Dušica Ostojić Andrić

• PhD, senior research associate
• Assistant Director of Science at Institute for Animal Husbandry Belgrade-Zemun

The behaviour of calves is a response to stimuli from the environment causing movement, actions and changes in body position, affecting the health and welfare of the animals. We distinguish four categories of physiological behaviour: – Behaviour related to basic needs such as movement, nutrition, rest and sleep. – Exploratory behaviour that enables...

Microclimatic conditions in facilities for housing and rearing young category of breeding dairy cattle at the first 30 days after birth, have a significant impact on the quality of welfare, especially in intensive production. The parameters most often taken into account when evaluating microclimate conditions are: temperature and air humidity, the...

In this review paper, hygienic procedures before, during and after cow milking are discussed. The procedures for maintaining hygienic udders before and after milking, as well as maintaining the hygiene of milking units are described. The description includes the maintenance of milker's hand hygiene, udder disinfection and udder disinfection after m...

Coccidiosis is a significant poultry disease caused by the Eimeria species. This study aims to determine the prevalence of Eimeria spp. on broiler farms in Vojvodina, along with the identification of parasite species, and assess the implemented biosecurity measures. The study was conducted on 100 broiler chicken farms (28 small-sized; 34 medium-siz...

Milk fat content stands out as a crucial production trait in cows, and this study delves into its variability based on various factors. The research investigated how the housing method (large farm or individual producers), origin (domestic-rearing or imported cows), and calving season collectively impact this trait. Cows reared on the farm exhibite...

The objective was to assess the dairy cows' welfare quality in relation to the housing system: loose (LHS) vs. tie-stall (THS). A survey was done according to the Welfare Quality® Protocol for Cattle on 16 dairy farms (7 in LHS and 9 in THS) in Serbia. From a total number of 4833 dairy cows (2392 cows in THS and 2441 cows in LHS) 551 cows in THS an...

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is economically the most important wheat disease, causing yield and quality losses. Fungal species from the genus Fusarium are the main causative agents of FHB, with Fusarium graminearum as the predominant species. F. graminearum synthesizes more different secondary metabolites (mycotoxins). In wheat, the most studied myc...

This experiment was performed to investigate the protective effect of a new combined adsorbent (bentonite + yeast cell wall extract) previously tested in vitro, on the occurrence of pathological lesions in broilers fed a diet contaminated with aflatoxin B1 until 21 days of age. A total of 96 one-day old Ross 308 hybrid broiler chickens were divided...

In the last decades, there has been a trend present in the world to increase the size of dairy herds while increasing the yield of milk per head. In addition to environmental and economic benefits, this trend carries certain risks for the welfare of cows because in conditions of increased agglomeration of cattle the possibility of spreading of path...

IGFBP-3 is responsible for the multiple effects of growth factors in most mammalian species and is considered the major transport factor of growth, used as a marker for different body functions such as growth, metabolism, reproduction, body weight control, immunity, energy balance, and so on. Considered as a candidate gene, used as a marker for the...

Simple Summary Cattle comprise a species of a domestic animal that is primarily bred for milk production. The birth of a calf is the initiator for the lactation period and the sex of the calf can affect milk yield. Additionally, a calf from a new pregnancy can affect the lactation from the previous calving, since the mother gets pregnant and remain...

The study of the link between genes controlling protein polymorphism and milk performance traits of domestic animals has great economic importance from a selection point of view, as it reduces the generation interval, leading to increased productivity in livestock. The objective of this paper was to establish the influence of genetic β -lactoglobul...

Visual assessment and recognition of milk performance traits of cows are preliminary indicators of milk yield, longevity, as well as reproductive abilities of the animal, which is very important from the aspect of economy of milk production. Deficiencies in udder traits lead to poorer production, difficult milking and premature weaning of cows from...

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of the bull age on production and some semen quality traits. The semen was collected during 2014. The LSD test (Least Significant Difference) was used to compare the bulls of different age groups and the results of this test showed in some cases significant differences. This test showed that...

In order to examine the variability of production performance traits (lactation duration, milk yield for the whole lactation, milk yield in standard lactation, milk fat content, milk fat yield in standard lactation, protein content and yield in standard lactation), 954 cows, domestic and imported Simmental populations, were included in the study, w...

Modern society, over time, has accepted animals as sentient beings. From the welfare point of view, the emotions are a reflection of the whole permeation of the animal and its environment, which make them important and reliable indicators. In fact, they are cross-linked with other welfare indicators such as physiological and behavioural. Freedom of...

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of the bull i.e. genotype on the observed traits of semen quality and to determine whether there are significant differences between bulls in terms of semen production. The study included 9 bulls of the Holstein-Friesian breed from the Livestock Center of PKB Corporation. The effect of the b...

Due to the ecological concerns and preservation of genetic resources, the characterization of genetic structure of the brown trout (Salmo trutta) was carried out on the "Braduljica" fish farm. DNA was isolated from fin clips of 10 individuals, and after that molecular PCR-RFLP methods were used for distinguishing between Atlantic and Danubian linea...

Modern methods for assessing the welfare of dairy cows are, among other things, often based on the evaluation of animal behaviour. In this regard, behaviour is classified as the most reliable, so‑called animal‑based indicator as its expression comes from the animal itself and indicates a measure in which it has adapted to the environment. Starting...

The influence of certain anticoccidial drugs on oxidative stress in broiler chickens infected with Eimeria species was assessed. There were two untreated (uninfected and infected), and three groups infected and treated with anticoccidials. The first treated group (Ro) was given robenidine, the 2 nd a herbal anticoccidial (Herb) and the 3 rd the com...

The trial was designed in order to examine the impact of flax seed in the nutrition of young cattle/bulls, in the final stage of the fattening. In the trial, 30 bulls of Simmental breed of uniform initial weight were selected, divided into 2 groups (control and experimental). The control animal group did not consume flax seed as a food supplement....

The main goal of this research was to examine, using modern methods, the variability of phenotypic correlations of production performances and reproductive properties of Simmental cows reared on the farms of individual agricultural producers, in different breeding areas of the Republic of Serbia. The study of phenotypic correlations of milk perform...

In this review paper, contradictions in modern livestock production as dilemmas of farm animal welfare are considered. The main dilemma concerns the question of whether extensive production in small farms is generally better than intensive production in large farms. The next dilemma relates to an intensive selection of animals and its impact on the...

High incidence of metabolic diseases in dairy cattle populations together with disturbed milk production is an increasing problem in modern cattle production. A major objective of this paper was to study the impact of relative level of milk production, lactation and share of HF genes on the occurrence of incidence of metabolic disorders as the reas...

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of season (winter-W and summerS) on provision of feed and housing as important parameters of dairy cows' welfare. Indirectly, the possibilities for thermal comfort provision were also considered. The research was conducted by Welfare Quality Assessment Protocol for Dairy Cows (2009) on total of 16 dai...

Determining the degree of correlation between two or more traits depends to a large extent on their manifestation. The knowledge of genetic and phenotypic correlations between body characteristics of the animal and product characteristics can help define the breeding goal, but also to define and harmonize the assessment criteria. Although the pheno...

Problems with legs and various forms of lameness of cows, in intensive milk production, are the third significant problem occuring in this production, after mastitis and reproductive disorders, both globally and in our country. The paper analyzes the incidence of the deformation of legs of 145 cows of the Simmental breed in the Kolubara region, and...

Molecular markers are essential tool for determining the specific genetic makeup of an individual and are valuable approach for genetic improvement of farm animals. In cattle breeding their application is useful for improvement of breeding programs for desired traits, better productivity and high quality products. These markers provide more accurat...

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of the κ-casein and β-lactoglobulin genotypes in the Simmental cattle in Serbia and compare it with the frequency according to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law. Blood samples were taken from a total of 157 cows of the Simmental breed in Toplica and Rasina districts. Of the 157 cows includ...

The farm animal welfare science has undergone a thorny path of development, often disputed because of its lack of measurability and the purpose of existence. At the very beginning, primarily based on moral and ethical attitudes, over time it pointed to the importance of meeting the needs of animals and the consequences of their neglect and exhausti...

Visual evaluation and recognition of dairy traits of cows are preliminary indicators of milk yield, longevity, and reproductive ability of the individual animal, which is very important from the aspect of the economics of milk production. The deficiencies in the fundament traits lead to poor production, poor health and premature culling of cows fro...

Eimeria türleri ile enfekte Broilerlerde bazı antikoksidiyal ilaçların oksidatif stress üzerine etkisi araştırılmıştır. Çalışmada, enfekte edilmeyen ve enfekte edilen olmak üzere iki, ayrıca enfekte edilerek uygulama yapılan üç grup vardı. Uygulama yapılan gruplardan ilkine robenidin (Ro), ikincisine bitkisel antikoksidiyal (Herb) ve üçüncüsüne rob...

The Tuva Republic is one of the main sheep breeding centers in the Russian Federation. The Tuvan short-fat-tailed sheep is a unique local breed of the Tuva Republic. The studied breed has sheep of steppe type and mountain type. Each type of sheep was having formed according to relief of the ground and environment features. The breed originated in d...

The aim of this research was to estimate breeding value and rank of Holstein - Friesian bulls for milk production traits. The analysis included 433 daughters of 10 bulls, calving for the first time in the period from 2007 to 2014, on 6 dairy farms of the Agricultural Corporation Belgrade AD. Fixed factors included in the model were the effects of t...

Abstract: Intensive breeding of cattle includes a series of technological procedures that should enable continuous production and optimal use of production capacities. Under such conditions, new-born calves must be adapted to different environmental factors, which primarily relate to diet and housing conditions. The state of health and well-being o...

The aim of the research was to determine whether the frequency of certain injuries and diseases of cows as important parameters for ensuring their welfare varies considerably depending on the growing season (summer/winter). The research was conducted by Welfare Quality Assessment Protocol for Dairy Cows (2009) on total of 16 dairy farms (N=4.833 co...

The paper presents the results of a comparative examination of the beef quality obtained from females of two genotype groups: domestic Simmental breed (A) and its crosses with Charolais breed. The sample included a total of 20 heads, 10 in each group. Cattle were slaughtered at the same age with uniform body weights. After slaughtering, warm carcas...

The aim of the present study was to obtain relevant results related to the basic indicators of fertility and milk yield of Simmental cows, in production conditions on farms of agricultural producers, using appropriate mathematical and statistical procedures, i.e. to determine the influence of bull sires originating from Serbia, Austria and Germany...

Streptococcus suis infection is one of the major health problem in the swine industry worldwide.During the last decade, the numberof reported human cases due to S. suis has dramatically increased, andwhile most sporadic human cases of infection appear to be due to closeoccupational contact with pigs/pork products, particularly in Westerncountries (...

In this review paper basic principles of dairy cattle welfare plan creation and implementation were given. The plan includes goals intended to be achieved related to specificities of dairy farm technology, selection of measures and procedures that have to be included, order and manner of measures and procedures description, as well as plan implemen...

This study examined the activities of aspartate-amino-transferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) and lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood serum of 45 dairy Simmental cows divided into three groups according to production period. The first group (n=15) consisted of late pregnant dairy cows, the second group (n=15) cows in the early lact...

The aim of this study was to analyze the overall welfare state on Serbian dairy farms, as well to suggest measures for its improvement. The assessment was done according to Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol for Dairy Cows on 16 selected commercial farms in which the cows of Simmental and Holstein-Friesian breeds were reared (N=4833). Welfare sta...

This paper presents the results from a study on the quality of beef obtained by slaughtering of young bulls with final mass of over 650 kg. In particular, bearing in mind the diminishing number of breeding animals in Serbia, it is essential that future fattening technology is based on the increase in pre slaughter body mass, in order to compensate...

The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the basic haematological parameters in conditions of natural infection of sheep with Strongyloides papillosus, as well as after the administration of antihelminthic albendazole (ABZ). Based on the intensity of infection with S. papillosus the sheep were divided into three groups: mild, moderate an...

The goal of this paper is to present the prevalence of major disease causing sertotype 2 of Streptococcus suis in meat ready for retail market shipment. Streptococcus suis is one of the most important pig pathogen causing septicemia, meningitis and other infections in affected animals. In addition this bacteria is an emerging zoonotic pathogen. Hum...

Diseases and mortality of dairy cows are significant problems from the aspect of welfare as well as the economy of production. Monitoring and analysis of health and welfare conditions on farms are important prerequisites for their improvement. This paper presents an analysis of health and welfare condition on dairy farms in Republic of Serbia. The...

Aim of the study was to analyze the slaughter performance and carcass yield of lambs purebreds and crossbreds. For the determination of slaughter performance four genotypes were used in the study: purebred Pirot Pramenka (P), Wurttemberg (W) and crossbred Twobreed crosses F1 Pirot x Wurttemberg (PxW), three-breed crosses F1 Pirot x Wurttemberg x Il...

The intensive rearing of cattle includes a whole range of technological processes that should enable continuous production and optimal use of production capacity. In such circumstances, newborn calves have to adapt to different environmental factors, including diet. The technology of growing calves diet was initially based solely on feeding colostr...

Research conducted on 16 dairy farms in Serbia has shown that poor housing conditions represent one of the major dairy cows’ welfare problem in our country. This is also an area of animal welfare in which the greatest difference in relation to the situation in EU countries can be observed. Poor comfort conditions are estimated based on a high share...

Data concerning the effect of probiotics supplementation on many parameters concurrently at the same cows are lacking. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae feeding on rumen, blood and milk parameters together in highproducing dairy cattle during the transition and early lactation per...

The objective of this study was to determine the slaughter traits, conformation score and fat covering of carcass and composition of carcasses of young cattle of two genotype groups: domestic Simmental breed (A) and its crosses with Charolais breed (B). The sample included a total of 30 animals, 15 in each group. Both groups were slaughtered at fin...

Beef production is widespread all over the world but the legislation regarding welfare area of beef cattle is not specifically addressed and fully implemented. Beef cattle welfare assurance affects not only animals but is also a question of ethics and products quality. Today, it is possible to determine welfare quality state in feedlots through rel...

This study was conducted in five dairy farms with different capacity (farms A with 47, B 12, C 10, D 14 and E 24 Simmental cows, aged between 4 and 5 years and body weight about 600 kg) in order to determine a relationship between rearing system, Animal Needs Index (ANI) and milk traits. Loose system of cow rearing was used in open stalls in farms...

Three farms of dairy cows (A, B and C) were observed for health disorders of dairy cows and suckling calves. Farm A is farm with tied system of rearing, with 1100 cows, while farms B and C have 400 and 600 cows kept loose with outdoor pens, respectively. Data regarding welfare criteria of dairy cows (health, feeding, housing and behaviour) were col...

Methods for determining stress syndrome in beef cattle is of great importance to identify the physiological state of young cattle before slaughter in order for such animals to be properly treated and restored to a normal physiological state. As a consequence of the state of stress prior to slaughter, meat is obtained which is different from normal....

This study covered 737 controlled first calving Simmental cows with, lactations concluded within one year. All first calving animals were on the farms of individual farmers in the municipalities of Kragujevac and Mladenovac. The research included the influence of bull sires, year and season of calving on milk yield and fertility. Least squares meth...

Lifetime milk production is a key success factor in fulfilling the production potential of high-yielding cows. Lifetime milk production traits are pronouncedly variable. The life expectancy and the length of productive life of dairy cows are repeatedly limiting factors for improving lifetime milk production. Lifetime milk production is greatly depe...

This paper presents the results of crossing Domestic Spotted breed with beef cattle breeds in the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia. China is a big country of beef production and consumption. In 2012, beef production in China was 5,540,000 tons, which accounted for 9.7% of the global beef production, ranking the third in the wor...

The total number of potentially toxigenic molds (fungi), total aflatoxins, zearalenone (ZON), and deoxynivalenol (DON), as well as the joint appearance of ZON and DON have been investigated in 67 samples of cattle feed (concentrate (n=21), silage of whole maize plant (n=18), beet pulp (n=4), brewer's malt (n=2), alfalfa and grass (n=1), alfalfa hay...

In developed countries, with the development of consumer awareness about the welfare of farm animals and care about the quality of the food we consume every day, the demand for so-called. animal-friendly products increased. Modern consumer defines the concept of quality of food, not only through its edible quality and hygienic conditions, but also...

The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of conditioning time (during 14 days of ageing at +4 o C) on physicochemical properties of two cattle skeletal muscles. Investigations were conducted on the m. longissimus dorsi (n=9) and m. gluteus medius (n=9) of Domestic Spotted breed. Muscle analyses were carried out 1 st , 7 th and 14 th day...

Agriculture of the Republic of Serbia is going through significant reforms in legislation and agricultural policy, during this EU pre-accession period, in order to comply to one of the most important EU policies – Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The potential and tradition of Serbia in production of beef, on one hand and EU market needs on the ot...

The paper presents data on the cattle industry in the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia. China is the third largest dairy producing country and the third largest beef producing country in the world. In 2011, the dairy cow population in China was 14.4 million. Chinese dairy breed is mainly obtained by grading hybridization from H...

Exceptionally important aspect in cattle production, from the aspect of production and economy, is ensuring normal and regular fertility. Every cattle breeder wants to have high-yielding animals which at the same time have good fertility. In proper cattle breeding this means that from each cow during single year one healthy calf is obtained. Use of...

Body condition of high yielding Holstein-Friesian dairy cows changes during the production cycle. It represents important indicator of achieved level of nutrition and degree of nourishment. BCS is a functional method, and integral part of the strategy and basis of corrective activities in farm management. BCS of cows in all phases of production cyc...

Objective of the research was to investigate the level, structure and variability of realized differences between average values of body condition scores in high-yielding cows during most critical phases of production cycle. Realized differences were used as criterion for assessment of changes occuring in the cows’ energy status through the level o...

The aim of the study was, within the tested samples of high yielding Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 363), to analyze the significance of the actual level of correlation between the average BCS of cows according to body regions and results in the production of milk indifferent stages and the standard duration of lactation. Differences in average realiz...

The study of the production capacities of cattleaimed at increase of the capacity of cattle to produce milk, milk fat and calves, greatly depends on pehotypic anf genetic variability, heritability and correlation between preferable traits, as well as level of production in the population. Objective of the study was to calculate the variability, phe...

The subject of this research was to determine the effect of the housing system on quality of welfare of dairy cattle in Serbia. Study was realized on six farms, capacity of 30 to 900 cows, with loose and tie housing system. Assessment of the welfare quality parameters was done by using the Welfare Quality ® Assessment Protocol for Cattle, 2009. Res...

Improvement of production capacity of cattle in terms of increasing the production of milk, milk fat and number of calves, greatly depends on phenotype and genotype variability, heritability and correlation between desirable traits, as well as on the production level of the cattle population. Heritability, as a value expressing and measuring averag...

In this paper, welfare assessment using the methodology of the Welfare quality ® assessment protocol for cattle (2009) was performed for dairy cows maintained in the loose system of rearing on three dairy farms. This methodology includes quantitative measurements and qualitative evaluation of certain welfare parameters, criteria and principles of w...

Possibilities for improvement of the quality of beef in population of Domestic spotted cattle breed (D) by application of industrial crossing with French fattening breeds Charolais (DxS) and Limousine (DxL) were investigated. Comparative research included 25 heads of young cattle of DxS, 18 crosses of DxL and 21 crosses of D genotype. Results of th...

In this study the effects of "Tradi-Lin" as a source of omega-3 fatty acids (FA) in diets for fattening cattle were presented. "Tradi-Lin" produced from flax seed had 58% omega-3 and 15% omega-6 fatty acids of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Trial was carried out on three groups of finishing beef cattle (C, T 1 and T 2) with 15 heads in e...

Cattle production in Serbia, and especially milk production, contributes significantly to the value of total agricultural production (20%) and livestock production (45%). Achieved annual rate of milk yield increase of approx.100 kg per cow cannot adequately compensate for drastic decrease of number of dairy cattle which dropped by fifth over last d...

The most significant welfare problems in dairy calves in intensive rearing conditions have been investigated in this paper. These problems mainly result from inadequate intake of colostrum (separation from the dam), inadequate ventilation (resulting in inappropriate airflow, low or high temperatures, high humidity and poor air quality), poor floor...

The basis for selection work is knowledge of the quality of bull sires used for conception, as well as how the major traits are passed on to the progeny. BLUP method (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) is the basis of the most favourable solution for evaluation of additive gene value in cattle production, and it is implemented in various variants dep...

Evaluation of conformation and fat cover of beef carcasses has great importance in modern systems of carcass quality evaluation. In this way, adequate price is achieved for every classified carcass side according to market demand. In this paper, the effect of experimental crossing of Domestic Simmental breed with Charolais and Limousine breed (N=96...

The present situation in livestock production and production of meat is presented in this paper, as well as directions for future work aimed at bringing changes to this branch of economy. In the last decade, a drop in the number of animals was recorded of approx. 2 to 3% at annual level. Also, drop in production of meat was recorded from 444.000 to...

This paper presents the results of a study on the effects of crossing domestic Simmental with French fattening breeds, Charolais and Limousin, on carcass and meat quality. The quality of carcasses from domestic Simmental cattle and its crosses (N = 30) was analysed by total dissection for the proportion of retail cuts in the carcass and carcass tis...

This paper presents the results of a study on the effects of crossing domestic Simmental with French fattening breeds, Charolais and Limousin, on carcass and meat quality. The quality of carcasses from domestic Simmental cattle and its crosses (N = 30) was analysed by total dissection for the proportion of retail cuts in the carcass and carcass tis...

Black and White low land dairy cattle have very pronounced ability for high production of milk. Fertility is the major trait of cattle and key factor in successful milk production. Fertility traits have pronounced variability and low heritability value. Fertility is regularly limiting factor in attempts to increase the milk yield. Age of dairy catt...

Group of secondary traits such as health, longevity, type and milkability represents some of very important factors for successful milk production. These traits have been given great importance in recent years. In order to realize productive life of dairy cows as long and successful as possible, special attention should be directed to traits of typ...

Condition of animals is manifested through level of achieved nourishment. Body condition score (BCS) is a precise method of determination of reserves of deposited energy in form of subcutaneous fat tissue. Adequate body reserves are necessary requirement for maximal increase of milk production in the period of early lactation. Based on BCS we can p...

Problems which relate to production, health and reproduction in herds of high yielding cows very often occur due to insufficient knowledge and monitoring of energy reserves in cow organisms. Many researches and practical experiences in this field indicate significant relation between body condition and achieved results in production. Body condition...

Increase of production and improvement of the quality of milk, as well as of the intensity of fertility, are main prerequisites of modern cattle production. For the purpose of production of domestic Simmental bulls it is necessary to select the best cows from main herd. These heads as a rule represent approx. 1% of best cows in the controlled popul...