Heritability and genetic correlations coefficients in different levels of milk production and fat were evaluated in this study. A data set of 8,887 milk and fat records from 5,875 Holstein cows, sired by 1,125 bulls from 1984 to 2001 were used. Data were stratified in three levels according to the herd milk production, low (<6000 kg), medium (>6000 a <7500 kg) and high (>7500 kg). The (co)variance components were estimated by Restricted Maximum Likelihood Method including in an animal model […]

The effect of months of year upon milk production and quality was estimated through evaluation of ten dairy production units classified as specialized (S), partially specialized (PS) and not specialized (NS), which were visited on 11 months of the year. Bulk tank milk was sampled to determinate physical and chemical characteristics and somatic cell count (SCC), mastitis percentage and milk production (liters/cow/day). Besides that, samples of feeds and water used for drinking and cleaning were collected. There were not significant […]

The experiment was conduced to evaluate the effects of corn replacement for forage cactus on the performance of crossbreed lactating cows and nutrient digestibility. Eight cows were assigned a two latin square design in a factorial 2 x 2 arrangement (two forage cactus cultivars, with or without corn).There was not interaction between forage cactus and corn and the effect of both were analyzed in an isolated way. The intake of dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fiber, crude protein, ether […]

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of the replacement of corn silage by up to 100% sugar cane in diets for milking cows. Studied characteristics were milk production and composition, body weight variation, intake of nutrients and economical viability of the diets. Twelve pure and crossbred Holstein milking cows, with potential yield of 5,000 to 7,000 kg of milk per lactation, were distributed in three 4×4 balanced latin square. The animals were maintained in individual stalls, where […]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of roasted whole soybean (RWS) in the concentrate composition to be employed to supplement feeding of Holstein cows on coastcross-1 pasture. Twelve early-lactating cows were utilized, divided into two groups as follows: A) the ones fed standard concentrate (control) containing soybean meal (23.5% CP and 80% TDN) and B) the ones fed RWS-enriched concentrate (19.5% CP and 86% TDN). In two treatments, daily feeding was of 9 […]

This trial aimed to characterize the ingestive behavior of Jersey dairy cows during cool and warm seasons, and at 30, 60 and 90 days post-partum. Daily time spent eating, ruminating and idling was estimated through visual observations recorded by a well trained observer. Records were made intermittently, using 10 minutes interval during 24 hours, five days per period, totalizing 30 days of observations. Ingestive behavior was recorded for each individual animal. Daily eating and rumination times were larger at warm […]

Official Holstein cow performance data in Brazil, based on monthly milk weights, is calculated using the correction factors proposed by Everett & Carter (1968) to estimate the partial production from calving to the first daily control in a given lactation. The adequacy of these factors was evaluated using 262 lactations from two herds with daily control of milk production per cow. Data were divided into classes based on age at calving (CIP): CIP 1 (up to 3 years), CIP 2 […]

To evaluate the reproductive efficiency and its relationship with productive traits and genetic composition of a herd, in tropical climate, 113 cows were ssigned to seven crossbreeding levels: 1/2, 3/4, 7/8, 9/16 and 15/16 Holstein x Zebu, crossbreed pure Holstein and Gir. The studied traits were: age at calving, calving season, interval from calving to first service, interval from first service to fertile service, number of services, service period, interval calving, reproductive efficiency, lactation period, milk production by lactation order […]

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of lactating Holstein cows fed diet with different replacement levels (0, 12, 24 and 36%) of forage cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill) for sorghum silage (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). Eight cows were assigned to a two 4×4 latin square design. Each experimental period lasted 21 days, 14 days for adaptation and 7 days for data collection. The intakes of dry matter (DM) in kg/day, % of live weight (LW) and g/kg0,75, organic […]

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the performances of cross breed Saanen dairy goats submitted to two strategies of supplementation with concentrate 30% of daily requirements in net energy (NRC, 1981) supplied by concentrate, from third week until the end of lactation (ESC.1) or 60% of requirements from the 3rd to the 13th week of lactation and 15% from 14th until the end of lactation (ESC.2); and evaluate the animal response to these strategies of supplementation with concentrate in […]