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The effects of quantity of dietary starch and type of dietary protein on hindgut fermentation were evaluated. Thirty-two Holstein bull calves were fed diets containing variable amounts of orchardgrass hay and a grain mixture. The amount of starch and types of protein were: [L1] low starch, soybean meal (SBM); [L2] low starch, fishmeal plus dried brewers' grains (FBG); [Hl] high starch and SBM; [H2] high starch, FBG. The percentages of acid detergent fiber (ADF) and crude protein were: [L1] 19.2%, 15.1%; [L2] 18.0%, 15.6%; [H1] 9.5%, 14.9%; [H2] 9.6%, 15.4%. After calves were fed the diets for 17 days, they were slaughtered to obtain their intestinal tracts. Ileal, cecal, and colonic digesta and feces of calves fed Hl and H2 versus Ll and L2 contained less water and ADF. Concentration of nitrogen in digesta and feces did not differ. Ileal, cecal, and colonic digesta from calves fed H1 and H2 had significantly greater numbers of viable anaerobic bacteria and lower pH._ Cecal digesta from calves fed high fiber diets (L1 and L2) had lower total VFA, propionate, and buytrate concentrations than calves fed high starch diets. Colonic and cecal digesta of calves fed diets H1 and H2 contained less ammonia. Acetate and propionate flux across cecal epithelium ro vrtro was faster for diets H1 and H2. Results indicate that high dietary starch stimulated anaerobic bacterial growth and fermentation in the hindgut, and enhanced acetate and propionate flux across the cecal epithelium. Acetate and propionate transport across the cecal wall probably is not due solely to passive diffusion, but it may involve a carrier. Replacement of SBM by FBG also altered cecal fermentation to a lesser extent. Calves fed H2 had significantly greater numbers of viable anaerobic bacteria in cecal and ileal digesta and 2 to 10 times the number of bacteria associated with cecal epithelium than calves fed the other diets. Butyrate cecal concentration and production was significantly increased when calves were fed diets containing FBG. Cecal VFA production may account for approximately 3 to 5% of digestible energy intake. / Ph. D. / incomplete_metadata

Four successive groups of four calves each (~ 4 mo old) were individually penned and observed during a 14 d trial period for choice of concentrate. Prior calf diets contained soybean meal (SBM) (for two groups and distillers grains in place of SBM for two groups. Concentrates contained approximately equal amounts of corn with either SBM, peanut meal (PNM), fish meal (FSM), or corn gluten meal (CGM). Each day of four trials, .45 kg of each concentrate was randomly assigned to one of four equal feed box sections. Calf feeding position was recorded every 30 sec for no more than 50 min or until calves stopped eating. In addition, 1.36 kg of first cutting orchardgrass hay was offered twice per day. Measurements of amount of each feed consumed, order of consumption and length of time spent eating each feed were analyzed statistically to determine preference. Overall preference was for SBM, closely followed by PNM, both over FSM and CGM, with the l preference status of FSM showing the most change over time by decreasing throughout the trial periods. Neither section in which feed was offered nor previous experience with SBM significantly influenced preference. In addition, twenty calves ranging in age from 4 mo to 7 mo were divided and housed in four groups of five and observed during a 30 d trial period for acceptability of the protein feeds tested for preference. Acceptability, measured subjectively as length of time required by calves to eat each feed, was greatest for SBM, closely followed by PNM and CGM, and least for FSM. Analysis of calf weight gain showed no differences between feeds. / Master of Science

Eight mature Holstein and Jersey cows beginning their third or later lactation were used throughout this study to evaluate various aspects of the lactation cycle. The lactation (control) diet consisted of 28.8% corn silage, 22.4% alfalfa haylage, and 48.8% concentrate dry matter. Breeds responded differently to the stress of calving. Jerseys had higher plasma somatotropin on day after calving, but Holsteins had higher glucose on day of and day after calving. Plasma parathyroid hormone did not differ between breeds, but Jerseys had higher 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ than Holsteins on both days after calving. Plasma total calcium and ionized calcium concentrations were lower for Jerseys on both days. Holsteins and Jerseys had similar concentrations of hormones and calcium at 4 and 8 wk. Ionized calcium as a percent of total calcium was elevated at calving, as compared to other times in the lactation cycle, in both breeds. From 9 to 21 wk, 4 of 8 Holsteins and 4 of 8 Jerseys were fed a diet supplemented with tallow. Holsteins fed tallow had lower somatotropin than Holsteins fed control diet at 14 and 18 wk. Plasma glucose, parathyroid hormone, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ were similar between tallow- and control-fed cows in both breeds. Plasma total calcium and ionized calcium were higher at 20 wk for Holsteins and Jerseys fed tallow. Dry matter intake was not influenced by diet in either breed. However, Holsteins, but not Jerseys, fed tallow produced more milk and higher body weights than Holsteins fed the control diet. Balance trials results indicated dietary tallow addition increased energy intake, energy digestibility, and metabolizable energy, but it decreased partial efficiency of metabolizable energy utilization for lactation. Although digestibility of calcium and magnesium was unchanged, tallow-fed cows were in greater positive calcium and magnesium balance than control-fed cows. Stage of lactation had little effect on specific gravity, shear stress, percent mineral, and histological measurements of biopsied rib samples. However, Jersey rib had higher specific gravity than Holstein rib. All cows had similar bone histological features throughout lactation. / Ph. D.

Two data sets of first-parity classification records were analyzed to examine heterogeneity of variances for conformation in the U. S. Holstein population. Data set I included records for final score and linear descriptive traits on cows scored from 1983 through 1986. Results indicated a strong negative correlation (r = -.59) between within-herd standard deviation for final score and herd-mean final score. Regression analysis suggested a curvilinear decrease (concave up) in within-herd standard deviation for final score with increasing herd-mean final score. Within-herd standard deviations for linear descriptive traits demonstrated a linear decline with increases in herd-mean final score. Daughter contemporary deviation for final score was regressed on her sire’s Predicted Difference type within 25 mean/standard deviation subclasses. Response to selection was greatest in high-mean/variance herds and least in low-mean/variance herds. Restricted maximum likelihood estimates of sire and error variance were approximated within each of 5 herd-mean subclasses of the data. Regressions revealed environmental variance for final score decreased curvilinearly (concave up) with increasing herd-mean final score. Genetic variance declined linearly. Heritability demonstrated no significant trend. For most linear traits, environmental variance decreased linearly with increasing herd-mean final score. Linear decreases in genetic variance were noted for foot angle, udder depth and rump angle, Heritability had positive trends for body depth, angularity, rear udder height, udder support, and teat placement. Data set II included first-parity final scores on cows classified from 1967 to 1986. Relationships estimated between herd mean and within-herd variance for final score on recent data were confirmed. Positive trends over time were noted for: within-herd standard deviation for final score, the antagonistic relationship between herd mean and within-herd variance, the antagonistic relationship between average Predicted Difference type and within-herd variance, and average herd-mean Predicted Difference type. Results indicate selection for final score was occurring in the population. Differences in within-herd selection differentials accounted for 24% of the differences in within-herd variance for final score. / Ph. D.

Imported genetic material of the Holstein-Friesian breed from overseas (OS), mainly from North America, has been used in New Zealand (NZ) since the late 1960's. This has diluted the genetic base of the former NZ Friesian genotype selected under intensive seasonal pasture-based systems. As a result, increased concerns have been raised about the negative influence of these overseas genes on the modern NZ Holstein- Friesian, as it is apparent that the OS Holstein-Friesian has a lower capacity to perform on grazed pasture. The objective of the present thesis was to investigate differences in production performance between three Holstein-Friesian genotypes farmed at different feed allowances (FA) on pasture-based systems; in addition, to investigate differences in the grazing process between strains under contrasting managements and sward conditions, and so to identify animal and pasture factors that affect the herbage intake (DMIH) and performance of the grazing cow. An accurate procedure was also established to estimate DMIH for cows fed forage and maize supplements, grazing in groups. Two modern high breeding worth (BW) Holstein-Friesian strains from NZ (NZ90) or overseas (OS90) origin and a low BW 1970's NZ Friesian genotype (NZ70) were farmed in two field experiments: (1) a long-term 'system' study that compared the yield performance of these genotypes in a range of systems with different feed allowance (FA) per cow, and a (2) a short-term 'component' study that compared the grazing capacity of the strains under contrasting sward conditions but at a common daily herbage allowance. The differences in productive performance between genotypes increased as the study progressed in the system study, with the largest observed in the last season. The mean milksolids (MS) yield per cow and per hectare were higher in NZ90 (395 kg cow-1 and 1,236 k ha-1) than in the NZ70 (336 kg cow-1 and 1,093 kg ha-1) and the OS90 (377 kg cow-1 and 1,154 kg ha-1). The higher production of NZ90 cows was supported by their higher mean daily MS yield than the NZ70 (1.45 vs. 1.21 kg MS cow-1 day-1) and more days in milk than OS90 cows (271 vs. 257 DIM). The lower lactation length of the OS90 strain occurred due to its lower body condition score (BCS) in late lactation, which determined an early dry-off for these cows. The lowest BCS of OS90 at the nadir (irrespective of FA), during lactation and at dry-off indicate these cows mobilised greater amount of body reserves and partitioned most of the energy ingested to yield. Genotype by FA interactions for milk and lactose yields, protein content in the milk and BCS were observed in the second and third seasons of the 'system' study. Milk yield increased as FA increased to a greater extent in OS90 than in the two NZ strains, whereas the content of solids in milk, particularly protein, increased to a greater extent for NZ90 than in both OS90 and NZ70. During lactation DMIH was higher for NZ90, intermediate in OS90 and lower in NZ70 (14.5, 13.9 and 12.6 kg DM cow-1 day-1 respectively for NZ90, OS90 and NZ70, as measured with nalkanes), and declined as lactation progressed, with a smaller difference for the total intake achieved (15.5, 15.2 and 13.1 kg DM cow-1 day-1 respectively) due to the increased supplement consumption. These results indicate that the OS90 needs more feed with a higher proportion of supplement in the diet to improve productive performance on pasture-based systems; the NZ90 would perform better when cow nutrition is mainly supported by grazing pasture, although further increments in performance could be expected from strategic supplementation, but requiring more feed than NZ70. The DMIH per unit of live weight (DMIH/LW) was highest in NZ90 strain in both the 'system' and in the short sward of the 'component' study (31.5 and 31.1 g DM kg-1 DM in NZ90 vs. 28.9 and 28.6 g DM kg-1 DM for OS90 in 'system' and 'component' studies respectively). The higher intake of NZ90 on pasture was sustained by a higher capacity to graze short swards than NZ70 and OS90, and to deal with the herbage of higher bulk density and lower quality present at the base of taller swards. The NZ90 can maintain DMIH in swards with different structures, indicating higher flexibility to perform under different managements and sward conditions. The size of the jaw is smaller in NZ90 than OS90 (88.4 vs. 92.4 mm) with effects on bite area and bite size, and this flexibility to adapt the size of the bite to swards of different structure may improve bite penetration under constraining sward conditions. The reduced ability of the OS90 to adjust ingestive behaviour to different swards would limit the capacity of this strain to perform on pasture. The fact that OS90 cows increased DMIH and DMIH/LW substantially in a leafy and taller sward (up to 21.6 kg cow-1 and 40.8 g DM kg-1Lw vs. 19.2 kg cow-1 and 41.0 g DM kg-1Lw in NZ90 during early lactation) suggests that yield performance can be improved in these cows even on pasture, by fine-tuning pasture management.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, com o objetivo de comparar diferentes modelos matemáticos de base empírica ou mecanicista, quanto à qualidade de ajuste e poder de predição das curvas de lactação, obtidas por meio de dados provenientes do controle leiteiro da APCBRH de rebanhos da região sudoeste do Paraná. Foram obtidos inicialmente 42.281 controles de produções leiteiras referentes aos anos de 2005 a 2011,dos quais foram excluídas as informações de animais que não possuíam a data de secagem e a produção total aos 305 dias, restando 15.142 controles referentes à 2441 vacas da raça holandesa. Os dados utilizados foram classificados de acordo com a ordem de parição das vacas (variando de um a seis), e dentro de cada ordem de parição os animais foram separados em quartis (Q25%, Q50%,Q75% e Q100%) conforme a produção total aos 305 dias. Para cada quartil, dentro de cada ordem de parição foram ajustados quatro modelos matemáticos, dois predominantemente empíricos (modelo de Brody e de Wood) e dois com características mais mecanicistas (modelo de Djikstra e de Pollot) usando o proc nlin do SAS método de Marquardt. O de Wood resultou na melhor qualidade de ajuste aos dados. Entretanto os modelos de Brody e Dijkstra também devem ser considerados para descrever as curvas de lactação de vacas holandesas criadas na região sudoeste do Paraná, por apresentarem desempenho muito semelhante, em que o modelo Dijkistra possui uma descrição biológica dos parâmetros e permite uma conotação fisiológica da curva de lactação. Ressaltando o valor histórico do modelo de Brody como pioneiro em modelagem de curva de lactação. / His work was developed at Federal Technological University of Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, aiming to analyze different mathematical models comparing empirical and mechanistic models, as their fit and predictive power of the lactation curves obtained using data from the control of dairy APCBRH herds in the southwest region of Paraná, where the evaluation and analysis of 42.281 controls milk production for the years 2005 to 2011, where information from animals that didn´t have the date of drying and total output to 305 days were excluded from the set of data analysis, leaving 15.142 controls concerning the 2.441 Holstein cows, classifying the data according to the order of calving cows (ranging from one to six) and within each order of calving animals were divided into quartiles (Q25% Q50%, Q75% and Q100%) as the total output to 305 days. For each quartile within each lactation numbers were adjusted four mathematical models, two predominantly empirical model (Brody and Wood) and two with more mechanistic characteristics (model Djikstra and Pollot) using SAS proc nlin Marquardt method. Obtaining the Wood model as a result of best fit to the data. However the use of models and Brody Dijkstra to describe lactation curves of Holstein cows raised in the southwestern region of Paraná, should be considered as an option because they have very similar performance, where the model Dijkistra has a biological description of the parameters and allows a connotation physiological lactation curve. Emphasizing the historical value of the model Brody as a pioneer in modeling lactation curve.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, com o objetivo de comparar diferentes modelos matemáticos de base empírica ou mecanicista, quanto à qualidade de ajuste e poder de predição das curvas de lactação, obtidas por meio de dados provenientes do controle leiteiro da APCBRH de rebanhos da região sudoeste do Paraná. Foram obtidos inicialmente 42.281 controles de produções leiteiras referentes aos anos de 2005 a 2011,dos quais foram excluídas as informações de animais que não possuíam a data de secagem e a produção total aos 305 dias, restando 15.142 controles referentes à 2441 vacas da raça holandesa. Os dados utilizados foram classificados de acordo com a ordem de parição das vacas (variando de um a seis), e dentro de cada ordem de parição os animais foram separados em quartis (Q25%, Q50%,Q75% e Q100%) conforme a produção total aos 305 dias. Para cada quartil, dentro de cada ordem de parição foram ajustados quatro modelos matemáticos, dois predominantemente empíricos (modelo de Brody e de Wood) e dois com características mais mecanicistas (modelo de Djikstra e de Pollot) usando o proc nlin do SAS método de Marquardt. O de Wood resultou na melhor qualidade de ajuste aos dados. Entretanto os modelos de Brody e Dijkstra também devem ser considerados para descrever as curvas de lactação de vacas holandesas criadas na região sudoeste do Paraná, por apresentarem desempenho muito semelhante, em que o modelo Dijkistra possui uma descrição biológica dos parâmetros e permite uma conotação fisiológica da curva de lactação. Ressaltando o valor histórico do modelo de Brody como pioneiro em modelagem de curva de lactação. / His work was developed at Federal Technological University of Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, aiming to analyze different mathematical models comparing empirical and mechanistic models, as their fit and predictive power of the lactation curves obtained using data from the control of dairy APCBRH herds in the southwest region of Paraná, where the evaluation and analysis of 42.281 controls milk production for the years 2005 to 2011, where information from animals that didn´t have the date of drying and total output to 305 days were excluded from the set of data analysis, leaving 15.142 controls concerning the 2.441 Holstein cows, classifying the data according to the order of calving cows (ranging from one to six) and within each order of calving animals were divided into quartiles (Q25% Q50%, Q75% and Q100%) as the total output to 305 days. For each quartile within each lactation numbers were adjusted four mathematical models, two predominantly empirical model (Brody and Wood) and two with more mechanistic characteristics (model Djikstra and Pollot) using SAS proc nlin Marquardt method. Obtaining the Wood model as a result of best fit to the data. However the use of models and Brody Dijkstra to describe lactation curves of Holstein cows raised in the southwestern region of Paraná, should be considered as an option because they have very similar performance, where the model Dijkistra has a biological description of the parameters and allows a connotation physiological lactation curve. Emphasizing the historical value of the model Brody as a pioneer in modeling lactation curve.

Department of Animal Science / MSCAGR (Animal Science)

There is growing public concern about the high proportion of saturated fatty acids in milk fat; however, feed intake, energy partitioning toward milk synthesis, and milk fat concentrations can decrease when cows are fed high concentrations of unsaturated lipids. The objective of this study was to identify the optimal rate for feeding OmegaBoostTM (a flaxseed supplement that was processed using a proprietary technique by Double Pass LLC, Tualatin, OR) to dairy cows. The central hypothesis was that supplementation with OmegaBoost will decrease the proportion of saturated fatty acids in milk fat in a dose dependent manner. Using a latin-square design, 10 Holstein cows in mid to late lactation were fed for two-week periods 0, 2, 4, or 6 lbs/d of OmegaBoost or 4lbs/d ground flax as top dressing to their total mixed ration. Feed intake, body weight, activity and resting time, milk production and milk composition were measured daily. At the end of each two-week period, milk and serum samples were taken and analyzed for fatty acid composition using gas chromatography. In addition, fresh Mozzarella cheese and butter was manufactured and tested to determine the fatty acid composition and the effects of flaxseed supplementation on texture. Feeding OmegaBoost at 2, 4, and 6 lbs/d linearly decreased the proportion of saturated fatty acids in milk by 6, 15, and 18%, respectively, and linearly increased the proportion of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (14, 32, and 35%), poly-unsaturated fatty acids (16, 49, and 82%), and α-linolenic acid (26, 52, and 70%). Similar changes in fatty acid composition were observed in butter and cheese samples, resulting in butter that was less hard and adhesive at refrigeration temperature in response to feeding cows increasing concentrations of OmegaBoost. Feed intake, body weight, serum metabolite concentrations, milk production and composition, and butter and cheese yield were not significantly affected by feeding processed flaxseed. Therefore, feeding 4 or 6 lbs/d of OmegaBoost to dairy cows is effective in improving the nutritional and textural profile of dairy products without negatively affecting feed intake, milk production, or weight gain. / Graduation date: 2012