On-farm Safety and Efficacy Trial of Cow Start Calcium Bolus
John Lawlor,
Alan Fahey,
Enda Neville,
Alice Stack,
Finbar Mulligan
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 6, November 2019
Pages:
113-118
Received:
24 October 2019
Accepted:
18 November 2019
Published:
2 December 2019
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate both the safety, and efficacy of supplementation at calving with a combined oral calcium and anti-oxidant bolus on post-partum metabolic status, fresh cow energy status, vaginal mucous score and early lactation milk production performance. Multiparous (n=103) cows from 3 dairy herds in Ireland were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to either a control (CON, n=51) group or an oral bolus supplemented (BOL, n=52) group. CON cows received no oral boluses. BOL cows received 2 oral boluses, at 0 and 18 hours (hrs) after calving. Cows were fed a standard dry cow diet of second cut grass silage with supplemental pre-calving minerals, and fewer than 2.3% of all fresh cows (n=899) in these herds were treated for clinical milk fever (below target incidence level). Trial-eligible cows treated with IV calcium at calving were excluded from the trial. No adverse events associated with bolus safety were observed. The bolus was adminstered with ease and was well-tolerated by all animals. Calving and early lactation disease events were recorded. Metabolic status was evaluated by using milk ketone (beta hydroxybutyrate (BHBA)) testing at day 14 and day 21 post-partum. Cows in the BOL group recorded significantly lower milk BHBA levels (0.46mg/dl) compared to CON cows (0.67mg/dl), (p<0.0001). Milk yield, Milk Fat % and kg, Milk Protein % and kg, combined milk components (milk fat and milk protein kg) and somatic cell counts (SCC) were recorded but no significant differences were observed. Results of this study indicate that the bolus is safe to use in post-partum dairy cows. Furthermore, cows responded favourably to treatment with the bolus with regard to improved metabolic status in the critical post-partum period. Results of this study suggest that supplementing dairy cows with oral boluses can have beneficial effects, even in dairy herds with a below-average incidence of hypocalcaemia.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate both the safety, and efficacy of supplementation at calving with a combined oral calcium and anti-oxidant bolus on post-partum metabolic status, fresh cow energy status, vaginal mucous score and early lactation milk production performance. Multiparous (n=103) cows from 3 dairy herds in Ireland were enroll...
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Factors Determining the Distribution and Status of the Snow Leopard Population (Panthera uncia) in Western Mongolia
Victor S. Lukarevskiy,
Munkhnast Dalannast,
Svyatoslav Lukarevskiy,
Erdenechimeg Damdin
Issue:
Volume 7, Issue 6, November 2019
Pages:
119-124
Received:
25 October 2019
Accepted:
16 December 2019
Published:
17 January 2020
Abstract: Studies of the distribution, assessment of the Snow leopard population, as well as the state of the populations of its main prey species, the impact of anthropogenic factors are the basis for the development of long-term and effective action plans and strategies for its conservation. To this end, we have carried out work on three different territories of the Mongolian Altai: Jargalant, Bumbat and Baatar Khairkhan Mountains. All three territories differ in the nature of the location in relation to other parts of the Snow leopard's range, and in the nature of the relief and economic use. The main method of research is the search and registration of traces of life activity of the Snow leopard and its main prey species (Mongolian marmot and Siberian ibex). For this purpose, we have passed 18 research routes with a total length of 197.5 km where we recorded all traces of the Snow leopard, Siberian ibex and Mongolian marmot life activities, as well as the distribution of the number of livestock. Another research method we have used is the application of camera traps. We installed 27 camera traps in total. As a result of their work we have obtained 51 photo location of the Snow leopard and identified at least 3 females, 2-3 adult males, 2-3 young individuals, the sex of which could not be established, including individuals aged about 2 years, 2 cubs. Both methods of research (search for traces of life activities and the application of camera traps) complement each other, and the correct use of camera traps can reduce the subjectivity of the results obtained by the search for traces of life activities. Thus, the reliability of the results is significantly increased. Our studies show that the largest number of traces of Snow leopard activity (the number of scrapes per 1 km of the route) and the largest number of photo locations were recorded in the central part of the Jargalant khairkhan mountain range – the territory that is the most remote and inaccessible for grazing livestock. In this territory, the highest frequency of Snow leopard presence was noted (20-40 scratches/km), and accordingly 5 from 11 identified snow leopards were registered. A similar pattern of distribution of traces of vital activity was registered for the other two territories.
Abstract: Studies of the distribution, assessment of the Snow leopard population, as well as the state of the populations of its main prey species, the impact of anthropogenic factors are the basis for the development of long-term and effective action plans and strategies for its conservation. To this end, we have carried out work on three different territor...
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