Lameness in dairy cows is among the most serious problems of modern cattle breeding. The prevalen... more Lameness in dairy cows is among the most serious problems of modern cattle breeding. The prevalence of lameness among dairy cows varies on a worldwide scale. The factors important for lameness occurrence are: feeding regimen, genetic selection, the social hierarchy, overcrowding and herd size, the free walking space, environmental factors and climate, behaviour of cows in conditions of heat stress, the design of the pen and type of restraint device, the litter and hoof care practices. The present review makes clear that lameness in dairy cows is widely distributed in various production systems. The incidence of lameness, according to literature data, ranges from 0 tо 59%. The etiology of lameness in cows is multifactorial. Numerous factors have been investigated, as the nutrition and diet type, the social hierarchy in the herd, the walking area and overcrowding. Other important factors for lameness are the climate and behaviour of cows in conditions of heat stress related to rations...
The aim of the survey was to study the effect of heat stress (HS) on health lipid indices in milk... more The aim of the survey was to study the effect of heat stress (HS) on health lipid indices in milk of Holstein-Friesian cows. The study was conducted in a cattle farm with Holstein-Friesian cows in the region of Karnobat (Southeastern Bulgaria) in 2018. Cows were housed in semi-open free stall dairy barn, fed year-round ad libitum with a total mixed ration. The study included 22 cows on different parities studied in two periods - at thermo-neutral environment conditions and at heat stress, respectively, May and August. Extraction of milk fat was performed by the Rose-Gottlieb method. Conditions of HS lead to changes in the values of health lipid indices associated with a decrease in the values of Atherogenic index (AI), Thrombogenic index (TI), Lipid Preventive Score (LPS) and Desaturase (18) index (DI 18) and an increase in Health promoting Index (HPI), polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA), unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (UFA/SFA), mono unsatur...
The object of study was the influence of the nervous system type (temperament) of dogs from the G... more The object of study was the influence of the nervous system type (temperament) of dogs from the German Dogue , Doberman, and Riesenschnautzer breeds on the extent of their socialization (adaptation to the environment). Two tests were used to examine the animals' behavior: the mirror test and the Queinnec test . It was established that puppies of the German Dogue breed possessed the highest socializing capabilities, followed by the Riesenschnautzer and Doberman breeds . This means that the representatives of the German Dogue breed would require the least amount of training time in order to form specific behavior. The Riesenschnautzer exhibited average ability to socialize , and will adapt to the environment more easily than the Doberman breed and with more hardship than the German Dogue. The puppies that would be hardest to train were the ones from the Doberman breed, as they are most prone to aggression and ill temper. Key words : Puppies , socialization , temperament type , beh...
The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between first lactation milk yield (FLMY) an... more The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between first lactation milk yield (FLMY) and age at first calving (AFC), longevity and productive life in dairy cows. The study covered 944 Holstein cows housed in 5 dairy cattle farms in Bulgaria. All cows from the five farms culled in the period 2012 2018 with FLMY data were included. The average AFC for all culled cows included in the study was relatively high for the Holstein-Friesian breed 29.75 months. The average FLMY of the herds included in the study was 7,660.94 kg with significant herd variation from 5,899.09 kg to 8,646.0 kg. Significant effect of the herd (P < 0.001), AFC and the associated effect of the herd and AFC (P < 0.05) on the average FLMY were found. The highest FLMY was reported in primiparous with AFC of 28 30 months -7,860.8 kg, and the lowest in those with AFC 24 months 7322.8 kg. In the herd with the lowest average FLMY 5,899.09 kg 27.5% of the heifers had calved at age over 34 months. A statistic...
The study was conducted to determine the effect of lameness on production traits in dairy cows – ... more The study was conducted to determine the effect of lameness on production traits in dairy cows – milk yield, mil protein and milk fat contents. For this purpose, productivity records of 300 Holstein-Friesian cows (100 from 3 Bulgarian herds) were collected. The results showed that 305-day lactation milk yield of lame cows from the three herds was by 516.8 kg lower compared to that of healthy cows. Milk fat percentage was reduced by 0.16 %, and milk protein – by 0.04 % vs healthy cows. In herd 1, where the average milk yield was the lowest (7074.4 kg), milk yield was by 89.1 kg lower in 38 % of cows affected by lameness. The average milk yield of herd 3 was 7882.3 kg, the milk yield reduction amounted to 565.6 kg in 43 % of lame cows. In herd 2 with the highest milk yield (8660.6 kg), the difference between the lame and healthy cows was 1314.3 kg, and the prevalence of lameness was 61 %. The highest share of lame cows was affected by lameness in the beginning of lactation, 37.3 % unt...
Dimov, D., Penev, T. & Marinov, I. (2020) Illumination levels in milking parlor in dairy cows fre... more Dimov, D., Penev, T. & Marinov, I. (2020) Illumination levels in milking parlor in dairy cows freestall housing system. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26 (Suppl. 1), 78-82 The survey was conducted in the milking parlor of dairy cattle farm with a capacity of 500 Holstein-Friesian cows. Milking parlor was a double-8 “herringbone” type. The premises had no windows, and the roof structure was constructed of glass. The milking parlor lighting was of fluorescent luminaires. The illumination level was reported three times during each milking (at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the milking), with the measurements repeated during the morning, midday and evening milking. The illumination level was measured at the level of the milkers' hands during work, using a Lutron EM9300SD. The highest average value of illumination level was reported during the spring season for midday milking 1030.3 lux. The lowest reported average value of the illumination level was registered during the wint...
Dimov, D., Marinov, I. & Penev, T. (2020) Risk working conditions in dairy cattle farming-a revie... more Dimov, D., Marinov, I. & Penev, T. (2020) Risk working conditions in dairy cattle farming-a review. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26
Marinov, I., Dimov, D. & Penev, T. (2019). Infl uence of some environmental and paratipical facto... more Marinov, I., Dimov, D. & Penev, T. (2019). Infl uence of some environmental and paratipical factors on the somatic cells count in milk in black-and-white cows. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 25 (Suppl. 3), 103–108 The aim of the present research was to study the infl uence of some environmental and paratypical factors on the somatic cells count (SCC) in milk in black-and-white dairy cows, Holstein-Friesian type. The survey included a total of 484 lactating cows from 8 cattle farms in Plovdiv region, Bulgaria, by using data from the monthly controls of their productive traits – a total of 3473 Test Day records. A statistically signifi cant eff ect on the SCC in milk for Test Day of the factors herd, parity, calving season, month of Test Day recording and lactation stage was reported. In cows with larger number of parities, a higher SCC was reported compared to the younger ones. The highest was the SCC in cows at third parity (656.4 thousand/ml) and the lowest at fi rst parity (263.9 thousand ...
Dimov, D., Marinov, I., Penev, T., Miteva, Ch., & Gergovska, Zh. (2019). Animal hygienic assessme... more Dimov, D., Marinov, I., Penev, T., Miteva, Ch., & Gergovska, Zh. (2019). Animal hygienic assessment of air carbon dioxide concentration in semi-open freestall barns for dairy cows. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 25(2), 354–362 The objective of this study was to determine the CO2 concentration in the different animal service zones in semi-open freestall barns for dairy cows. The study was conducted in 3 dairy cattle farms, with production buildings with different capacities – two farms for 120 and one farm for 500 cows. The following microclimate parameters were monitored: temperature (°C), relative humidity (RH, %), temperature-humidity index (THI) and speed of airfl ow (SAF). The average CO2 values in the three buildings surveyed ranged from 434.85 to 635.27 ppm, with a maximum deviation up to 2130 ppm. The highest CO2 concentrations were recorded in the building with the largest capacity – 500 cows. In the building with a capacity of 120 cows, a trend for the lowest CO...
As a result of long-term active fear, variable moods can occur – howling, whimpering, crying, tre... more As a result of long-term active fear, variable moods can occur – howling, whimpering, crying, tremor, tics, manias, depressions, etc. It is now acknowledged that fear and aggression are closely related. It is also known that the different dog breeds manifest a various extent of fear and aggression. The study aimed to provide answers to two questions - classification of factors invoking fear and aggression according to their significance and which of investigated dog breeds – German Shepherd, Rottweiler or Boxer is the most resistant to fear and aggression episodes? The exclusion of all factors on the cultivation of three breeds of dogs / they complied with the norms / found that the causes of fear aggressive conditions are listed as follows – first of fear and aggression depend on the temperament of the dog and on the second place of the breed origin, growing conditions and the associated level of primary and secondary socialization. Fear aggressive manifestations occur at least in ...
Penev, T., Dimov, D., Vasilev, N., Mitev, J. & Miteva, Ch. (2020) Effect of heat stress on some r... more Penev, T., Dimov, D., Vasilev, N., Mitev, J. & Miteva, Ch. (2020) Effect of heat stress on some reproductive traits in Holstein-Friesian cows under temperate continental climate. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26 (Suppl. 1), 155-162 The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of heat stress (HS) on some reproductive traits in HolsteinFriesian cows in the central part of southern Bulgaria. The survey was conducted in a dairy cattle farm for the period 2015 2018 inclusive, on 155 lactations of cows on first to sixth parity. HS was determined by a modified Kelly and Bond (1971) equation using the maximum temperature (°C) and the average values of relative humidity (%) for each month of the study. Temperature and humidity data were taken from the nearest meteorological station in the area. It was found that Temperature-humidity index (THI) at first insemination had a significant (P <0.05) effect on the length of the Days open interval (DO) and on the number of inseminations for c...
Received: October 6th, 2020 ; Accepted: February 1st, 2021 ; Published: March 18th, 2021 ; Corres... more Received: October 6th, 2020 ; Accepted: February 1st, 2021 ; Published: March 18th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected]
The purpose of the study was to establish the specific symptomatic ethological pathognomonic comp... more The purpose of the study was to establish the specific symptomatic ethological pathognomonic complex of infectious encephalomyelitis in poultry. The behavioural changes were monitored in 2-week-old broiler chickens (total number 10,500 housed in three premises). The typical pathoethological manifestations of infectious encephalomyelitis were investigated in broiler chickens through six behavioural activities – locomotion, appetite, water drinking, pareses, paralyses, posture. As a result of the survey, the specific ethological pathognomonic complex for infectious encephalomyelitis in chickens was identified. These clinical manifestations of a pathoethological complex and specific behavioural activities could be used to support the diagnosis.
Penev, T., I. Marinov, Zh. Gergovska, J. Mitev, Tch. Miteva, D. Dimov and R. Binev, 2017. Linear ... more Penev, T., I. Marinov, Zh. Gergovska, J. Mitev, Tch. Miteva, D. Dimov and R. Binev, 2017. Linear type traits for feet and legs, their relation to health traits connected with them, and with productive and reproductive traits in dairy cows. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (3): 467–475 The objective of the study was to estimate the correlations between linear type traits for feet and legs, and their relation with locomotion disorders and productive and reproductive traits in Holstein cows reared in Bulgaria. The study included 136 cows from four dairy farms of different regions of Bulgaria. In all farms, cows were year-round reared group in free stalls with individual boxes for rest. In the study 7 linear type traits for feet and legs and the trait heel depth were included. On cows also a lameness scoring on a scale of 1 to 4 was carried out. Phenotypic correlations between linear traits were low. In cows with wider and parallel placed rear legs a tendency to straighter hock (-0.20) was repo...
2021 12th National Conference with International Participation (ELECTRONICA), 2021
The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a... more The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a tool for monitoring the physiological condition of dairy cows. The goal was to monitor cows at normal temperatures. As physiological parameters began to change with the onset of heat stress, the study focused on a group with temperature and humidity index (THI) values below 72. The study monitors the surface temperature at various points on the body, rectal temperature (RT) and Frequency of Breathing. Those parameters were chosen because they give the most accurate data on physiology and can be objectively measured. Thermography images of the udder surface temperature (UST), leg surface temperature (LST) and shoulder surface temperature (SST) of the cows were taken. Surface temperatures were extracted from the photos using specialized software. The data were processed and analyzed statistically. The correlation coefficient between UST and SST was 0.90, between RT and Frequency of Breathing was 0.65, between LST and UST it was 0.45 and between LST and SST - 0.39. In conclusion, it can be said that IRT can be used to monitor the physiological condition of dairy cows.
2021 XXX International Scientific Conference Electronics (ET), 2021
The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a... more The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a tool for early and rapid detection of heat stress in dairy cows. According to the values of the temperature-humidity index (THI), the cows are divided into three groups. Thermography images of the udders were also taken, from which their surface temperatures (UST) were extracted with specialized software. The data were processed and analyzed statistically.
Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2019
The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for formation of hock lesions in dairy c... more The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for formation of hock lesions in dairy cattle farms with different housing system. The study included 508 Black‑and‑white Holstein‑type cows from 14 dairy farms in different regions of Bulgaria. On cows a hock lesion assessment (scale 1 to 3) and body condition scoring (scale 1 to 5) were made. From the total number of cows, 231 cows (45.5 %) with score of 2 and 3 were reported, which clinical manifestation was from loss of hairs on the hock joint surface to swellings and wounds. A statistically significant effect of lactation period, body condition scores (BCS) and housing system on the hock assessment score was found. The least square means (LSM) for hock assessment score increased with the advancing of lactation period from 1.22 in cows to 60 days in milk (DIM) to 1.52 in cows after 120 DIM. The percentage of cows with BCS 3 and 3.5 was lower 1.5 to 2 times compared to cows with BCS 1.5. With the lowest mean hock assessment...
Lameness in dairy cows is among the most serious problems of modern cattle breeding. The prevalen... more Lameness in dairy cows is among the most serious problems of modern cattle breeding. The prevalence of lameness among dairy cows varies on a worldwide scale. The factors important for lameness occurrence are: feeding regimen, genetic selection, the social hierarchy, overcrowding and herd size, the free walking space, environmental factors and climate, behaviour of cows in conditions of heat stress, the design of the pen and type of restraint device, the litter and hoof care practices. The present review makes clear that lameness in dairy cows is widely distributed in various production systems. The incidence of lameness, according to literature data, ranges from 0 tо 59%. The etiology of lameness in cows is multifactorial. Numerous factors have been investigated, as the nutrition and diet type, the social hierarchy in the herd, the walking area and overcrowding. Other important factors for lameness are the climate and behaviour of cows in conditions of heat stress related to rations...
The aim of the survey was to study the effect of heat stress (HS) on health lipid indices in milk... more The aim of the survey was to study the effect of heat stress (HS) on health lipid indices in milk of Holstein-Friesian cows. The study was conducted in a cattle farm with Holstein-Friesian cows in the region of Karnobat (Southeastern Bulgaria) in 2018. Cows were housed in semi-open free stall dairy barn, fed year-round ad libitum with a total mixed ration. The study included 22 cows on different parities studied in two periods - at thermo-neutral environment conditions and at heat stress, respectively, May and August. Extraction of milk fat was performed by the Rose-Gottlieb method. Conditions of HS lead to changes in the values of health lipid indices associated with a decrease in the values of Atherogenic index (AI), Thrombogenic index (TI), Lipid Preventive Score (LPS) and Desaturase (18) index (DI 18) and an increase in Health promoting Index (HPI), polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (PUFA/SFA), unsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (UFA/SFA), mono unsatur...
The object of study was the influence of the nervous system type (temperament) of dogs from the G... more The object of study was the influence of the nervous system type (temperament) of dogs from the German Dogue , Doberman, and Riesenschnautzer breeds on the extent of their socialization (adaptation to the environment). Two tests were used to examine the animals' behavior: the mirror test and the Queinnec test . It was established that puppies of the German Dogue breed possessed the highest socializing capabilities, followed by the Riesenschnautzer and Doberman breeds . This means that the representatives of the German Dogue breed would require the least amount of training time in order to form specific behavior. The Riesenschnautzer exhibited average ability to socialize , and will adapt to the environment more easily than the Doberman breed and with more hardship than the German Dogue. The puppies that would be hardest to train were the ones from the Doberman breed, as they are most prone to aggression and ill temper. Key words : Puppies , socialization , temperament type , beh...
The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between first lactation milk yield (FLMY) an... more The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between first lactation milk yield (FLMY) and age at first calving (AFC), longevity and productive life in dairy cows. The study covered 944 Holstein cows housed in 5 dairy cattle farms in Bulgaria. All cows from the five farms culled in the period 2012 2018 with FLMY data were included. The average AFC for all culled cows included in the study was relatively high for the Holstein-Friesian breed 29.75 months. The average FLMY of the herds included in the study was 7,660.94 kg with significant herd variation from 5,899.09 kg to 8,646.0 kg. Significant effect of the herd (P < 0.001), AFC and the associated effect of the herd and AFC (P < 0.05) on the average FLMY were found. The highest FLMY was reported in primiparous with AFC of 28 30 months -7,860.8 kg, and the lowest in those with AFC 24 months 7322.8 kg. In the herd with the lowest average FLMY 5,899.09 kg 27.5% of the heifers had calved at age over 34 months. A statistic...
The study was conducted to determine the effect of lameness on production traits in dairy cows – ... more The study was conducted to determine the effect of lameness on production traits in dairy cows – milk yield, mil protein and milk fat contents. For this purpose, productivity records of 300 Holstein-Friesian cows (100 from 3 Bulgarian herds) were collected. The results showed that 305-day lactation milk yield of lame cows from the three herds was by 516.8 kg lower compared to that of healthy cows. Milk fat percentage was reduced by 0.16 %, and milk protein – by 0.04 % vs healthy cows. In herd 1, where the average milk yield was the lowest (7074.4 kg), milk yield was by 89.1 kg lower in 38 % of cows affected by lameness. The average milk yield of herd 3 was 7882.3 kg, the milk yield reduction amounted to 565.6 kg in 43 % of lame cows. In herd 2 with the highest milk yield (8660.6 kg), the difference between the lame and healthy cows was 1314.3 kg, and the prevalence of lameness was 61 %. The highest share of lame cows was affected by lameness in the beginning of lactation, 37.3 % unt...
Dimov, D., Penev, T. & Marinov, I. (2020) Illumination levels in milking parlor in dairy cows fre... more Dimov, D., Penev, T. & Marinov, I. (2020) Illumination levels in milking parlor in dairy cows freestall housing system. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26 (Suppl. 1), 78-82 The survey was conducted in the milking parlor of dairy cattle farm with a capacity of 500 Holstein-Friesian cows. Milking parlor was a double-8 “herringbone” type. The premises had no windows, and the roof structure was constructed of glass. The milking parlor lighting was of fluorescent luminaires. The illumination level was reported three times during each milking (at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the milking), with the measurements repeated during the morning, midday and evening milking. The illumination level was measured at the level of the milkers' hands during work, using a Lutron EM9300SD. The highest average value of illumination level was reported during the spring season for midday milking 1030.3 lux. The lowest reported average value of the illumination level was registered during the wint...
Dimov, D., Marinov, I. & Penev, T. (2020) Risk working conditions in dairy cattle farming-a revie... more Dimov, D., Marinov, I. & Penev, T. (2020) Risk working conditions in dairy cattle farming-a review. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26
Marinov, I., Dimov, D. & Penev, T. (2019). Infl uence of some environmental and paratipical facto... more Marinov, I., Dimov, D. & Penev, T. (2019). Infl uence of some environmental and paratipical factors on the somatic cells count in milk in black-and-white cows. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 25 (Suppl. 3), 103–108 The aim of the present research was to study the infl uence of some environmental and paratypical factors on the somatic cells count (SCC) in milk in black-and-white dairy cows, Holstein-Friesian type. The survey included a total of 484 lactating cows from 8 cattle farms in Plovdiv region, Bulgaria, by using data from the monthly controls of their productive traits – a total of 3473 Test Day records. A statistically signifi cant eff ect on the SCC in milk for Test Day of the factors herd, parity, calving season, month of Test Day recording and lactation stage was reported. In cows with larger number of parities, a higher SCC was reported compared to the younger ones. The highest was the SCC in cows at third parity (656.4 thousand/ml) and the lowest at fi rst parity (263.9 thousand ...
Dimov, D., Marinov, I., Penev, T., Miteva, Ch., & Gergovska, Zh. (2019). Animal hygienic assessme... more Dimov, D., Marinov, I., Penev, T., Miteva, Ch., & Gergovska, Zh. (2019). Animal hygienic assessment of air carbon dioxide concentration in semi-open freestall barns for dairy cows. Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 25(2), 354–362 The objective of this study was to determine the CO2 concentration in the different animal service zones in semi-open freestall barns for dairy cows. The study was conducted in 3 dairy cattle farms, with production buildings with different capacities – two farms for 120 and one farm for 500 cows. The following microclimate parameters were monitored: temperature (°C), relative humidity (RH, %), temperature-humidity index (THI) and speed of airfl ow (SAF). The average CO2 values in the three buildings surveyed ranged from 434.85 to 635.27 ppm, with a maximum deviation up to 2130 ppm. The highest CO2 concentrations were recorded in the building with the largest capacity – 500 cows. In the building with a capacity of 120 cows, a trend for the lowest CO...
As a result of long-term active fear, variable moods can occur – howling, whimpering, crying, tre... more As a result of long-term active fear, variable moods can occur – howling, whimpering, crying, tremor, tics, manias, depressions, etc. It is now acknowledged that fear and aggression are closely related. It is also known that the different dog breeds manifest a various extent of fear and aggression. The study aimed to provide answers to two questions - classification of factors invoking fear and aggression according to their significance and which of investigated dog breeds – German Shepherd, Rottweiler or Boxer is the most resistant to fear and aggression episodes? The exclusion of all factors on the cultivation of three breeds of dogs / they complied with the norms / found that the causes of fear aggressive conditions are listed as follows – first of fear and aggression depend on the temperament of the dog and on the second place of the breed origin, growing conditions and the associated level of primary and secondary socialization. Fear aggressive manifestations occur at least in ...
Penev, T., Dimov, D., Vasilev, N., Mitev, J. & Miteva, Ch. (2020) Effect of heat stress on some r... more Penev, T., Dimov, D., Vasilev, N., Mitev, J. & Miteva, Ch. (2020) Effect of heat stress on some reproductive traits in Holstein-Friesian cows under temperate continental climate. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 26 (Suppl. 1), 155-162 The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of heat stress (HS) on some reproductive traits in HolsteinFriesian cows in the central part of southern Bulgaria. The survey was conducted in a dairy cattle farm for the period 2015 2018 inclusive, on 155 lactations of cows on first to sixth parity. HS was determined by a modified Kelly and Bond (1971) equation using the maximum temperature (°C) and the average values of relative humidity (%) for each month of the study. Temperature and humidity data were taken from the nearest meteorological station in the area. It was found that Temperature-humidity index (THI) at first insemination had a significant (P <0.05) effect on the length of the Days open interval (DO) and on the number of inseminations for c...
Received: October 6th, 2020 ; Accepted: February 1st, 2021 ; Published: March 18th, 2021 ; Corres... more Received: October 6th, 2020 ; Accepted: February 1st, 2021 ; Published: March 18th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected]
The purpose of the study was to establish the specific symptomatic ethological pathognomonic comp... more The purpose of the study was to establish the specific symptomatic ethological pathognomonic complex of infectious encephalomyelitis in poultry. The behavioural changes were monitored in 2-week-old broiler chickens (total number 10,500 housed in three premises). The typical pathoethological manifestations of infectious encephalomyelitis were investigated in broiler chickens through six behavioural activities – locomotion, appetite, water drinking, pareses, paralyses, posture. As a result of the survey, the specific ethological pathognomonic complex for infectious encephalomyelitis in chickens was identified. These clinical manifestations of a pathoethological complex and specific behavioural activities could be used to support the diagnosis.
Penev, T., I. Marinov, Zh. Gergovska, J. Mitev, Tch. Miteva, D. Dimov and R. Binev, 2017. Linear ... more Penev, T., I. Marinov, Zh. Gergovska, J. Mitev, Tch. Miteva, D. Dimov and R. Binev, 2017. Linear type traits for feet and legs, their relation to health traits connected with them, and with productive and reproductive traits in dairy cows. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 23 (3): 467–475 The objective of the study was to estimate the correlations between linear type traits for feet and legs, and their relation with locomotion disorders and productive and reproductive traits in Holstein cows reared in Bulgaria. The study included 136 cows from four dairy farms of different regions of Bulgaria. In all farms, cows were year-round reared group in free stalls with individual boxes for rest. In the study 7 linear type traits for feet and legs and the trait heel depth were included. On cows also a lameness scoring on a scale of 1 to 4 was carried out. Phenotypic correlations between linear traits were low. In cows with wider and parallel placed rear legs a tendency to straighter hock (-0.20) was repo...
2021 12th National Conference with International Participation (ELECTRONICA), 2021
The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a... more The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a tool for monitoring the physiological condition of dairy cows. The goal was to monitor cows at normal temperatures. As physiological parameters began to change with the onset of heat stress, the study focused on a group with temperature and humidity index (THI) values below 72. The study monitors the surface temperature at various points on the body, rectal temperature (RT) and Frequency of Breathing. Those parameters were chosen because they give the most accurate data on physiology and can be objectively measured. Thermography images of the udder surface temperature (UST), leg surface temperature (LST) and shoulder surface temperature (SST) of the cows were taken. Surface temperatures were extracted from the photos using specialized software. The data were processed and analyzed statistically. The correlation coefficient between UST and SST was 0.90, between RT and Frequency of Breathing was 0.65, between LST and UST it was 0.45 and between LST and SST - 0.39. In conclusion, it can be said that IRT can be used to monitor the physiological condition of dairy cows.
2021 XXX International Scientific Conference Electronics (ET), 2021
The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a... more The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of using infrared thermography (IRT) as a tool for early and rapid detection of heat stress in dairy cows. According to the values of the temperature-humidity index (THI), the cows are divided into three groups. Thermography images of the udders were also taken, from which their surface temperatures (UST) were extracted with specialized software. The data were processed and analyzed statistically.
Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 2019
The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for formation of hock lesions in dairy c... more The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors for formation of hock lesions in dairy cattle farms with different housing system. The study included 508 Black‑and‑white Holstein‑type cows from 14 dairy farms in different regions of Bulgaria. On cows a hock lesion assessment (scale 1 to 3) and body condition scoring (scale 1 to 5) were made. From the total number of cows, 231 cows (45.5 %) with score of 2 and 3 were reported, which clinical manifestation was from loss of hairs on the hock joint surface to swellings and wounds. A statistically significant effect of lactation period, body condition scores (BCS) and housing system on the hock assessment score was found. The least square means (LSM) for hock assessment score increased with the advancing of lactation period from 1.22 in cows to 60 days in milk (DIM) to 1.52 in cows after 120 DIM. The percentage of cows with BCS 3 and 3.5 was lower 1.5 to 2 times compared to cows with BCS 1.5. With the lowest mean hock assessment...
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