Grouping strategies and lead factors for ration formulation in milking ewes of the Chios breed

The aim of this study was to develop an efficient strategy for ration formulation for milking ewes of the Chios breed in Greece. The strategy involved two and three groupings according to production level and challenge feeding using lead factors. Lead factors, that adjust upwards the average production of a flock or a group of ewes, were calculated for the 83rd and the 90th percentile, using 49,237 milk test-day records from 549 flock-test-days, referring to 64 flocks and 97 complete lactations. Lead factors were 1.25 for the single-group, 1.14 and 1.17 for the two-group, and 1.11, 1.07 and 1.15 for the three-group strategy for the 83rd percentile. Regarding the 90th percentile, these were: 1.33 for the single-group, 1.18 and 1.19 for the two-group, and 1.15, 1.09 and 1.16 for the three-group strategy. Analysis of variance was used to assess the influence of several effects on lead factors. Flock-year and mean and standard deviation milk yield were significant (P250 kg of milk/ewe/year) and low (</p

GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF THE CSN1S1 GENE IN THE GREEK-INDIGENOUS SCOPELOS GOAT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the variability of the αs1-casein locus in the Scopelos breed. Skopelos is an indigenous Greek dairy goat breed that is characterised by high milk yield and robusteness. The notion is that the extensive polymorphisms of the caprine gene (CSN1S1) that encodes the aS1 casein (CN) fraction in different goat breeds is associated with milk yield and composition. The latter are investigated and discussed for Skopelos goats

Profitability of a dairy sheep genetic improvement program using artificial insemination

This simulation study investigated the farm-level economic benefits of a genetic improvement scheme using artificial insemination (AI) with fresh ram semen in dairy sheep of the Chios breed in Greece. Data were collected from 67 farms associated with the Chios Sheep Breeders' Cooperative 'Macedonia', describing the percentage of ewes that would be artificially inseminated in the flock, pregnancy rate, annual ram costs that could be saved using AI rather than natural mating, expected improvement in milk production, annual costs of semen and feed, milk price and number of years of AI usage. The study considered 77 760 possible scenarios in a 3 x 4 x 4 x 3 x 3 x 3 x 4 x 15 factorial arrangement. Analysis of variance was used to investigate the effect of each factor on farm profitability. All factors considered were statistically significant (P &lt;0.001), but their effect varied. The number of years using AI had the greatest effect on profitability and farmers should become aware that using AI is a long-term investment. Semen price, pregnancy rate and improvement in milk production also had substantial effects. The price of milk and feed had a considerably lower effect on profitability, as did the annual cost of maintaining rams that would be replaced by AI. A positive annual and cumulative return was achieved in the model within the first 6 years. The cost of semen was estimated at 8(sic) to 10(sic) per dose for the first 5 years. Where the annual improvement in milk production was 1% of annual phenotypic mean (e.g. 3.0 kg) profitability of the scheme was improved greatly.</p

Comparison of artificial insemination and natural service cost effectiveness in dairy cattle

Reproductive efficiency in the dairy herd is the most important factor for its economic success and a major concern for dairy farmers when using artificial insemination (AI) or natural service (NS). Our objectives were to estimate, compare and analyse the costs associated with breeding cattle by do-it-yourself (DIY) AI and NS and identify the factors that influence them, under typical dairy farming conditions in Greece. A simulation study was designed based on data from 120 dairy cattle farms that differed in size (range 40 to 285 cows) and milk production level (4000 to 9300 kg per cow per year). Different scenarios were employed to estimate costs associated directly with AI and NS as well as potentially extended calving intervals (ECI) due to AI. Results showed that bull maintenance costs for NS were 1440 Euro to 1670 Euro per year ($1,820 to$2,111). Direct AI costs were higher than those for NS for farms with more than 30 cows and ECI constituted a considerable additional burden. In fact, amongst the factors that affected the amount of milk needed to cover total extra AI costs, number of days open was the dominant one. Semen, feed and heifer prices had a very small effect. When, hypothetically, use of NS bulls results in a calving interval of 12 months, AI daughters with a calving interval of 13.5 months have to produce about 705 kg of additional milk in order to cover the extra cost. Their actual milk production, however, exceeds this limit by more than 25%. When real calving intervals are considered (13.0 v. 13.7 months for NS and AI, respectively) AI daughters turn out to produce more than twice the additional amount of milk needed. It was concluded that even under less than average management conditions, AI is more profitable than the best NS scenario. The efficient communication of this message should be a primary concern of the AI industry.</p

Recommendations to the formulation of EU regulation 2092/91 on livestock production

Within the SAFO network, the workpackage on standard development has focussed on the topic, on how and to what degree the EU-Regulations con-tribute to the objective of a high status of anima health and food safety in organic livestock production. Results and conclusions from the discussions at 5 SAFO workshops are presented

DESCRIPTION AND TYPOLOGY OF DAIRY GOAT FARMS IN GREECE

The objective is to provide a description and typology of a random sample of dairy goat farms in Greece. Dairy goat farming and its role in maintaining rural tradition and self-sufficiency of population in poor rural areas of Greece is discussed. The work is part of a large european project, SOLID that focoses in low input systems

Genetic Relationship of Body Energy and Blood Metabolites with Reproduction in Holstein Cows

Body condition score (BCS), energy content (EC), cumulative effective energy balance (CEEB), and blood serum concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and nonesterified fatty acids ( NEFA) were measured throughout first lactation in 497 Holstein cows raised on a large commercial farm in northern Greece. All these traits are considered to be indicators of a cow's energy balance. An additional measure of BCS, EC, and blood serum glucose, BHBA, and NEFA concentrations were taken approximately 2 mo (61 +/- 23 d) before first calving. During first lactation, first service conception rate, conception rate in the first 305 d of lactation, interval from calving to conception, number of inseminations per conception, incidence of metritis, and incidence of reproductive problems of these cows were recorded; interval between first and second calving, and second lactation first service conception rate were also recorded. Random regression models were used to calculate weekly animal breeding values for first lactation BCS, EC, CEEB, glucose, BHBA, and NEFA. Single trait animal models were used to calculate breeding values for these traits measured on pregnant heifers before calving. Reproductive records were then regressed on animal breeding values for these energy balance-related traits to derive estimates of their genetic correlations. Several significant estimates were obtained. In general, traits that are known to be positively correlated with energy balance (BCS, EC, CEEB, and glucose) were found to have a favorable genetic relationship with reproduction, meaning that increased levels of the former will lead to an enhancement of the latter. On the other hand, traits known to be negatively correlated with energy balance (BHBA and NEFA) were found to have an unfavorable genetic association with reproductive traits. Body condition score, BHBA, and NEFA recorded early in lactation, and glucose concentrations measured in pregnant heifers had the highest genetic correlation with future reproductive performance. Results suggest that genetic selection for body energy and blood metabolites could facilitate the genetic improvement of fertility and overall reproductive efficiency of dairy cows.</p

Biosecurity measures on cattle farms

Η εφαρμογή μέτρων υγιεινής σε μια εκτροφή βοοειδών έχει σαν στόχο: α) τη διατήρηση της υγείας των ζώων, προστατεύοντας τα τόσο από νέους παθογόνους παράγοντες όσο και από εκείνους που υπάρχουν ήδη στην εκτροφή και β) την παραγωγή ασφαλών προϊόντων. Τα γενικά μέτρα υγιεινής βρίσκουν εφαρμογή ανεξάρτητα από τα συγκεκριμένα προβλήματα που αντιμετωπίζει κάθε εκτροφή. Οι 'ανοικτές' εκτροφές, τα ζώα των οποίων έρχονται σε επαφή με βοοειδή άλλων εκτροφών (αγορά ζώων για αναπαραγωγή, συμμετοχή σε εκθέσεις, κοινοί βοσκότοποι κ.λπ.), πρέπει να εφαρμόζουν αυστηρά μέτρα ελέγχου, όπως απομόνωση των εισερχόμενων ζώων, κλινικές και εργαστηριακές εξετάσεις, εμβολιασμοί κ.λπ. Συνεπώς, οι 'κλειστές' εκτροφές παρουσιάζουν σημαντικά υγειονομικά και διαχειριστικά πλεονεκτήματα. Επιπλέον, όλες οι εκτροφές πρέπει να εφαρμόζουν μέτρα ελέγχου-περιορισμοΰ των επισκεπτών και των οχημάτων τους και μέτρα ελέγχου-προστασιας των ζωοτροφών και του νεροΰ σε όλα τα επίπεδα. Η διατήρηση οποιουδήποτε ζώου (παραγωγικού ή συντροφιάς) στις εκτροφές πρέπει να αποφεύγεται και να αποτρέπεται η είσοδος άλλων ζώων, αδέσποτων ή μη. Η συστηματική καταπολέμηση των εντόμων και των τρωκτικών και η απομάκρυνση των άγριων πτηνών είναι απαραίτητη. Η ομαδοποίηση των ζώων ανάλογα με την ηλικία τους, η αποφυγή συστέγασης των νεαρών με τα μεγαλύτερα ζώα, η τήρηση των προδιαγραφών κατασκευής των βουστασιων σε συνδυασμό με τον σωστό αερισμό και τον συχνό καθαρισμό τους, η εφαρμογή όπου είναι δυνατόν του συστήματος all in - all out και οι κατάλληλες απολυμάνσεις είναι απαραίτητα για τον περιορισμό της διάδοσης των παθογόνων παραγόντων μέσα στην εκτροφή. Τα επικίνδυνα υλικά και τα φάρμακα πρέπει να φυλάσσονται σε χώρους ελεγχόμενης πρόσβασης. Η κατάλληλη διατροφή και η αποφυγή των καταπονήσεων ενισχύουν το ανοσοποιητικό σύστημα των ζώων, ενώ η επιλογή τους με τη χρήση ειδικών γενετικών δεικτών αυξάνει την ανθεκτικότητα τους. Τέλος, η σωστή διαχείριση των αποβλήτων κατά τον χειρισμό και την αποθήκευση τους μειώνει τον κίνδυνο μετάδοσης νοσημάτων. Τα προγράμματα ειδικών μέτρων υγιεινής στοχεύουν στην αντιμετώπιση των συγκεκριμένων υγειονομικών προβλημάτων που απασχολούν μια εκτροφή. Αυτά καταρτίζονται με βάση τη μεθοδολογία της «ανάλυσης κίνδυνων» {risk analysis), η οποία περιλαμβάνει την «εκτίμηση του κίνδυνου» {risk assessment), τη «διαχείριση του κίνδυνου » {risk management) και την «επικοινωνία του κίνδυνου» {risk communication). Στην ιεράρχηση των προβλημάτων, κτηνίατροι και κτηνοτρόφοι λαμβάνουν υπόψη την επίδραση τους στην παραγωγικότητα της εκτροφής, στη δημόσια υγεία και στην ευζωία των βοοειδών. Η ομαδοποίηση των υγειονομικών προβλημάτων με βάση κάποια κοινά τους χαρακτηριστικά επιτρέπει, με την ίδια ή με μικρή επιπλέον προσπάθεια, την ταυτόχρονη αντιμετώπιση τους. Εμπόδια στην εφαρμογή των μέτρων υγιεινής αποτελούν η έλλειψη της σχετικής νοοτροπίας από τους κτηνοτρόφους και ο πλημμελής σχεδιασμός, η άναρχη ανάπτυξη και η ανεπαρκής οργάνωση των ελληνικών εκτροφών. Ευθύνη, όμως, για την υστέρηση στον τομέα αυτό φέρει και ο κτηνιατρικός κλάδος λόγω ελλιπούς εκπαίδευσης και έλλειψης κινήτρων.The aim of implementing biosecurity measures on cattle farms is: a) to preserve a high health status of animals by protecting them from new and existing pathogens and b) to ensure the production of safe food. General biosecurity measures should be implemented in any farm regardless of any specific problem. In "open" herds, where cattle have contact with animals from different farms (purchase of breeding animals, participation in cattle shows, common pastures etc) more strict biosecurity measures (i.e., isolation of in-coming animals, clinical examinations, laboratory tests, vaccinations) should be implemented. Therefore, "closed" herds present significant advantages in terms of health management. Moreover, all farms must apply control-restriction measures for visitors and vehicles as well as control and protection measures for feedstuffs and water. Animals of other species (farm or companion animals) should not be kept on the farm, whereas the entry of stray and wild animals must be prevented. Planned control measures for insects, rodents and wild birds are imperative. Management practices, such as grouping according to the age of cattle, but avoiding mixing young with older animals, should be combined with high housing standards, including proper ventilation and frequent manure removal. The implementation of the "all-in, all-ouf principle, whenever possible, as well as proper disinfections, are necessary to eliminate the distribution of pathogens within the farm. Dangerous chemicals and veterinary products must be kept in designated areas. Appropriate nutrition and avoidance of stress will boost the immune system of cattle. On the other hand, genetic selection, based on specific genetic indexes, will increase disease resistance. Moreover, proper manure handling and storage reduces the danger of disease transmission. The aim of specific biosecurity programmes is to confront specific health hazards on farm. Such programmes are developed according to the risk analysis methodology, which comprises risk assessment, risk management and risk communication. Both veterinarians and farmers give priority to problems that are related with farm profitability, public health and animal welfare. Grouping health problems by some of their common characteristics, allows a simultaneous approach, without extra effort. Overall, the lack of professional attitude by farmers, the defective design and development, as well as the inadequate organization of Greek cattle farms, are the main obstacles in implementing biosecurity measures. But, part of the responsibility lies on the veterinary profession as well; lack of training and motivation is the most probable explanation