Use of Random Regression Test-Day Model to Estimate Genetic Parameters of Milk Yield in Holstein Cows

(Co) variance components and genetic parameters were estimated for milk yield of Iranian Holstein cows. A total number of 68,945 milk test-day records of first, second and third lactations of 8515 animals from 100 sires and 7743 dams originated from 34 herds collected during 2007 to 2009 by Iranian animal breeding center were used. The ASReml computer program was used to analyze the milk test-day records using the random regression procedure. Herd test date (HTD), milking times per day (milking frequency), number of lactations, year of birth, year of calving, age of animal at calving and days in milk (DIM) considered as fixed effects and additive genetic effects and animal permanent environmental effects were considered as the random effects. Additive genetic variance, animal permanent environment variance, residual variance, phenotypic variance, heritability and repeatability were estimated during different months of lactation between 5.7 - 19.6, 15.3 - 27.1, 31.4 - 17.2, 45.8 - 64.83, 0.1 - 0.32 and 0.4 - 0.6, respectively. Genetic correlation and phenotypic correlation were also estimated between months of lactation in range of -0.35 - 0.98 and 0.03 - 0.67, respectively. Genetic correlation and phenotypic correlation both showed the same changing pattern and they decreased as the interval between months of lactation increased.

Study on the Effects of Chinese Herb Additive on Milk Yield and Anti-heat Stress Ability of Holstein Cow

[Objective] The research aimed to explore the effects of Chinese herb additive on milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow.[Method] 36 Holstein cows with similar birth order and milk yield were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups which were control group, Chinese medicine Ⅰ group and Chinese medicine Ⅱ group. In control group, cows were fed with basic feed, while in Chinese medicine Ⅰ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 4% compound Chinese herb additive and in Chinese medicine Ⅱ group, cows were fed with basic feed containing 3% compound Chinese herb additive.All cows in the 3 groups were analyzed comparatively.[Result] Adding some compound Chinese herb additive into basic feed would increase milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cow,besides,it also could decrease cow diseases such as cow mastitis.Chinese medicine Ⅰ would generate the highest economic benefit of practical production.[Conclusion] Adding Chinese herb additive into basic feed is an effective way for reliefing heat stress and increasing milk yield.

Effect of Reducing Chemical Fertilizer on Rice Yield,Output Value,Content of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen after Utilizing the Milk Vetch

A located field experiment was carried out to study the effects of different amount of chemical fertilizer usage on rice yield,economic benefits of rice,soil carbon（C） and total nitrogen（TN） under ploughing back of Chinese milk vetch for 5consecutive years.Six treatments were included in the experiment,they are CK（unfertilized）,CF（100% chemical fertilizer with the amount of N,P2O5,K2 O being150,75,120 kg/hm^2respectively）,A1（22 500 kg/hm^2 Chinese milk vetch and 100%chemical fertilizer）,A2（Chinese milk vetch and 80% nitrogen and potassium fertilizer and 100% phosphate fertilizer）,A3（Chinese milk vetch and 60% nitrogen and potassium fertilizer and 100% phosphate fertilizer）,A4（Chinese milk vetch and 40% nitrogen and potassium fertilizer and 100% phosphate fertilizer）.The results were as follows：application of fertilizer could increase the yield of rice,while Chinese milk vetch combined with fertilizer application had a much more increase effect in rice yield.Under the condition of milk vetch application with 22 500 kg/hm^2,the early rice yield of the treatment A1 was significantly increased by 7.7% compared with that of CF.And the yield of treatment A3 was basically identical to or slight increase in comparison with that of CF.Decreasing amount of fertilizers cloud improve output value of rice in the case of the utilization of Chinese milk vetch.The treatment A1 increased output value of rice by 5.92% in comparison of CF,and treatment A2 was by 4.08% in the next.Treatment A4 showed much better effect in increasing soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in the paddy soil than those of treatments applying mineral fertilizer only.There was a significant reduction on soil organic carbon and TN in treatment A2 in comparison with that of CF.In general,amount of application of milk vetch with 22 500 kg/hm^2 could replace chemical fertilizer partially,it also could improve rice yield,decrease the production cost,and raise the utilization efficiency of nutrients.

Integration of Growing Milk Vetch in Winter and Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Can Improve Rice Yield in Double-Rice Cropping System

To study whether integrative fertilization [growing milk vetch in winter and reducing the dose of chemical nitrogen(N) fertilizer] can improve rice yield, and to reveal the underlying regulatory mechanisms for integrative fertilization, a three-year field trial including two treatments, milk vetch-rice-rice(MRR) and winter fallow-rice-rice(FRR), was conducted in 2010, 2011 and 2012.Our results demonstrated that the MRR treatment could significantly improve rice yield compared with the FRR treatment, especially when the application ratio of milk vetch and chemical fertilizer was 1:2.MRR treatment increased the effective panicle number and the spikelet number per panicle.In addition, a higher tillering number, leaf area index, photosynthetic-potential and photosynthetic-potential to grain ratio were observed in MRR treatment, which could provide enough dry matter for yield formation.Moreover, in MRR treatment, we discovered a higher transportation ratio and transformation ratio of dry matter in culm and leaves, and a stronger total sink capacity and spikelet-root bleeding intensity at the heading stage and 15 d after heading.Furthermore, the MRR treatment showed higher total N, phosphorus and potassium uptakes than FRR treatment, which was associated with the higher root dry weight in each soil layers.These results suggest that growing milk vetch in winter can improve rice yield under less chemical N fertilizer application, which is due to the improvement of soil nutrient status and the increased of rice root growth and development.

Substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch improves the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon in a double-rice cropping system

The double-rice cropping system is a very important intensive cropping system for food security in China. There have been few studies of the sustainability of yield and accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC) in the double-rice cropping system following a partial substitution of chemical fertilizer by Chinese milk vetch (Mv). We conducted a 10-year (2008–2017) field experiment in Nan County, South-Central China, to examine the double-rice productivity and SOC accumulation in a paddy soil in response to different fertilization levels and Mv application (22.5 Mg ha^–1). Fertilizer and Mv were applied both individually and in combination (sole chemical fertilizers, Mv plus 100, 80, 60, 40, and 0% of the recommended dose of chemical fertilizers, labeled as F100, MF100, MF80, MF60, MF40, and MF0, respectively). It was found that the grain yields of double-rice crop in treatments receiving Mv were reduced when the dose of chemical fertilizer was reduced, while the change in SOC stock displayed a double peak curve. The MF100 produced the highest double-rice yield and SOC stock, with the value higher by 13.5 and 26.8% than that in the F100. However, the grain yields increased in the MF80 (by 8.4% compared to the F100), while the SOC stock only increased by 8.4%. Analogous to the change of grain yield, the sustainable yield index (SYI) of double rice were improved significantly in the MF100 and MF80 compared to the F100, while there was a slight increase in the MF60 and MF40. After a certain amount of Mv input (22.5 Mg ha^–1), the carbon sequestration rate was affected by the nutrient input due to the stimulation of microbial biomass. Compared with the MF0, the MF100 and MF40 resulted in a dramatically higher carbon sequestration rate (with the value higher by 71.6 and 70.1%), whereas the MF80 induced a lower carbon sequestration rate with the value lower by 70.1% compared to the MF0. Based on the above results we suggested that Mv could partially replace chemical fertilizers (e.g., 40–60%) to improve or maintain the productivity and sustainability of the double-rice cropping system in South-Central China.

Relationship of Somatic Cell Count with Milk Yield and Composition in Chinese Holstein Population

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship of somatic cell count （SCC） with milk yield, fat and protein percentage, fat and protein yield using analysis of variance and correlation analysis in Chinese Holstein population. The 10 524 test-day records of 568 Chinese Holstein Cattle were obtained from 2 commercial herds in Xi＇an region of China during February 2002 to March 2009. Milk yield, fat percentage, fat and protein yield initially increased and then dropped down with parity, whereas protein percentage decreased and SCC increased. Analysis of variance showed highly significant effects of different subclasses SCC on milk yield and composition （P〈 0.01）. Compared with milk yield with SCC ≤ 200 000 cells mL-1, milk yield losses with SCC of 200 000-500 000 cells mL-1, 501000-1 000 000 cells mL-1, ≥ 1 000 000 cells mL-1 were 0.387, 0.961 and 2.351 kg, respectively. The highly significant negative correlation coefficient between somatic cell score （SCS） and milk and protein yield, milk yield and fat and protein percentage, protein percentage and fat yield were -0.084, -0.037, -0.061, -0.168, and -0.088, respectively （P〈 0.01）. The highly significant positive correlation coefficients between SCS and fat yield and fat and protein percentage, milk yield and fat and protein yield, fat percentage and protein percentage and fat yield, protein yield and protein percentage and fat yield were 0.041, 0.177, 0.105, 0.771, 0.865, 0.122, 0.568, 0.318, and 0.695, respectively （P〈 0.01）. There was no significant relationship between fat percentage and protein yield （P 〉 0.05）. The results of the present study first time provide the relevant base-line data for assessing milk production at Xi＇an region of China.

An Essential Oil Blend Decreases Methane Emissions and Increases Milk Yield in Dairy Cows

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a commercial essential oil (EO) additive on milk production and methane (CH4) emissions from dairy cows. Early lactation Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were fed grass, whole crop wheat and corn silage total mixed ration. Cows were allocated to one of two experimental treatments: Control (no additive, CON) or 1 g/head/day of EO. Cows were housed in a free stall barn, split into two pens for the duration of the experiment. Two gas data loggers units used to measure CH4 emissions were provided per pen for the duration of the 22 week-long study. Milk yield was determined daily, and milk components were analyzed every two weeks. CH4 was recorded continuously, and daily values were tabulated. Body weight and body condition score were determined at the start and bi-weekly. Results were analyzed as a randomized complete block trial. In total, 149 cows participated in the study (76 CON, 73 EO). Milk yields were greater (P < 0.05) for the test treatment (28.3 CON, 31.2 EO) with no change in milk component concentrations. Milk component concentrations were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment. Yields of fat, protein, lactose, and solids were higher for EO fed cows (P 4 output was reduced with the EO compared to the CON treatment (411 g/day vs 438 g/day;13.8 g/L of milk vs 17.2 g/L of milk, P < 0.05) over the duration of the trial. There were no effects of treatment on reproductive performance or the occurrence of mastitis. Feeding EO to dairy cows reduced CH4 emissions whilst also increasing performance.

The Effects of Graded Abomasal Glucose Infusion on Milk Yield and Composition in Lactating Goats

Four non-pregnant multiparous lactating goats were used in a 4 × 4 latin square experiment in the present study. The four treatments were abomasal infusion of 0, 50, 100, and 150 g d^-1 glucose. The results showed that graded glucose infusion increased milk yield （P 〈 0.01）. The highest milk yield was observed when 50 g d^-1 glucose was infused. An infusion of glucose at 100 or 150 g d^-1 failed to increase milk yield further and milk yield of the 100 g d ^-1 glucose infusion treatment was even significantly lower than that of the 50 g d^-1 treatment （P 〈 0.01）. Though milk fat content was gradually decreased by graded glucose infusions and milk fat yield of the 100 and 150 g d 1 treatments were lower than that of the control （P 〈 0.01）; milk fat yield of the 50 g d i treatment was not depressed and was higher than that of the control （P 〈 0.01）. Graded glucose infusion did not change the contents of milk protein and non-fatty solids. Yields of milk protein （P 〈 0.05）, lactose （P 〈 0.01）, non-fat solids （P 〈 0.01）, and lactose content （P 〈 0.01） of the 50 g d^-1 treatment were higher than those of the control but had no difference among the other three treatments. Contents of those de novo synthesized fatty acids in milk fat remained unchanged or increased and those preformed fatty acids remained unchanged or decreased by graded glucose infusion. Glucose infusion decreased the total yields of C16 ＋ C16：1 and 〉 C16 fatty acids and had no influence on the yield of C4-C14：1 fatty acids （P 〈 0.05）. Results of the present study implied that increased glucose supply had positive effects on the production of milk, milk protein, milk fat, and lactose only when glucose was a limiting factor for milk synthesis. Excessive glucose supply had no further beneficial effects and might depress milk fat synthesis.

Milk Yield of Holstein Cows Induced into Lactation Twice Consecutively and Lactation Curve Models Fitted to Artificial Lactations

Nineteen multiparous barren Holstein cows were subjected to an induction of lactation protocol for 21 d administering estradiol cypionate （2 mg kg-1 of body weight （BW） d-1, on day 1 to 14）, progesterone （0.10 mg kg-1 of BW, on day 1 to 7）, lfumethasone （0.03 mg kg-1 of BW, on day 18 to 20） and recombinant bovine somatotropin （rbST;500 mg per cow, on day 1, 6, 16 and 21）. At the end of lactation and with a minimum of a 2-mon dry period, the same cows were again hormonally induced into lactation. Cows in both lactations were not artiifcially inseminated, they were milked 3 times daily and received rbST throughout lactation. Mean accumulated milk yield at 305 d in milk （DIM） did not differ between the ifrst and second induced lactations （（9 710 ＆#177;1 728） vs. （9 309＆#177;2 150） kg;mean＆#177;SD）. Total milk yield （（12 707＆#177;3 406） vs. （12 306＆#177;4 218） kg;mean＆#177;SD） and lactation length （（405＆#177;100） vs. （410＆#177;91） d;mean＆#177;SD） were not different between the ifrst and second induced lactations. In a second study, 15 empirical models including exponential, power law, yield-density, sigmoidal and miscellaneous models were compared for their suitability by modeling 12-mon （n=334）, 18-mon （n=164） and 29-mon （n=22） lactation cycles of Holsteins cows induced into lactation and treated with rbST throughout the lactation. Hoerl （Y=ab1/xxc）, Wood （Y=axb exp（cx）） and Dhanoa （Y=ax（bc）exp（cx）） models were equally suitable to describe 12-mon lactations. An exponential model with ifve parameters （Y=exp（a＋bx＋cd2＋e/x）） showed the best ift for milk yield for 18-mon lactations. The rational model （Y=a＋bx/1＋cx＋dx2） was found to produce the closest ift for 29-mon lactations. It was concluded that, with the protocol used in the present study, multiparous cows respond favorably to a second cycle of induced lactation, with milk yield similar to that experienced during the ifrst cycle. Thus, dairy producers might be able to lengthen the productive life of infertile high producing cows with a renewal of artiifcial lactation, which would imply an overall reduction in voluntary culling of cows. Also, various equations used to describe the lactation curves demonstrated the potential for iftting monthly milk records of Holstein cows with prolonged lactations and induced hormonally into lactation.

Effects of Rumen Protected Methionine on Milk Yield and Milk Composition in Earlier Lactating Cow

A total of 12 mature healthy Holstein dairy cows of the nearly body weight （580±30） kg, milk yield （22.5±2.8） kg in the early stages of lactation were selected in this experiment. The cows were randomly divided into 2 groups, every group had 6 cows, every group had 6 repeats, and every repeat had 1 cow. Added 20 g protected methionine in earlier lactating cow food every day. The results showed that protected methionine increased milk yield by 10.83%, testing group milk yield was significantly different than that of control （P〈0.05）; protected methionine increased milk fat by 5.98%, testing group milk fat was significantly different than that of control （P〈0.05）; Milk protein increased by 2.15%, but bad insignificantly different （P〉0.05）; dry matter of milk had the tendency of decrease, but had insignificant difference （P〉0.05）.

Milk Yield and Composition and Pasture Ruminal Digestion in Grazing Dairy Cows Receiving Three Levels of Energy Concentrate Supplementation

The objective of the experiment was to determine the effect of feeding three levels (T3.5, T7.0 and T10.5) of energy concentrate (3.5, 7.0 and 10.5 kg cow-1 day-1) on total dry matter (DM) and energy intakes, milk yield and composition, nutritional value of milk and rumen pasture neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestion in grazing dairy cows. Twenty-one multiparous Holstein cows in early lactation (70.2 ± 13 days postpartum) producing 37.1 (±4.7) kg of milk were assigned to a 3 treatments (7 cows/treatment) × 3 periods Latin square design. Parameters of ruminal environment and pasture NDF degradation were obtained using 3 additional cows of the same breed fitted with rumen cannulae. On a wet basis, concentrate was composed by corn grain (68%), soybean meal (22%), wheat bran (8%) and a vitamin-mineral nucleus with monensin. Pasture (Medicago sativa, sp) was used in a rotational grazing system with an herbage allowance of 30 kg DM cow-1 d-1. Yield (kg cow-1 d-1) of fat corrected milk (4% FCM) resulted higher (p < 0.05) in T7.0 (29.0) compared to T3.5 (26.8) but similar to T10.5 (30.2). Milk and protein yields were linearly increased (p < 0.01) by concentrate intake. Milk fat (3.13 g/100g) and total solid contents (11.79 g/100g) did not differ whereas milk protein (p < 0.03) and casein (p < 0.01) levels (g/100g) increased linearly from 3.05 to 3.10 (protein) and from 2.42 to 2.47 (casein). Pasture intake decreased but total DM and energy consumption were enhanced showing addition effects after concentrate feeding. Body weight (BW) loss and plasmatic levels of non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) decreased with concentrate intake. Circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were higher (p < 0.05) in T10.5 while those of glucose, plasma urea nitrogen, insulin and somatotrophin were not affected. Ruminal pH and acetate concentration resulted lower (p < 0.05) in T10.5 when compared to T3.5. The acetate:propionate ratio decreased (p < 0.01) from 4.25 in T3.5 to 3.08 in T10.5 and ruminal ammonia nitrogen levels tended (p < 0.07) to be lower as concentrate intake increased. Kinetics parameters of NDF degradation remained unchanged. The potential hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (FA) of milk (C12:0 to C16:0.) remained unchanged as concentrate intake increased. Milk content of linolenic acid decreased and the n-6:n-3 ratio increased with concentrate intake from 1.56 (T3.5) to 2.57 (T10.5) remaining below the recommended values for human health (<4:1). Milk content of antioxidant vitamins was not significantly altered even when pasture DM intake fall in T10.5 compared to T3.5. Increased consumption of a starch-rich concentrate up to 40% of DM intake of cows showed additive effects on total DM and energy intakes improving milk yield, milk protein and casein contents without negative effects on milk fat concentration or yield. Pasture fiber digestion and nutritional parameters linked to healthy value of milk fat were not affected.

Effects of Winter Planting Milk Vetch on Yield and PartialProductivity of Nitrogen Fertilizer of Machine-transplantedDouble-cropping Rice under Straw Returning to the Field

From 2017 to 2018,the effects of winter planting of milk vetch on yield and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer of machine-transplanted double-cropping rice under straw returning were studied in Ningxiang city,Hunan Province.The results showed that the dry matter accumulation,effective panicle,yield and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer in the stem,leaf,panicle and aboveground parts of early and late rice treated with winter planting milk vetch and straw returning were signi ficantly higher than those treated with straw returning only.Among them,the effective panicles of early and late rice increased by 2.58%,3.18%(2017)and 5.22%,6.32%(2018),respectively.Yield increased by 11.85%,10.07%(2017)and 12.42%,10.92%(2018),annual partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer increased by 10.90%(2017)and 11.66%(2018),respectively.In conclusion,winter planting milk vetch under straw returning is beneficial to increase dry matter accumulation,rice yield and partial productivity of nitrogen fertilizer in mechanized double cropping rice.

Study on the Milk Yield Pattern of Maiwa Yak

The change in lactation of Maiwa yak was studied based on the data of locating Maiwa yak in warm seasons during 2003- 2009. The results showed that the milk yield was increasing gradually during days 30- 70 after calving,reached the peak at days 70- 110,and decreased gradually to no milking whenafter. The milk yield of Maiwa yak was greatly influenced by lactation age rather than the yearly effect.

Effects of Chinese Herb Additive on Milk Yield and Anti-heat Stress Ability of Holstein Cows

[Objective] To explore the effects of Chinese herb additive on milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein diary cow. [Method] A total of 36 Holstein cows at same parity and with similar milk yield were randomly divided into three groups, namely, control group, Chinese medi- cine group I and Chinese medicine group I1. The cows in the Chinese medicine group I were fed basal diet containing 4% compound Chinese herb additive; those in the Chinese medicine group II were fed basal diet containing 3% compound Chinese herb additive; and those in the control group were fed common basal diet. All cows in the three groups were analyzed comparatively. [Result] Supplementing some compound Chinese herb ad- ditive into basal diet increased milk yield and anti-heat stress ability of Holstein cows, besides, it also decreased cow diseases like cow mastitis. The Chinese medicine group I generated the highest economic benefit of practical production. [ Conclusion] Supplementing Chinese herb additive in- to basal diet is an effective way to relieve heat stress and increase milk yield.

Bayesian genetic analysis of milk yield in Tunisian Holstein dairy cattle population

The genetic determinism of 305-d milk yield and its genetic parameters were investigated in Tunisian Holstein dairy cattle population through Bayesian segregation analyses using a Monte Carlo Markov Chains (MCMC) method. Data included 49,709 records of 305-d milk yield collected between 1996 and 2003 from 114 dairy herds. The postulated major gene was assumed to be additive biallelic locus with Mendelian transmission probabilities and priors used for variance components were uniform. Gibbs sampling was used to generate a chain of 500,000 samples, which were used to obtain posterior means of genetic parameters. Estimated marginal posterior means ± posterior standard deviations of variance components of milk yield were 402866.28 ± 23629.97, 271256.66 ± 34477.83, 68276.83 ± 233027.62 and 1098855.75 ± 10009.52 for polygenic variance (σ2u), permanent environmental variance (σ2ne), major gene variance (σ2G) and error variance (σ2e), respectively. The main finding of this paper showed the postulated major locus was not significant, since the 95% highest posterior density regions (HPDs95%) of most major gene parameters included 0, and particularly for the major gene variance. Estimated transmission probabilities for the 95% highest posterior density regions (HPDs95%) were overlapped. Genetic parameters of 305-d milk yield were very similar under both mixed inheritance and polygenic models. These results indicated that the genetic determinism of milk yield in Tunisian Holstein dairy cattle population is purely polygenic. Based on 50,000 Gibbs samples, heritability and repeatability estimates using polygenic model were h2 = 0.22 ± 0.012 and r = 0.38 ± 0.006, respectively.

Relation between Climate and Milk Yield of Holstein in Nanshan

Nanshan, an unique natural meadow, has cool climate. In Nanshan, annu- al average temperature was 11.2 ℃; average temperature in the hottest month July was 18.4 ℃, and extremely maximum temperature was 26.8 0℃; average tempera- ture in the coldest month January was 2.2 ℃, and extremely minimum temperature in February was -16.0 ℃. Holstein is resistant to low temperature but not resistant to high temperature. The suitable temperature for Holstein ranges from 11 to 16 ℃, so the climatic environment in Nanshan is suitable for the breeding of Holstein. An- nual average milk yield of each Holstein was up to 6 900 kg, reaching the ad- vanced level of annual average milk yield of each Holstein in China. The milk yield of cows was the highest in June and the lowest in October.

Effect of Pennisetum purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin on Milk Yield and Quality of Jersey Cattle at Lactation Stage

The study aimed to research the forage value of Pennisetum purpureum Schum cv.Guiminyin in dairy industry and then provide scientific support for feeding jersey cattle with P.purpureum Schum cv.Guiminyin.Totally 20 jersey cattle at lactation stage were selected and divided into two groups randomly,10 cattle each group.The cattle were fed with P.purpureum Schum cv.Guiminyin and P.purpureum cv.Mott×（P.americanum×P.purureum）cv.Guimu No.1,respectively.The results showed that P.purpureum Schum cv.Guiminyin performed well in both nutritional value and palatability,and received remarkable effects on jersey cattle.The milk yield was 5.4%higher than that of before test,and the average daily milk yield was（11.65±0.07）kg/cattle.Compared with control group,milk fat percentage,lactoprotein content and overall milk-solid content were improved somewhat.Feeding jersey cattle with P.purpureum Schum cv.Guiminyin at lactation stage could increase their milk yield and milk quality.

A Study on the Correlation of Milk Yield of Cows with Seismicity and ULF Magnetic Field Variations

A statistical study on the basis of one-year data of 2014 has been performed in order to find whether abnormal animal behavior is related with seismic activity and also whether the ULF (Ultra Low Frequency) electromagnetic radiation might be a possible sensory mechanism of abnormal animal behavior. Abnormal animal behavior has been studied with the use of digitally recorded milk yield of cows at Ibaraki Prefecture Livestock Station, and the ULF magnetic field changes have been studied with the data at a magnetic observatory of Kakioka. As the result of correlation analyses, clear responses are observed for both the milk yield of cows and ULF magnetic field changes (both ULF radiation (ULF emissions from the lithosphere) and ULF depression (as an indicator of lower ionospheric perturbations)) for most powerful and not distant earthquakes (EQs) with magnitude > 6, that is, the milk yield of cows is found to exhibit a conspicuous depletion about 17 - 18 days before an EQ, though the correlation coefficient is not so big. Another important objective in this paper is to identify that ULF radiation is the main agent of abnormal behavior so that we have compared the temporal evolutions of milk yield of cows, ULF radiation and ULF depression for three major EQs. As a result, it is found that ULF radiation happens, at least, during the periods of abnormal depletion of milk yield of cows.

Effect of Bospro on High and Mid-to-Low Milk Yielding Chinese-Holstein Cow

A total of 90 cows from two farms (farm A 30 cows, farm B 60 cows) were used to study the effect of Bospro on milk production, milk quality and subclinical mastitis incidence. The cows in the test group were supplied with 20 g of Bospro per head per day and meanwhile, the percentage of milk fat, protein and lactose and moisture of the milk samples were analysed. The results showed that the milk yield of both high production and mid-to-low milk producting cows increased by 3.3% to 5.3% respectively compared with their control group of cows, but there was no changes on the milk content between the treated and the control cows. The treated cows also showed an increased body weight (P>0.05) and significantly reduced incidence of mastitis, as Compared with that of the control group.The experiment dcmonstrats that Bospro can increase milk yield, but not at the expense of milk quality and body weight.

稻秸-紫云英联合还田对水稻光合特性及产量品质的影响

为评价稻秸-紫云英联合还田对水稻光合特性、产量及稻米品质的影响,采用田间随机试验,以不施氮肥为对照(CK),设置常规氮肥(N)、稻秸还田+常规氮肥(RN)、紫云英还田+常规氮肥(MN)、稻秸还田+紫云英还田+常规氮肥(MRN)、稻秸还田+紫云英还田+60%氮肥(MRN60%),共计6个处理。对不同处理下的叶绿素含量(SPAD值)、净光合速率(net photosynthetic rate,Pn)、气孔导度(stomatal conductance,Gs)、胞间CO_(2)浓度(intercellular CO_(2)concentration,Ci)、蒸腾速率(transpiration rate,Tr)和干物质积累量、产量及稻米品质进行比较。结果表明,与CK相比,N、RN、MN、MRN和MRN60%处理均可显著提高水稻剑叶的SPAD值、Pn、Gs、稻谷产量及稻米糙米率、整精米率和蛋白含量,并显著降低直链淀粉含量。与N处理相比,在光合特性方面,MRN处理剑叶的SPAD值、净光合速率、气孔导度分别显著提高2.36%、5.95%、7.80%;在干物质积累量方面,MRN处理分蘖期、孕穗期、乳熟期的干物质积累量分别显著提高14.77%、3.52%、4.95%;在产量及构成因素方面,MRN处理的有效穗数、穗粒数、稻谷产量分别显著提高7.38%、3.08%、15.96%;在稻米品质方面,MRN处理的整精米率显著提高4.63%,直链淀粉含量显著降低6.54%。与N处理相比,MN处理仅净光合速率显著提高4.75%;MRN60%处理仅直链淀粉含量显著降低7.00%。相关分析结果表明,剑叶SPAD值、Pn和Gs均与有效穗数、穗粒数、产量、糙米率、整精米率呈极显著正相关,与直链淀粉含量呈极显著负相关;SPAD值和Pn与蛋白含量呈极显著正相关;Gs与蛋白含量呈显著正相关。综上,在常规施氮下,稻秸-紫云英联合还田可显著提高水稻剑叶的SPAD值、Pn、Gs等光合指标及水稻产量和蒸煮品质;在60%氮肥施用下,稻秸-紫云英联合还田有利于稳定水稻剑叶光合特性,保持水稻增产和品质特征,可应用于优质水稻生产。