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Mastitis in dairy cattle is the most common management disorder that causes higher economic losses by lowering production and quality of milk leads to substantial economical loss. The aim of this article was to review worldwide important advances in strategies to control mastitis for production augmentation in dairy cattle. Many scientists worked to identify effective strategies to control mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and others. It is necessary to identify mechanisms of infection, define clinical and subclinical states of disease, determine exposure time, and identify pathogen-specific characteristics. Evolvement of management strategies that incorporated hygienic procedures (animal, floor, and milkman), post milking standing period of animal and strategic use of antibiotic or herbal therapy at dry-off, nutritional supplementation, fly control, body condition score optimization, etc., resulted in widespread control of mastitis. The udder, teat of animal, scientific management of milking, automatic milking procedure, genetic selection are considered as important factors to control mastitis. As farm management changed, scientists were directed to redefine control of mastitis caused by opportunistic pathogens of environmental sources and have sought to explore management strategies which will maintain animal well-being in a judicial way. Although significant advances in mastitis management have been made changing herd structure, changing climatic scenario and more rigorous milk processing standards ensure that mastitis will remain important issue for future research.

Background: Dry period duration of dairy cow is considered as an important factor to maintain udder health and milk production. Methods: To investigate the effect of dry period duration (DPD) on udder health, milk production and body condition of dairy cows at lower Gangetic tropics, observations were taken from 25 Jersey crossbred cows which were divided into 2 comparable group viz: 1st group (11 cows), having 50 to 60 days DPD and 2nd group (14 cows), having more than 60 days DPD. Result: Statistically analyzed data revealed that milk somatic cell count, MCMT, milk pH and EC were significantly (P<0.01) varied between two group from second month onwards and continue up to 4th months of lactation. Critical analysis of battery tests clearly confirmed the diagnosis for occurring of subclinical mastitis with poor udder health status in 2nd group. Total milk production/day/cow were almost similar in both group in first month but second month onwards significantly (P<0.01) higher milk production was recorded in 1st than 2nd group. The milk composition parameters revealed non-significant difference between groups whereas milk quality parameter significantly (P<0.01) better in 1st than 2nd group. Initial BCS of dry cow of both groups were similar. But BCS at calving was significantly (P<0.05) higher in 2nd than 1st group with higher negative changes in BCS % in 2nd group as compared to 1st group. It can be concluded that dry period duration of 50-60 days is better over to prolonged dry period (>60 days). Suitable changes in BCS from dry period to calving is beneficial to get higher milk production, quality, better maintenance of body condition and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at tropical lower Gangetic region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Milking behaviour of dairy cows has remarkable influences on their production efficacy. A number of genetic and environmental features controls and affects lactating behaviour of dairy cow. The aim of present study was to investigate the influence of seasons on milking behaviour and milk production of Jersey crossbred cows in tropical climate. Methods: The experiment was conducted on 94 Jersey crossbred cows maintained at organized dairy farm at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal, India and there lactating behavioural features were studied during milking time inside the milking parlour under different seasons. The study period was divided into 3 season’s viz. rainy (September-October), winter (November-February) and summer (March-May). Result: Seasons showed influence upon milking behaviour and milk yield of cows. Temperament of cows were least (1.91±0.03) during winter seasons as compare to rainy and summer (2.15±0.03; 2.09±0.03) respectively and it differed significantly (P<0.01), simultaneously daily milk yield were also more (9.36±0.11) kgs during winter seasons as compare to rainy and summer (6.63±0.13; 8.58±0.13) respectively and it differed significantly (P<0.01). It can be concluded from the study that seasons showed significant influence on the milking behavioural features and milk yield in Jersey crossbred cows in tropical climate, which suggests that if dairy animals get favourable micro-climatic environment and reduced level of environmental stress they will behave more favourably and simultaneously their production efficacy also inclines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sub clinical mastitis is a common disease caused by lack of good management and biosecurity of dairy cattle which cause expensive losses due to decrease milk production effect on the quality efficiency of milk losses in livestock production. the study designed to review the researcher's study to detect important strategies controlling of subclinical mastitis resulting from environmental & contagious pathogens such as E.coli, k.pneumonia, proteus spp.,Enterobacter spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactia and mycoplasma pyogenes, also other microorganism in dairy cow. A wide range of genetic diagnostic methods can be using for investigation of mastitis such as RT-PCR and MPCR methods.Further accurate improving hygiene and improve management considerable for controlling of the disease in dairy cattle they are commitment of hygiene procedure as milking, animal condition and floor that incorporated management strategies. Regard to dry period of cattle the usage of antibiotic treatment, supplements foods,optimization of animal body condition,scientific management of milk procedure and ventilation are considered important factor to control of bovine mastitis. on the other hand,this review provides the role using advance diagnostic technologies of this disease. and can provide safeguard of dairy animals as well as improving hygiene as a good controlling of mastitis pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genotype environment interaction plays vital role in animal productivity. Heat stress is one of the major environmental stressor affecting milk production and measured in terms of temperature humidity index (THI). Indian milk industry largely depends on crossbred cows bearing different degree of exotic inheritance. Thus, the role of genotype (genetic group) of the crossbred cows and environment (THI) interaction plays vital role in Indian climate which is mostly tropical in nature. Therefore, study was undertaken to examine the existence of genetic group x THI in crossbred dairy cows reared at institute herd of ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal. Methods: A total of 12364 records each of monthly milk yield (MMY) and average daily milk yield in a month (AMY) of crossbred cows spanned over twenty two years (1994-2015) and weather parameters (temperature and relative humidity) for the corresponding years were collected from institute records. The data were classified into 8 genetic groups according to the genetic composition and 3 THI groups (THI <72, THI 72-78 and THI above 78). The interaction model was used to study the GxE interaction study using least squares analysis. Result: Effect of non-genetic factors (parity, period of calving and stage of lactation) was found to be highly significant (P<0.01) and genetic group x THI was significant (P<0.05) of on both MMY and AMY. Genetic group bearing 50% Jersey and 50% Red Sindhi or Tharparkar were the most heat tolerant breeds. Jersey crossbred cows were more heat tolerant than Holstein crossbred cows. Crossbred cows with 50% Jersey inheritance performed better than higher Jersey inheritance during periods of THI above 72. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was envisaged to examine existence of genetic group x THI in crossbred cows at institute herd of ERS, ICAR-NDRI, Kalyani, West Bengal. 1041 fertility records each on service period (SP) and conception rate (CR) and weather parameters spanned over 22 years (1994-2015) were collected; arranged under three THI groups; thermal comfort (THI<72), two heat stress zones (THI 72-78) and THI>78 and six genetic groups.SP was longest (163.61 ± 6.83 days) when THI>78and lowest (149.27±6.69 days) during THI<72. CR was lowest (65.66±2.73 %) when THI>78 and highest (70.54±2.8 %) at THI<72. Genetic group x THI was non-significant on SP and CR. However, there was re-ranking of genetic groups across three THI zones. Genetic group bearing 50% Jersey + 50% Tharparkar followed by 50% Jersey + 50% Red Sindhi exhibited least increase in SP (5.09 and 6.37 days) when THI>78.Cows bearing 50% Jersey and 50% indigenous cattle inheritance followed by 50% Jersey + 50% Red Sindhi and 50% Jersey + 50% Tharparkar depicted least drop in CR at THI>78 (-2.38, -2.40 and -3.6%) in comparison to THI<72. The genetic group with>75% Jersey depicted maximum increase in SP (15.33 days) and drop in CR (-7.43%) at THI>78. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving improved milk yield from a healthy udder, with a minimum weight loss especially during initial lactation, is the aim of every dairy farmer. Body condition score (BCS) of dairy cows has been found to be significantly associated with body weight, milk performance and udder health status of dairy cow during the pre and post-partum period. Under and over body condition of dairy cows should be avoided. Both conditions lead to weight loss, loss of milk, poor udder health and metabolic disease in dairy animals. Cows should have balanced body condition before and after calving. Better management practices during the dry period and at calving may optimize production, and udder health in subsequent lactation. This review aims to highlight livestock management strategies during the dry period which may help in optimizing BCS at calving and during the subsequent lactation period, thus improving milk performance and udder health, and reducing weight loss in early lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimum nutritional condition of dairy cows during the different stages of production is highly recommended. Production of high quality milk is the primary goal of every herdsman. However, improper nutrition of dairy cows leads to different unwanted ailments and disease losses. This becomes a burden for dairy owners. Most commonly, dairy cow undergoes negative energy balance (NEBL) condition due to improper dry matter intake (DMI). DMI in proper amount provides good nutrition for the dairy animals. There is a common trend of depressed DMI during the transition and the initial lactation period of high-producing animals. Following which elevated levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), undesired body condition stages, lowered production performances, poor milk quality, and inferior udder health status of dairy cows are observed. Both over-conditioned and under-conditioned bodies of the dairy animal are more at risk of NEBL thereby posing a negative impact on behavioral and production performance. This review is framed to discuss the effect of negative energy balance on the behavior and production performance of dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was undertaken to analyse the somatic cell count (SCC) and milk composition viz., total solids (TS), fat and solid-not-fat (SNF) in crossbred dairy cows maintained on different bedding systems. Twenty-four crossbred cows with six animals in each group at Cattle farm of the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, Pookode was selected for the study from February 2018 to January 2019, spread over three seasons such as summer months (Feb-May), monsoon months (June-Sep) and post monsoon months (Oct-Jan). In control group (T1) was maintained in concrete floor without any bedding materials. In (T2) rubber mats were provided on concrete floor. In (T3) coir pith and (T4) dried solid manure (DSM) on concrete floor was provided as bedding. The milk of cows maintained on concrete floor and coir pith had the mean SCC values of 164.25 ± 0.25 and 164.39 ± 0.28(x10³ cells/ml) respectively, with significant difference (P< 0.01) between them. The TS and SNF had the lowest value in cows maintained on concrete floor while the cows on coir pith had the highest values. The rubber mat and DSM had the mean milk fat values of 3.74 ± 0.17and 3.82 ± 0.17, respectively. The values of TS, fat and SNF were higher during summer followed by post monsoon season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]