Dairy Farming Promotion Organization

Simple SummaryRubber seed kernels do not contain sufficient levels of crude protein to serve as a primary source of crude protein in ruminant diets. Yeast has been used to improve the nutritional value of feedstuffs, particularly their protein content, and to diminish their anti-nutritional components. Our earlier studies demonstrated that rubber seed kernels that had undergone yeast fermentation had enhanced levels of crude protein, decreased fiber content, and could be provided to dairy heifers as a source of protein. The current findings showed that the addition of yeast-fermented rubber seed kernels had no negative effects on the hematology, milk production, milk composition, or feed intake. Hence, yeast-fermented rubber seed kernels could be used as a source of protein in the diets of lactating dairy cows.The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of yeast-fermented rubber seed kernels (YERSEK) on the feed intake, hematology, microbial protein synthesis, milk yield, and milk composition in dairy cows. Six crossbred Holstein Friesian (HF) × Thai lactating dairy cows with 110 ± 10 days in milk were randomly assigned to three different amounts of YERSEK at 0%, 10%, and 20% in a concentrate mixture using a 3 × 3 repeated Latin square design. Cows were fed with concentrate diets at a concentrate-to-milk yield ratio of 1:1.5, with rice straw fed ad libitum. The inclusion of YERSEK did not adversely affect feed intake, nutrient intake, or digestibility (p > 0.05), whereas ether extract intake and digestibility linearly increased in dairy cows receiving YERSEK (p < 0.01). Increasing YERSEK levels did not adversely affect blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, hematological parameters, or microbial protein synthesis (p > 0.05). Supplementation of YERSEK did not influence milk production, lactose, or protein levels (p > 0.05). However, milk fat and total solids decreased linearly (p < 0.05) with the addition of YERSEK. In conclusion, in a concentrate diet, YERSEK could be used as a protein source without negative effects on feed intake, digestibility, hematology, microbial protein synthesis, or milk yield. However, it reduced the milk fat and total solids of tropical lactating dairy cows.

This study was conducted in 78 dairy cows(50 repeat breeders and 28 normal cows, with no history of breeding difficulty) from 6 livestock regions of Thailand. Observations were made on the lesions of granular vulvitis and bacteriology performed in order to isolate Ureaplasma diversum. Swabs were taken from 3 sites; the clitoral fossa, the dorsal vulva lips and the external cervical osteum. The isolation of U. diversum was carried out using Taylor Robinson Medium. In the repeat breeding group, U. diversum was isolated from 46% of the clitoral swabs, 48% of the vulva lip swabs and 22% of the external cervical osteum swabs. Lesions at the vulva lips, the clitoral fossa and the cervical area were observed in 66% 46% and 2% respectively. Genital lesions were also observed in 14.3%(clitoral fossa) and 50%(vulva lips) in cows with no history of breeding difficulty. In cows without lesions in the cervical area 14.3% had cultures positive for U. diversum. 86.1% of these were from the vulva lips and 53.1% from the clitoral fossa. It can be concluded from this study that U. diversum is commonly found in the clitoral fossa and the vulva lips of both normal and repeat breeding cows. This makes it important that sanitary controls are routinely practiced, to avoid introducing the organism into the uterus during artificial insemination.