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Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the behavioral attributes of primiparous and multiparous Friesland, Jersey, and Crossbred cows around calving time in a pasture-based dairy system. Material and methods: A total of 120 pregnant cows were used in the study, comprising of 40 cows per genotype in different parities [A-primiparous (n = 10), B-2 to 4 (n = 10), C-5 and 6 (n = 10), and D-7 and 8 (n = 10)] and kept in a maternity paddock. Five observers monitored cows from the onset of parturition until the calves were fully expelled, recording the frequency and duration of lying, standing, and walking bouts, calf licking, and suckling. Results: There were differences (p < 0.05) observed in the behavioral patterns around the time of calving. Jersey multiparous cows spent (p < 0.05) significantly most of their time (20.50 ± 3.10) in lying position as compared to the other genotypes. The Jersey cows also spent most (p < 0.05) of their time (48.00 ± 0.34) in a standing position during the calving period. Friesland cows spent (p < 0.05) most of their time (12.00 ± 1.19) exhibiting either stepping or walking attributes as compared to Jersey and Crossbred cows. The Jersey genotype spent significantly (p < 0.05) more time (123.00 ± 10.43) in expelling their calves compared to the other genotypes. There was a significant (p < 0.05) interaction between genotypes and parity on time spent by cows on licking their calves. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) observed between the genotypes of the primiparous cow. Conclusion: The primiparous cows spent most of their time in standing and the least amount of time in other activities throughout the trial due to the lack of maternal experience. The current study revealed that behavioral activities differ according to genotype and parity. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 290-298]

Lameness is a crippling problem in the dairy industry, posing a significant welfare challenge and leading to premature culling. The study aimed to determine the seasonal prevalence of lameness in two different provinces of South Africa. The data was collected in two local municipalities (Mpofana and Raymond Mhlaba). However, the computer software systems of four randomly selected dairy farms were used to collect retrospective secondary data for lameness and predisposing factors (2018--2022). The data's targeted parameters include breed, parity, weight, stage of lactation, diseases diagnosed (lameness), age, and milk production trends. The highest prevalence was observed in uMpofana municipality (58.8%) compared to Raymond Mhlaba municipality (41.2%). Among cattle above nine years of age, the prevalence of lameness was the highest (36%), compared to 7-8-year-old (24%), 4-6-year-old (21.7%), and 1-3-year-old (14.3%) cattle. Additionally, the highest prevalence of lameness was observed during the summer season, followed by spring, winter, and autumn. The strongest association is kept for the right front leg (p<0.0001), followed by the left front leg (p<0.001), right back leg (p<0.001), and left back leg (p<0.001). In conclusion, this study provides baseline information on several key factors influencing the prevalence of lameness in dairy cattle in various farms in uMpofana municipality and Raymond Mhlaba municipality. The study findings could be used for farm managerial decision-making and epidemiological interventions. Given the high prevalence of lameness in dairy farms in uMpofana municipality, there is a need for more focused research aimed at identifying the specific causes of lameness in these localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fasciolosis is a global food-borne disease affecting livestock. Management of the parasitic disease greatly depends on control and proper monitoring through early detection. Highly improved diagnostic methods to detect fasciolosis have been introduced. Limited research has paid attention to comparing four detection methods. The current study aimed to compare the detection of Fasciola in naturally infected slaughtered dairy cattle using four methods. Blood and fecal samples were collected from slaughtered cattle in three high throughput abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, from 2020 through 2021. Postmortem liver examination was conducted to identify Fasciola spp. Then blood from condemned carcasses were analyzed using antibody ELISA to detect Fasciola antibodies, sedimentation technique to detect Fasciola eggs; and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) to detect Fasciola DNA. A binomial Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and Cohen's Kappa test were used to compare the detection rate and level of agreement across the four diagnostic methods. Significant differences (P = 0.0001) across the four diagnostic methods existed. Postmortem liver examination (94.5%) and qPCR (90.4%) compared ELISA (22.6%) and sedimentation (3.53%), respectively. There was a poor agreement between sedimentation and Ab-ELISA (kappa= -0.105, P = 0.128), sedimentation and postmortem liver examination (kappa= -0.054, P = 0.163); and qPCR and liver examination (kappa= -0.076, P = 0.341) In conclusion, results from the current study revealed significant differences among the four detection methods. The postmortem liver examination and qPCR were more reliable, sensitive, and accurate than ELISA and sedimentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]