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During the last years an increasing attention has been focused on chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) use in ruminant’s nutrition. Chicory is a perennial plant that is suited to well-drained or moderately drained soils, with medium to high fertility levels and a pH of 5.5 or upper. Chicory has a comparable nutritional value to alfalfa, containing similar proportions of proteins, lipids, minerals and other nutrients. It has a relatively deep taproot, which provides tolerance to drought conditions. Furthermore, due to the drought resistance it is suitable for cultivation in areas with deficit of moisture. The aim of the current study was focused on the chemical composition and nutritive value of chicory, as well as the possibility of using it in different plants mixture in cattle feeding, as an alternative source of feed.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the genetic polymorphism of A and B variants at the CSN3 (κ-casein) and LGB (β-lactoglobulin) loci in Romanian Spotted and Romanian Brown breeds using PCR-RFLP and PCR-HRM genotyping methods. Altogether, 280 cattle from Arad county were genotyped. The most frequent allele at the CSN3 locus was A in Romanian Spotted breed (0.723) while the B allele was the most common in the Romanian Brown (0.694). For LGB locus the A and B alleles recorded similar frequencies for Romanian Spotted (0.5141 and 0.4859) compared to Romanian Brown breed where the B allele was the most prevalent (0.5970). Knowledges regarding genetic information of breeds related to milk protein are valuable for economic reassertion of cattle breeds, particularly autochthonous ones. Further, the results would be useful in future breeding programs for the studied population, aimed to improve cattle genetic structure for milk quality traits.

The aim of the current study was to test the viability of including chicory in cows’ diet. A total of 2250 data were recorded from 150 Romanian Spotted cows related to 6 forage structures: alfalfa (αα), chicory (C), mixed alfalfa and chicory (αC), mixed gramineous (G), mixed gramineous and alfalfa (Gα), mixed gramineous and chicory (GC). Data aimed total daily duration of forage consumption (TDD), daily round frequency (DRF) and average consumption round (ACR) according to forage structures. The effects of chicory were assessed based on ANOVA protocol with categorical factor “chicory”. Chicory significantly influenced (p≤0.05) TDD and ACR. No significant influence (p>0.05) was recorded related to DRF. Chicory significantly increased TDD and DRF compared to G (294 vs. 190.8 min./day, 12.1 vs. 9.37 rounds/day, p≤0.001), being superior compared to αα (264 min./day, 11.3 rounds/day, p≤0.05). Also, chicory improved the forage consumption in mixed GC compared to Gα (243.6 vs. 224.4 min./day, 10.1 vs. 9.8 rounds/day, p≤0.01). In mixed αC, chicory increased TDD and DRF compared to αα (283.8 vs. 264 min./day, 12.6 vs. 11.3 rounds/day, p≤0.05). In conclusion, the use of chicory in cows’ diet could improve the feeding behavioural traits with economically benefits

The aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects of twinning on calving ease and calves’ viability in Romanian Spotted dual-purpose breed. Data from 280 births (260 single and 20 twin births) were enrolled in order to assess the twinning and the dystocia incidences. Viability of calves was estimated based on a data set collected from 300 calves (260 singleton and 40 twin calves). The average incidence of twinning in herd was 7.14%, while the incidence of dystocia was 19.23%. The twin pregnancies proved to be the major factor related to dystocia, causing a higher prevalence compared to single pregnancies (15% vs. 4.23%, p≤0.001). Stillborn incidence was the most prevalent in twin compared to single births (5% vs. 2.31%, p