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The purpose of this study is to highlight some aspects regarding the effects of mycotoxins on the health status of dairy cattle. Fungi producing mycotoxins are very common and can grow on many nutrient substrates and of course in very varied climatic conditions. It is estimated that a quarter of the crops present worldwide are to a large extent contaminated with mycotoxins and the economic consequences are quite serious. Because of large amounts of mycotoxins, crops are destroyed or used as animal feed, leading to poor animal development or death. It is known that if the crops used for feed are contaminated then products like milk and meat will contain mycotoxins or biotransformation products, unfortunately. Regarding the effects of mycotoxins on ruminants, the complexity of developing specific animal studies should be investigated, as there is a multitude of effects that cause confusion.

Clinoptilolite, a naturally occurring zeolite present in sedimentary rock, has significant potential as an essential component for the removal of toxins inside the gastrointestinal system. Its detoxifying, antioxidant, haemostatic, anti-diarrheic, growth-promoting, and immunostimulant characteristics render it very applicable in animal biotechnology and veterinary medicine. In recent years, clinoptilolite has become more popular in animal nutrition, particularly for its ability to enhance performance and promote overall health. Diarrhoea in neonates is a very widespread ailment that leads to significant mortality rates and cost ramifications. Bovine colostrum plays a crucial role in the early feeding of calves, and the incorporation of clinoptilolite into colostrum has been shown to reduce the likelihood of diarrhoea syndrome. Clinoptilolite-based products are being used more often in the fields of veterinary and human medicine due to their beneficial features, such as their capacity to facilitate ion exchange and adsorption. The objective of the study was to examine the characteristics of clinoptilolite included into colostrum in neonatal calves, specifically focusing on its impact on immunity and the occurrence of diarrhoea.

The influence of seasonal variations on milk composition might be contingent upon many variables, including geographical location, climatic conditions, cow breed, and farm management strategies. The objective of this research is to examine the correlation between the season, quality, and safety of bovine milk via the assessment of physical-chemical parameters and the somatic cell count. The milk samples were collected on a weekly basis from the cooling tanks of a farm located in the northeastern region of Romania. The parameters were assessed via the use of rapid analytical procedures that require minimal reagent usage and accessible analysis expenses. Based on the findings of the study, it was determined that seasonality exerted a notable influence on the milk's quality. Specifically, the cold season displayed higher levels of fat, protein, casein, and lactose compared to the warm season. Additionally, in the cold season a lower quantity of somatic cells (SCC) in comparison to the warm season was observed.

The purpose of this paper was to carry out a short statistical analysis on the fat content of milk from two breeds of cattle from a farm in the Moldavian area. 30 milk samples were analysed, more precisely 23 from the Holstein breed and 7 from the Simmental breed in two periods, such as the cold season (autumn-winter) and the warm season (spring-summer). It is known that these breeds are among the best breeds of cows for milk, the first being considered the most productive in the world, and the second the best breed of cows for farms in Romania. The Holstein breed is a highly specialized breed for milk production, while the Simmental breed is a dual-purpose breed selected for both meat and milk production. Following the statistical analysis, it can be seen that there were significant differences between the two breeds of cattle studied and also between the milk fat content recorded in the cold season compared to the fat content recorded in the warm season. The value of P was less than 0.0001, confirming the heterogeneity of the data recorded in the two seasons. The main conclusion is that for the total experiment, the data are significant (alpha=5%).

A2 milk is characterized by a difference in the amino acid at position 67 of the β-casein polypeptide chain, which releases much smaller amounts of bioactive opioid peptide β-casomorphin - 7 upon digestion. Milk consumption may lead to discomfort due to the presence of A1 beta-casein protein. A2 milk is the preferable alternative for people with mild lactose intolerance or lactose sensitivity because it does not include A1 protein, which is thought to be kinder to the digestive system. The need for healthy and minimally processed dairy products, the growing awareness of dairy-related sensitivities, as well as the growing interest in organic and natural food options are some of the major reasons driving the expansion of the A2 milk market. The purpose of this review is to present the advantages and challenges of using A2 milk in the manufacturing of dairy products.

The branch of public health has always faced a rather big problem - the presence of mycotoxins. The most feared are the carcinogenic ones, which should be excluded from the food sector. Due to the fact that the population has no way to be totally safe from the effect of mycotoxins, certain levels of tolerance have been established by the official bodies, thus, at the global level, regulations have been implemented regarding the maximum allowed limits of mycotoxins, having consumer protection centre. The epidemiological risk due to the contamination of feed, food with compounds of a mycotoxin nature has involved international bodies such as: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Organization (UNO) through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) . In order to ensure a high level of protection of human health, the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) was created within the European Community. These regulations were the basis for the development of national and international programs, with the aim of preventing the multiplication of fungi in plant substrates that end up in human and animal food, as well as the control of their contamination with mycotoxins.

The purpose of the research was to carry out some analyses in order to establish the physico-chemical composition and the fungal load of the plant substrates used for raising animals, in a cattle farm in the Moldova area in 2022. There were five categories of samples (75 determinations in total) - alfalfa hay, corn silage, mixed feed ration, concentrates, corn grains and were analysed randomly from the farm. The results of the physico-chemical composition of the feed by the FT-NIRS technique were in accordance with the regulations in force and no significant differences were found between the samples, it is certain that the humidity had a higher percentage, hence the fact that there were developed species of fungi speaking from the point of view of mycotic contamination. The highest fungal load was recorded in corn grains and corn silage, and the lowest value was recorded in alfalfa hay. The number of colony-forming units per gram of sample was determined by the serial dilution technique in a double agar layer. The results obtained during the analysed period highlighted the presence of the genus Penicillium to the greatest extent (28%), and the lowest percentage was recorded for the genus Cladosporium (5.3%).

The mammary gland's secretion, called colostrum, is synthesized throughout the last weeks of pregnancy and the first few days following calving. It is meant to give the calf the necessary nutrients and physiologically active substances. High immunoglobulin concentration and low pathogen load define high-quality colostrum. The amount and quality of colostrum that is available and the timing of the first feeding after birth both have an impact on the level of immunity. Heifers produce substantially less colostrum than cows do, and the breed has a big impact as well. Colostrum handling and storage techniques, as well as milking procedures are essential steps toward quality colostrum management on dairy farms. This review focuses on colostrum management, methods, and techniques for assessing colostrum quality and the factors that influence bovine colostrum quality.

Bovine mastitis, defined as the inflammation of the mammary gland, is the most important diseases of the mammary gland in cows due to the considerable losses in milk production and the danger that milk from ill cows poses to public health. The number of somatic cells in milk is the most important indicator used for directly evaluating the condition of the mammary gland and the quality of the milk. The development of inflammatory disease in the mammary gland is indicated by somatic cell counts above 200 000 cells per millilitre. Differences in the composition of milk, such as its lactose content, are related to variations in the number of somatic cells. The present paper summarizes the current knowledge regarding the correlations between lactose content and milk somatic cell count, and the potential of this parameters as a biomarker for assessing udder health status in modern dairy cow health prevention programs.

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the difference in the average daily gain recorded in the bulls of the Aubrac breed, exploited in the conditions of our country. The database was made up of data recorded in two fattening bull farms of the Aubrac breed. The average daily gain of the animals recorded at the age of 12 months, as well as the average daily gain at the age of 18 months, were measured. A total of 30 animals (15 animals from farm 1, and 15 animals from farm 2) were studied. The results were statistically interpreted, which showed that there were no significant differences between the animals from the two studied farms, but there were statistically significant differences between the average daily increase recorded at 12 months compared to the average daily increase recorded at 18 months.

Heavy metals toxicity, as well as the cumulative effects on the human body, require regular monitoring of their concentration in cow's milk. In dairy cows, heavy metals can cause loss of appetite, reproductive imbalances, and long-term consequences on milk production, among other concerns. Cow feed quality is directly related to environmental quality and agricultural aspects such as plant type, soil quality, fertilization processes, harvesting, processing, and storage. This literature review highlights various sources of heavy metals in raw milk, methods of decontamination and prevention, as well as classical and innovative techniques for determining the presence of heavy metals in milk. Due to the high concentrations of heavy metals in milk samples, particularly lead and cadmium, health and environmental protection organizations should conduct rigorous assessment. The relevant regulatory agencies should establish and implement more precisely the permitted levels of cadmium, nickel, cobalt, and copper in milk, and each unit that processes milk should be required to adhere to practices and a food safety management program.

The Aubrac is a French breed of domestic beef cattle, becoming a major interest for cattle breeders in our country. Being a large breed of cattle, cows weigh is between 650-800 kilograms and bulls between 1,000-1200 kg. Body conformation is one of the main criteria for assessing bovine animals from a zootechnical and economic point of view. The notion of body conformation in cattle means the overall external appearance of the examined bovine, with reference to the development of each body region separately. The method of body measurements consists in the direct measurement, on the animal, of the different body and mass dimensions. With the help of these measurements, we can appreciate the development and connection of different body regions or segments that make up the whole body and the general development of the animal

Mastitis is one of the most important diseases with a multifactorial aetiology that causes high economic losses in dairy industry, having a direct negative impact on the profitability of the farm and animal welfare. Fungal mastitis is widespread in dairy cows, and in recent years, fungal agents have been frequently reported as being responsible for mastitis. The aim of this study is to identify the species of fungi in various milk samples collected from cows diagnosed with clinical mastitis, in order to monitor the number of somatic cells. A total number of 30 samples of milk collected from cows diagnosed with mastitis were studied to determine if the disease was caused by the presence of fungal species or other etiological agents. In the analysed milk samples, a number of species of fungi belonging to the genera: Fusarium, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus were identified. The presence of fungal contamination in the environment is almost ubiquitous, thereby strategies to prevent fungal mastitis in dairy farms, have become the main goal for most farmers, in order to increase the quality of raw milk.

When the end of the teat is smooth and undamaged, and the skin is soft and elastic, the teat can ensure its function, as a natural barrier against the intrusion of microorganisms that cause mastitis. Any type of stress applied to a teat, even for a very short period of time can cause the teat's inherent ability to withstand bacterial stress to decrease. Teat skin dryness may favour the development of teat-end hyperkeratosis, a condition that, in turn, increases the likelihood of new intra-mammary infections in dairy cows. This condition also causes pain and discomfort for the cows, thus leading to a decline in milk production. Monitoring the level of teat end hyperkeratosis using a four-point system as well as other types of teat lesions in a dairy herd, on a consistent basis, may be an extremely helpful management tool for determining whether or not the milking routine is appropriate and the risk of mastitis is controllable.

The behaviour of dairy cattle changes when they are exposed to settings that cause heat stress. As a result, the analysis of changes in behaviour may serve as an indicator of abnormalities in either the environment or the body itself. In addition, precision livestock farming tools enable the individual and ongoing monitoring of animal behaviour, which might serve as a method for determining whether or not animals are treated properly. The goal of this study was to assess the effect that heat stress has on the behaviour of dairy cows. The research was conducted during the summer of 2022, in a dairy farm located in the north-east of Romania. A total 40 cows, with ages ranging from 3 to 5 years, average days in milk (DIM) and milk production of 85 +/- 35 days, respectively 21 +/- 2.2 kg (mean +/- SD) were included in the study. Temperature and Heat Index (THI) were computed each day, for the entire period of the study. Data regarding the individual activity pattern of each animal were provided by the AfiFarm software. The findings indicated that heat stress impacted animal behaviour, a significant correlation being observed between heat stressed and non-heat-stressed regarding the activity period (p

Bovine mastitis is considered the leading cause of economic losses in dairy farms worldwide due to the associated treatment costs, reduced cow performance, milk quantity, and quality decline, as well as early culling. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between somatic cell count (SCC), and physicochemical milk parameters in Romanian Black and White spotted dairy cows. In the study conducted between March and September of 2022, on a farm from the Northeast Romania, a total of 62 cows, with ages ranging from 3 to 5 years, average days in milk (DIM) 75 +/- 35 days, and milk production 22+/- 1.8 kg (mean +/- SEM and clinical signs of mastitis were enrolled. Cows were clinically examined and milk samples were collected in order to evaluate milk SCC and physicochemical parameters such as fat, protein, lactose, casein, dry matter percentage, and density using the fluoro-optic method (Combiscope, Delta Instruments). Statistical analysis was carried out using Graphpad Prism software. A correlation matrix was computed to establish the relationship between the number of somatic cells, and the physicochemical parameters of milk. A very small significant negative relationship was observed between somatic cell score and lactose percentage (r= -0.56), as well as milk fat (r= -0.39) and protein (r= -0.37). In conclusion, bovine mastitis has a negative impact on both milk production and composition, however further studies involving both healthy and cows with mastitis are needed for a more robust evaluation of clinical mastitis effect on milk parameters.

For the optimal optimization of feed ration, it is crucial to assess the quality of the forage feed to dairy cows. To have a good production of milk and meat on a cattle farm, the farmers must collaborate with the nutrition and feed control laboratories in order to formulate in a timely manner feed that is nutritionally sound Non-destructive procedures provide benefits such as high sensitivity and minimal sample preparation. The portable instruments of near infrared spectroscopy can be utilized in "on line" and" modes, removing the need for lengthy response times and allowing for fast intervention in the prevention and/or correction of disorders. When determining the feed ratio for dairy cows, one of the physical parameters that are considered is nitrogen, and implicitly the protein level, which can also be readily measured using the Dumas analysis method. The paper presents the analysis of the protein content of various vegetable substrates with that are fed to dairy cows, results obtained by applying both destructive and non-destructive techniques.

Colostrum is a mammary gland fluid that is produced and secreted throughout the last trimester of pregnancy and the first few days following calving. Colostrum aids in the growth, development, and protection of the new-born calves' immune system. In order for the immunoglobulins to be effective, colostrum it must be given to the new-born within the first few hours of life. Lab tests for IgG levels may be quite precise, but they are time-consuming and not always accessible to farmers. Colostrometer and refractometers could be foreseen as promising tools in the estimation of IgG for distinguishing colostrum of high quality. This paper describes quick methods for evaluating colostrum quality and prospective uses of colostrum in the dairy industry.

Essential oil of Nepeta racemosa Lam. was extracted and characterized to determine its antimicrobial activity and potential use in applications. The essential oil was loaded on polyvinyl alcohol-pullulan films and gels and characterized by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-Vis spectroscopy before having its antimicrobial capacities assessed. The essential oil extracted from Nepeta racemosa Lam. was characterized using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy, which indicated that the most abundant component was nepetalic acid (55.5%), followed by eucalyptol (10.7%) and other compounds with concentrations of about 5% or less. The essential oil, as well as the loaded films and gels, exhibited good antibacterial activity on both gram-positive and gram-negative strains, with growth inhibition zones larger in some cases than for gentamicin, indicating excellent premises for using these essential-oil-loaded materials for applications in the food industry or biomedicine.

The research was carried out to follow the state of health of dairy cattle by determining the biochemical parameters in the serum. Animals of the BNR breed from a farm in the Moldova area were studied and blood samples were collected, later the following serum parameters were analyzed: albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, gamma-GT, total proteins, triglycerides, and urea. At the same time, the obtained milk production was correlated with the biochemical parameters of bovine serum, thus there were distinctly significant positive correlations between milk production and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), respectively urea, and an insignificant correlation was between milk production and albumin. Following the biochemical analyses, the liver parameters were very slightly above the limit provided by the specialized literature.

Mycotoxins are primarily low molecular weight, polar organic compounds that are soluble in a variety of organic solvents and are generated by fungal secondary metabolism. Mycotoxins have a significant impact on both animal and human health. The purpose of this article is to highlight the use of different chromatographic separation techniques in the determination of mycotoxins in food and feed. The significant implications for human and animal health of the ingestion of these mycotoxins and the ensuing legislative requirements in many countries necessitated the development of analytical methods. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has become the predominant separation technique in mycotoxin analysis, while thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography are still utilized. UV or fluorescence detectors have found widespread use in mycotoxin determination, even though HPLC has become the omnipresence method of choice. These systems either make use of the mycotoxin of interest's inherent UV absorption or fluorescence, or they derivatize it using techniques that have been developed to allow for suitably sensitive detection.

Heavy metals toxicity, as well as the cumulative effects on the human body, require regular monitoring of their concentration in cow's milk. In dairy cows, heavy metals can cause loss of appetite, reproductive imbalances, and long-term consequences on milk production, among other concerns. Cow feed quality is directly related to environmental quality and agricultural aspects such as plant type, soil quality, fertilization processes, harvesting, processing, and storage. This literature review highlights various sources of heavy metals in raw milk, methods of decontamination and prevention, as well as classical and innovative techniques for determining the presence of heavy metals in milk. Due to the high concentrations of heavy metals in milk samples, particularly lead and cadmium, health and environmental protection organizations should conduct rigorous assessment. The relevant regulatory agencies should establish and implement more precisely the permitted levels of cadmium, nickel, cobalt, and copper in milk, and each unit that processes milk should be required to adhere to practices and a food safety management program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global food security, human health, and the future of livestock production. Higher rates of antimicrobial use in dairy farming and the sheer lack of new antimicrobials available for use focused attention on the question of how the dairy production sector contributed to the development of AMR and paved the path toward taking action to curtail it on the targeted type of farms. This paper aims to provide an introduction to a phenomenon that has gained considerable attention in the recent past due to its ever-increasing impact, the use of antimicrobial drugs, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on dairy farms, and seeks to discuss the possibilities of approaches such as digital health monitoring and precision livestock farming. Using sensors, data, knowledge, automation, etc., digital health monitoring, as well as Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), is expected to enhance health control and minimize disease and antimicrobial usage. The work presents a literature review on the current status and trends of AMR in dairy farms, an understanding of the concept of digital health monitoring and PLF, and the presentation and usefulness of digital health monitoring and PLF in preventing AMR. The study also analyses the strengths and weaknesses of adopting and incorporating digital technologies and artificial intelligence for dairy farming and presents areas for further study and level of use.

For the purpose of the investigations, 80 samples of plant substrates were analyzed, such as: maize grains (20), soy beans (20), triticals (20) and combined feed (20) from a mycological and mycotoxinic point of view in a farm in Iași county. The determinations showed a varied fungal contamination, the number of units forming colonies ranges between 0-1300g/product, depending on the assortment and storage conditions. Fungal contamination recorded values between 5 x 10-3 and 1300 x 10-3/g for maize grains, zero and 149 x 10-3/g for soy beans, 10 x 10-3 and 166 x 10-3/g in triticals (wheat, rye) and 99 x 10-3 and 472 x 10-3/g in combined feed. Mycotoxin examination identified 4 mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1 (1) - combined feed, sterigmatocystin (2) - maize grains and ochratoxin (1) - maize grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To maximize milk production, efficiency, and profits, modern dairy cows are genetically selected and bred to produce more and more milk and are fed copious quantities of high-energy feed to support ever-increasing milk volumes. As demands for increased milk yield and milking efficiency continue to rise to provide for the growing world population, more significant stress is placed on the dairy cow’s productive capacity. In this climate, which is becoming increasingly hotter, millions of people depend on the capacity of cattle to respond to new environments and to cope with temperature shocks as well as additional stress factors such as solar radiation, animal crowding, insect pests, and poor ventilation, which are often associated with an increased risk of mastitis, resulting in lower milk quality and reduced production. This article reviews the impact of heat stress on milk production and quality and emphasizes the importance of udder health monitoring, with a focus on the use of emergent methods for monitoring udder health, such as infrared thermography, biosensors, and lab-on-chip devices, which may promote animal health and welfare, as well as the quality and safety of dairy products, without hindering the technological flow, while providing significant benefits to farmers, manufacturers, and consumers.

The utilization of sex-sorted sperm for artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization is considered a valuable tool for improving production efficiency and optimizing reproductive management in farm animals, subsequently ensuring sufficient food resource for the growing human population. Despite the fact that sperm sex-sorting is one of the most intense studied technologies and notable progress have been made in the past three decades to optimize it, the conception rates when using sex-sorted semen are still under expectations. Assisted reproduction programs may benefit from the use of emergent nano and microfluidic-based technologies. This article addresses the currently used methods for sperm sex-sorting, as well as the emerging ones, based on nanotechnology and microfluidics emphasizing on their practical and economic applicability.

Defined as a severe welfare problem, lameness in cattle is associated with impaired locomotion and lesions of the hind limb, affecting fertility, milk yield, and considerable economic losses. This study aims to determine the prevalence of lameness and to establish risk factors involved in herd lameness in cattle within a farm in the north-eastern part of Romania. A total of 370 animals were scored for lameness as well as for other information on individual cows (parity, body condition score, milk yield, days in milk). Additional information like nutrition, resting, cow comfort, social confrontation, and density were also collected. Thus, herd lameness prevalence ranged between 0 to 72%, with a mean of 22%. Higher milk production was associated with lower chances of being lame. Compared to first parity, multiparous cows had higher odds of being lame, which was also correlated with a low body condition score (