Performance of Lactating Crossbred Cows under Different Housing Systems During Summer in Konkan Agro-ecological Conditions”
An investigation was carried out on nine lactating crossbred cows (J×L) cows which were allotted randomly into three comparable shelters in switch over design. Three different type of shelters were, 1- Asbestos roofing; 2- Paddy straw thatched roof house; 3 - White painted asbestos roof. Temperature humidity index was higher in macro -environment followed by thatched roof shed, white painted asbestos roof and asbestos roofing. Thatched roof shed had significant (P<0.05) incremental effect on the milk production and milk composition of cows than the cows in white painted roof shed and asbestos roof shed during summer. Overall paddy straw thatched roof shed effectively ameliorates environmental temperature, humidity and THI during summer season in the Konkan region.
Identification of suitable housing system for dairy cattle in North East Zone of Tamil Nadu, India, with respect to microclimate
Aim: To identify the suitable roofing pattern for dairy cattle in North East Zone of Tamil Nadu, India, based on micro climatic conditions. Materials and Methods: Initially, survey was conducted to identify and categorize the major housing patterns existing in the region for further detailed investigation. In total, 30 farmers/farms consisting of five housing types with six replicates were selected. Temperature and temperature humidity index (THI) were recorded using the maximum-minimum thermometer and digital thermo-hygrometers. The study was conducted for 1 year covering four seasons namely South West monsoon (June-August), North East monsoon (September-November), cold season (December-February), and summer season (April-May). The data were statistically analyzed using statistical package SPSS 17. Results: Animal shelters with cement sheets recorded the highest temperature (26.71±1.13°C) and THI (77.23±1.76) at 8.00 am, whereas the lowest temperature (24.83±1.17°C) and THI (74.54±1.72) were recorded in the thatched shed. There was significant difference (p<0.01) in temperature and THI at 8.00 am during South West monsoon and North East monsoon seasons between the housing types. During cold and summer seasons, there was no significant difference (p≥0.05) in the environmental variables among various shelter systems. Conclusion: Thatched housing is found to be the suitable one with respect to the climatic variables, followed by tile roof and metal roof. The cement sheet roofed housing is found to be the most unsuitable one in the region for dairy cattle.
The Effect of Environmental Temperature on the Percentage of Fat in Cow's Milk
The great variation in the composition of cow's milk is a matter of common observation. Studies of the causes of this variation, with regard to the fat content of milk, are numerous and have been summarized by Turner (30), who states that there are two fundamental causes of the variations. The first is the hereditary variation due to the genetic makeup of the breed and individual. The second cause appears to be due to physiological changes in the animal, caused by such factors as management, environment, lactation, reproduction and age. To the second cause Woodward (33) and Clothier (11) would add feed as a factor, and Eckles (12) adds the factor of condition of cow at time of calving. The effect of environment, or more specifically, environmental temperature, is considered in this paper. The relation between season of the year and the per cent of fat in milk is generally known. • It was shown by Eckles (13) in 1909 from a study of 240 lactation periods of cows in the Missouri and Iowa Experiment Station herds. He found that, regardless of when the lactation began, the percentage of fat when plotted followed a curve for the year, being lowest during June and July and gradually rising to the highest point in December and January, and then declining again till midsummer. White and Judkins (32) concur in this opinion, presenting data taken on 49 cows over a period of seven and one-half years. They conclude that the milk tests lower in fat content in the