The Montbéliarde (MO) breed is part of the Jurassic branch, originating from Bos frontosus and giving rise to the Pie Rouge group of breeds. This study aimed to evaluate the milk components and somatic cell count (SCC) in a selected herd of Montbéliarde cattle. The data for the evaluation of milk components and SCC in the Montbéliarde herds considered were provided by the B.S. SR database. A total of 1,015 dairy cows from the years 2019 to 2022 were included in the evaluation, which assessed the daily milk yield (DMY, kg), fat content (%), protein content (%), lactose content (%), and SCC (cells/ml). Basic statistical and variability characteristics were analyzed using the SAS software. The following average values for the daily milk traits and SCC in Montbéliarde cows were recorded: 27.09 kg DMY, 3.99% fat, 3.63% protein, 4.83% lactose, and 380.28 somatic cells/ml (SCC). In 2019, a total of 791 samples were analyzed, yielding an average of 26.24 kg DMY, 3.95% fat content, 3.67% protein content, 4.75% lactose content, and 366.86 cells/ml SCC. For the years 2020, 2021, and 2022, higher average values for the daily milk yield, milk components, and SCC were observed. The correlation between the SCC and milk components was low, negative, and statistically highly significant. The following correlation coefficients between the SCC and daily milk yield, fat percentage, protein percentage, and lactose percentage were recorded: r = -0.1060, r = 0.0439, r = 0.0654, and r = -0.3662, respectively. In the linear model for SCC evaluation, the lactation order had the highest effect (R² = 0.0379), whereas the sire effect was found lower (R² = 0.0232).

This study evaluated the impact of estrus on changes in rumination over 24 h using data from the DataFlow™ II program and the Heatime RuminAct device, encompassing 634 estrous cycles of dairy cows. During the reference period, three days before estrus, cows spent an average of 511 min per day ruminating. One day before estrus, the total rumination time decreased to 503 min per day. During estrus, rumination time further decreased to 481 min, reflecting a reduction of 31 min per day (6.2%) compared to the pre-estrus reference period. After estrus ended, we observed an immediate increase in rumination time, with post-estrus levels comparable to pre-estrus values. Using a linear model, we assessed the influence of the herd and individual cows on changes in rumination time during estrus compared to the reference period. Our findings confirm the notable impact of estrus on rumination in dairy cows. The reduction in rumination time was most pronounced in heifers (−66 min, −13%), followed by first-lactation cows (−36 min, −7%) and multiparous cows (−16 min, −4%). The influence of the lactation stage was significant, with cows in early lactation showing a greater reduction in rumination compared to cows in later stages. Additionally, high-milk-yielding cows exhibited slightly lower rumination times during estrus, reflecting the interplay between diet composition and energy demands. These results underscore the role of parity, lactation stage, milk yield, and individual differences in shaping rumination behavior during estrus. Behavior-monitoring systems proved valuable for detecting estrus and managing reproduction in dairy herds. Our results showed a notable 6.2% reduction in rumination during estrus, highlighting its potential as a reliable indicator in regions like Slovakia, where economic challenges impact dairy farming sustainability.

This study aimed to estimate the average inbreeding coefficient in Slovak Simmental dairy cattle and evaluate the effect of inbreeding on the length of productive life. All pedigrees included 463,282 animals dating back to 1914. The inbreeding coefficients for each animal in the pedigree were computed using the software CFC 1.0. Length of productive life (LPL) was defined as the time (days) from the first calving to culling, death, or censoring. The influence of inbreeding on the length of productive life was calculated and tested using the Weibull proportional hazards model. The average inbreeding coefficient, the average number of discrete generation equivalents, and the average longest ancestral path for inbred animals were 0.01, 6.59, and 13.08, respectively. While the largest decrease in the mean coefficient of inbreeding was observed from the year of birth 1995 (F = 1.50%) to 2001 (F = 0.59%), an increasing trend of inbreeding in the population was found from 2003 onwards. A weak but significant effect of inbreeding on the length of productive life of Simmental cows was confirmed using survival analysis.

The objective of this study was the evaluation of the locomotion activity of heifers and Holstein dairy cows during estrus. We have analyzed the locomotion activity using the Heatime RuminAct device on 180 cows (32 heifers and 148 dairy cows) and we evaluated a total of 633 estrus cycles during the reference period of 3 days before estrus, 3 days after estrus, and on the day ofestrus occurrence. The datawere analyzed using the DataFlowTM II program. The locomotion of cows was expressed in the units of locomotion activity in 24 h (u.24 h−1). During the reference period of 3 days before estrus, the cows showed locomotion activity of 558 u.24 h−1, with an increase in locomotion activity on the day of estrus of 836 u.24 h−1, and, during the reference period of 3 days after estrus, the level of locomotion activity decreased to 537 836 u.24 h−1, which is a similar level of locomotion activity to the reference period before estrus. Through the statistical analysis, we evaluated the impact of parity, lactation stage, milk yield, and individuality on changes in locomotion activity during estrus and throughout the reference period, and we found a significant effect of parity (F = 13.41, p < 0.001) on changes in the locomotion activity of dairy cows during estrus. Based on these results, this research offers fresh perspectives on assessing specific factors affecting the locomotion activity of dairy cows during estrus through the practical application of electronic systems for estrus detection on dairy farms.

The aim this work was to evaluate relationships between traits of milk production and reproduction traits in breeding herds of Slovak spotted breed in the period 1992-2010 the results for 10 514 Slovak cows. The basic statistic analysis were analysed using the SAS version 9.1. In the first lactation of dairy cows produced 4 685.18 kg of milk, 193.82 kg of fat and 156.51 kg of proteins. Correlation between evaluated traits of milk production and age at first calving were lower negative and statistically high significant (P<0.0001), scilicet between kgs of milk age at first calving = - 0.06731and correlation between milk in kg with calving interval 1 (r= - 0.06945) and with calving interval 2 (r= - 0.04554) were statistically high significant (P<0.0001). The analyses by the effect on age of first calving was the highest effect of HYS R 2 = 0.4478 and on calving interval was the highest effect of HYS R 2 = 0.1526.

Female fertility is a complex trait. It is affected by different factors for example nutrition, breeding conditions and season of calving, time to first heat and milk production. The aim this work was analyse reproduction traits in selected breeding herds Slovak Simmental dairy cows in the period 2012 to 2016 by breeding type (S0, S1, S2) the results for dairy cows: days to first service (DFS), days open (DO), number of inseminations per conception (NIC) and calving interval (CI). The basic statistical analysis were analysed using the SAS version 9.3 (TS1M2) Enterprise Guide 5.1. For the actual computation a linear model with fixed effects was used: yijklm = μ + HYSi + bj + ck + eijkl, where: μ = mean value, HYSi = effect of herd, year and season of calving (1 - 604), bj = sire (1 - 192), ck = effect of bull (1 - 119), eijkl = residual error.The basic traits of reproduction traits (DFS, DO, NIC, CI) in selected breeding herds Slovak Simmental dairy cows were 78.55 ± 55.48 days, 120.83 ± 84.01 days, 407.02 ± 90.49 and 2.14 ± 1.61 days for S0, 78.62 ± 54.0 days, 124.82 ± 89.26 days, 408.76 ± 97.26 and 2.04 ± 1.39 days for S1, and 80.99 ± 69.04 days, 124.07 ± 93.73.days, 410.90 ± 89.41and 2.20 ± 1.58 days for S2. The linear model to represent coefficient determination R2 = 0.482750 % for days to first service (DFS), R2 = 0.435010 % for days open (DO), R2 = 0.345971 % for number of inseminations per conception (NIC) and R2 = 0.482750 % calving interval (CI) with all fixed effects. The analyses by the effect were the highest effect of herd -year - season of calving (HYS) than effect of sire. These effects were statistically high significant (P<0.0001). Supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (VEGA) (Project No. 1/0742/17).

The aim of this study was to evaluate lactose percentage in relation to the somatic cells count in milk of Slovak Spotted cattle. A total of 468,082 control milk samples from 28,848 dairy cows born from 2000 to 2014 were used for investigating lactose percentage (LP), milk yield (MY), lactose yield (LY), fat percentage (FP), proteins percentage (PP) and somatic cells count (SCC). Data were analysed using the SAS version 9.4 and linear model with fixed effects: farmer (F), years-month of control (YM), order of lactation (OL), sire (S), coding of SCC (CS). In the dataset the average of LP was 4.78±0.27 %, while the one of MY, LY, FP, PP and SCC were 20.44±8.65, 0.98±0.43, 4.04±0.80, 3.49±0.37 and 455.95±1,296.16 cells *1000/ ml. The correlation of LP with MY, LY, FP, PP, and SCC was equal to r = 0.33205, r = 0.41609, r = -0.11414, r = -0.24404 and r = -0.31175. These correlation coefficients were statistically highly significant P <0.0001. Among all fixed effects in the analysis of variance of LP, the most relevant effect was observed for CS (P<.0001).

The presented study aims to develop on farm test temperament in dairy cattle based on individual differences in behavior during approaching the novel object. The novel object was a red cycling light. Behavior traits (duration of walking and standing at stops) were recorded from the video records as well as numeric modifier (distance of stop). Individual differences in the behavior were evaluated by differences in duration of approaching the novel object. Due to differences in walking speed in the cows the corrected duration of approaching (CDA) was calculated from real duration of approaching the novel object, number of stops and 1st stop distance. A group of 53 tested cows was split into 4 distinctive clusters. Members of cluster 1 had calm type of temperament, cluster had 28 members, median CDA was 28 s (min 11 s, max 53 s). Members of cluster 2 had curious type of temperament, cluster had 14 members, median CDA was 87 s (min 58 s, max 121 s). Members of cluster 3 had vigilant type of temperament, cluster had 9 members, median CDA was 155 s (min 132 s, max 250 s). Members of cluster 4 had fearful type of temperament, and cluster had only 2 members, median CDA was 460 s (min 439 s, max 482 s). Results showed the possibility of on farm temperament type measure by simple test. Testing discovered inappropriate type of temperament in 2 of tested dairy cows with higher risks of problem with habituation to novel objects or during manipulation.

The aim this work was to evaluate the milk components and somatic cells in selected herd of dairy cows of Slovak Spotted cattle. The traits included the control samples of milk in kilograms, fat, proteins, lactose in percentages and somatic cells count as well as the correlation between given traits. By evaluation of milk yields we have find out that the average of control sample of milk production during the examined period in all the 14,160 control samples in 1,024 dairy cows was 20.69±9.69 kgs of milk with a fat content of 3.94±0.68 %, protein 3.48±0.33 % and lactose 4.87±0.21 % and 338.39±846.15 x 103 cells/ml. The correlation between the traits of milk production and the somatic cells count, for example milk in kgs, fat in %, proteins in %, lactose in % and somatic cells count in cells x 103/ml, where these values were r = -0.03679, r = 0.08985, r = 0.08830, r = -0.30855. These coefficients were statistically highly significant p <0.0001.

The study aimed to examine the analyses a chosen group of the Slovak Spotted dairy cows. Within the group we focused on the problematic of utility pointers evaluation, we analysed the milk production of various breed types, years of birth giving, paternity of the descendants and the order of lactation. Moreover, we assessed the mutual correlation dependence between milk production pointers and weight of various factors on milk, fats, proteins and lactose production. The highest amount of produced milk in kg due to breed type measure was in S0 type. Evaluating the year of birth giving, the milk production was the highest between the years of 2010-2016 in a herd of dairy cows at farm reaching 8,341 kg of milk. Milk production pointers such as milk production in kg, fats in kg, proteins in kg and lactose in kg are in a mutual correlation relationship that is highly statistically resulted P ≤ 0.001.

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of births according to the categories of calving difficulty and stillbirths and to evaluate the effect of these factors on the longevity of cows. Longevity is one of the traits that affect the overall profit in the dairy industry. A Weibull proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the influence of functional traits such as calving ease and stillbirth. Longevity was expressed as the length of a functional, productive life from the first calving to death or censoring, which was corrected for milk yield. The database included 918,568 calvings, where calving without assistance represented 83.34%, calving with the assistance of one person or the use of a slight mechanical pull represented 14.47%, difficult calving with the assistance of several people, the use of mechanical traction or the intervention of a veterinarian represented 2.16%, and cesarean section represented 0.03%. The mortality of calves, stillborn or dead within 48 h of birth, represented 1.07% and 6.59%, respectively. The frequency of alive female calves was higher (46.84%) than male calves (45.50%). Cows with higher lactations had almost half as many stillborn calves as heifers. The most stillborn calves were found in difficult births (59.48%). In easy calving, this proportion was 2.48%. Using survival analysis, we estimated the significant influence of the factors such as parity, milk production, herd size, age at first calving, herd × year × season, sex of calf, calving ease, and stillbirth on the length of the functional, productive life of cows. The risk of early culling of the cows with moderately difficult calving was 1.259 times higher than in the cows with easy calving. Difficult calving and cesarean section shorten the productive life, and the risk of culling reached 1.711 and 1.894, respectively. Cows that gave birth to a dead calf achieved a 2.939 times higher risk of culling compared to cows that gave birth to a live calf. In this study, a higher risk of early culling was found in cows that gave birth to a male calf. Evaluation of the calving ease and stillbirth can be used as indirect indicators at an earlier age of the animal in the selection process for long-lived animals with good productive and reproductive performance.

The goal of the work was to discover the influence of conformation traits evaluated by the Fleckscore system on the length of productive life of Slovak Simmental dairy cows.Evaluation of body conformation traits according to the Fleckscore system was performed on 3 452 cows.The relationship of individual traits to longevity was analysed using the Weibull proportional hazard model.The results confirmed that smaller and longer cows, which were well muscular and with a deeper body, had a lower risk of early culling than cows in the reference group.Hock angularity, pastern and hoof height scored with low or high marks were associated with an early culling of cows.In terms of the length of productive life, a slightly more elastic pattern is required.Cows with a deeper udder and a stronger and tighter fore udder attachment, which were also average in notching and height central ligament and centrally placed teats, reached longer productive life.

© Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Resources

Problems with claw disorders in dairy cattle herds are very typical and are among the most significant endemic cattle diseases. It is good to realize in what condition we keep the cattle - unsuitable floors and bed boxes, greasy microclimate, frequent movement between groups of animals, significant changes in the feed ration - all this affects the health of claws. Lameness and claw lesions have a great impact on production, welfare and health of dairy cows. They decreases milk yield, have a negative impact on reproductive traits and fertility performance and therefore lameness increases costs including medicine, detection of lameness, control and prevention, and creates losses including reduced milk production, non-sellable milk, reduced reproductive performance, increased culling and animal death. To reduce the effect of claw disorders on dairy cattle, it is necessary to apply the most efficient combination of available methods of prevention. The most effective is the combination of early detection and diagnosis, regular claw trimming, proper diet and clean and suitable enviroment. The aim of this review was to cumulate the existing informations of aspects of claw lessions and known preventive methods for breeders of dairy herds.

The purpose of present study was to observe the effect of resorcinol on bovine spermatozoa before and after cryopreservation. Fresh semen was obtained from six randomly chosen breeding bulls. Experimental samples were prepared by diluting the semen with six different concentrations of resorcinol (REZ1– 4; REZ2 – 2; REZ3 – 1; REZ4 – 0.5; REZ5 – 0.25 and REZ6 –0.152 mg.ml-1). Experimental groups were compared against control group (REZK). Using CASA method spermatozoa motility was evaluated before cryopreservation and also after thawing, during incubation at 37°C in time periods 0, 5, 10, 15 and 60 minutes. Negative effect of in vitro resorcinol addition was observed in all analysed parameters (MOT, PRO, VCL, ALH and BCF) in groups REZ1, REZ2 and REZ3. In contrast, positive impact mainly on motility and progressive motility was found in experimental groups with the lowest resorcinol concentration addition (REZ4, REZ5 and REZ6) in comparison to the control group. After thawing significant effect of resorcinol on motility parameters were observed within each experimental group. Group with the highest concentration of resorcinol (REZ1) had markedly negative impact on evaluated motility parameters. Results of our study clearly confirm toxic effect of resorcinol on motility parameters of spermatozoa, which depend on concentration and time period.

The goal of this study was to observe the effect of resorcinol on motility, viability and morphology of bovine spermatozoa. The semen was used from six randomly chosen breeding bulls. Ejaculate was diluted by different solutions of resorcinol in 1:40 ratio. Samples were divided into 7 groups with different concentrations of resorcinol (Control, RES1 - 4 mg/ml, RES2 - 2 mg/ml, RES3 - 1 mg/ml, RES4 - 0.5 mg/ml, RES5 - 0.25 mg/ml and RES6 - 0.125 mg/ml). Motility of spermatozoa was detected using CASA method at temperature of 37 °C in time periods 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 hours from the start of the experiment. Significant motility differences between all groups except control and RES6 with difference of 5.58 %, as well as between RES1 and RES2 groups with difference of 2.17 % were found. Progressive motility had the same significant differences. Spermatozoa viability (MTT test) decreased compared to control in all experimental groups during the entire duration of experiment. Observing morphologically changed spermatozoa, no significant changes were observed and a higher percentage of spermatozoa with separated flagellum in all experimental resorcinol groups compared to control were detected. Also, increased number of spermatozoa with broken flagellum, acrosomal changes and other morphological forms in the group with the highest concentration of resorcinol (RES1) were found. Results of our study clearly show negative effects on motility parameters of spermatozoa which depend on concentration, cultivation temperature and time period.

Rumination behavior in cattle is important for health and reproduction management of herd.The aim of presented paper was to evaluate change in rumination behavior in dairy cattle after changing total mixed ration (TMR) composition.Twenty-eight multiparous Red Holstein dairy cows were observed during rumination in first month after calving and in fourth month after calving.Cows were fed different total mixed ratio at beginning of lactation in first month after calving (TMR1) and in mid of lactation period in fourth month after calving (TMR2).TMR2 has higher content of roughage.Length of the single rumination period and number of jaw movements during rumination one bolus were recorded.Frequency of jaw movement per minute was calculated from recorded rumination characteristics.Rumination of one bolus TMR2 was longer (TMR1 = 53.97±8.241 sec, TMR2 = 57.57±6.290 sec) and cow perform more jaw movements (TMR1 = 61.0±10.674,TMR2 = 65.99 ±9.682) than ruminating bolus TMR1.Difference in duration of rumination one bolus as well as number of jaw movement was significant (P < 0.001).Frequency of jaw movement was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) and seem to be intra-individual stable.Rumination evaluated by correlation of rumination characteristics for TMR1 and TMR2 was intra-individual stable despite of changes in times of jaw movement and duration of one bolus rumination.

National genetic evaluation of lengh of productive life in Slovakia was carry out from the year 2014 till 2018, three times per year (March, June and October). The survival analysis was performed using Weibull sire model. The heritability obtained from Weibull model was different between populations (0.13 in Holstein and 0.05 in Slovak Simmental, respectively). RBVs of Holstein sires born up to 1999 shows decreasing tendency in all five years. A desirable tendency started from the year 2000. Differences between RBV in particular years are due to descent censored records during the evaluated period. Similar trends showed in Slovak Simmental bulls RBVs. Culled cows reached average 305-day milk yield 6499 kg and 4645 kg in Holstein and Slovak Simmental breeds, respectively. The length of productive life there was 898 days in Holstein and 985 days in Slovak Simmental cows. Age at first calving reached 930 days in Slovak Simmental and 851 days in Holstein heifers. The progress of both traits in the years 2014–2018 was lower in Holstein population, +288 kg milk and +76 productive days than in Slovak Simmental cows.

The aim this study was evaluate the birth weight of calves of the Slovak spotted cattle in selected herds according to the year of birth, breeder, period of birth and breed type and to determine the linear relation between birth weight and birth year, month of birth, breed type, breeding conditions, calf father and period of calving. In our measurements, the average weight at birth of 284 evaluated measurements for the years 2012 to 2017 in the three breed type was 46.24 kg. For the breeding environment, breeding type and year of birth we did not achieve statistically conclusive data (P> 0.05). The factor of the month of birth was evaluated as highly provable (P <0.0001) with a determination coefficient of 36.42% and F = 19.70. For father's influence, we achieved a statistically significant value (P <0.0197). The determinant was 27.89%, F = 1.50.

The aim of presented study was to evaluate behavioral reaction to modified backtest in set of 25 piglets. The backtest was performed without holding or touching tested piglet. The backtest was repeated three times at the ages 3, 4 and 5 weeks and latency attempt to turn, number of attempts and duration test to turn were recorded. All backtest parameters were influenced by modification. Latency was shorter than in classical backtest, 7.48 s in 1st test, 6.69 s in 2nd test and 3.45 s in 3rd test on average. Number of attempts showed very low variability, most piglets did turn at first attempt (60% in 1st test, 76% in 2nd test and 84% in 3rd test). Duration correlated with latency and was shorter than in classical backtest as well. The consistency of behavior in repeated tests (Spearman rank correlation) was from 0.463 to 0.704 (P<0.05) and the repeatability (R) was higher than 0.7. High levels of consistency as well as repeatability indicate intra-individual stability of reaction and behavior to modified backtest in piglets.