simmental

Colostrum is a secretion product produced by the mammary glands immediately after birth. This vital and unique composition is designed to meet all the animal's needs when it cannot eat. For various reasons, maternal accidents can occur during pregnancy and birth, making it impossible to produce appropriate colostrum for the newborn calf. Therefore, the main task of the farmer is to provide suitable replacement colostrum as quickly as possible so that he can maintain the results of his year-long efforts to continue the generation. Various methods are used to preserve colostrum. Methods of colostrum storage include fermentation and freezing. Fermentation of the colostrum results in physical and chemical changes in the colostrum that can aid in the transfer of nutrients to the calf. This research was carried out to study and compare the effect of different methods of colostrum preservation on the efficiency of newborn calves of the Simmental breed and to recommend the use of one of the more suitable methods so that if the farmer does not have access to suitable colostrum, he can use.
To carry out this study, 32 newborn Simmental calves with an average weight of 39.5 ± 3.2 kg were used. The calves were divided into four equal groups (eight replicates per treatment), including 1. group fed with fresh colostrum from the mother (control), 2. group fed with fermented colostrum without any additives (fermented without additives), 3. the group that was fed colostrum fermented with low-fat yogurt (fermented with yogurt), and 4. the group was fed with colostrum that was kept frozen (frozen) in the freezer and heated to a temperature of 37 °C before consumption. Initially, a colostrum bank was used with 110 liters of colostrum from the first and second lactation cows, which started colostrum production at the same time by synchronizing parturition. Colostrum samples were separated and prepared in polyethylene (PET) plastic containers with a volume of two liters. In the fermented colostrum group, after filling the containers of the group with yogurt, two percent yogurt was added, and the containers were completely sealed and stored at room temperature until the experiment. The dishes belonging to the frozen group were stored in the freezer at -20 °C. In the first two days, all calves received two liters of colostrum per meal twice daily in the morning and evening. Feed was consumed daily. Calves were weighed at the beginning of parturition, on the 30th and 60th days of the schedule in the morning and before feed distribution, and from the 27th day of the calves' birth, the apparent digestibility of nutrients (dry matter) was measured. Samples were taken from three-day experimental rations and feces. Blood was collected from the jugular vein on days 0, 1, and 30. After serum separation, blood factors such as glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and total blood protein were measured. At the beginning of the course and the end of the project, body parameters were measured to check the growth status of the calf: hip width, height from withers, chest circumference, body length, chest depth, wrist circumference, and eye relief.
The results of different treatments of colostrum consumption in newborn calves concerning blood biochemical parameters showed that the amount of glucose in all three sampling times was not significantly different in all treatments, and the amount of blood protein and triglycerides were also not affected by the treatments (P>0.05). Colostrum consumption with different storage methods had no significant influence on the amount of concentrate consumed, the digestibility of the dry matter consumed, the final weight of the calf, the daily weight gain, and the feed conversion ratio (P>0.05). Also, the results showed that there were no significant changes in physical indices among different groups (P>0.05). The use of colostrum with different storage methods had no difference in the amount of cells associated with the immune system, including types of white blood cells, and therefore the immune conditions were similar in all groups (P>0.05).
The results of this study showed that consumption of colostrum in simply fermented form or with the addition of fat-free yogurt, as well as colostrum stored in frozen form, had a positive influence on blood parameters in newborn calves compared to the control group that used fresh maternal colostrum. The use of colostrum stored in any of the mentioned methods, depending on the conditions of animal husbandry, can help provide the colostrum needed by the calf and solve the problem of the animal breeder.

The Markazi province is considered as one of the important centers of calf fattening in the country. This province has more than 4.4% of the total cattle and calf population of Iran with 370,000 head of cows and calves, including purebred, hybrid and native. It ranks twelfth among the provinces of the country. In addition, this province, with the production of 15,000 tons of beef and veal, accounts for about 3.3% of the production of beef and veal meat in the country. In recent years, there has been a lot of interest from the Livestock breeders of the province for the fattening of Simmental calves, due to their calmness and better meat production efficiency, as well as their adaptability to the weather conditions of this province. This issue caused the desire and request of the province's livestock improvement deputy to implement a project in order to determine the productivity and fattening characteristics of this breed in a scientific and documented manner. Since no research has been done in the province to compare the growth and feedlot performance of crossbred Holstein and Simmental calves and there is little information about carcass characteristics and suitable slaughter weights of cattle breeds in the province, calf breeders do not have detailed information about productivity, feed consumption, growth traits and carcass quality of calves of different breeds. So, this study was conducted to compare of fattening and carcasses characteristics of Simmental and Holstein crosses male calves in one of the fattening units of the Markazi Province that had the necessary conditions and facilities for the implementation of the project (having a scale and a suitable and sufficient place).

60 male calves with an average weight of 150 to 200 kg were divided into two groups (treatment). In one group, 30 Holstein crossbred calves and in the other group, 30 Simmental crossbred calves were placed. So that there was the least difference of weight and body condition between the two groups. Therefore, balanced and optimal diets were adjusted for each group, based on the nutritional needs of the calves (according to the weight of the calves) and according to the appropriate and available nutrients in the unit based on the nutritional requirements presented in the NRC tables of beef cattle (2016). Balanced diets were given to the calves based on Total Mixed Ration and after a 14-day feeding adaptation period. The average consumption of fodder and concentrate was adjusted to 40 to 60 in the whole period. During the fattening period, daily feed was provided to the calves in three times and until the appetite. During the fattening period, the feed was given to the calves three times a day and to extent of appetite. Daily feed intake was recorded. Calves were weighed monthly after 12 hours of food deprivation and before morning feeding, and then the feed conversion ratios of the animals in each group were calculated. The fattening period continued until the calves reached the appropriate weight. At the end of the fattening period, 5 calves in each group were weighed and slaughtered after 12 hours of food deprivation and were measured the carcass weight and yield and fat thickness on the ribs of 12. Comparisons between two groups of calves in different weight groups were performed by independent t-test using SPSS statistical software.

The results showed that the total weight gain of calves in the fattening period was 360 and 336 kg for Simmental and Holstein hybrids, respectively; which showed a higher weight gain (24 kg) in treatment one (P =0.03). So that the average monthly and daily weight gain of Simmental and Holstein hybrid calves in a breeding period was (40 and 37.30) and (1.33 and 1.24) kg per month, respectively (P =0.032). The average daily dry matter intake during the fattening period for Simmental and Holstein hybrid calves was 8.05 and 8.28 kg, respectively, but the difference was not significant. The mean feed conversion ratio for the whole fattening period of treatments was 6.05 and 6.67, respectively, which was significantly different between the two treatments (P =0.04). The mean carcass yield of Simmental and Holstein hybrid calves at the end of 9 months of fattening was 55.45 and 52.27% and the difference between the two treatments was significant (P =0.01). The thickness of dorsal fat between ribs 12 and 13 in treatments one and two were 6.05 and 6.75 mm, respectively, and the thickness of straight muscle in the range of 12 and 13 ribs was 53.62 and 51.4 mm, respectively (P =0.035).

The results showed that Simmental hybrid calves have better efficiency in terms of growth, food yield and carcass and meat characteristics than Holstein hybrid calves. Therefore, for the economic production of meat and the supply of the country's red meat from the domestic sources, suggested that, if possible, some of the country's feedlot farm proceed to breed this high yielding breed.

Crossbred lactating cows were hypothesized to outperform Holsteins under environmental stresses . The objective of this study was , therefore, to compare production, reproduction, metabolism and health of purebred Holstein cows vs . crossbred Holstein × Montbeliarde and Holstein×Simmental cows under hot and humid conditions of north of Iran ( Sari , Mazandaran ) .

Dairy crosses were produced by crossing Holstein ( H ) cows with Montbeliarde ( M ) and Simmental ( S ) bulls’ semen . The performance and health of 70 primiparous cows from each breed ( 210 cows in total) were compared during their first lactation . Blood samples were taken from 15 primiparous cows from each breed at stages of close-up , calving , 21 days after calving. Samples were analyzed for glucose , BHBA, NEFA, calcium and mangium . Statistical analyses were performed using SAS programs ( GLM and MIXED procedures ).

Results showed that Montbeliarde × Holstein and Simmental×Holstein crossbred cows were not different (P> 0.05) from pure Holsteins in rectal temperature , fertility and other reproductive indices , 305-d milk yield, milk fat and protein yield, stillbirth, mastitis, and laminitis rates and close-up blood metabolites. However , Montbeliarde × Holstein cows had greater calving difficulty than did Simmental×Holstein cows (P < 0.05 ) . Also , both crossbred groups had higher incidence of metritis compared to purebred Holstein cows ( P < 0.05 ) . The purebred Holsteins exhibited more desirable udder traits than did crossbred cows (P < 0.05). The crossbred cows had more body condition score ( BCS ) during the transition period than did the pure Holsteins (p < 0.05 ). However, stature of Simmental × Holstein crossbred cows was shorter than pure Holstein . Foot angle was steeper for Holstein×Simmental and Holstein × Montbeliarde crossbred cows , but Holstein × Montbeliarde crossbred cows were similar to pure Holstein cows for hoof measurements .

findings of this study suggest that Holstein×Simmental and Holstein × Montbeliarde crossbred cows did not outperform first - lactation purebred Holstein cows, and that they experienced higher rates of dystocia and metritis under stressful hot and humid conditions .

Lactation length is different in individual cows, which is generally converted to a 305-day standard using curve fitting models for genetic and management practices. Individual curves do not have a standard shape in all cases, and can deviate from the standard pattern according to factors such as individual differences, and type of fitted models. These non-standard curves, called atypical, resulted from incorrect estimated parameters of the curves; which consist of: continuously increasing or decreasing and reversed standards. This study was conducted to investigate the importance of atypical curves in estimation of 305-day milk production, by fitting two nonlinear models? Wood (empirical) and Pollott (biological), on 7659 and 6692 test-day milk yield of 977 and 776 first calving Iranian Simmental and Jersey cows, during 2007-2020, using R software. Different patterns obtained based on the combination of increasing (b) and decreasing (c) phase parameters of curves. The number of standard curves from the Pollott and Wood models were 85.5% and 62.2% for Simmental, and 83.1% and 70.6% for Jersey cows, respectively. Only continuously increasing curves were observed in both breeds in Pollott model (14.8% and 16.9%, Simmental and Jersey cows, respectively); Whereas in Wood model, all 3 groups of atypical curves were observed, which the reversed standard was the most (22.3% and 16.5%, Simmental and Jersey cows, respectively). Based on the findings, at the time of standardizing the production of dairy cows (national evaluations), not only differences between breeds, but also special attention to the production of atypical curves, should be paid (to correct or discard them).