Bull Vet Inst Pulawy 5, 605-610, 010 IMPACT OF CLINICAL LAMENESS, CALVING SEASON, PARITY, AND MONTH OF LACTATION ON MILK, FAT, PROTEIN, AND LACTOSE YIELDS DURING EARLY LACTATION OF DAIRY COWS JAN OLECHNOWICZ AND JĘDRZEJ M. JAŚKOWSKI Department of Veterinary, Faculty of Breeding and Biology of Animals, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-68 Poznan, Poland olejanko@up.poznan.pl Received for publication May 5, 010 Abstract The aim of this paper was to investigate the impact of clinical lameness in Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows on milk yield as well as on fat, protein, and lactose yields during early lactation (10 d). The dataset includes 1 monthly test-day milk yields and milk composition records from cows, which calved from October 008 to April 009. Twice a week, during the first 10 d postpartum, the cows were examined for lameness and they were scored fortnightly according to a 5-point locomotion scoring system. Factors affecting milk yield and milk components included calving season, parity, month of lactation, and degree of lameness. In cows, which were clinically lame for a month and which were clinically lame for more than a month (maximum per months), the total mean reduction in milk yield per 10-d lactation was approximately 08 and 8 kg, respectively, as compared with cows, which were never lame in early lactation. Key words: dairy cow, lameness, milk yield, milk composition. Lameness in dairy cattle has been classified as one of the three most common health problems, after infertility and mastitis (10). Presently, lameness has a significant effect on the deterioration of animal welfare, reduced productivity, and results in an increasing risk of culling (9). Lameness incidence in dairy herds reported in literature varies between.1% and 50% (, 8, 10, 1, 15,, 9). Clinical lameness is caused mainly by sole ulcers, white line diseases, interdigital necrobacillosis, and digital dermatitis (6, 17, 18, 19). Reports on the effect of clinical lameness on milk production levels in cows have varied among researchers. Probably these discrepancies were associated with the difficulty to define clinical lameness even among specialists, as well as varying skills of the personnel responsible for identifying lame cows (, 6, 1). Several authors reported an important relationship between the milk production level or lactation stage and clinical lameness incidence (, 9, 1). For example, Green et al. (1) reported that lame cows were characterised by a 60 kg reduction in milk yield per 05-d lactation. Other authors have reported an increase in milk yield () or no change in milk production (7, 0). Lame cows in early lactation experienced a drop in yield in the four-week period around diagnosis, but no effect was found in cows lame after 50 d postpartum (9). According to Coulon et al. (8), three patterns of milk losses following lameness were identified: 5%-55% of the cows had no decrease in yield, 19%-0% had a decreased yield returning to normal within five weeks after diagnosis, and 5%-6% of the cows had a decreased yield for more than five weeks after diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between different degrees of lameness in dairy cows and milk yield, as well as fat, protein and lactose yields during early lactation. Material and Methods Herd. Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were kept in the farm located in the Wielkopolska region. The cows were housed in tie stalls with access to pasture and a cow-yard throughout the year. Milk yield per year amounted to 8,000 kg. For study purposes, the data were collected between 008 and 009 from primiparous and multiparous cows, which calved from October 008 to April 009. In the summer period, the cows were fed as follows: pasture from 8.oo in the morning up to 1.oo in the afternoon, feeding with total mix ration (15 kg of corncob silage, 8 kg of beet pulps - % dry matter, 6 kg of hay-silage with lucerne, 5 kg of hay-silage of the grass/day/cow). Apart from that, cows received 8 kg of fresh green fodder from the
606 lucerne/day/cow. After calving, the cows were additionally fed a concentrate (7 kg/d/cow). Every day, the tie stalls were changed with a new beeding before return of the cows from pasture. The claws of clinically lame cows were disinfected by Bioval (Biovet Drawalew, Poland) and treated with antibiotic spray. Locomotion scores. Twice a week, during the first 10 d postpartum, the cows were examined for lameness and they were scored fortnightly using a 5- point locomotion scoring system according to Sprecher et al. (7). The cows were observed and scored by the same observer, when they were standing or walking at a distance of 5 to 10 m in a cow-yard in autumn and winter months, and on pasture in spring and summer months. The cows were classified into one of five categories of lameness: 1 - non-lame (normal gait), - mildly lame, - moderately lame, - lame, and 5 - severely lame. Cows, which scored points were classified as clinically lame (CL). The incidence rate of lameness, defined as the number of new cases during a stated period in relation to the mean population over the period, was calculated (6). Data collection. The following data were collected for each cow: lactation number, calving date, calving season, i.e. autumn (cows, which calved from October 15 to December 0), winter (cows, which calved from January 1 to February 8), and spring (cows, which calved from March 1 to April 0). Using the results found in the herd documentation, mean monthly milk yield and milk composition (percentage of fat, protein, and lactose contents as well as somatic cell counts) were recorded. On this basis, the milk component contents were calculated for each cow in each month of early lactation period (10-d). The number of somatic cells in milk was transformed into a common logarithm (1). Total milk yield and fat, protein, and lactose yields were obtained by summarising the production from the following months of lactation. Statistical analysis. Data analysis was performed using the STATISTICA statistical package (Version 8). Results were statistically analysed using the multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA). The main factors considered in the analysis of variance were as follows: calving season (autumn, winter, and spring months), parity (1,, ), months of lactation (1,,, ), locomotion scores in early lactation: cows never lame, mildly lame, clinically lame for one month, and clinically lame for more than one month (up to two months). Significant differences between means were evaluated using the least significant difference test at P<0.05 and P<0.01. Results Incidence of clinical lameness. The incidence of clinically lame cows in the successive months of early lactation is given in Fig. 1. The total percentage of moderately lame and lame (clinically lame) cows in the successive months amounted to 0.5%, 15.%, 5.7%, and 15.%, respectively. Average percentage of cows with clinical lameness was 19.%. The incidence of the first episode of lameness peaked months after calving.
607 Means and standard deviation for milk yield and milk components. Overall means and standard deviations for milk components and milk production are given in Table 1. Milk production and standard deviations decreased in the successive months of lactation. Similarly, fat and protein contents as well as standard deviations decreased throughout this period. Milk lactose content, by contrast, increased in the following months, whereas standard deviation increased slightly. Somatic cell count (log SCC) in the successive months of lactation was similar, while standard deviation decreased slightly. Milk yield in the course of 10 d amounted to,90 kg with a relatively high standard deviation. Yields of fat, protein, and lactose amounted to 16.7, 107., and 167.8 kg, respectively. Milk yield, components, and SCC analysis. Table shows the results of the influence of selected factors on the mean monthly production of milk, fat, protein, and lactose. Statistically, cows, which calved in spring months produced on average more milk, protein, and lactose per month when compared with cows calving in autumn months. Similarly, cows, which calved in spring months produced more milk and lactose in comparison to cows calving in winter months (P<0.05). Calving season had no effect on somatic cell counts (log SCC). Cows after the first parity showed statistically a low level of milk production (P<0.01) as well as somatic cell counts in milk when compared with older cows (after the second and following parities). The month of lactation differentiated cows in terms of milk, fat, and protein yields. In the first months of the lactation, cows produced more milk, fat, and protein than in the following months of early lactation (P<0.01). The months of lactation had no effect on lactose yield and log SCC. Statistically, cows, which were never lame in early lactation and cows, which were mildly lame (score ), produced throughout this period more milk, fat, protein, and lactose per month as compared with cows, which were clinically lame for one month and comparing with the cows, which were clinically lame longer than one month. Both groups of clinically lame cows were characterised by significantly larger counts of somatic cells in comparison to cows, which were never lame and to cows, which were mildly lame (P<0.01). Table 1 Phenotypic means, standard deviation, and minimum and maximum values for milk components and milk production in early lactation dairy cows (n=) Month of Standard Trait Mean Minimum Maximum lactation Milk yield 1 Fat content (%) 1 Fat yield 1 Protein content (%) 1 Protein yield 1 Lactose content (%) 1 Lactose yield 1 Somatic cell count (log SCC) 1 Milk yield through 10 d Fat yield through 10 d Protein yield through 10 d Lactose yield through 10 d 9.95 887.06 850.50 88.1.86.1.86.76 5.8 7..90 1.11..0.05.15 9.5 6.6 5.6 6.01.71.81.85.8.58.98 1.8 0.7 5.9 5.9 5.0 5.7,90.0 16.7 107. 167.8 deviation.95.19 0.85 191.11 1.06 0.70 0.7 0.69 16.59 11.5 9.70 9.5 0.55 0.0 0.5 0.9 7.6 6.56 5. 6.0 0.9 0. 0.0 0. 11.6 11.0 10.0 9.7 0.57 0.56 0.51 0.51 75. 9.1 1.7 7. 80 0 50 00.5.67.07.1 18.6 1.0 9.1 10.9..6.9.57 11.85 11.5 10.1 10.1.8.10.85.98 18.16 1.98 1.61 17.57..0.6.8 1,80.0 6. 51. 86.9 1,60 1,50 1,1 1,0 99.00 70.00 5 6.00 0.00 0.00.00 7 6 6,9.0 5. 1.0 6.
608 Factors Table Effect of selected main factors on mean monthly milk production in early lactation of dairy cows Number of cows Milk yield Fat yield Protein yield Lactose yield Somatic cell count (log SCC) Calving season Autumn Winter Spring 11 88 9 88.6±185.6 A 861.0±197. a 90.7±58. Aa 6.9±1.6 6.1±1. 6.9±15. 6.±6.1 a 6.7±5.8 8.0±7.7 a 0.±9.1 A 1.±10.7 a.7±1.8 Aa 5.8±0.9 5.7±0.6 5.7±0.8 Parity 1 16 7 10 79.7±11.8 AB 99.0±166.5 A 96.±19. B.7±11.9 AB 0.6±1. A 9.±1.5 B.±6. AB 9.6±5. A 8.±6. B 8.±10. AB.6±9. A 5.0±11.1 B 5.1±0.7 A 5.7±0.59 B 5.9±0.5 AB Month of lactation 1 9.0±.0 Aa 887.1±. 850.5±0.8 a 88.1±191.1 A 5.5±16.6 ABC 7.±11. ADa.9±9.70 Ba 1.1±9.5 CD 9.±7. ABC 6.5±6.6 A 5.6±5.8 B 6.0±6.0 C.6±11.6.5±1.1 1.5±10.0 0.±9.5 5.9±0.57 5.9±0.56 5.0±0.51 5.9±0.50 Locomotion Never lame Mildly lame Lame for a month Lame > 1 month 76 9 88 56 909.±5.1 a 901.±.6 b 8.±00. ab 88.±188.6 8.1±1.5 a 7.±1.7 7.1±1.5.±9.8 a 8.±7.0 Aa 7.±6. b 6.±6.8 a 5.0±5. Ab.5±11. a.8±11. bc 9.8±10.6 ab 0.±8.9 c 5.15±0.1 AB 5.±0.5 CD 5.7±0.60 AC 5.7±0.50 BD AA (aa) means in the same column followed by identical letters are different at P<0.01 (P<0.05). Table Effect of selected main factors on mean milk production through 10 d of lactation in dairy cows Factors Number of cows Milk yield Fat yield Protein yield Lactose yield Calving season Autumn Winter Spring,55.7±67.6,.±79.5,75.±859.7 17.5±9.0 1.±8. 18.0±1.51 10.8±0.6 107.0±19.8 111.8±5. 161.5±0.1 165.7±9.7 1.9±.9 Parity 1 18 6,17.6±779.7 Aa,716.0±550. a,75.0±710.5 A 10.7±7.6 Aa 16.±8.9 A 156.9±0. a 97.5±.0 AB 118.5±1.7 A 11.8±19.1 B 15.8±6. Aa 1.±1.6 a 180.0±6. A Locomotion: Never lame Mildly lame Lame for a month Lame > 1 month 19 1,66.7±85.,60.8±767.0,9.1±71.,5.±69.8 15.5±6.0 18.6±7. 18.5±1. 1.1±7.0 11.7±.9 109.0±0.5 105.1±. 100.±18.8 17.0±1.5 175.±6.1 159.±8.1 160.7±0.7 AA (aa) means in the same column followed by identical letters are different at P<0.01 (P<0.05). The month of lactation differentiated cows in terms of milk, fat, and protein yields. In the first months of the lactation, cows produced more milk, fat, and protein than in the following months of early lactation (P<0.01). The months of lactation had no effect on lactose yield and log SCC. Statistically, cows, which were never lame in early lactation and cows, which were mildly lame (score ), produced throughout this period more milk, fat, protein, and lactose per month as compared with cows, which were clinically lame for one
609 month and comparing with the cows, which were clinically lame longer than one month. Both groups of clinically lame cows were characterised by significantly larger counts of somatic cells in comparison to cows, which were never lame and to cows, which were mildly lame (P<0.01). Table shows that calving season did not affect total milk yield or fat, protein, and lactose yields in early lactation. Cows after one parity produced less milk, fat, protein, and lactose when compared with older cows. Different degrees of locomotion of cows in early lactation had no effect on total milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields. Cows, which were never lame and those, which were mildly lame had similar levels of milk production; however, cows clinically lame for one month and those clinically lame for more than one month produced approximately 8.5% and 7.8% less milk, respectively, when compared to cows, which were never lame. However, these differences were not statistically proven. Similarly, cows, which were never lame, when compared to both groups of clinically lame cows, produced more fat (by.6% and 1.7%), protein (by 7.6% and 11.9%), and lactose (by 8.5% and 7.6%), respectively. These differences were also statistically insignificant. Discussion Incidence of clinical lameness. The incidence of clinical lameness (19.%) in the examined cows in the presented study was higher than that reported by Rajala- Schultz et al. (), Warnick et al. (9), Green et al. (1), and Kocak and Ekiz (16), similar to the results obtained by Enting et al. (10) and lower than the results of Clarkson et al. (6). According to the latter authors, the incidence of lameness was 5.6 new cases per 100 cows per year and the mean values during summer and winter were.9% and 1.7%, respectively. Kocak and Ekiz (16) observed that most lameness events were in the first four weeks and then in the period of 5-8 weeks. In these two periods 5.65% of lameness cases were recorded. Similar results were described by Green et al. (1), who reported that the incidence of lameness peaked months after calving. A similar trend was observed in the presented study. Hernandez et al. (1) obtained different results; they registered most of new cases of lame cows in the first week after parturition. However, Bach et al. () observed a large number of lame cows (locomotion score ) in the sixth month of lactation. Milk yield, milk components, and SCC analysis. Seasons of calving in Carora and Brown Swiss crossbred cows are defined as the dry season from December to March and the rainy season from May to August. This factor, as well as age and parity, had a significant influence on milk yield at and 05 DIM (days in milking) (1). The influence of the age of cows at first calving and parity was greater in young cows in comparison to the old animals, while the influence of season was more important in the oldest cows. Similarly to the results of this study, Stanton et al. (8) reported that parity and season of calving (winter vs. summer) had a substantial effect on milk, fat, and protein yields at approximately 70 DIM. According to Sargeant et al. (5), herd, parity, breed and season of calving were associated with 05-d protein yield, adjusted for 05-d milk yield. Similarly to the results of our investigations, in the study presented by the above quoted authors, primiparous cows had lower protein yields than older ones. Cows calving in the fall and winter had higher yields than cows calving in the other seasons. Parity and season of calving were associated with protein yield. Olesen et al. () reported that the selection of calving season may be important in organic farms. Spring and summer were found to be the best periods for cows, which had full access to good pastures. Therefore, in the presented study cows calving in the spring season showed a higher level of milk production in the early lactation in comparison to cows calving in other seasons. Milk loss related to an increase in SCC was the highest toward the end of lactation (1). These authors found that from 9 to 16 weeks of lactation, SCC levels (x 10 cells/ml) in milk sampled from primiparous cows and multiparous cows amounted to 5x10 cells/ml and 51 x 10 cells/ml, respectively. It is consistent with the results of the present study, in which the number of somatic cells was similar in the consecutive months of early lactation. Multiparous cows especially in late lactation displayed a large number of somatic cells. In the presented study, cows in the third and later lactations differed statistically significantly in terms of the number of somatic cells when compared with cows in the first and second lactation. The clinically lame cows revealed larger counts of somatic cells in comparison to cows, which were never lame or to cows, which were mildly lame. The causes of increased counts of somatic cell of clinically lame cows were probably subclinical mastitis or lameness and their synergistic stressful effects. The mechanism by which this occurs requires further investigation. Milk yield and milk components in cows with clinical lameness. Many authors reported that clinical lameness resulted in a decreased milk yield in dairy cows (,, 10, 1, 1-16,,, 9). However, results of some studies indicated that the influence of claw and limb disorders on milk yield is not straightforward, since e.g. feeding routines and nutrition are both dependent and independent variables (8, 6). Other researchers reported that the incidence of lameness in the initial stages of lactation showed a positive relationship between high milk yield and lameness (, 9). The results of earlier studies showed no influence of clinical lameness on milk yield (7, 0). According to Enting et al. (10), cows with clinical lameness, which were not culled for that reason, had only slightly lower milk production than other cows. Cows, which were culled for that reason, had by 11.%, 1.1%, and 16.% smaller milk, fat, and protein production, respectively. Lameness had a negative effect on milk yield; however, the effect was not significant (). Warnick et al. (9) reported that milk production was significantly lower in cows, which were diagnosed to be lame. Milk production was by 1.5 kg/d lower weeks after diagnosis when compared with healthy cows. Milk yield losses associated with lameness were
610 larger for cows in the second and successive lactation. According to Green et al. (1), a decrease in milk yield occurred from months before until 5 months after a cow was diagnosed as clinically lame and caused up to 60 kg (range 160 to 550 kg). Hernandez et al. (15) reported that lameness was associated with a 10% decrease in milk production, but this difference was not significant. Results given by Hernandez et al. (1) indicated a relationship between an increasing degree of lameness and a decreasing milk yield among cows in their second or later lactation. Cows with a low locomotion score in the first 100 d postpartum produced more milk than cows with high scores; however, these differences were not significant. In conclusion, results presented in this study are in agreement with those reported by many authors. 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