This thesis examines the influence of the level of rearing and age at first calving on performance and longevity of Holstein dairy cattle in the company ZD Krásná Hora nad Vltavou C. The quantity of milk per kg in the first lactation, functional longevity in kg of milk, functional longevity and longevity in days belong among the indicators observed by cows of Holstein cattle. The results of the monitored herds can be concluded that extension of age at first calving is statistically significant on the amount of milk in the first lactation, on functional longevity in kg of milk, on functional longevity and longevity in days. In contrast, no significant influence of the weight was elicited by observed indicators. The highest longevity in the monitored herd was achieved by the cows that were excluded for a difficult birth and also achieved the highest milk yield for functional longevity in kg milk and observation for the highest average in the number of lactations for life.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of polymorphism of the FGF2 gene locus at the milk yield and fertility of Holstein cows. Review contains information about milk yield and reproductive performance of Holstein cows and point out the problem with decreasing fertility of high-producing dairy cows. The second part of review contains information about FGF family, its characterization and its effect of production traits and reproductive traits in Holstein cows. FGF2 was chosen for this study because it is a member of the placental lactogen pathway and interferon- and which means that, FGF2 is included in initiation and maintaining of pregnancy in ruminants and therefore is possible to expect an effect on FGF2 on the milk traits and reproductive traits of cattle. The experimental part of the work deals with the genotyping of 150 bulls of Holstein breed. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Data was obtained and statistically evaluated. No significant effect of SNP11464 FGF2 polymorphism was found with association to milk production of Holstein breed. However, a significant effect of SNP11464 was found in regards to fertility with association to fertility of cows and breeding cattle of the Holstein breed line NXA. This effect was not significant in heifers of both lines and fertility of cows and breading cows in line NEA. SNP11646 FGF2 gene might be useful as a criterion in gene-assisted selection to increase the fertility of Holstein dairy cows but prior to its introduction as a selection criteria in the breeding programme a further investigation of possible effect on fertility is necessary.

This thesis deals with the influence of age of lacaune breed ewes on milk performance, influence of parity and influence of stage of lactation on milk performance in terms of the milk yield and the content of individual components of milk. Further was evaluated the influence of rams on milking. Data from farm Statek Horní Dvorce s.r.o. were used and data from Svaz chovatelů ovcí a koz z.s. were used too and entries from years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, when the milk performance was monitored by method AT. The influence of rams on milking has not been fully demonstrated. For the four comparing lines, the statistically significant difference was only between LINUX and LUPIN, and only in one year of performance control over the three years compared. From the point of view of the influence of age on total milk yield in the studied farm, fat and protein content of lacaune breed increased with increasing age, whereas the lactose content showed a decreasing trend. The influence of parity had a significant effect on the monitored parameters of milk. With an increasing parity, the protein content was slightly increased, the fat and lactose content decreased. Ewes on the second lactation showed the best results in milk yield, since the third lactation was recorded in milking a decrease. The influence of stage of lactation on milking and on the content of individual components of milk was also significanted. With prolonged lactation the milk yield and lactose content were decreased. The fat and protein content has been shown to increase with the increasing of the stage of lactation.

The aim of this work was evaluation of milk yield and fertility of cows´ groups, which were formed on the basis of milk production quantity, age, a calving season, pedigree, body framework of cattle and a level of body condition. There were evaluated results at 690 cows in years from 2004 to 2007. The foundation dates about the yield and the fertility of animals were abtoined by check of the yield. The body framework of cattle and condition were investigated with regular month intervals during the year 2007. Body condition was considered in an interval from 1 to 5 points with accuracy of 0,25 point. During the watching years milk yield increased from 6 616 kg to 8 507 kg. Milk components reduced with increasing milk yield, when the contents of fat was gradually reduced from initial 4,2 % to 3,87 %. The contens of proteins was also reduced from 3,5 % to 3,37 %. It was investigated that the decline of body condition after calving was connected with extension of insemination interval and service period by six days and its increase with shortening of interval and SP by four days. The higher milk yield (8 281 kg) but at the same time longer service period was investigated with cows of bigger body framework (the hight in back from 145 to 150 cm). During the evaluation of effect breeding groups (C1, C2, C3) to fertility weren´t investigated more important differences among the groups. But the breeding groups influence the hight of milk yield, ehen the C3 group (share of dairy breed more than 50 %) has the highest milk yield (7 866 kg). The highest milk yield was investigated with cows at the second lactation period (7 900 kg), at the third lactation period was almost on the same level (7 886 kg)and in the following lactation periods the quantity of milk gradually fell down. The examination of lactation curve courses at cows´ group with a different level of yield indicated , thet the higher care in a herd is devoted to milk production than to cows´ fertility. The length of service period at the highyield cows was as 200 days.

The agricultural cooperative Opařany 160 pieces were selected for breeding cows anddivided into two groups. Pasture rearing and stable rearing. Which was observed fertility and milk yield. After an overall assessment of the breeding heifers, in 2007 the results of reproduction was worse in pasture system of heifer rearing. By contrast, in the next reporting period in 2008 the grazing system of heifer rearing embody improved results than rearing in stables. After a general evaluation of milk yield, the grazing system of heifer rearing is worse in 2007. In particural the amount of milk in kg and kg of protein. By contrast, in the next reporting period in 2008 the grazing system of heifer rearing reachedimproved results compared stable rearing. And as the number of milked milk in kg, and milk ingredients - % fat, which is in pasture breeding higher in all of KU. The reason of low milk yield results and reproduction charakteristic is especially in poor nutrition and ill-prepared rations, or fed on poor quality components. In the grazing system of rearing the lack of growth in individual animals is due to missing supplementary feed. And for both groups, we should look for causes of poor management and the transfer of young animals to the reproduction and subsequent production should be taken into account the current condition, not age.

The thesis aims to evaluate the influence of nutrition and feed on the economic indexes of milk production in the Agriculture Cooperative of Borovany. The first part of the thesis focuses on the basic aspects of dairy cattle breeding including the physiological processing affecting their efficiency. The second part concentrates on preparing feed rations, describing the crucial elements specifying the level of milk yield and a particular way of feeding technique. The main factors influencing the economic indexes of milk production are desribed and analyzed in the pivotal part of the thesis, primarily the feed costs and quality. The objective of the thesis is to find out in what way the feed quality can affect the economic indexes of milk production in the observed years of 2007 and 2008.

Propolis as natural dietary additive can be used to manipulate rumen fermentation towards less methane (CH4) and it may affect animal reproductive and productive performance. To study the application of propolis, three studies were conducted. The first study aimed to evaluate the in vitro nutritive value of two types of propolis (Brazilian red propolis (BRP) and Egyptian brown propolis (EBP) for their anti-methanogenic activity, ruminal fermentation and degradability. Propolis extracts were prepared using 70% ethanol and added to a 50:50 Tifton hay to concentrate diet at three levels [0 (negative control, CTL), 25, 50 and 100 micrograma / 0.5 g substrate]. Each propolis were compared with monensin as positive control. Both BRP50 micrograma and EBP25 micrograma showed similar significant effects on CH4 production as monensin; on average 14.2 ml/TDOM g compared with CTL (19.3 ml/TDOM). Monensin supplementation increased (P<0.001) the propionate concentration and decreased the acetate/propionate ratio, while BRP and EBP enhanced (P<0.001) the individual and total volatile fatty acids concentrations and reduced (P<0.002) protozoa count compared to CTL. The objective of the second study was to evaluate the oral administration of BRP extract to Santa Inês ewes during and after flushing period on the reproductive performance and animal health (hormonal profiles, hematological, biochemical and parasites responses). Thirty adult grazing ewes (40±2.0 kg BW) were divided into two dietary treatments, control (basal diet) and BRP (basal diet plus 3.0g of BRP/ewe/day) for 21 days. Blood and fecal samples were collected weekly for eight weeks. Oral administration of BRP did not affect (P>0.05) any of the observed reproduction traits, but there was promising improvement on the number of services per conceptions and hormones levels: increased (P<0.01) progesterone, decreased cortisol (P<0.05) and thyroxin (T4) (P<0.01) without significant changes in triiodothyronine (T3). Propolis resulted in increasing (P<0.01) of total leukocyte while there were no significant differences observed for other hematological parameters. Propolis increased (P<0.01) total protein and globulin but reduced (P<0.01) triglycerides, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and fecal egg counts (P<0.05) compared with control. The third study was conducted to evaluate the oral administration of BRP extract to Santa Inês ewes from 25±3 day pre-partum through 48 d post-partum on milk yield, milk composition and lamb performance. Twenty Santa Inês ewes (60 ± 2.0 kg BW) were divided into two groups: control (basal diet) and BRP (basal diet plus 3.0g of BRP/ewe/day for 21 days). Milk samples were collected weekly for seven weeks. Propolis fed group showed increasing (P<0.05) milk yield, fat content, fat yield, protein yield, lactose yield and energy corrected milk while somatic cell counts was decreased (P<0.05). Propolis increased (P<0.05) ewes body condition score. Lambs average daily gain and milk conversion ratio were improved (P<0.05) by propolis treatment. The studies highlight the potential of propolis to handle the ruminal fermentation in order to reduce the production of CH4, as well as improved the health of ewes during the breeding season, besides increasing milk production and performance of lambs / Própolis, aditivo natural, pode ser usada para manipular a fermentação ruminal e diminuir a produção de metano (CH4), podendo afetar o desempenho dos animais. Foram conduzidos estudos visando avaliar a aplicação da própolis em ovinos. O primeiro experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o valor nutritivo in vitro de dois tipos da própolis (Vermelho Brasileiro (PVB) e Marrom Egípcio (PME)), através da atividade antimetanogênica, fermentação ruminal e degradabilidade. Os extratos da própolis foram preparados usando etanol e adicionados a um substrato base (50:50 feno Tifton x concentrado) em quatro concentrações [0 (controle, CTL), 25, 50 e 100 micrograma / 0,5 g de substrato]; sendo comparadas com a monensina como controle positivo. As própolis PVB50 micrograma e PME25 micrograma apresentaram redução na produção de CH4 similar à monensina, sendo menores que o CTL. A monensina aumentou (P < 0,001) a concentração de proprionato e diminuiu (P < 0,001) a proporção de acetate / propionate, enquanto as própolis aumentaram (P < 0,002) as concentrações dos ácidos graxos voláteis e reduziram (P < 0,001) os protozoários. O segundo estudo objetivou avaliar a administração de extrato de PVB em ovelhas durante o período de \"flushing nutricional\" sobre o desempenho e a saúde dos animais durante a estação de reprodução. Trinta ovelhas (40 ± 2,0 kg PV) foram divididas em dois grupos, controle (dieta basal) e PVB (dieta basal com suplementação de 3,0 g de PVB / ovelha / dia) e suplementadas durante 21 dias. Amostras de sangue e fezes foram coletadas semanalmente durante oito semanas. Administração do PVB não afetou nenhuma característica reprodutiva, mas houve melhora (P < 0.01) no número de serviços por concepção, e aumento (P < 0,01) no teor de progesterona, diminuição (P < 0,01) nas concentrações de cortisol e tiroxina (T4), sem efeito na concentração de tri-iodotironina (T3). Própolis resultou apenas em aumento (P < 0,01) no número de leucócitos dentre os parâmetros hematológicos. A própolis aumentou (P < 0,01) a concentração de proteina total e de globulina, e reduziou (P < 0,05) os teores de triglicerídeos, transaminase oxalacética (TGO), transaminase glutamato piruvato (TGP) e contagem de ovos nas fezes quando comparado com o controle. O terceiro estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a administração do extrato de PVB para as ovelhas desde 25 ± 3 dias pré-parto até 48 dias pós-parto sobre a produção e composição do leite e desempenho dos cordeiros. Vinte ovelhas (56 ± 2,0 kg PV) foram divididas em dois grupos e suplementadas conforme descrito no segundo estudo: controle e PVB durante 21 dias. Amostras de leite foram coletadas semanalmente durante sete semanas. Própolis aumentou (P < 0,05) a produção de leite, conteúdo de gordura, rendimentos de gordura, proteína e lactose e leite corrigido para energia, enquanto diminuiu (P < 0,05) a contagem de células somáticas, mas aumentou (P < 0,05) a condição corporal. O ganho em peso médio diário dos cordeiros e taxa de conversão de leite foram melhoradas (P < 0,05) pelo tratamento com própolis. Os estudos destacam o potencial da própolis para manipular a fermentação ruminal visando redução na produção de CH4, assim como melhorar a saúde de ovelhas durante a estação de reprodução, além de aumentar a produção de leite e desempenho dos cordeiros

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of the partial replacement of corn by forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera- Salm Dyck) in diets of lactating goats on the nutrient intake, production and milk composition and ingestive behavior. Five crossbreed Saanen x Pardo Alpina, with body weight 47 ± 3.3 kg, in second lactation order and up to 60 days of lactation. The design was a 5x5 Latin square and treatments as following: 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% replacement of corn by forage cactus associated with the gliricidia hay (Gliricídia sepium (Jacq) Walp). Treatments did not affect (P> 0,05) dry matter intake, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients by increasing the levels of forage cactus in the diet presenting means of 1,64; 0,26; 0,82; 0,54 e 1,17 kg/d, respectively. In the same way, there was no influence on the daily milk production and levels of fat, protein, lactose and total solids of milk and averaged 1,18 kg/d; 3,74; 3,34; 5,06 and 13,56%, respectively. The 3,5% fat corrected milk (LCG) presented a quadratic performance (P <0,05). There was not effect (P> 0.05) observed on the time spent in feeding, rumination, idle, total chewing time, feeding and rumination efficiency of dry matter. The treatment with 35% cactus showed lower impairment of income on food (31%). The partial replacement of corn by forage cactus in diets for dairy goats can be performed, because it does not affect the evaluated characteristics, thus the inclusion of 35% forage cactus is recommended because it has lower feed cost. / Objetivou-se avaliar a substituição parcial do milho (Zea mays L.) pela palma forrageira miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera- Salm Dyck) em dietas de cabras em lactação sobre o consumo de nutrientes, a produção e a composição do leite e o comportamento ingestivo. Foram utilizadas 5 cabras mestiças de Saanen x Pardo Alpina, com peso corporal de 47 ± 3,3 kg, na segunda ordem de lactação e a partir de 60 dias de lactação. O delineamento utilizado foi o quadrado latino 5x5, em que os tratamentos consistiram em níveis de 20, 25, 30, 35 e 40% de palma forrageira miúda em substituição ao milho associada ao feno de gliricídia (Gliricídia sepium (Jacq) Walp). Os tratamentos não influenciaram (P>0,05) o consumo de matéria seca, proteína, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e nutrientes digestíveis totais apresentando médias iguais a 1,64; 0,26; 0,82; 0,54 e 1,17 kg/dia, respectivamente. Do mesmo modo, não houve influência dos níveis sobre a produção de leite e os teores de gordura, proteína, lactose e sólidos totais do leite apresentando médias iguais a 1,18 kg/dia; 3,74; 3,34; 5,06 e 13,56%, respectivamente. No entanto, a produção de leite corrigida para gordura 3,5% (LCG) apresentou comportamento quadrático (P<0,05). Não houve influência (P>0,05) dos tratamentos sobre o tempo despendido com alimentação, ruminação e ócio, tempo de mastigação total, eficiência de alimentação e de ruminação da matéria seca. O tratamento com 35% de nível de palma demonstrou menor comprometimento da receita com alimentação (31%). A substituição parcial do milho pela palma forrageira em rações para cabras leiteiras pode ser realizada, pois não altera as variáveis analisadas, sendo recomendado o tratamento com 35% de nível de palma por apresentar menor comprometimento da receita com a alimentação.

The effect of stage of lactation on milk yield, somatic cell counts, mineral and fatty acid profiles in pasture-based Friesian, Jersey and Friesian × Jersey cows was investigated. Twenty Friesian, twenty Jersey and twenty Friesian × Jersey cows were randomly selected from a dairy herd. A total of 202 milk samples were collected and analysed in three stages of lactation. Genotypic differences were observed in milk yield and fat content. Friesian cows produced the highest yield and lowest fat content whereas the opposite was true for Jersey cows (P<0.01). No significant differences were observed in SCC in the different genotypes, but SCC levels were higher in mid and late lactation (P<0.001). There was no effect (P<0.005) of genotype and stage of lactation interaction on Ca, P, Mg, Na, Mn and Bo concentration. Jersey cows had the least concentration of Fe and Cu in all stages of lactation. Strong positive correlations were observed among Ca and P, Mg and Zn. Aluminium had a strong positive relationship with Bo, Fe, Mn and Zn (P<0.001). Generally, SCC had a weak positive relationship with macro elements but a significant negative relationship with microelements. Yield levels were negatively correlated with Mg, Na, Al, Mn and SCC. Pasture ALA, SFA, n-3, n-6/n-3 and PUFA/MUFA concentration did not differ across the study period. Linoleic acid was highest in the second phase which coincides with mid lactation in cows (P<0.001). Highest moisture content coincided with the least fat free dry matter content in early lactation (P<0.001). Significantly high fat content was observed in late lactation than in early lactation. Highest butyric, caproic, linoleic, n-6 and PUFA were observed for Friesian cows. All other fatty acids ratios were not significantly different among different genotypes. Highest CLA, ALA, LA, SFA, PUFA, n-6, and n-3 and atherogenicity index were observed in early lactation whereas desaturase activity indices were highest in late lactation. Strong positive correlations were observed among milk vaccenic, ALA, LA and CLA concentrations. Inverse relationships were observed between SFA and long chain fatty acids. It can be concluded, it may be of advantage to consume milk from early stage of lactation poses a lower risk to coronary diseases and are much safer to consume.

Time budgets, avoidance distance scores-related behaviour and milk yield of pasture-based Jersey, Friesland and crossbred cows. by Madodana Sunson Dodzi The study was conducted at the University of Fort Hare farm to determine the time budgets, the avoidance-related behaviour variables and their relationship with milk yield in three pasturebased dairy genotypes: Jersey, Friesland and crossbreed. Twenty one clinically health dairy cows aged between 52 and 55 months, in mid lactation and comprising of seven cows from each genotype were used in the study. The time spent on different activities (grazing, lying down, standing and others) at pasture was recorded using stop watches across four seasons. The behavioural responses of the three genotypes to humans were determined by recording their avoidance distance scores (AD), exit speed (ES), pen scores (PS), pen behaviour scores (PBS), plat form scores (PLS) and the occurrence of kicking (KCK) and stepping (SPG) during milking on four consecutive days in four seasons. Time spent standing was higher (P < 0.05) for Friesland compared to Jersey and crossbred during the hot-wet season. In the cool-dry season the Jersey spent more time (P < 0.05) grazing than the other breeds. The Friesland and crossbred on the other hand devoted most of their time lying down compared to Jersey in the cool- dry season (P < 0.05). There were season differences in time spent on all activities (P < 0.05). Time spent on grazing was longest in post-rainy seasonal and lowest in hot- wet season (P < 0.05). The longest lying down period was observed in the hot-dry season and lowest in hot-wet season (P < 0.05). iii Daily milk yield Varied (P < 0.05) with genotype with the Friesland and Jersey producing higher yield than the crossbred. The highest amount was produced in hot-dry and the least in hot-wet season. Milk yield was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with lying down. Standing was negatively correlated with milk yield (P < 0.05). The Friesland had the highest avoidance distance scores (P < 0.05) and the Jersey had the lowest avoidance distance scores in all seasons. There was an association (P < 0.05) between genotype and exit speed scores, pen scores and stepping behaviour scores. The Friesland exhibited the highest exit speed scores than the other breeds. The Jersey had the lowest (P < 0.05) kicking behaviour scores. There was a relationship (r = 0.64) between avoidance distance scores and exit speed. Exit speed scores were correlated with pen score(r= 0.23). Milk yield was significant related (r= 0.17) to the occurrence of kicking behaviour. The genotypes showed different levels of sensitivity to season and milk yield was influenced by breed and season. It can be concluded that time budgets vary with season and farmers need to adopt measures that buffer the effect of season on welfare of dairy cows. It can also be concluded that avoidance distance scores differs according to genotype with Jersey being more confident to humans than other two breeds. It is therefore recommended that provision of shades or cooling mechanism should be adopted to buffer the effects of hot-wet season. Improving quality of feed during the cool-dry season may be critical for Jersey cows. Finally positive handling of the dairy cows is recommended in order to improve the welfare and milk yield of pasture based dairy cows.