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.
Effect of high temperature and dietary fat on performance of lactating cows.
Abstract Two Latin squares balanced for carry-on effects were used for evaluation of productive performance of 12 Holstein cows fed high levels of fat under environmental temperatures: cool 15–24 C and hot 32.2 C, 60% relative humidity. The cows were fed 1.25 kg alfalfa-grass hay per 100 kg body weight and one of three concentrates: control (without added lipids), oil (10% soybean oil), or fat (10% hydrogenated vegetable fat, iodine value 48) replacing corn on a weight basis. Elevated temperature resulted in a marked depression in yield of milk and milk fat, SNF, and protein, of body weight, feed intake, rumen VFA, acetic:propionic ratio, and gross efficiency; water intake and rectal temperature increased. Significant ration effects were observed only in the case of FCM production, where the oil-fed cows excelled. Environmental effects were independent of ration effects, except in water intake, rumen total VFA, and acetic acid levels, where interactions were noted. Significant period effects from repeated exposures to heat stress were noted only in FCM yield, water consumption, and rumen propionate. The drastic environmental stress imposed in this study served to mask many of the anticipated ration effects.
Instrumentation and Automated Photometric Titration Procedure for Total Acidity Determination in Red Wine Employing a Multicommuted Flow System
An automated procedure for photometric titration of red wine and associated instrumentation is described. The procedure was based on the flow-batch approach implemented employing multicommutation. The photometric detection was carried out using a homemade LED-based photometer. The mixing device, LED, and photodetector were attached to the titration chamber in order to form a compact and small-sized unit. The flow system comprised an automatic injector and three-way solenoid valves, which were controlled by a microcomputer through an electronic interface card. The software, written in Quick BASIC 4.5, was designed with abilities to accomplish all steps of the titration procedure including data acquisition and real-time processing to decide about the course of titration in the following step and so forth, until the titration endpoint was reached. The usefulness of the proposed titration system was demonstrated by analyzing red wine samples. When results were compared with those obtained using the AOAC reference method, no significant difference was observed at the 95% confidence level. A relative standard deviation of ca  2% (n=9 ) was obtained when processing a typical red wine sample containing 7.3 gl -1 total acidity expressed as tartaric acid.