Physiological adaptations and ovarian cyclicity of Holstein and Montbéliarde cows under two low-input production systems

Abstract

The objective was to study milk production, body reserve mobilization, metabolic and hormonal profiles, and ovarian cyclicity of Holstein-Friesian (HOLS) and Montbéliarde (MONT) cows under two low-input dairy production systems with seasonal spring calving: an extensive (EXT; 12 HOLS and 12 MONT) based on permanent diversified grasslands and zero concentrate, and a semi-extensive (SEMI; 12 HOLS and 10 MONT) based on established temporary grasslands and up to 4 kg/day of concentrate. Individual measurements were performed between −4 and 12 weeks of lactation. Cows in EXT secreted less milk (22.1 v. 24.4 kg/day), protein (660 v. 755 g/day) and energy (67.7 v. 74.4 MJ/day), had greater plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) (0.97 v. 0.69 mM), lower glucose (59.0 v. 62.0 mg/dl) and IGF-1 (62 v. 71 ng/ml), lower milk fat concentration in fatty acids originating from de novo synthesis (e.g. ∑ 10:0 to 15:0) and greater concentration of those derived in part from mobilization of fat reserves (e.g. 18:0 and ∑ > C16), and showed greater frequency of abnormal ovarian cycles compared with SEMI. Across production systems, HOLS produced more milk (24.7 v. 21.8 kg/day), protein (738 v. 674 g/day) and fat (939 v. 819 g/day), secreted more energy (75.1 v. 67.0 MJ/day), lost more body condition score (BCS) (1.41 v. 1.03) and reached a lower BCS nadir (1.12 v. 1.43), had greater plasma BHBA (0.91 v. 0.75 mM), lower insulin (15.9 v. 17.2 µIU/ml) and tended to have lower glucose (59.6 v. 61.4 mg/dl), had lower milk fat concentration in ∑ 10:0 to 15:0, tended to have higher ∑ > C16 and tended to show more abnormal estrous cycles compared with MONT. Ultrasound measurements did not differentiate fat mobilization and were confounded by breed differences of skin thickness. The greater nutrient allowance in SEMI improved indicators of physiological status and ovarian function during early lactation compared with EXT, but did not attenuate body reserve mobilization because cows prioritized milk secretion. HOLS secreted more nutrients than MONT but lost more BCS, which negatively affected nutritional balance and tended to affect ovarian cyclicity during early lactation. Breed by system interactions were not observed except for a few variables.

The effects of low-input grazing systems and milk pasteurisation on the chemical composition, microbial communities, and sensory properties of uncooked pressed cheeses

“…The higher body reserve mobilisation of EXT cows may contribute to the higher cis9-C18:1 content in their milk because cis9-C18:1 is the primary FA released from body reserves during their mobilisation (Kay et al, 2005). In contrast, the greater milk yield of SEMI cows could reflect the improved nutritional status of these cows, as previously reported by Pires et al (2015).…”

“…The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Marcenat (INRA, UE1296 Monts d'Auvergne, France), which is located in an upland mountainous grassland area in central France (45 18 0 21 00 N, 2 50 0 13 00 E, altitude 1135e1215 m, annual rainfall 1100 mm). The study was conducted in 2012 during the 2nd year of a long-term research project assessing the interactions between management practices and animal performances at the farm level (Pires et al, 2015). A total of 24 Holstein and 24 Montbeliarde spring-calving dairy cows and their corresponding heifers were divided between two independent farmlets denominated extensive (EXT) and semi-extensive (SEMI).…”

Performance of Holstein and Swedish-Red × Jersey/Holstein crossbred dairy cows within low- and medium-concentrate grassland-based systems

“…Similar trends were observed in the study by Horn et al (2014) with lower feeding levels. Others have observed plasma NEFA not to be consistent with other indicators of energy balance (Pires et al, 2015). The higher BHB and isocitrate levels in milk of cows on the low system are consistent with the increased BW loss to nadir of cows on this system.…”

Bacterial community assembly from cow teat skin to ripened cheeses is influenced by grazing systems

“…The experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of Marcenat (INRA, UE1414 Herbipôle, France), which is located in an upland mountainous grassland area in central France (altitude 1135–1215 m). The study was conducted in 2012 during the 2 nd year of a long-term experiment 36 where a total of 24 Holstein and 24 Montbeliarde spring-calving dairy cows and their corresponding heifers were divided in two independent farmlets denominated extensive (EXT) and semi-extensive (SEMI) 22 . Briefly, the EXT system consisted of 60 ha of highly diversified grasslands fertilized with 30 kg/ha/year of organic nitrogen and no mineral fertilization.…”