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The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the cleanliness of the udder and skin of the hind part of body and somatic cell counts in milk as well as milk yield and its composition in Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows in the autumn-winter season. Animals were kept in the freestall cubicle barn with access to a hardened surface outdoor run. In the roofed part the run was regularly bedded with barley straw. In the milking parlour during test milkings each animal was subjected to a visual inspection performed to evaluate the cleanliness status of the udder, the underbelly, tail base, as well as the upper part of the hind limbs and the lower part of the hind limbs. Soiling on the skin with feces in each analysed cow’s body section had a significant effect on the somatic cell counts in milk. Results of this study indicate a greater effect of the cleanliness status of the hind quarters of the udder on the SCC in milk. An increased degree of soiling on the skin in the underbelly, tail base as well as the upper and lower parts of the hind limbs significantly reduced the contents of protein, casein and dry matter in milk.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the country of origin of the sire on the milk performance of primiparous Jersey cows kept under identical management conditions in Poland. Experimental cows were divided into four groups: daughters of bulls from the USA, Denmark, Canada and Poland. The effect of the paternal group on the milk performance of primiparous cows was estimated. A two-way contingency table was prepared to assess the association between the sire’s country of origin and peak lactation. To present the course of daily milk yield during 305-day lactation, linear graphs were plotted with linear trends depending on the origin of sires of primiparous cows. Daughters of Polish bulls, in comparison to the other genetic groups of primiparous cows, had by the lowest daily milk yields, as well as the lowest concentrations of protein and dry matter in their milk. Primiparous cows sired by bulls from Denmark had the highest daily milk yields and the lowest fat-to-protein ratios in their milk. Analysis of the effect of the origin of the sire on the milk performance of primiparous Jersey cows during 305-day lactation revealed significantly the lowest milk, protein and dry matter yield and the lowest content of protein in the milk for the daughters of Polish bulls. Primiparous cows from this group and the daughters of bulls from the USA had significantly the lowest fat yield and the lowest dry matter content in their milk. Daughters of Polish bulls in comparison to daughters of foreign bulls had a significantly higher concentration of lactose in their milk. The vast majority of primiparous Jersey cows sired by imported bulls reached peak daily milk yields from day 31 to day 60 of lactation. The lactation curve and the first-order trend for daily milk yields were most advantageous in primiparous cows sired by bulls from the USA and Canada. The use of semen from imported Jersey bulls in the Polish population of this cattle breed results in increased milk yields in primiparous cows sired by those bulls, as well as beneficial concentrations of milk constituents. The results of this study indicate that under Polish management conditions the use of semen from Danish bulls is preferable, although further research should be conducted to determine the lifetime productivity of cows and concentrations of milk constituents.

Sixty dairy goats of the Polish white improved breed were randomly assigned to five feeding groups of twelve animals each. The animals received a supplement containing seven herbs at 20 or 40 g/animal/day (experimental groups 1 and 2) and a supplement containing nine herbs at 20 or 40 g/animal/day (experimental groups 3 and 4)m, along with pelleted concentrate feed. Group 5 (the control group) received pelleted feed without any herbal supplements. A significant effect of herbal feed additive on lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count was observed (p < 0.001). The highest number density of LAB was found in the goats receiving the feed additive with nine herbs at 20 g/animal per day (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant effect of lactation stage on intestinal LAB count (p < 0.001). Regardless of the feeding group, the highest number density of LAB was found in animals at the peak of lactation. The LAB count was also affected by the interaction of diet group × lactation stage (p < 0.0001). A probiotic strain of Lactobacillus fermentum was identified in the faecal samples of goats receiving the herbal additive, but not in the controls. Genetic identification of the microorganisms isolated from the faeces of the experimental goats did not reveal the presence of harmful mould spores, although spores of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus were detected in the controls.

The aim of this study was to compare the rheological and physicochemical parameters, as well as the organoleptic properties, of soft rennet cheese made from whole and skimmed milk in different seasons on a traditional family farm. We analyzed milk from twenty Polish Holstein&ndash, Friesian cows for basic composition, number of somatic cells, acidity, and color in terms of the Comission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) lightness*redness*yellowness (L*a*b*) system, and 24 cheeses in terms of texture, acidity, color in terms of the CIE L*a*b* system, and organoleptic parameters in summer and winter. We determined the effects of the season and the fat content of milk on the pH, titratable acidity, color, firmness, and stickiness of the cheese. Cheeses from summer milk showed greater acidification than those from winter milk (p &le, 0.05). Skimmed milk cheeses from both seasons showed increased firmness and stickiness, and worse organoleptic characteristics, particularly in taste and consistency, than whole milk cheeses (p &le, 0.05). The highest level of yellow (b*) was found in whole milk summer cheeses, those produced in winter were 16% less yellow. Milk from traditional family farms is a valuable raw ingredient for the production of soft, unripe rennet cheese. However, the variability of organoleptic characteristics related to the season should be taken into account in cheese production. Skimmed cheese can serve as an alternative to full-fat cheese, especially for people looking for low-fat products, regardless of the time of year.

Yeast cultures have been widely investigated as feed additives to improve growth and health of animals. However, most of the research has focused on Saccharomyces cerevisiae products, whereas effects of non-conventional species such as Yarrowia lipolytica are not yet known. Y. lipolytica is a non-pathogenic yeast which can metabolize glycerol among other important industrial byproducts and is rich in fat and many other nutritional and bioactive compounds. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Y. lipolytica culture added to colostrum and milk replacer on reticuloruminal fermentation, biochemical blood indices, and growth rate of calves. During the first 56 d of life, 24 Polish Holstein-Friesian calves were grouped by sex (equal numbers of bulls and heifers) and parity (equal numbers of calves born to primiparous and multiparous cows) and assigned randomly to 2 treatments: yeast culture (YL, Y. lipolytica yeast, n = 12) or control (CON, without yeast additive, n = 12). Y. lipolytica yeast culture was incorporated into colostrum or milk replacer at a dosage of 30 g/d (15 g/feeding; 108 CFU/g). Calves fed YL had higher body weight on d 28 (P = 0.012) and on d 56 (P = 0.011). In the same group, higher average daily gain from d 3 to 28 (P = 0.012), from d 29 to 56 (P = 0.033), and for the entire experimental period (P = 0.011) were noted. From d 3 to 56, the YL increased changes in body length (P = 0.024), hip width (P = 0.029) and heart girth (P 0.05).

The aim of the study was to evaluate selected physical and chemical characteristics of the breast muscles of organically and intensively raised chickens. The parameters determined are important to consumers in assessing meat quality. The experimental material consisted of crossbred chickens obtained from crossing a white broiler cock from Ross 308 parent stock with a brown dual-purpose Rhode Island Red R-66 hen (group E) and Ross 308 commercial crossbred broiler hens (group K). Chickens from group E were reared over 84 days in accordance with the requirements of organic farming, while the group K chickens were reared conventionally over 42 days. The results indicate differences in post mortem changes in the breast muscles of the organically and intensively raised chickens. The muscles of broiler chickens from organic farming were characterized by good nutritional value (1.73 pp more protein and 0.46 pp less fat) and a darker colour (L* 49.65), which may be a desirable feature for many consumers. However, the high pH24 level of the breast muscles of organic chickens indicates that the meat may be susceptible to microbiological contamination and can only be stored for a short period. Furthermore, it requires a greater shear force (54.12 N raw and 46.66 N cooked), which may indicate that the meat needs to be cooked longer.

Oxbow lakes are typical elements of meandering watercourses and are considered to be key components of floodplains of natural rivers. A permanent connection with the river promotes the use of these water bodies by ichthyofauna as spawning grounds, shelter for fry, feeding and wintering grounds. The aim of this study was to determine which rheophilic species inhabit oxbow lakes and how environmental conditions affect habitat selection and fish behavior. Analyses were conducted on six oxbow lakes of the Warta River in the Koło-Poznań section. Fish and water samples were collected for three years, in spring, summer and late autumn. Variation in environmental conditions in the analyzed water bodies results in a considerable diversity of the ichthyofauna, including rheophilic species, in individual seasons of the year. In the course of the study, nine rheophilic fish species were recorded, including four from the lithophilic reproductive guild having the highest environmental requirements. Relative abundance of rheophilic species in the dominance structure ranged from 0 to 100%, depending on the reservoir and seasons, with an average of 7% for all catches. For comparison, their relative abundance in the adjacent parts of the river was 12 and 23%.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of BCS (Body Condition Score) on the calving day and its decrease during early lactation on the biochemical blood indices and reproductive performance. One hundred and thirty-one Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were divided into three groups according to the North-American body condition score on the calving day (AC≤3.5 point BCS; MID 3.51-3.75 point BCS; FAT>3.75 point BCS) and according to the decrease in BCS during early lactation (HG >0.49 point BCS; WEL 0.49-0.25 point BCS, L3.75 BCS) the lowest conception rate of the first insemination, insemination index and thereby the longest days open were observed. The highest decreases in BCS (HG >0.49 points) resulted in increased concentrations of NEFA on 3 d and of BHBA on 3 and 5 d. Moreover, in the HG group, the lowest concentration of T3 on 3, 5 and 28 d as compared to the WEL group was recorded. We concluded that the BCS (>3.5 points) on the calving day had a significantly negative effect on the metabolic status of dairy cows in the postpartum period estimated by the concentration of biochemical blood indices characterising carbohydrates (IGF-I, insulin) and lipid (NEFA, BHBA) metabolism and also the reproductive performance such as the conception rate of the first insemination, insemination index, days open. We suggested that the blood serum concentrations of IGF-I and NEFA were the most sensitive biochemical markers of the metabolic status of dairy cows in our study.

The first aim of the study was to compare selected meat quality parameters in porkers without the gene RYR1 (T) (ryanodine receptor gene). These were porkers slaughtered at 100 to 115 kg and 116 to 130 kg live weight. The second aim of the study was to determine the occurrence frequency of standard-quality meat (red, firm, nonexudative [RFN]) and the occurence frequency of defective meat (pale, soft, exudative [PSE] and acid, soft, exudative [ASE]). The analysis was conducted on the longissimus lumborum muscle in 114 crossbred porkers. The porkers were a cross of Camborough 22 sows and boars from lines 337PIC (Pig Improvement Company), Norsvin Landrace and Pietrain. All of the animals were provided with identical environmental and nutritional conditions. The average weight of the slaughtered animals in the light and heavy groups was 110 kg and 122 kg, respectively. Both groups had the same average post-slaughter meatiness (56.5%). A statistical analysis of selected meat-quality parameters did not show any significant differences between the weight groups. On the other hand, the classification based on carcass quality showed an occurence frequency of defective meat in heavier crossbred porkers (116 to 130 kg) that was three times higher than in those crossbred animals which weighed 100 to 115 kg when slaughtered. In porkers without the gene RYR1 (T) , the defective meat types PSE and ASE occurred with a frequency of 17.54%.

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of meat of the young Limousin bulls slaughtered at the age of 6, 9 and 12 months, with particular regard to the residual glycogen content in the meat and the value of the glycolytic potential. The study was conducted on bovine longissimus lumborum muscle. The residual glycogen content, glycolytic potential value (96 h post-mortem), pH value (45 min, 24 h, 48 h and 96 h post-mortem), IMP/ATP index (45 min post-mortem), colour parameters (L*, a* and b*), natural and cooking losses, free water content, the chemical composition, sensory parameters (aroma, flavour, juiciness and tenderness) as well as instrumental tenderness based on cutting test (96 h post-mortem) were analysed. The slaughter age of bulls had significant (p