Open access

Effects of Environmental Factors on Milk Yield, Lactation Length and Dry Period in Tunisian Holstein Cows

Written By

Naceur M’hamdi, Mahdi Bouallegue, Saoussen Frouja, Yosra Ressaissi, Satinder Kaur Brar and Mohamed Ben Hamouda

Submitted: 20 July 2011 Published: 26 September 2012

DOI: 10.5772/50803

From the Edited Volume

Milk Production - An Up-to-Date Overview of Animal Nutrition, Management and Health

Edited by Narongsak Chaiyabutr

Chapter metrics overview

6,081 Chapter Downloads

View Full Metrics

1. Introduction

Management, nutrition, lactation turn or the age, year and season in which lactation started are the leading environmental factors affecting lactation performance in cattle. Beside these factors, the persistency level of the highest milk production period reached on lactation is a significant factor [1]. Also, lactation performance in dairy cattle depends upon genetic and environmental factors. Genetic background, climate, diseases, feeding, year and season of calving have been reported to affect milk production, lactation length and dry period [2, 3]. Breed, age, stage of lactation, parity and milking frequency also influence performance production [2, 3]. Holstein cows were considered the most dairy cows in the World. As number of Holstein cows in Tunisia is more than other breeds, breeding of Holstein cows is very important. Milk yield and duration of lactation have marked effects on dairy economy [4, 5]. The persistency level of lactation milk production can be defined as the ability of keeping a high daily milk flow during lactation, in the milk productivity of lactation’s first period’s persistency level or the rest of the lactation as a measure of lactation curve diagram, the highest period productivity of the continuation level during lactation, continuation level of the highest productivity and after reaching the highest productivity the rate of decreasing seen on milk production in time. Milk yield is the most important single determinant of profit for the dairy cow. Moreover, effects of lactation number, age, and season and year of calving on milk yield and lactation length are well known. In addition, in breeding of dairy cows, the most important aims are to obtain a calf in a year and high milk yield from cows. To obtain a calf in a year from cows depends on some parameters of ideal limits (60 days dry period, 305 days lactation duration etc.). However, profitable breeding could be achieved by keeping lactation duration, dry period and service period between optimal limits [6, 7]. The yields of farm animals are the result of the combined effects of genotype and environmental conditions. In order to increase the yield level, it is necessary to optimize the environmental conditions and to improve the genetic structure of the animals. In order to enhance productivity of a dairy animal, it is necessary to develop an understanding of the factors affecting its milk production. Environmental factors can be classified as factors with measurable effects (age, year, season, milking frequency, etc.) and factors with immeasurable effects (infectious diseases, parasitic infestations, etc.). The measurable effects can be determined and used in the management of the farm [8]. Environmental factors affecting variability in daily milk yield are widely documented in dairy cattle [9- 11]. The 305 days milk yield of Holstein cows was 5905 kg in Tunisia [12], 5353 kg in Morocco [13], and between 4597 and 6464 kg in Turkey [14- 16]. Environmental factors such as year of calving, season of calving and age at calving affect productivity [17]. Many researchers [6, 14] reported that the effect of calving season on 305 days milk yield was as significant and indicated that milk yield was higher in autumn and winter. Unlike, Bilgiç and Aliç [16] and Pelister et al. [18] reported that effect of calving season on 305 days milk yield was non-significant. Although, effect of lactation number on 305-days milk yield was reported [14, 15, 19] as significant. Opposing, Koçak et al. [6] and Bilgiç and Aliç [16] reported a non-significant effect of lactation number on 305 days milk yield. Effects of calving age on 305 days milk yield have been reported as significant [18, 20]. The lactation duration of Holstein cows was between 284.7 and 333.9 days in previous studies [14, 16, 21, 22]. The effect of calving season on lactation duration was reported as non-significant [6, 16, 18]. The effect of lactation number on lactation duration was reported as non-significant [14, 16, 19]. However, the effect of calving age on lactation duration was reported as significant [15, 18]. Zambrano et al. [23] reported that the effect of calving year on lactation duration was significant. The dry period of Holstein cows was between 73.34 and 82.1 days [14, 15, 22]. Koçak et al. [6] and Pelister et al. [18] reported a non-significant effect of calving season on dry period. However, Erdem et al. [14] stated a significant effect of age at calving on lactation duration. Similarly, the effect of lactation number on dry period was reported as non-significant [14, 15]. On the other hand, the effect of calving age on lactation duration was stated as significant [19]. Effects of age at calving on dry period have been reported as significant [18]. Many researchers [14, 15, 23] were found that effect of calving year on all milk yield traits (305 days milk yield, lactation duration, dry period) was significant. Inci et al. [15] reported that effects of calving year on 305 days milk yield and lactation duration were significant but non-significant on dry period. The present research work was designed to investigate non-genetics factors affecting milk yield, lactation length and dry period of Holstein cows raised under Tunisian conditions.

Advertisement

2. Materials and methods

The data used in the present study were taken from the Tunisian Livestock and Pasture Office (OEP). 260.241 test-day records of 5649 Holstein cows from Tunisian milk control data were analysed. Data from lactations records of cows having their first calving between 1996 and 2003 were used. To evaluate the significant effects of calving year, season of calving, lactation number, and age at calving on different milk yield traits, eight groups for calving year were formed, between 1996 and 2003, three age groups of calving age (1) 2–4, (2) 5–6, and (3) 7 or older, four calving seasons were established; winter (December, January and February), spring (March, April and May), summer (June, July, August), and autumn (September, October and November) and five groups for parity. The 305 days milk yield was estimated from test milk yields collected once a month during all lactation periods [8, 24]. Lactations with less than five tests were not used in calculation. Milk yields were standardized to 305 days by using adjustment factors estimated by Çilek [25]. Environmental factors, which influenced lactation milk yield, lactation duration and dry period were investigated. Simple means and standard errors for the traits studied were estimated using SAS 9.13. The General Linear Model (GLM) was utilized for variance analyses of milk yield traits. Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT) was used for multiple comparisons of each trait.

The statistical model was as follows:

Yijkl= µ+ Li+Sj+CYk+ACl+eijklmE1

Where,

Yijkl = Observed trait at lactation number i, calving season j, calving year k and group of age l

µ = Population mean for each trait,

Li = Effects of lactation number (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5),

Sj = Seasonal effects (j = spring, summer, autumn and winter),

CYk= Effect of calving year (k = years between 1996 and 2003),

ACl = Effect of group of age at calving (l= 1, 2 and 3),

eijklm = Random sampling error

Advertisement

3. Results

The lactation performance of dairy cattle is usually measured by determining the total milk yield per lactation or per year, average daily milk yield, lactation length, lactation persistency, and milk composition. The least squares means along with their standard errors for different traits analysed are presented in table 1. The overall average 305-days milk yield was 5807.83±78.27 kg, ranging between 2271 and 7013. Average lactation length and dry period were estimated to be as 309.60±7.01 and 97.17±3.28 days, respectively when minimums were forced to be at least 127 and 11 days and when 356 and 213 days as maximums values. Average age at first calving was 1092.3 ± 196.8 days (range, 646–1588 days). The effect of year and season of calving and parity was significant (P<0.01) on milk traits. Effects of all factors (calving year, calving age, parity and calving season) on 305-days milk yield were significant (P<0.001).

TraitRecordsMeansSDMinimaMaxima
305-days Milk yield (kg)21475807.8378.272271.537013.80
Lactation length (days)1789309.607.01127.56356.53
Dry period (days)178997.173.2811213.71

Table 1.

Records, means, standard deviations, minima and maxima of variation for milk yield, lactation length and dry period of Holstein cows

3.1. Sources of variation

The major sources of variation in milk production, lactation length and dry period are genotype, environment and the interaction between the two. The influence of environmental factors on dairy production has been well documented.

3.1.1. Effect of calving year

Year of calving significantly influenced MY (P<0.001). The variation in milk yield from one year to other (Table 2) could be attributed to changes in herd size, age of the animals and good management practices introduced from year to another. The lowest 305 days milk yield (4879±117.89) was seen in 1998 years, the highest milk yield (6251±185.72 kg) was seen in 2003. Furthermore, the effects of calving year on lactation duration were statistically significant (P<0.05). Effects calving year on dry period were statistically significant (P<0.001). The dry period was lowest (96.57±5.57 days) in 2002 and highest (113.29±3.78 days) in 1996. Year wise means indicated that there was an increasing trend in lactation length from 1996 to 2003.

Calving year305 days milk yield (kg)Lactation length (day)Dry period (day)
nMean±SEnMean±SEnMean±SE
199611475223±118.74b1147269.9±7.56a1086113.29±3.78a
199711585396±127.43a1158273.3±9.78a978110.37±4.56a
199821514879±117.89c2151277.6±7.67ab1113107.43±4.28ab
199931465352±123.91ab3146281.5±7.23b1275103.73±5.36bc
200041835609±127.83ad4183288.3±6.47b1256101.85±5.78c
200147286051±156.25d4728292.6±8.46bc131799.47±6.32dc
200246896125±158.36d4689312.7±5.13c132896.57±5.57d
200338796251±185.72d3879322.78±6.44c127898.23±4.86d

Table 2.

-d: differences between groups with same letter in the same column are non-significant, differences with different letter are significant (p<0.05).

Least square means of milk yield traits by calving year

3.1.2. Effect of calving season

The least squares analysis revealed that 305 days milk yield was significantly (P<0.001) affected by season of calving (table 3). The present results suggested that milk yield was sensitive to seasonal variation. The effect of calving season on milk yield was significant and milk yield was high (5827±69.23) in cows calving in winter. However, the effect of calving season on lactation duration was significant (P<0.001), but non-significant (P>0.05) on dry period. Then, season of calving affected both the lactation length and milk yield. As shown in table 3, least squares mean was higher for automn calvers (307.6±4.57 days) as compared to spring calvers (296.7±3.99 days). Although, summer and winter calvers have similar lactation length (301.4±4.12 and 303.7±4.28 days) but winter calvers have the highest milk yield (5827±63.17 kg). Milk yield on the other hand had the opposite trend. Summer calvers produced 614 kg less milk (5213 vs. 5827 kg) as compared to winter calvers.

Calving season305- days milk yield (kg)Lactation length (day)Dry period (day)
nMean±SEnMean±SEnMean±SE
Spring 12355608±62.36ab1235296.7±3.99b978104.29±2.78a
Summer11175213±73.17b1117301.4±4.12ab110998.23±3.12a
Autumn12275713±69.23ab1227307.6±4.57a108996.48±3.28a
Winter13475827±63.17a1347303.7±4.28ab111787.56±2.97a

Table 3.

Least square means of milk yield traits by calving season

3.1.3. Effect of age at calving

Total 305 days milk yields were lowest in 2-4 years of age at 5312 kg and highest in 7 years of age at 5611 kg. However, the effects of age at calving on lactation length were non-significant (P>0.05). Dry period increased with increase of age at calving. The lowest dry period was found in 2-4 years old age at 83.37 days and highest in 7 years old age at 99.71 days. The dry period was above the ideal value in all years. In order to make animals more profitable, it is essential they were made pregnant as soon as possible during the service period in order to shorten the dry period (Table 4).

Age at calving305 days milk yield (kg)Lactation length (day)Dry period (day)
nMean±SEnMean±SEnMean±SE
112565312.54±78.95a1256307.56±4.78a112783.37±3.27a
211475517.23±72.36ab1147303.47±5.12a121787.12±3.54ab
313785611.17±79.27b1378299.78±4.56a123699.71±3.31b

Table 4.

Least square means of milk yield traits by group of calving age

3.1.4. Effect of parity

The effects of parity on lactation duration were statistically significant (P<0.001). Lactation duration was shortest in lactation 5 at 297.8±3.04 days and longest in lactation 4 at 317.5±4.17 days. Lactation duration decreased with increase of lactation number. Effects of parity on dry period were statistically significant (P<0.001). Dry period was longest in 5th lactation at 113.28±3.25 days and shortest in 3rd lactation at 87.23±2.17 days (Table 5).

Lactation number305 days milk yield (kg)Lactation length (day)Dry period (day)
nMean±SEnMean±SEnMean±SE
114575412.27±52.41a1457311.7±3.12a112393.14±2.34a
213535721.35±54.74b1353307.1±2.78ab109989.27±2.41b
312465614.23±47.13bc1246303.3±3.27c98787.23±2.17b
411275417.58±46.51a1127317.5±4.17b95695.16±3.04a
59785123.47±48.45c978297.8±3.04ac979113.28±3.25c

Table 5.

Least square means of milk yield traits by parity

Advertisement

4. Discussion

In this study, means of 305 days milk yield was 5807.83±78.27 kg. The findings of present study were in accordance with those of Ajili et al. [12], Boujenane [13], Erdem et al. [14], Inci et al. [15], Bilgiç & Aliç [16], Duru & Tuncel [21] and Kaya et al. [22]. As reported previously [7, 20, 26], the effect of calving season on milk yield was significant and milk yield was the highest in cows calving in winter. Similar finding have been reported by Javed et al. [27] and Tekerli et al. [28] in Holstein Friesian cows. Thorpe et al. [29] showed the effects of season of calving on production performance of dairy cattle in Kenya. Cows calving in winter have high milk yields, due probably to good feeding levels in the first 3 or 4 months of lactation. On the other hand, cows calving in summer have low milk yields due to their being subject to high environmental temperatures in the first 3 or 4 months of lactation. On the contrary many workers [30 - 32] observed that the season of calving had a non-significant effect on lactation milk yield in Holstein Friesian cows.

Analysis of variance revealed that 305-days milk yield is significantly (P<0.05) affected by age at calving. The result is closely in accordance with the results of Kaya et al. [22] and Catillo et al. [33]. The lowest milk yield was obtained from cows calving at 2 years of age and the highest from those calving at 7 years of age. The negative effect of early calving on milk yield could have been due to different factors, such as higher body weight gain before puberty. Milk yield decreased after 7 years of age. As reported in the literature [7, 20], this confirms that milk yield increases with age up to maturity and decreases thereafter.

305-days milk yield differed significantly (P<0.05) with calving year (Table 2). The lowest milk yield was obtained in 1998. After 1998, milk yield increased up to 2003. The reasons for this increase could be the use of bulls with high genetic capacity, selection for milk yield and culling in the herd and especially improvement in management and feeding conditions. The variation in milk yield observed in different years reflected the level of management as well as environmental effects. Between 1996 and 2001, short lactation duration and consequently low milk yield may result from the deficiency of attention and feeding conditions. The significant effect of year of calving productive performance of dairy cows could be attributed to the changes in feeding and managerial systems and environmental conditions which occurred from year to another as well as to differences between years in the quantity and quality of forage available. 305-days milk yield differed significantly (P<0.05) with lactation order (Table 5). The 305-days milk yield in second lactation was significantly higher than in first lactation. This result is consistent with Munim et al. [34] who found significant (P<0.05) effect of parity on milk yield. Nevertheless, the result differed from that of Habib et al. [35] who found non-significant (P>0.05) effect of lactation number on milk yield. The significant effect of parity on productive performance may be due to the changes in managerial systems and environmental conditions among parties. The average lactation length calculated in this study was 309.6 days. This was very close to the ideal value (305 days). This length of lactation was longer than results reported by Sattar et al. [36] and Alim [37] who reported a lactation length of 293 ± 3 and 291.86 ± 6.55 days in Friesian cows in Libya and Pakistan, respectively. The lactation duration of Holstein cows was between 284.7 and 333.9 days in previous studies [14-16, 18, 21, 22]. The shorter lactation duration is 127.56 days it may be related to incomplete lactations when data were collected. Lactation duration decreased with increase of lactation number. Short lactation duration in the oldest cows (5th lactation number) may be related to incomplete lactations because of culling.

The average dry period was 97.7±2.25 days. Dry period was higher than the ideal value (80 days) but shorter than funding of Sattar et al. [36] who reported a longer (224.99 days) dry period. However, the dry period increased with calving age, as a result of increase of milk yield level with age in the herd. It can be said that if milk yield increases with calving age, dry period would decrease. Effect of calving year on all milk yield traits was significant. Differences among years may be related to management. It can be said that differences of management among years was the most important factor affecting milk yield traits.

Dairy cows are usually dried-off for two months prior to the next calving. This rest period is necessary to maximize milk production in subsequent lactation. It was reported that the dry period is required for the renewal of the udder glandular tissue [38, 39]. Nevertheless, the optimal dry period was established as 60 days. A significant increase in milk yield of the dairy cows caused a new attention in creating the optimum dry period [40]. Two months were accepted as a sufficient dry period for high-productive cows [41]. A research done in Poland by Borkowska et al. [42] and Winnicki et al. [43] indicated that in practice the dry period is extended or excessively shortened, which leads to a reduction in milk production as compared to the recommended optimum. Milk yield is usually reduced when the dry period is less than 40-60 days (25-40% less milk). Dry period longer than 60 days in length does not result in a significant increase in milk production. Long dry periods decrease the average annual production of the cow by extending the calving interval beyond the normal 13-14 month interval and causing a decrease in the lifetime production of the dairy cow.

Advertisement

5. Conclusion

In this study, there was increase of milk yield level according to previous research [16]. This may result from improvement in breeding, feeding and management conditions (selection for milk yield and culling in the herd etc.). Although, lactation duration was found almost at ideal value, dry period was estimated as higher than the ideal value. In order to make animals more profitable, it is essential to make them be pregnant as soon as possible during the service period in order to shorten the dry period. It can be concluded that Holstein cattle is raised successfully for milk yield under Tunisian environmental conditions. It is concluded that milk yield and lactation length are affected by year and season of calving. Adjusted milk yield (adjusted for lactation length) and lactation length are affected by year into season of calving interaction but actual milk yield is not affected by year by season of calving interaction. Age within parity, also, affected lactation length and milk yield. Negative phenotypic trend in milk yield is alarming and needs further investigations.

Advertisement

Acknowledgement

The authors thank Professors Olfa Frouja Sayadi and Zeineb Dkhili for the language revision and for prompting this research. The authors also thank OEP for making the data available.

References

  1. 1. JohanssonI.Genetic Aspects of Dairy Cattle BreedingUniversity of Illinois 196;. Press, Urbana, USA.
  2. 2. MsangaY. N.MJBryantRutam. I. B.MinjaF. N.ZylstraL.Effect of environmental factors and of the proportion of Holstein blood on the milk yield and lactation length of crossbred dairy cattle on smallholder farms in north-east TanzaniaTrop. Anim. Health Prod. 200023 EOF31 EOF
  3. 3. EpaphrasA.KarimuriboE. D.MsellemS. N.Effect of season and parity on lactation of crossbred Ayrshire cows reared under coastal tropical climate in Tanzania. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 2004Online: URL: http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd16/6/epap16042.htmconsulted on 22 June 2012.
  4. 4. TekerliM.KucukkebabciM.AkalinN. H.KocakS.Effects of environmental factors on some milk production traits, persistency and calving interval of Anatolian buffaloesLivestock Production Science2001275281
  5. 5. KandasamyN.LagaiathanV. U.KrishnanA. R.Non-genetic factors affecting calving interval and dry period of Murrah buffaloes. Buffalo Bull. 1993
  6. 6. KocakS.YuceerB.UgurluM.OzbeyazC.Some production traits of Holstein cows reared in Bala state farmLalahan Hay. Arast. Enst. Derg. 200747914
  7. 7. CilekS.METekinThe environmental factors effecting milk yield and fertility traits of Simmental cattle raised at kazova state farm and phenotypic correlations between these traits. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci. 200529987993
  8. 8. CilekS.METekinEstimation of factors for standardizing lactations to mature equivalent and 305 days basis for brown Swiss cattle reared at Ulas state farm. Ind. J. Anim. Sci., 2006b76621624
  9. 9. DědkováL.NěmcováE.Factors affecting the shape of lactation curves of Holstein cows in the Czech Republic. Czech J. Anim. Sci. 200348395402
  10. 10. RekikB.BenGara.BenHamouda. M.HammamiH.Fitting lactation curves of dairy cattle in different types of herds in TunisiaLivest. Prod. Sci., 200383309315
  11. 11. Schutz MM, Hansen LB, Steuernagel GR, Kuck AL. Variation of milk, fat, protein, and somatic cells for dairy cattle.J. Dairy Sci., 199067484493
  12. 12. AjiliN.RekikB.BenGara. A. B.BouraouiR.Relationships among milk production, reproductive traits and herd life for Tunisian Holstein-Friesian cows. Afr. J. Agric. Res., 200724751
  13. 13. BoujenaneI.Estimates of genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk production in Moroccan Holstein-Friesian cowsRevue Elev. Med. Vet. Pays Trop., 2002556367
  14. 14. ErdemH.AtaseverS.KulE.Milk yield and fertility traits of holstein cows raised at gokhoyuk state farm milk yield traits. J. Fac. Agric., 2007224146
  15. 15. InciS.KaygisizA.EfeE.BasS.Milk yield and reproductive traits in brown swiss cattle raised at altinova state farm. Ankara Univ. Tarim Bilimleri Derg., 200713203212
  16. 16. BilgicN.AlicD.Milk yield traits of Holstein Friesian cows raised in Polatli state farm. Ziraat Fakultesi, S.U. Dergisi, 200519116119
  17. 17. HansenJ. V.FriggensN. C.HøjsgaardS.The influence of breed and parity on milk yield and milk yield acceleration curves.Livestock Sci., 20061045362
  18. 18. PelisterB.AltinelA.GunesH.An investigation on the milk yield characteristics of black pied cattle of different origin in commercial farm conditions. Istanbul Univ. Vet. Fak. Derg., 200026201214
  19. 19. OzelikM.ArpacikR.The effect of lactation number on milk production and reproduction in holstein cows. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci., 2000243944
  20. 20. CilekS.Estimation of factors for standardizing lactations to mature age and 305 days and heritability and repeatability of milk yield for brown Swiss cattle reared at Ulas State farm. Ph.D. Thesis, Selcuk University the Institute for Health Sciences, Konya, Turkey, 2002557
  21. 21. DuruS.METuncelThe correlations between dry period, service period and age at first calving with some milk yield traits in Holstein Friesian cattle. Uludag Univ. Ziraat Fak. Derg., 2004186979
  22. 22. KayaI.UzmayC.KayaA.AkbasY.Comparative analysis of milk yield and reproductive traits of Holstein-Friesian cows born in turkey or imported from Italy and kept on farms under the Turkish-ANAFI projectItal. J. Anim. Sci., 20032141150
  23. 23. ZambranoS. Z.GloriaC.ManuelP.HomeroC.TimO.Antonio-HernándezLandaeta.Milk yield and reproductive performance of crossbred Holstein × Criollo Limonero cowsRevista Científica, 2006162155 EOF164 EOF
  24. 24. CilekS.METekinCalculation of adjustment factors for standardizing lactations to mature age and 305 days and estimation of heritability and repeatability of standardized milk yield of Simmental cattle reared on Kazova State Farm. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci., 2006a30283289
  25. 25. CilekS.Estimation of adjustment factors for standardizing lactations to mature age and 305 days of milk yield of Holstein cattle reared at Polatli state farm in Turkey. J. Vet. Anim. Adv. 2008710561060
  26. 26. BormannJ.WiggansG. R.DruetT.GenglerN.Within-herd effects of age at test-day and lactation stage on test-day yields.J. Dairy Sci., 20038637653774
  27. 27. JavedK.AfzalM.SattarA.MirzaR. H.Environmental factors affecting milk yield in Friesian cows in Punjab, PakistanPakistan Vet. J. 2004
  28. 28. TekerliM.AkinciZ.DoganI.AkcanA.Factors affecting the shape of lactation curves of Holstein cows from the Balikesir province of Turkey.J. Dairy Sci. 20008313811386
  29. 29. ThorpeW.Kang’etheP.RegeJ.E.0MosiR.0.MwandotoB. A. J.Njugunaf.CrossbreedingAyrshire.FriesianSahiwalcattle.formilk.yieldpreweaningtraits.ofprogeny.inthe.semiaridtropics.ofKenya.J.E.0., Mosi R.0., Mwandoto B A.J, Njuguna f. Crossbreeding Ayrshire, Friesian and Sahiwal cattle for milk yield and preweaning traits of progeny in the semiarid tropics of Kenya.J. Dairy Sci. 19937620012012
  30. 30. Bilal.Productive and reproductive profile of Holsteins kept in Balochistan province. M.Sc. thesis, 1996Dept. of Livestock Management, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
  31. 31. Ray DE, Halbach TJ, Armstrong DV.Season and Lactation Number Effects on Milk Production and Reproduction of Dairy Cattle in Arizona.J. Dairy Sci. 19927529762983
  32. 32. Rege JEO, Lomole MA, Wakhungu JW.An evaluation of a long-term breeding programme in a closed Sahiwal herd in KenyaI. Effects of non-genetic factors on performance and genetic parameter estimates. Journal of Animal Breeding Genetics, 1992109364373
  33. 33. CatilloG.MacciottaN. P. P.CarrettaA.Cappio-BorlinoA.Effects of Age and Calving Season on Lactation Curves of Milk Production Traits in Italian Water Buffaloes.J. Dairy Sci. 20028512981306
  34. 34. MunimT.HussainS. S.MAHoqueKhandoker.MamyGenetic and non-genetic effects on productive and reproductive traits of different genetic groups of cows. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science. 2006351
  35. 35. Habib MA, Bhuiyan AKFH, Bhuiyan MSA, Khan AA..Performance of Red Chittagong Cattle in Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science. 20033; 2101
  36. 36. SattarA.MirzaR. H.NiaziA. A. K.LatifM.Productive and reproductive performance of Holstein-Friesian cows in PakistanPakistan Vet. J., 2527581Alim, KA. (1985). Aspects of animal production in Libya. World Rev. Anim. Prod., 2005
  37. 37. AlimK. A.Aspects of animal production in Libya. World Rev. Anim. Prod., 1985213338
  38. 38. Annen EL, collier RJ, Mcguire MA, Vicini JL.Effect of dry period length on milk yield and mammary epithelial cells. Journal of Diary Science, 2004E. Suppl., 6676
  39. 39. Capuco AV, Awers RM, Smith JJ.Mammary growth in Holstein cows during the dry period: qualification of nucleic acids and histology. Journal of Dairy Science, 199780477487
  40. 40. SzarekJ.Perspektywiczny cykl produkcji u krów mlecznych (Perspective production cycle in dairy cows). Zeszyty Naukowe Przegląd Hodowlany i PTZ, Warszawa, Zeszyt, 1998384565
  41. 41. MSGullayhaydn. M.Bachmank. C.BellosoT.LiboniM.HeadH. H.Milk production and feed intake of Holstein cows given short (30-d) or normal (60-d) dry periods. Journal of Diary Science, 20038620302038
  42. 42. BorkowskaD.JanuśE.MalinowskaK.Zależność pomiędzy długością okresu zasuszenia krów a ich produkcyjnością w następnej laktacji (Relation between the dry period length and productivity of cows in subsequent lactation). Roczniki Naukowe PTZ, 2006
  43. 43. WinnickiS.Głowicka-WołoszynR.HelakB.DolskaM.JugowaJ. L.Wpływ długości okresu zasuszenia krów na wydajność i jakość mleka w następnej laktacji (Effect of a dry period length on milk production and quality in next lactation). Prace i materiały Zootechniczne. 2008

Written By

Naceur M’hamdi, Mahdi Bouallegue, Saoussen Frouja, Yosra Ressaissi, Satinder Kaur Brar and Mohamed Ben Hamouda

Submitted: 20 July 2011 Published: 26 September 2012