• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2024

Hoof health management plays an important role in dairy farms because lameness can impact productivity via decreased milk yield, reproduction rate, and increased culling rate. Regular hoof trimming can help reduce the incidence of hoof diseases in dairy cows. However, its effects on healthy dairy cows remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of hoof trimming on milk yield, rumination time, and activity in healthy Holstein and Jersey cows. Fourteen cows (7 Holstein and 7 Jersey) without lameness were used in this study. We trimmed the cows and collected data from 3 days prior to 9 days after hoof trimming. Milk yield, rumination time, and activity were measured using automatic milking and health monitoring systems. Milk yield and rumination time decreased, whereas activity level increased on the trimming day compared to the previous days in both breeds, although the difference was not significant. On the days after hoof trimming, milk yield, rumination time, and activity recovered to normal. Especially in Holstein cows, a temporary increase in milk yield was observed compared to that in the pre-trimming period. Hoof trimming did not negatively affect the productivity of dairy cows of either breed. Furthermore, productivity can temporarily increase.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between behavioral signs and duration of estrous in Hanwoo and Holstein cattle for the prediction of optical insemination. Fifty two of 58 and 71 of 89 in Hanwoo and Holstein cows or heifers showed estrous exhibition within 72 h after 2 days following $PGF_{2}\alpha$ administration, respectively. The number of mounting and standing heat were 54.2 and 57.6, 59.4 and 53.5, 42.0 and 30.8 and 16.2 and 10.7 times in Hanwoo cows, Hanwoo heifers, Holstein cows and Holstein heifers, respectively. Duration of mounting were no significantly difference for Hanwoo cows ($21.2\pm11.3$), Hanwoo heifers ($19.9\pm11.4$), Holstein cows ($8.7\pm4.4$) and Holstein heifers ($16.9\pm8.0$). Duration of standing heat were significantly (p<0.05) shorter for Holstein cows ($5.4\pm3.4$) than for Hanwoo cows ($17.1\pm9.6$), Hanwoo heifers ($16.5\pm6.3$) and Holstein heifers ($15.0\pm7.2$). Time until mounting after injection of $PGF_{2}\alpha$ were significantly (p<0.05) longer for Holstein cows ($56.3\pm11.45$) than for Hanwoo cows ($42.71\pm10.44$), Hanwoo heifers ($36.6\pm8.21$) and Holstein heifers ($40.70\pm6.15$). Time until standing heat after injection of $PGF_{2}\alpha$ were significantly (p<0.05) longer for Holstein cows ($61.6\pm8.92$) than for Hanwoo cows ($46.2\pm11.49$), Hanwoo heifers ($42.7\pm6.06$) and Holstein heifers ($44.1\pm6.72$). In the results of this study, duration of standing heat was the shortest in Holstein cows ($5.4\pm3.4$). The estimation of estrous with Holstein cows has more difficulty because to significantly shorter duration of standing heat than for Hanwoo cows, Hanwoo heifers and Holstein heifers. The standing heat can be a good predictor for time of ovulation but it is concluded that mounting behavior could be the best predictor for time of ovulation.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.872-883
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• 2021

We evaluated the effects of heat stress on physiological responses and milk production in Holstein and Jersey cows reared in Korea. The mean average temperature-humidity index (THI) increased significantly from May to August and then decreased until October. The mean average rectal temperature (RT) was increased in Holstein cows compared with Jersey cows, as the THI values increased from 61 to 85. The average respiratory rate (RR) was increased in Jersey cows compared with Holstein cows when the THI value increased from 61 to 85. The average surface temperature of the rumen and udder was higher in Jersey cows than in Holstein cows when the THI value increased from 61 to 85. No significant difference was noted with respect to relative serum volumes between the breeds and THI ranges, but we measured significant changes in serum pH in Holstein and Jersey cows when the THI value increased from 61 to 85. Milk production was not significantly changed in Holstein cows when the THI increased from 61 to 85, but milk production and milk protein content were significantly altered in Jersey cows when the THI increased from 61 to 85. Current study suggests that Holstein cows still have an advantage in terms of the economic returns of dairy farms in Korea. Therefore, further research is required regarding the heat tolerance of Jersey cows in Korean climatic conditions.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.12
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• pp.41.1-41.7
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• 2016

Background: Over two decades of observations in the field in South East Asia and Hawai'i suggest that majority of the commercial dairy herds are of black hair coat. Hence a simple study to determine the accuracy of the observation was conducted with two large dairy herds in Hawaii in the mid-1990s. Methods: A retrospective study on longevity of Holstein cattle in the tropics was conducted using DairyComp-305 lactation information coupled with phenotypic evaluation of hair coat color in two large dairy farms. Cows were classified into 3 groups: a) black (B, >90%); b) black/white (BW, 50:50) and c) white (W, >90%). Cows with other hair coat distribution were excluded from the study. In farm A, 211 out of 970 cows were identified having 4 or more lactations. In farm B, 690 out of 1,350 cows were identified with 2 or more lactations for the study. Results: The regression analyses and the Wilcoxon-Log-rank test for survival probability showed that Holstein cattle with 90% black hair coat had greater longevity compared to Holstein cattle with 90% white hair coat. Conclusions: This study suggests that longevity of Holstein cattle in tropical regions was influenced by hair coat color and characteristics.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.567-574
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• 2021

Objective: In this study we investigated the effect of seasonal thermal stress on milk production and milk compositions between Holstein and Jersey dairy cows under the temperate-climate in Korea. Methods: A total of 9 Holstein lactating dairy cows (2.0±0.11 parity) which had a daily milk yield of 29.77±0.45 kg, and days in milk of 111.2±10.29 were selected similarly at the beginning of the experiments in each season. Also, a total of 9 Jersey lactating dairy cows (1.7±0.12 parity) which had a daily milk yield of 20.01±0.43 kg, and days in milk of 114.0±9.74 were selected similarly at the beginning of the experiments. Results: Results showed that the average ambient temperature (℃) and temperature-humidity index (THI) were higher in summer, and were lower in winter (p<0.05). The average relative humidity (RH, %) was higher in autumn than that of other seasons (p<0.05). Milk production was significantly decreased (Holstein 29.02 kg/d and Jersey 19.75 kg/d) in autumn than in other seasons (Holstein 30.14 kg/d and Jersey 20.96 kg/d). However, the milk production was negatively correlated in Holstein cows, and positively correlated in Jersey cows with THI values increased from 16 to 80. In addition, milk yield was increased by 15% in Holstein cows and decreased by 11% in Jersey cows with the THI values increased from 16 to 20. The fat and protein content percentage was significantly higher in Jersey milk than in Holstein milk, furthermore the fat and protein content yield was higher in Jersey cow milk than that of Holstein cow's milk with all THIs. Conclusion: From the study results, we concluded that Jersey cows might be less adaptable to low temperature of the winter, and this would have a negative impact on dairy farmer income since Korea's milk price estimation system places a higher value on milk yield than on milk compositions or sanitary grades.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.165-169
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• 2018

The main objective of this experiment was to investigate effects of two different feeding systems on body weight, milk yield, milk composition, and mineral and fatty acids content of Holstein dairy cows' milk. Sixteen of 25 months-old Holstein dairy cows were assigned to two groups (n=8) to study effects of the feeding system for 150 days. Two feeding systems were compared for five months; Group 1 was housed indoors and mainly fed a concentrate diet, Group 2 was maintained outdoors for five-seven hours/day on various kinds grass in a pasture. The experiment was conducted June-October 2017. Results revealed the indoor-fed cows had higher body weight, that was significant compared with the outdoor-based feeding system of Holstein dairy cows (p<0.05). Indoor-raised milking cows had higher milk yield (32.45 kg) as compared with pasture-raised milk yield (26.44 kg). Cows fed indoors significantly increased milk yield, total protein content, lactose, citric acid level, and lowered level of total solid and free fatty acids relative to the pasture-fed milking cows (p>0.05). There were higher levels of mineral content and fatty acid content in the milk of indoor-fed dairy cows than the pasture-raised dairy cows (p>0.05). Our study results demonstrated the potential benefits of the indoor feeding system for increased body weight, milk yield, mineral and fatty acids content summer through autumn when low pasture growth rates and quality may otherwise limit production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1093-1098
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• 2017

Objective: The aim of the current study was to describe the relationship between milk yield and lactation number, stage, length and milking frequency in Korean Holstein dairy cows using an automatic milking system (AMS). Methods: The original data set consisted of observations from April to October 2016 of 780 Holstein cows, with a total of 10,751 milkings. Each time a cow was milked by an AMS during the 24 h, the AMS management system recorded identification numbers of the AMS unit, the cow being milking, date and time of the milking, and milk yield (kg) as measured by the milk meters installed on each AMS unit, date and time of the lactation, lactation stage, milking frequency (NoM). Lactation stage is defined as the number of days milking per cows per lactation. Milk yield was calculated per udder quarter in the AMS and was added to 1 record per cow and trait for each milking. Milking frequency was measured the number of milkings per cow per 24 hour. Results: From the study results, a significant relationship was found between the milk yield and lactation number (p<0.001), with the maximum milk yield occurring in the third lactation cows. We recorded the highest milk yield, in a greater lactation length period of early stage (55 to 90 days) at a $4{\times}$ milking frequency/d, and the lowest milk yield was observed in the later stage (>201 days) of cows. Also, milking frequency had a significant influence on milk yield (p<0.001) in Korean Holstein cows using AMS. Conclusion: Detailed knowledge of these factors such as lactation number, stage, length, and milking frequency associated with increasing milk yield using AMS will help guide future recommendations to producers for maximizing milk yield in Korean Dairy industries.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.230-238
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• 2021

This study attempted to determine the characteristic features of postpartum dairy cows during their return to estrus. Moreover, it investigated the effects of abnormal ovarian cycles (AOC) on subsequent reproductive performance and the relationship between normal ovarian cycles (NOC) and the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level postpartum. Incidentally, 56.3% of the Holstein cows and 66.7% of the Jersey cows had NOC, whereas the 43.7% and 33.3% of the Holstein and Jersey, respectively, had AOC. Within 100 days of calving, the cows with AOC had significantly lower rates of artificial insemination (AI) submission as well as pregnancy and a significantly longer interval to first AI, as compared to that in the cows with NOC. Additionally, the cows with NOC had a significantly higher first AI conception rate than that in the cows with AOC. In this study, of the 32 Holstein cows, 8 resumed their ovarian cycle within 20 days of calving, 10 resumed the cycle with 21-40 days of calving, 8 within 41-60 days of calving, while the remaining 6 did not resume their ovarian cycles until 60 days postpartum. Furthermore, the likelihood ratios of incidence of NOC are 0.93, 1.94, and 0.38, respectively, in the groups with BUN levels < 15, 15-19.9, and ≥ 20 mg/dl. In conclusion, AOC postpartum adversely affects reproductive performance such as AI submission rate, pregnancy rate, interval to first AI and first AI conception rate; moreover, an increase or decrease in the BUN levels beyond 15-19.9 mg/dL leads to the AOC postpartum.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.565-576
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• 2020

Recently, Jersey cattle was introduced and produced by embryo transfer to Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the differences of milk compositions between Jersey and Holstein cows and the relationship between days in milk (DIM) and milk compositions during early lactation. Data were collected from twelve lactating cows from Department of Animal Resources Development at National Institute of Animal Science. Cows in parity 1 were used, and calved at spring from April to March of 2017. All cows were housed in two sections within a free-stall barn, which divided into six from each breed, and received a basal total mixed ration. Milk samples of each cow were collected at 3 DIM and 30 DIM for analyzing the milk compositions, including fatty acids (FA), amino acids and minerals. Total solids, citrate, and milk urea nitrogen level were differed between the breeds (p < 0.05). As DIM went from 3 to 30, milk protein, total solids, and somatic cell count decreased (p < 0.05), but lactose increased in all breed milk (p < 0.05). Citrate and free fatty acid (FFA) elevated in Jersey milk (p < 0.05), whereas reduced in Holstein milk (p < 0.05). Proportions of some individual FA varied from the breeds. Myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), and arachidonic acid (C20:4) in milk from all cows were higher at 3 DIM than at 30 DIM (p < 0.05). Also, stearic (C18:0) and oleic acid (C18:1) were lower at 3 DIM than at 30 DIM (p < 0.05), and the C18:1 to C18:0 ratio was significantly differed in DIM × breed interactions (p < 0.05). The contents of the individual amino acids did not differ from the breeds. Calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and zinc (Zn) contents was significantly increased in Holstein milk than Jersey milk at 3 DIM. Also, K and Zn concentrations were higher in Holstein milk than in Jersey milk at 30 DIM (p < 0.05). It was concluded that Jersey cows would produce more effective milk in processing dairy products and more proper energy status compared with Holstein cows in early lactation under the same environmental and nutritional conditions.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of abnormal ovarian cycles after superovulation treatment of Holstein Donor Cows. CIDRs were inserted into the vaginas of twenty two head of Holstein cows, regardless of estrous cycle. Superovulation was induced using folliclar stimulating hormone (FSH). For artificial insemination, donor cows were injected with $PGF_2{\alpha}$ and estrus was checked about 48 hours after the injection. Then they were treated with 4 straws of semen 3 times, with 12-hour intervals. Embryos were collected by a non-surgical method 7 days after the first artificial insemination. The cows were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity on the day of ovulation if followed by regular ovarian cycles. Seventy two point seven percentage of the cows(16/22) had normal resumption of ovarian cyclicity(resumption within 40 days after superovulation), and 27.3%(6/22) had delayed resumption(resumption did not occur until>40 days after superovulation). Delayed resumption Type II(first ovulation did not occur until ${\geq}40$ days after superovulation, i.e. delayed first ovulation 13.6%) were the most common types of delayed resumptions. The mean numbers of total ova from < 10 and $10{\leq}$ of corpora lutea(CL) was $7.8{\pm}1.8$ and $12.7{\pm}2.7$, respectively. The number of transferable embryos differed between < 10 and $10{\leq}$ CL was $5.4{\pm}1.3$ and $8.1{\pm}3.4$, respectively. Four point five percentage of the cows(1/22) did not resumption their ovarian cyclicity until 60 days after superovulation treatment. Diverse researches on the superovulation treatment method that is suitable for high-producing Holstein donor cows would contribute to preventing ovarian cyclicity disorder, as well as to the early multiplication of cows with superior genes by increasing the utilization value of donor cows.