) and diet containing inorganic trace minerals 5) high BCS (>4) and diet containing chelated minerals, and 6) high BCS (>4) and diet containing inorganic trace minerals.
Results: The results showed that the sources of mineral supplements did not affect feed intake, milk yield and composition, but feed intake and milk yield increased with the enhancement in BCS (P<0.05). Fat and milk total solids were significantly higher in high BCS ewes compared to low BCS ewes (P<0.05). Ewes with low BCS had lower MUN in comparison with other BSC levels (P<0.05). Body weight and BCS loss during all periods were lower in low BCS ewes rather than other BCS levels (P<0.05). The weight of lambs at 30 days of age tended to increase in high BCS compared to those with low BCS (P < 0.1). Additionally, chelated minerals supplements increased average daily gain and weaning weight (P<0.05).
Conclusion: An appropriate BCS during late gestation has positive effects on productive performance in the postpartum period. Furthermore, supplementing trace elements in chelated form during the transition period, positively, affects the weight gain of newborn lambs.
soheil mirhabibi; Mohammad Asadi; Mojtaba Haghighat; Hossein Emrani; Yagob Soleymani nanadeganiy
Abstract
Objective: The future productivity and success of a dairy farm are fundamentally linked to the proper rearing of suckling calves. Accordingly, careful attention to nutritional management and disease prevention is essential, as these factors significantly influence early-life mortality rates and associated ...
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Objective: The future productivity and success of a dairy farm are fundamentally linked to the proper rearing of suckling calves. Accordingly, careful attention to nutritional management and disease prevention is essential, as these factors significantly influence early-life mortality rates and associated economic losses. Due to the unique structure of the bovine placenta, which prevents the transfer of immunoglobulins from dam to fetus, calves are born without circulating immunoglobulins. As a result, they are entirely dependent on the absorption of immunoglobulins from colostrum to acquire passive immunity and protection against pathogenic organisms until their own immune system matures, typically between 3 to 4 weeks of age. Adequate passive transfer provides both short- and long-term benefits, including reduced morbidity and mortality, improved growth and feed efficiency, and increased future milk yield and survival. Successful IgG transfer depends on the volume and concentration of colostrum consumed. With rising colostrum production, intake volumes have increased in some dairy operations. This study aimed to assess the impact of varying colostrum volumes (as a percentage of body weight) on growth, blood parameters, skeletal development, and passive immunity in suckling calves.
Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of varying colostrum volumes on performance, skeletal growth, blood parameters, and passive immune transfer in suckling calves. A total of 32 newborn calves (4 males and 4 females per group) were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups in a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of colostrum feeding at 14%, 16%, 18%, and 20% of body weight. The experimental period lasted for 32 days.
Results: The results indicated no significant differences in daily weight gain, final body weight, wither height, or chest circumference among calves fed different levels of colostrum. Similarly, colostrum volume (as a percentage of body weight) had no effect on serum IgG concentrations at 24 and 48 hours, or 30 days post-birth. No significant effects were observed on serum total protein, glucose, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels at either 24 hours after colostrum administration or on day 30. However, a significant difference in serum albumin concentration was observed among treatment groups on day 30 (P ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, varying levels of colostrum intake did not produce significant improvements in growth performance, immune status, or blood biochemical parameters in suckling calves. These findings suggest that administering colostrum at 14% of body weight is sufficient to meet the physiological and immunological needs of newborn calves under the conditions of this study.
Hasan Rouhanipour; Omid Ashayerizadeh; Seyed Davood Sharifi; Behrouz Dastar
Abstract
Objective: Young laying hens produce eggs with inferior eggshell quality, which is commonly reported as a problem in laying hens farms as it limits the productive life of hens and decreases table egg quality, which has a great negative impact on the poultry industry. In recent years, poultry research ...
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Objective: Young laying hens produce eggs with inferior eggshell quality, which is commonly reported as a problem in laying hens farms as it limits the productive life of hens and decreases table egg quality, which has a great negative impact on the poultry industry. In recent years, poultry research has often focused attention on the potent effects of dietary arginine (Arg) on poultry performance. Also, the use of amino acid supplements with an essential trace element (Copper sulfate; CuSO4) in the diets of laying hens has become essential as a result of their lack of access to fresh feed, storage in cages, and processing of feed.
Methods: The effects of dietary copper and L-Arginine supplementation on production performance, egg quality parameters, and serum biochemical metabolites during 22 to 30 weeks of age with a total of 288 Hy-Line W-80 white laying hens were used in 2×3 factorial arrangements with two levels of supplemental Cu (8 and 16 mg/kg in the layer diet denoted as Cu8, Cu16) and three levels of LA [include the recommended level according to Hy-line (RHL), as well as 20% higher (LA20) and 40% higher (LA40) than the recommended level] in the diet, 6 replicates with 8 birds per cage, for 8 weeks. The eggs produced were collected daily and after weighing, the percentage of laying, feed intake, conversion factor, average egg weight and egg shape index were calculated weekly. On the last two days of each week, the eggs produced by each experimental unit were collected and tested for qualitative traits such as shell thickness, haugh unit, and etc. Feed intake of experimental units was calculated from the fraction of feed consumed at the end of the period from the feed allocated at the beginning of the period, based on hen days. At the end of 30 weeks, two birds with close to average weight were selected from each replicate and 5 ml of blood was collected from them with a syringe through the wing vein and transported to the laboratory using regular (non-heparin) blood tubes to measure serum biochemical parameters (LDL, HDL, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol) and estradiol hormone.
Results: Egg production of birds in response to Cu16+LA20 and Cu16+RHL diets increased, compared to birds fed with Cu8+RHL (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio of birds in response to Cu16+RHL diet decreased, compared to birds fed with Cu8+LA40 (P<0.05). The egg Shape index in birds fed Cu16+LA20 increased, compared to Cu8+RHL, Cu8+LA20, and Cu16+RHL diets (P<0.05). Cholesterol was decreased in the groups supplemented with Cu16+LA40, compared to those fed with Cu16+RHL and Cu8+LA20 treatments (P<0.05). The serum superoxide dismutase level in birds fed Cu16+LA40 increased compared to birds fed Cu8+LA20 (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Adding 16 mg/kg copper with 20% and 40% higher of L-arginine than the recommended level can improve production, egg quality and serum biochemical parameters of laying hens at 22 to 30 weeks of age.
Hossein Irandoust; Sayyed Habibollah Mousavi; Mohammad Reza Akbari; Mohammad Irandoust
Abstract
Objective: Occasionaly, significant quantities of imported soybean seeds are stored for long periods in customs warehouses at the country's ports. The soybean meal produced from these stored seeds is often darker in appearance compared to other soybean meals. The use of such stored soybean meal may potentially ...
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Objective: Occasionaly, significant quantities of imported soybean seeds are stored for long periods in customs warehouses at the country's ports. The soybean meal produced from these stored seeds is often darker in appearance compared to other soybean meals. The use of such stored soybean meal may potentially have adverse effects on the health and productive performance of birds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing various levels of stored soybean meal with imported soybean meal on the productive performance and egg quality of laying hens.
Methods: This experiment was conducted over a period of 12 weeks using 375 commercial laying hens (White Shaver strain) at 34 weeks of age, in a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replicates of 15 birds per each. The treatments consisted of replacing 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of imported soybean meal with stored soybean meal in the diet. At the beginning of the experiment, chemical compositipon of soybean meals samples were analysed. During the experimental period, the following parameters were measured: average daily feed intake, egg production percentage, average egg weight, and feed conversion ratio. To assess egg quality traits, six eggs were collected from each replicate every four weeks and transported to the laboratory. The following parameters were measured: egg shape index, yolk index, Haugh unit, and percentages of shell, yolk, and albumen. Additionally, the absolute weights of eggs, yolks, albumen, and shells were recorded, along with egg length and width, yolk height and diameter, and albumen height. Lipid peroxidation of egg yolk as malondialdehyde content was determined.
Results: Laboratory results indicated that the crude protein content of stored soybean meal (44.6%) was 3.5% higher than that of regular soybean meal (41.1%), which could be attributed to differences in the source, harvest stage, type, processing method, and storage conditions. The ether extract percentage of regular soybean meal was 0.93%, whereas stored soybean meal exhibited a higher level of ether extract (1.36%), likely due to differences in oil extraction methods and systems. The urease activity in stored soybean meal was reported as 0.1, compared to 1.7 in regular soybean meal. Based on the lower urease index of the stored soybean meal, it can be concluded that the processing temperature was optimal. Therefore, the hypothesis that Maillard reactions caused the darker color of the stored soybean meal can be rejected. The experimental results showed that replacing various levels of stored soybean meal with imported soybean meal did not have a significant effect on average feed intake, egg production percentage, egg mass, egg weight, or feed conversion ratio. Throughout the experimental period, the Haugh unit, shell strength, shell thickness, yolk color, yolk index, and the weight percentages of albumen, yolk, and shell were not significantly affected by the treatments. However, replacing soybean meal with 100% stored soybean meal resulted in an increase in malondialdehyde concentration in the egg yolk (P < 0.05). Using stored soybean meal in commercial laying hen diets up to 75% of the imported soybean meal level did not have a negative impact on productive performance or egg quality characteristics.
Conclusion: In general, when soybean meal derived from long-stored soybean seeds is introduced to the market, its chemical properties particularly crude protein content and unavailable protein should be evaluated to determine its suitability as a replacement for regular soybean meal in diets.
َAlireza Younesi; Kazem Karimi
Abstract
Introduction: The welfare of domestic animals raised in industrial environments using mechanical and semi-mechanical tools has always been one of the main concerns of livestock farmers, as attention to the welfare of these animals can lead to increased productivity and reduced injury to the animals.
Methods: ...
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Introduction: The welfare of domestic animals raised in industrial environments using mechanical and semi-mechanical tools has always been one of the main concerns of livestock farmers, as attention to the welfare of these animals can lead to increased productivity and reduced injury to the animals.
Methods: The present research, considering the importance of the topic of welfare, has designed a model of cow welfare in industrial dairy farms based on a structural-interpretive model and using the fuzzy Delphi method. To this end, the factors affecting the welfare of cows were examined using library studies, and ultimately a final model was presented through the design of a fuzzy questionnaire. The statistical population of the research included experts and specialists in the fields of animal husbandry and industrial dairy farming in Pakdasht County, who were included in the study using a snowball sampling method. A total of 18 experts and specialists in the fields of animal husbandry and cattle breeding participated in the study as knowledgeable individuals in the care and maintenance of dairy cows. The main tool used for the research was a questionnaire developed by the researcher, which included a structured self-interaction matrix to conduct a survey among relevant elites and experts. The questionnaire consisted of two main sections: one included demographic characteristics related to the sample population, such as gender, age, education, work experience, and studies; the other contained a pairwise comparison table of factors affecting cow welfare in industrial dairy farms, where experts indicated the relationship between each component and other presented components using specific letters. The analysis of results was conducted using fuzzy methods, and finally, the nature of the variables was examined through MicMac analysis.
Results: The results indicated that among the internal factors, the health of the locomotor organ had the least influence and the highest dependency, while heat stress and automatic milking systems had the least dependency and the highest influence. The design of the flooring in the stalls and corridors, as well as the design of the barns based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, exhibited the least dependency and the highest influence. Among internal factors, variables such as infectious diseases, gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders, heat stress, automatic milking systems, design, size and dimensions of the barn and stalls, standing in barns, animal density in stalls, flooring design and type in stalls and corridors, density of dairy cows, barn design based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, and control of radiant heating acted as independent variables while other factors played a role as dependent variables. Among internal factors; locomotor health was the most influential factor while heat stress and automatic milking systems were the most susceptible factors. Among environmental factors; feed bunk and water trough conditions were the most influential while design aspects such as flooring type in stalls and corridors, barn designs based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, along with radiant heating control were found to be the most susceptible factors.
Conclusion: Factors such as the health of locomotor organs, feeding and watering facilities, healthcare practices, and humidity were significant at initial levels, while factors such as heat stress, automatic milking systems, design and type of flooring in housing and corridors, hall design based on wind direction and sunlight exposure, and control of radiant heating were significant at later levels affecting the welfare of dairy cows. Attention to these factors could be effective in improving the breeding conditions for cows.
Maryam Rahbar; Mehdi Behgar; Mohammad Rasoul Khoshniyat; Farahnaz Farahnaz Motamedi Sedeh; Parvin Shawrang
Abstract
Objective: The temperature-Humidity Index (THI) is used to study the effect of heat stress and is one of the critical factors in performance and infertility. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of THI on motility parameters and sperm motility velocity of Holstein bulls in different ...
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Objective: The temperature-Humidity Index (THI) is used to study the effect of heat stress and is one of the critical factors in performance and infertility. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of THI on motility parameters and sperm motility velocity of Holstein bulls in different months and to investigate the internal correlation between these parameters.
Method: Meteorological data from the National Meteorological Organization were used to calculate THI. Semen collection and evaluation were carried out at Nahadehaye Dami Jahed Company in Karaj. Three Holstein bulls were used in this study. The semen was diluted and then loaded into straws and frozen after cooling using a programmable freezer. The straws were immediately stored in liquid nitrogen and thawed in a water bath (37°C for 30 s) before evaluation. Sperm kinematic parameters were evaluated using CASA.
Results: The THI was lower in April than in other months and higher in July than in other months. The average THI in spring and summer was 64.00 and 70.67, respectively. Total motility, progressive motility, and slow motility were higher in May than in other months and lower in August than in other months. Among the sperm motility parameters, only beat cross frequency (BCF) and straightness (STR) had significant differences in different months. BCF was higher in May compared to other months and lower in August compared to other months. However, STR was higher in July compared to other months and lower in August compared to other months. The THI had a significant negative correlation with sperm progressive motility. Regarding the relationship between motility parameters and sperm motility velocity, the results showed a significant positive correlation between total motility with progressive motility and curved line velocity (VCL). Progressive motility was also positively correlated with VCL and BCF. A significant positive correlation was observed between the sperm motility parameters. A positive correlation was observed between the average path velocity (VAP) and the VCL, straight line velocity (VSL), and BCF parameters. There was a positive correlation between BCF and VCL and VAP parameters.
Conclusions: The data show that mild heat stress leads to a decrease in sperm motility and sperm velocity motility parameters. The negative correlation between THI and sperm progressive motility indicates the importance of heat stress on this important parameter. It is suggested that future studies investigate the relationship between THI and sperm motility parameters with sperm fertility using regression models.
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