The objective of this study was to compare the feeding effects of imported timothy hay, domestic Italian ryegrass silage (IRGS) and IRG dried by hot-air dry system (IRGHDS) under basic total mixed ration (bTMR) on rumination activity, milk production, and milk composition in lactating dairy cows. Eighteen Holstein dairy cows were divided into three groups: control (bTMR + imported timothy hay), treatment 1 (bTMR + IRGS) and treatment 2 (TMR + IRGHDS) groups. The study was conducted over a total period of 24 days, including a 10 days adaptation period and a 14 days main experimental period. The results indicate body weight was not significantly different between the three groups (p>0.05), and rumination time was significantly higher in the treatment 1 group compared with the control group (p<0.001). Milk fat, protein, and lactose were not significantly different between the three groups (p>0.05), however, somatic cell counts were significantly lower in the treatment 1 group compared with the control group (p<0.001). As a result of the economic feasibility analysis, it is expected that feeding TMR using IRGS and IRGHDS will increase profit by 402.8 won/day and 331.4 won/day per cow compared to imported timothy hay. Therefore, IRGS and IRGHDS can be used as substitutes for imported timothy hay in feeding lactating dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to investigate the comparison of feeding a total mixed ration (TMR) containing imported alfalfa hay and TMR containing hot-air dried domestic alfalfa on rumination activity, milk production, and composition in lactating dairy cows. Ten Holstein dairy cows were divided into two groups: control (imported alfalfa hay + TMR) and treatment (hot-air dried domestic alfalfa + TMR) groups. The study was conducted over a total period of 18 days, including a 13-days adaptation period and a 5-days main experimental period. The results indicated no differences in total digestible nutrient and net energy intake between the imported and hot-air dried alfalfa. Body weight was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05), however, total feed intake and rumination time were significantly and tendentially higher in the treatment group compared with control group, respectively (p<0.001; p=0.075). Milk yield was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05), however, milk fat (kg) and lactose (%) concentration were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with control group (p=0.016; p=0.02). This study confirms that feeding TMR with hot-air dried domestic alfalfa results in no differences of feed intake, rumination activity, and milk productivity. Therefore, it is considered that hot-air dried domestic alfalfa can be used as a substitute for imported alfalfa on lactating dairy cows.

This study was performed to investigate immune changes by comparing the proportion and function of immune cells in the blood under high-temperature period and convalescence temperature period in Holstein dairy cows. The experiment was conducted using Holstein dairy cows of five animals per group (60 ± 20 months old, 175 ± 78 non-day) from the National Institute of Animal Science at high-temperature period (THI: 76 ± 1.2) and convalescence temperature period (THI: 66 ± 1.3). Complete blood count results showed no change in the number of immune cells between groups. In the analysis using Flow Cytometry of PBMCs, no significant differences were observed among B cells, Helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and γδ T cells between groups. However, there was an increase in Th17 cells producing IL-17a, while Th1 cells decreased during the convalescence temperature period. The results of gene expression analysis using qRT-PCR in PBMCs revealed an increase in IL-10 during the convalescence temperature period, while a decrease in HSP70 and HSP90 was observed. In conclusion, the increased expression of IL-10 and the decrease in HSP expression suggest the possibility of a weak recovery from heat stress. However, the lack of observed changes in B cells, T cells, and other immune cells indicates incomplete recovery from heat stress during the convalescence temperature period.

본 연구는 우리나라 Holstein의 번식형질에 대한 유전모수를 추정하기 위하여, 2009년부터 2013년까지 분만한 농협 젖소개량사업소의 검정자료 경산우 144,793두의 211,899개의 번식기록을 이용하였다. 7가지 형질의 유전 및 오차 (공)분산을 WOMBAT 패키지를 이용하여 분석하였다. CTFS, GL, NRR, NS, FSTC, DO 및 CI의 유전력은 각각 0.064, 0.060, 0.005, 0.014, 0.012, 0.021 및 0.021로 추정되었다. 형질들 간의 유전상관은 –0.910에서 0.995로 나타났다. NRR과 NS, NRR과 FSTC 간에는 부의 유전상관이 나타났으나, DC와 CI는 강한 양의 유전상관을 나타냈다. CTFS와 FSTC는 DO 및 CI와 유의하게 양의 유전상관관계를 나타냈다(0.479~0.862). CTFS와 FSTC 사이의 낮은 유전상관은 두 형질이 서로 다른 유전적 측면에 있다는 것을 의미한다. 본 연구는 번식능력 개량을 위한 기초 자료를 제공할 수 있을 것이라 판단한다.

The objective of the present study was to determine the best model to describe and quantify the changes in live body weight, height at withers, height at rump, body length and chest girth of Holstein cows raised under Korean feeding conditions for 50 months. The five standard growth models namely polynomial linear regression models, regression of growth variables on the first and second-order of ages in days (model 1) and regression of growth variables on age covariates from first to the third-order (model 2) as well as non-linear models were fitted and evaluated for representing growth pattern of Holstein cows raised in Korean feeding circumstances. Nonlinear models fitted were three exponential growth curve models; Brody, Gompertz, and von Bertalanffy functional models. For this purpose, a total of 22 Holstein cows raised in Korea used in the period from April 2016 to May 2020. Each model fitted to monthly growth curve records of dairy cows by using PROC NLIN procedure in SAS program. On the basis of the results, nonlinear models showed the lower root mean square of error (RMSE) for live body weight, height at withers, height at rump, body length and chest girth (12.22, 1.95, 1.55, 4.04, 2.06) with higher correlation coefficiency (R2) values for live body weight, height at withers, height at rump, body length and chest girth (0.99, 0.99, 0.99, 1.00, 1.00). Overall, the evaluation of the different growth models indicated that the Gompertz model used in the study seemed to be the most appropriate one for standard growth of Holstein cows raised under Korean feeding system.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of heat-stressed environment on rumen microbial diversity in Holstein cows. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured and rumen fluid was collected under normal environment (NE; Temperature humidity index (THI)=64.6) and heat-stressed environment (HE; THI=87.2) from 10 Holstein cows (60±17.7 months, 717±64.4 kg) fed on the basis of dairy feeding management in National Institute of Animal Science. The rumen bacteria diversity was analyzed by using the Illumina HiSeq™ 4000 platform. The rectal temperature and respiratory rate were increased by 1.5ﾟC and 53 breaths/min in HE compared to that in NE, respectively. In this study, HE exposure induced significant changes of ruminal microbe. At phylum level, Fibrobacteres were increased in HE. At genus level, Ruminococcaceae bacterium P7 and YAD3003, Butyrivibrio sp. AE2032, Erysipelotrichaceae bacterium NK3D112, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Lachnospiraceae bacterium FE2018, XBB2008, and AC2029, Eubacterium celulosolvens, Clostridium hathewayi, and Butyrivibrio hungatei were decreased in HE, while Choristoneura murinana nucleopolyhedrovirus, Calothrix parasitica, Nostoc sp. KVJ20, Anabaena sp. ATCC 33047, Fibrobacter sp. UWB13 and sp. UWB5, Lachnospiraceae bacterium G41, and Xanthomonas arboricola were increased in HE. In conclusion, HE might have an effect to change the rumen microbial community in Holstein cows.

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.

A diverse of recommendation has been made for the structure and management of dairy cows, despite demanding research, the relationship between lactation number and various factors is yet to be established. The present study was aimed to investigate the covariance among lactation number, growth performance, calving interval, and milk production was considered to increase an efficiency of selection schemes and to manage more efficiently Holstein dairy cows that have been raised on small-scale family farms in Republic of Korea. For that purpose, the data were observed from 850 Holstein dairy cows, which a total of 3929 milking, since April 2016 - January 2017. We measured the body weight, height, age, calving interval, and milk production of the each dairy cow. Also, information about the date of lactation, calving interval, and milk production was recorded using an automatic milking system(AMS) with identification numbers. Milk production was calculated per udder quarter in the AMS. Our study results showed the increased average body weight(p>0.05) in 1, 2, 3, and 4th lactating dairy cows and afterwards, we noticed the tendency on the average body weight(p<0.05) per lactation progressed. There was no significant difference noticed on height measurement of dairy cows. From the processing data of 850 Holstein dairy cows, the lactation number 1 and 7 had a greater calving interval with significantly lowered milk production, and the lactation number 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 had significantly lowered the calving interval(p<0.05) with a greater milk production. From our study results, we evidenced that there is a significant relationship between the lactation number, growth performance, calving interval, and milk yield, and the maximum production of milk occurring in the 3rd and 4th lactation dairy cows. The achieved results from this study can be used by the small-scale farmers to encourage the structure and management of growth performance, calving interval, and milk yield in Holstein dairy cows in Korea.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of corn (Zea mays L.) - soybean (Glycine max L.) silage prepared by intercropping method on the nutritive value of the silage, in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics, dry matter degradability, as well as milk yield and milk composition of dairy cows. In a couple of experiments intercropped corn-soybean silage (CSBS) was compared with corn silage (CS) and/or Italian ryegrass hay (IRG). Numerically, CSBS had higher crude protein, ether extract, and lactic acid contents compared to CS. In vitro rumen fermentation analysis demonstrated that up to a 24-h incubation period, both CS and CSBS showed higher total gas production, ammonia N concentration, and dry matter degradability compared to IRG (p<0.05). The investigation on animals was conducted in a commercial dairy farm located in Gyeongju, South Korea, employing 42 Holstein cows that were divided into 2 group treatments: CS and CSBS in a completely randomized design. Although no significant difference was observed in milk yield, animals fed on CSBS showed significantly higher milk protein (p<0.05) and milk fat content (p<0.01), compared to animals fed on CS. Taken together, our findings indicate that corn-soybean silage that is cultivated, harvested, and prepared through intercropping can improve the protein content of the silage, and can also enhance in vitro rumen fermentation, dry matter degradability, and performance of dairy cattle.

This study was designed to investigate the carryover effects of high-forage to concentrate (F: C) diet in bred heifers on feed intake, feed efficiency (FE) and milk production of primiparous lactating Holstein cows. The experiment was conducted for 589 days (d) from onset of pregnancy through to the end of first lactation. Twenty-four bred heifers (Body weight: BW= 345.8 ± 45.4 kg and 15 ± 1.2 mon of age) randomly assigned to two groups of 3 pens containing 4 heifers each and fed high forage (HF) diet with F: C ratio of 91.7: 8.3% and low forage (LF) diet with F: C ratio of 77.8: 22.2% throughout the pregnancy period. After calving, lactating cows were fed total mixed ration (TMR) based diet. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed in dry matter intake (DMI) of bred heifers and primiparous lactating cows in both HF and LF groups. The FE of mid-to-late lactation period was higher (p< 0.05) in HF than LF group. However, the HF group showed higher (p < 0.05) milk yield, 4 % fat corrected milk (FCM) and energy corrected milk (ECM) than LF group during the 305 d lactation. The LF group showed higher (p < 0.05) milk fat, crude protein (CP), milk urea nitrogen (MUN), solid not fat (SNF) and somatic cell count (SCC) than HF group. It is concluded that restriction of F: C ratio to 91.7: 8.3% to bred heifers has the potential carryover effects to maintain higher milk yield and FE with no adverse effect on feed intake and milk composition of primiparous lactating Holstein cows.

This research was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding high and low forage diets with different forage sources on rumen fermentation characteristics and blood parameters of Holstein cows during the dry period. Eight Holstein cows were completely randomized assigned to two groups and repeated measurement was utilized in the analysis. Cows in two treatments were fed with diets with high (F:C = 70:30, 70F; forage source: mixed-sowing whole crop barley and Italian ryegrass silage, BIRG) and low (F:C = 55:45, 55F; forage source: tall fescue hay, TF) forage level. Rumen fluid pH was higher in 70F group. Levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid showed a similar pattern: from the lowest value at 07:30 h to the highest at 10:30 h and then decreased in both groups. The ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 55F group at 09:30 and 10:30 h. Rumen fluid NH3-N concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 70F group at 09:30 and 10:30 h. Blood urea nitrogen was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 70F group. It was concluded that BIRG based diet with a high forage level had no adverse effects on rumen fermentation, some blood chemical parameters, and immune system in dry Holstein cows and could be used as a forage source instead of imported TF.

본 연구는 분만간격과 비유곡선 모수들 간의 상관관계를 규명하기 위하여 농협중앙회 젖소개량사업 소에서 진행하고 있는 유우군 능력검정사업에 참여하고 있는 홀스타인 젖소로부터 조사한 착유기록 36,505개를 분석하였는데, 분석에 이용된 착유기록은 모두 2011년부터 2013년 사이에 분만한 경산우 로부터 조사하였다. 비유곡선 모수는 Wood 모형을 적용하여, SAS 9.2 NLIN Procedure를 이용해 추 정하였다. 분만년도-계절(봄, 여름, 가을, 겨울)효과와 산차(2, 3, 4산차)의 효과를 고정효과로 한 다 형질 일반선형모형으로 SAS(GLM procedure)를 이용하였다. 분만간격, 305일 유량, 비유곡선모수(A, b, c), 비유지속성, Peak 일시 및 Peak기 유량에 대해 분만년도-계절과 산차의 효과는 모두 유의적 으로 나타났다(p<0.05). Wood 모형으로 추정한 비유곡선 함수는 2, 3 및 4산차에 대해 각각 yt = 24.66t0-175e-0.00302t, yt = 24.69t0-192e-0.00334t 및 yt = 24.22t0.200e-0.00341t으로 추정되었다. 분만간격과 305일 유량, 모수값 A, b, c, 비유지속성, Peak 일시 및 Peak기 유량과의 표현형상관(잔차상관)은 각 각 0.093, -0.014, 0.028, -0.046, 0.099, 0.085 및 0.052으로 나타났다. 분만간격이 길어지면 비유 곡선의 상향경사도, 비유지속성, Peak 일시, Peak기 유량은 증가하고, 비유곡선의 하향경사도는 감소 하여, 305일 유량은 증가할 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구는 우리나라의 Holstein 능력검정 암소집단의 혈통자료를 이용하여 근교계수 및 혈통구조를 분석함으로써 Holstein 집단의 유전적 다양성 정도를 알아보고자 실시하였다. 2002년부터 2012년 사 이에 태어난 Holstein 400,029두에 대한 능력검정 자료 및 509,740두에 대한 혈통정보를 이용하여 분석하였다. 국내 지역별로 혈통완성도를 분석한 결과, 선조 3대까지의 조상을 알고 있는 개체의 비율 은 경기, 강원, 충남, 충북, 경북, 경남, 전남, 전북, 제주 및 우리나라 전체에 대해 각각 55.18, 23.49, 47.83, 53.62, 56.38, 51.35, 26.58, 49.41, 56.90 및 63.20%로 나타났다. 한편, 출생년도 별 평균근교계수는 2002년부터 2012년까지의 년도별 평균 및 전체에 대해 각각 0.43, 0.44, 0.58, 0.64, 0.78, 0.93, 1.08, 1.23, 1.46, 1.77, 2.03 및 0.93%로 추정되었다. 또한 아비에서 딸소까지 평균 세 대간격은 8.15년으로 나타났으며, 어미에서 딸소까지 평균 세대간격은 4.20년으로 나타났다. 근교계수 및 세대간격을 이용하여 추정한 국내 능력검정 젖소 집단의 유효집단크기는 2004, 2009 및 2012년에 대해 각각 56.5, 51.3 및 32.2두로 추정되어 시간이 지남에 따라 유효집단의 크기가 감소하는 것으로 추정되었다.

Reproductive disorders in cows cause economic loss in livestock farms. Reproductive diseases, such as follicular cyst, luteal cyst, endometritis, pyometra, and repeat breeding cause infertility. Among these diseases, endometritis and pyometra are uterine infections that are leading causes of infertility. This study was performed to investigate the causative agents of uterine diseases using bacterial culture. Bacteria were obtained from the reproductive organs (vagina, uterine cervix, and uterine horn) of dairy cow diagnosed with endometritis or pyometra, and cultured on blood agar. The colonies obtained from cultivation for 24 hours were passaged. To identify the bacteria, the colonies grown in passaged culture Gram stained and applied to an automatic biochemical microbial identification system. Escherichia coli were commonly detected in vagina, uterine cervix, and uterine horn of dairy cows diagnosed to pyometra. The cows having endometritis showed not only Escherichia coli but also Pantoea spp. and Klebsiella spp. strains. Dairy cows that were infected with Escherichia coli in uterus caused mastitis or digestive disease. These results suggest that sanitary feeding and management beforehand are needed to prevent bacterial infections.

반추위 pH 조정제로서 일반적으로 중조가 많이 사용되고 있으나 사료에 중조의 첨가량을 증가시키는 경우에 기호성을 저하시키는 경향이 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 사료의 기호성에 영향을 미치지 않으면서 반추위 완충효과를 나타내도록 개발된 액상형 완충제의 젖소사료 첨가제로서의 이용효과를 구명하기 위하여 수행되었다. 시험축으로 착유 중기 젖소 27두를 공시하였으며, 처리는 대조구와 중조 첨가구, 그리고 액상형 완충제 첨가구로 하여 처리별 9두씩 배치하였다. 대조구는 착유우용 자가배합 TMR 사료를 급여하였으며, 중조 첨가구는 대조 사료에 중조를 두당 1일 150g 추가하여 급여하였고, 액상형 완충제 첨가구는 같은 방식으로 액상형 완충제를 두당 15㎖ 추가하여 사양시험을 수행하였다. 시험결과 산유량은 대조구, 중조 및 액상형 완충제 첨가구의 경우에 각각 23.82, 23.91, 24.91kg으로 대조구에 비하여 액상형 완충제 처리구에서 다소 증가하는 경향이었으나 처리 간에 뚜렷한 유의 있는 결과를 보여주지는 않았다. 처리에 따른 유성분 변화에서는 유단백질 및 무지고형분에서 액상형 완충제를 첨가한 경우에 대조구에 비해 유의 있는 증가(p < 0.05)를 보여주었고, 유지율에서도 대조구에 비하여 처리구가 다소 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 혈액성분 중 포도당과 콜레스테롤은 대조구에 비해 액상형 완충제의 첨가구에서 다소 증가하였으나, 처리 간에 유의 있는 차이를 나타내지는 않았다. 따라서 개발된 액상형 완충제의 추가급여 시 생산성 증대, 특히 유성분 증가 효과가 있어 반추위 pH 조정을 위하여 일반적으로 이용되고 있는 중조를 대체하여 반추동물의 사료첨가제로 이용이 가능할 것으로 평가되었다.

본 연구는 사료 내 총NDF 수준과 조사료에서 기인된 NDF 수준(fNDF)이 착유우에서의 영양소 섭취량과 유생산 성에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위하여 실시하였다. 분만우 36두를 대상으로 6개의 처리구를 나누어 2×3 요인실험으로 설계를 하였고, 각 처리구별 사료는 건물기준 NDF 38%에 1) fNDF 18%, 2) fNDF 15%, 3) fNDF 12% 와 건물기준 NDF 34%에 4) fNDF 18%, 5) fNDF 15%, 6) fNDF 12%로 구분하여 분만 후 3주부터 20주까지 급여하였으며 결과의 처리는 분만 4주부터 영양소 섭취량 및 산유성적을 분석하 였다. 사료 내 총 NDF 함량과 fNDF 함량이 감소함에 따라 건물섭취량, NEl 섭취량 그리고 비구조탄수화물 섭취량이 유의적으로(p<0.01) 증가하였고, 통계적인 유의성은 없었으 나 유생산량 또한 다소 증가하는 경향이었으며 유지방율은 감소하였다(p<0.01). 건물섭취량의 증가에 따른 NEl 섭취 량의 증가가 유발되었고, NDF 섭취량은 감소하였음에도 불구하고 NDF 함량이 낮은 처리구와 높은 처리구간의 비 교에서 유지방율에 대한 유의적인 차이를 나타내지는 않았 다. 총 NDF와 조사료유래 NDF의 사료 내 함량변화는 유 단백질율과 무지유고형분 함량에는 영향을 미치지 않았지 만, 유단백질 함량과 무지유고형분 생산량에 있어서는 유 량 증가에 의한 영향으로 증가하는 경향을 나타내었다. 조 사료유래 NDF 섭취량과 유지방율 간의 상관관계는 저수준 NDF 함량에서 고수준 NDF 함량보다 높게 나타났으며 유 량과 영양소 섭취량간의 상관관계 또한 저수준의 NDF 처 리구에서 고수준 처리구보다 높게 나타났다.

The objective of this study was to analyze the accuracy of estrus detection of heat detector and analysis of estrus behavior (mounting and mounted), and the evaluation of conditions required for improving reproductive efficiency in Holstein dairy cows fitted with a estrous detector. The heat detection system consists of estrous detector based on wireless sensor and an electric bulletin board displayed estrus behavior data. When cow mounting other cows, the accuracy of estrus behavior displayed an electric bulletin board were 87.5% (mounting other cows only), 100% (mounting other cows but not standing), 80.0% (mounting other cows with standing for 1∼4 seconds), 90.0% (mounting other cows but not standing for 1∼4 seconds), 80% (mounting other cows with standing for more than 5 seconds) and 90.0% (mounting other cows but not standing for more than 5 seconds). When cow mounted other cows, the accuracy of estrus behavior displayed an electric bulletin board were 100% (mounted other cows but not standing), 100% (mounted other cows with standing for 1∼4 seconds), 100% (mounted other cows but not standing for 1∼4 seconds) and 100% (mounted other cows with standing for more than 5 seconds). Circadian distribution of first observed in estrus were 59.1% (am 8∼pm 6) and 40.9% (pm 6∼am 8). Distribution for the number of estrus behavior were 40.9% (less than 3 times), 36.4% (4∼6 times) and 22.7% (more than 4 times). The conception rates relative to interval from first estrus behavior to insemination for estrus periods were 23.1% (less than 11 hours) and 55.6% (12∼20 hours).