Branislav Stankovic | University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Serbia (original) (raw)

Papers by Branislav Stankovic

Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Belgrade

The hygienic condition of dairy cows and their udders in 128 small household farms in different r... more The hygienic condition of dairy cows and their udders in 128 small household farms in different regions of Serbia, producing mostly milk, having 5-15 cows, a milk cooler and at least one milking machine, was evaluated by the following indicators: 1. general assessment of body cleanliness, 2. visual inspection of teats and udder base, and 3. maintenance of udder cleanliness, rated on a scale of 0 and 1 or 1 to 5. The samples were taken at each visit to the farm after cooling and tested for milk protein and fat content, somatic cell count (SCC) and the total number of microorganisms (TNM). The milk fat content was determined by the Gerber method, the protein content by the Kjeldahl method, the TNM according to the ISO 4833-1:2013 method and the SCC using Fossomatic TM. The IBM SPSS program was used for statistical data processing. Capacity, housing system, breed, milking system, number of cows, and capacity occupancy mostly had a very significant or significant impact on hygiene param...

Acta Veterinaria

The Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and the Somatic Cells Count (SCC) in the milk are important indic... more The Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and the Somatic Cells Count (SCC) in the milk are important indicators of its hygiene and quality. Hygienic conditions in barns, milking procedures, udder hygiene before, during and after milking, milking machine hygiene, as well as milk cooling procedures immediately after milking, have direct or indirect influences on milk hygiene indicators. Poor results of milk hygiene quality, when it comes to SCC and TBC, which are often seen in dairy cattle farms in our country, indicate numerous omissions before and during milking. To determine the possibility of improving milk hygiene quality, training of extension service professionals and farmers was conducted, corrective and preventive measures were determined and the achieved state was monitored on 128 dairy farms where SCC and TBC were observed at regular monthly intervals for 6 months. The results showed a continuous statistically very significant improvement in hygienic conditions in barns, milking pro...

Biotehnologija u stocarstvu

In the last decades, there has been a trend present in the world to increase the size of dairy he... more 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 pathogens is also increased, there are less opportunities for adequate control and cows are exposed to greater selection and production stress. Research of the relationship between herd size and welfare quality parameters is still not sufficient to make relevant conclusions. Starting from that, the aim of this study, conducted in Serbia, is to examine the influence of herd size on parameters related to providing good feeding and housing conditions as important segments of the overall welfare of dairy cows. The assessment of given welfare parameters was done by Welfare Quality? Assessment Protocol for Cattle (2009) on 16 dairy farms of differen...

Large Animal Review, 2020

The investigation was performed on two groups of primiparous and multiparous healthy Alpine dairy... more The investigation was performed on two groups of primiparous and multiparous healthy Alpine dairy goats (25 each) during lactation. Blood samples were collected (jugular venipuncture) 10-15 days before and 10-15 and 30 days after the parturition into BD SST-II Advance (3.5 mL) and BD NaF 3.0 mg Na2EDTA 6.0 mg (2 mL) vacutainers, cooled and centrifuged (1500 r/min, 15 minutes). Glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations in blood sera were determined using A15 automatic spectrophotometric analyzer (Biosystem, Spain). Simultaneously, body condition scoring (BCS) was performed by Villaquiran et al. (2007) method. The obtained data were analyzed by IBM SPSS statistics 21. The glucose concentration inclined to increase in both groups. Differences between glucose levels were significant (p<0.05) 15 days before and 15 days after, as well as 15 and 30 days after the parturition, and very significant (p<0.01) 15 days before and 30 days after t...

Veterinární Medicína, 2016

The effect of adding high or low protein content homologous seminal plasma to boar spermatozoa on... more The effect of adding high or low protein content homologous seminal plasma to boar spermatozoa on the progressive motility of the spermatozoa after storage for three days, and at a 1 : 4 dilution ratio was investigated. A total of 32 ejaculates collected from four boars (eight ejaculates per boar) with high seminal plasma protein content (4%, HH-group) and 32 ejaculates collected from four boars (eight ejaculates per boar) with low seminal plasma protein content (2%, LL-group) were evaluated. The fresh ejaculate samples were centrifuged at 1000 g for 10 min at 4 °C to separate the spermatozoa from the seminal plasma. After centrifugation, one of the centrifuged spermatozoa samples was used to form an autologous fresh ejaculate sample, and another to form a homologous sample by adding low or high protein content seminal plasma from other boars. It was found that semen samples formed with spermatozoa from HH-group boars, supplemented with seminal plasma from LL-group, boars have significantly (P < 0.01) lower progressive motility (55%) after storage for 72 h than samples containing the boar's own (autologous) seminal plasma (65%). Conversely, when homologous seminal plasma with high protein content was added to the spermatozoa isolated from the boar ejaculate with low protein content in its seminal plasma, progressive motility significantly (P < 0.01) increased from 52% in samples with autologous seminal plasma, to 65% in samples with homologous seminal plasma. It was concluded that addition of homologous high protein content seminal plasma to the spermatozoa of boars with low protein content in their seminal plasma increases their progressive motility after storage for 72 h at a 1 : 4 dilution ratio. This could be a useful tool for increasing reproductive performance in lower fertility high genetic quality boars.

Savremena …, 2007

... Pobačaj se javlja kod oko 20% i krmača i nazimica inficiranih u kasnijem periodu ge-stacije, ... more ... Pobačaj se javlja kod oko 20% i krmača i nazimica inficiranih u kasnijem periodu ge-stacije, a prethode mu groznica i respiratorne smetnje kod suprasnih nazimica i krmača. ... 6. Sim-pozijum Uzgoj i zatita zdravlja svinja, Vrac, 35. maja 2006. Zbornik radova, 1724 (2006). ...

Acta veterinaria, 2003

The results of an investigation related to Sarcocystis spp. infection of dogs in Serbia are prese... more The results of an investigation related to Sarcocystis spp. infection of dogs in Serbia are presented in this paper, for the first time after 25 years. In order to investigate the prevalence of sarcocystiosis in dogs, 448 dogs were examined. Considering feeding and living conditions, the dogs were divided in to 5 categories (city dogs-100, village dogs-188, dogs from a shelter-54, military dog farm-42 and dogs from private kennels-64). Considering age, they were divided in to four groups (puppies-49, young dogs 6 months to 1 year of age-86, 1-3 year old dogs-117 and 196 dogs older than 3 years). The results obtained show that 2.46% (11/448) of the examined dogs were positive. Significant differences in the presence of sporocysts were established among the categories. The highest rate of positive cases was found in the dogs from the shelter (5.56%), followed by village dogs (3.72%) and there was no difference between these categories. There was a 1% positive rate among city dogs, while there were no positive animals in the remaining two categories. Considering age, significant differences were detected among all groups in respect to the presence of infected dogs (p<0.10). The highest rate was found in the group of dogs older than 3 years (4.59%), then in the group of dogs aged 1-3 years (1.71%), while there were no positive animals in the other two groups.

The paper describes the effects of different rearing conditions as possible stressors on health, ... more The paper describes the effects of different rearing conditions as possible stressors on health, reproduction, growth, milk yield and quality of meat and milk. It was pointed out that numerous internal and external factors of cattle affect the physiological processes, health, reproduction, growth, milk yield and quality of milk and meat as very strong stressors. They are especially important when acting immediately after parturition, i.e. in the puerperium in cows and immediately after birth in calves. In intensive cattle production, the most important complex stressors regardless of origin, and physiological conditions in which these animals are more susceptible to distress are parturition, calf birth, puerperium, intensive lactation, machine milking, oestrus, high pregnancy, dry period, grouping of animals, disturbed social relations, dehorning, castration, hoof trimming, transport, sudden changes in microclimatic conditions and feed quality, etc. Excessive disturbances before sla...

Field experiences and scientific observations point out the need to define a guide which would de... more Field experiences and scientific observations point out the need to define a guide which would describe widely applicable general principles and good practices for ensuring the welfare of dairy cattle. The key action areas in the guide should be stockmanship, feed and water, living environment, husbandry practices and health management. There is a set of principles in each of these key action areas that should be used to further define the good practice of ensuring dairy cattle welfare in farms. The most important issue for the implementation of good welfare practices for dairy cows is stockmanship. Appropriate nutrition is a basic requirement and it is considered to have a great role to ensure good dairy cattle welfare. Environment, space, equipment, microclimatic and hygienic conditions significantly influence the welfare of dairy cattle. Dairy cattle should be treated with care and in a consistent manner, taking into account their natural behaviour all the time, and in any case minimizing the risk of injury and distress. For the welfare of dairy cattle of particular importance are many health conditions as: lameness, mastitis, injuries, acidosis, milk fever and other metabolic diseases, diarrhoea and anaemia of calves, respiratory diseases, heat stress, arthritis and many contagious diseases. It is necessary to introduce systematic training of stockpersons in our country with special attention to stockmanship and responsibility, feed and water, living environment, husbandry practices and health management in order to achieve a stable system of ensuring good dairy cattle welfare.

Mljekarstvo, 2014

This study was conducted in five dairy farms with different capacity (farms A with 47, B 12, C 10... more 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 A and C, while in other farms cows were tied in closed stalls. In two farms, there were outdoor pens, permanently available to cows on farm A, and during daytime on farm D. Rations for dairy cows were equal in all five farms and suitable for daily milk production about 20 kg with 4.0 % milk fat and 3.5 % milk protein. It was established that total ANI scores for farms were A 35.5, B 9.5, C 24.5, D 26.5 and E 10.5. The welfare levels in farms B and E were not sufficient, in farms C and D were very good, while in farm A it was excellent. A very significant influence of rearing system on cow welfare was found (p<0.001). A significant influ...

U ovom radu izvr{ena je procena dobrobiti krava u slobodnom sistemu dr`anja primenom metodologije... more U ovom radu izvr{ena je procena dobrobiti krava u slobodnom sistemu dr`anja primenom metodologije iz Protokola za procenu kvaliteta dobrobiti goveda (2009). Ova metodologija obuhvata kvantitativna merenja i kvalitativnu procenu definisanih parametara u okviru kriterijuma i principa dobrobiti i na osnovu njih kona~nu ocenu dobrobiti muznih krava. U istra`ivanjima je utvr|eno da je nivo dobrobiti krava u celini na dve farme prihvatljiv, a na jednoj dobar. Na dve farme socijalno pona{anje krava je bilo nezadovoljavaju}e, dok su na sve tri farme bili nezadovoljavaju}i drugi oblici pona{anja krava. Na jednoj farmi je utvr|en nezadovoljavaju}i rezultat za kriterijum odsustvo dugotrajne `e|i. Na osnovu rezultata istra`ivanja mo`e se zaklju~iti da je neophodno pobolj{anje kvaliteta dobrobiti krava na svim ispitivanim farmama. Tako|e je zaklju~eno da primenjena metodologija pru`a multidimenzionalni uvid u stanje kvaliteta dobrobiti krava u slobodnom sistemu dr`anja.

... zdravlje. Ovo se ba-zira na saznanju o tetnim efektima slobodnih radikala, njihovim toksični... more ... zdravlje. Ovo se ba-zira na saznanju o tetnim efektima slobodnih radikala, njihovim toksičnim produktima, u različitim metaboličkim i fiziolokim procesima. ... nakupljanja. Rezultat toga je otećenje ćelija (Berry and Kohen, 1999). ...

Zuchtungskunde, 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate: (a) seminal plasma protein content in the Landrace (n =... more The aim of this study was to investigate: (a) seminal plasma protein content in the Landrace (n = 38), Large White. (n = 44) and Duroc (n = 24) boars breed, as well as boars distribution according to protein content in seminal plasma, and (b) the sperm motility in the semen samples, forming from the ejaculates with high or low protein content, stored in vitro on 17 degrees C for 3 days. Not significant (p > 0.05) differences was found in seminal plasma protein content between three boar breeds. Only 31% of the 106 investigated boars had >= 3.6% protein in seminal plasma. Progressive motility was significantly higher (p lt 0.01) in the ejaculates with high, compared to the ejaculates with low protein content (82% vs. 76%). After 3 days of storage, in the 1:4 dilution proportion, the average progressive motility was significantly (p lt 0.01) decreased in relation to this value in native semen from the boars with high (82% to 64%), as well from the boars with low protein content in seminal plasma (76% to 48%). However, the average diluted semen progressive motility was significantly greater (p lt 0.01) in the boars with high (64%), compared to the boars with low protein content in seminal plasma (48%). The number of good diluted semen samples (>= 65% progressive motility), was also significantly (p lt 0.01) greater in the boars with high (41%), compared to the boars with low protein content in seminal plasma (12%)

The goal of this review is to discuss the most important issues in the dairy cattle welfare chall... more The goal of this review is to discuss the most important issues in the dairy cattle welfare challenges that facing the dairy industry today and tomorrow, namely dairy cattle welfare indicators and standards and the most significant welfare problems, and to illustrate the role of science in addressing these challenges. It should be noted that producers have always been concerned about the condition of dairy cattle and have tried to ensure that they are healthy and well nourished. In this tradition of the dairy cattle care, good welfare is seen largely as the absence of illness or injury and malnutrition. More recent concerns about dairy cattle welfare have focused on the pain and distress that the cattle might experience as a result of widely accepted management practices, and the possibility that the animals suffer as a result of being kept under apparently inadequate conditions. The evidence suggests that, whilst improvements to the welfare of dairy cows in the developed and develo...

ВЕТЕРИНАРСКИ ЖУРНАЛ РЕПУБЛИКЕ СРПСКЕ, 2019

Biosigurnost, dobrоbit, dobra proizvođačka praksa i analizarizika u kritično kontrolnim tačkama s... more Biosigurnost, dobrоbit, dobra proizvođačka praksa i analizarizika u kritično kontrolnim tačkama su veoma značajni elementi za intenzivnuproizvodnju svinja. Planska primena biosigurnosnih mera presudna je u zaštitizdravlja svinja i uspeha proizvodnje. Preporuka je da se utiče na svest zaposlenih ostvarnoj potrebi zaštite proizvodnje u celini. Kako bi imao stalno prisutan aktivanodnos prema postojećim pretnjama. Ključna stvar u postizanju ovih ciljeva trebada budu pripremljeni planovi biosigurnosti za svaku konkretnu situaciju odnosnokonkretnu farmu svinja.

Biotehnologija u stocarstvu, 2019

The effects of the use of antibiotics and garlic powder in the nutrition of weaning piglets were ... more The effects of the use of antibiotics and garlic powder in the nutrition of weaning piglets were compared. The trial included 120 weaned piglets of the same genotype (Large White) distributed in three feeding treatments. In the first study period (day 27-56), a feed mixture with 20% protein was used, while in the second period (day 57-84), a mixture with 18% protein. The control group was fed with mixtures containing antibiotics in the amount of 0.2%, while the two experimental groups were fed with mixtures containing fermented garlic powder (FGP) in the concentration of 0.05% and 0.2%. The obtained results showed that the use of FGP, instead of antibiotics, resulted in better gain in second trial group, and also better feed conversion ratio, in both trial groups by 3.84% and 6.93% respectively, during the entire research period.

АГРОЗНАЊЕ, 2016

In this review paper basic principles of dairy cattle welfare plan creation and implementation we... more 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 implementation.Efficiency and further sustainability of the plan implementation could be measured through differences between dairy cattle welfare level before and after the plan application using questionnaire containing complex indicators, such as: 1. planning, organisation and implementation of dairy cattle welfare standards, 2. competence of employees in relation to dairy cattle welfare, 3. stock-keeper attitudes towards dairy cattle behavioural needs, 4. monitoring and inspection of dairy cattle and equipment, 5. handling of dairy cattle, 6. feeding and watering of dairy cattle, 7. accommodation, microclimate and sanitary conditions on farm, 8. hygiene and body care of the dairy cattle, 9. production and reproduction of dairy cattle and 10. behaviour and health status of dairy cattle.Stock-keeper should define and write the plan in close cooperation with veterinarian and other professionals, when necessary, experts and technical persons who are engaged in providing advice on production technology especially engineers of animal husbandry. At least once a year, it is necessary to reconsider and supplement the plan by current scientific knowledge and new practical experience.

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca. Animal Science and Biotechnologies, Oct 16, 2010

Artificial insemination (AI) of sows in World as well as Serbia is a biotechnology measure, which... more Artificial insemination (AI) of sows in World as well as Serbia is a biotechnology measure, which is used in for nearly 40 years; this is the case especially in large swine farms. Use of frozen-thawed semen was accompanied with various conception rates and often number of piglets, which is still small for massive use of this technology on large pig farms. Since deep freezing has a great potential for preservation of genetically superior boar semen and is a very good bio security measure in prevention of disease transition there is necessity to consider wider use of deep frozen boar semen. We have inseminated 65 sows with frozen-thawed semen in order to do comparison of fertility of sows inseminated in two different periods. Based on the obtained results we have found better fertility during winter that during summer period. Insemination was conducted with total number of 800×10 6 spermatozoa per sow in heat. Insemination was done twice in heat after clinically notable oestrus. Fertility rates as well as number of piglets per sow were lower than when short preserved semen was used. We have discussed in more detail what could have contributed to such results. Deep frozen boar semen has great potential but still need investigation in order to reach desirable fertility and number of piglets per litter.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate changes of serum testosterone, scrotal circumference, bo... more The aim of this study was to investigate changes of serum testosterone, scrotal circumference, body weight, and semen characteristics in a Meat Institute Sheep (MIS) population during their developing period (between 3 and 17 months). Correlative relationships among parameters were also tested. Body weight and scrotal circumference were measured monthly, blood samples for testosterone levels were taken bimonthly (3-17 months), and semen samples were collected by an electroejaculator between the ages of 9 and 17 months. The analysis showed that the average serum testosterone levels ranged from 1.83 to 13.28 ng/mL and significantly depended on the age of the lambs (P < 0.05). The trend in the level of serum testosterone was characterized by pronounced variability throughout the study period. Changes in scrotal circumference and body weight were significantly dependent on age. Ejaculate volume, sperm motility, and the percentage of live spermatozoa increased with age, except for the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, which decreased with age. Correlations among serum testosterone, scrotal circumference, and body weight were moderately to highly positive and highly significant. All parameters of semen quality were poorly correlated with testosterone and body weight, while scrotal circumference was in moderate correlation only with ejaculate volume and live sperm count (P < 0.05).

The body weight of calves in the earliest period of their life (age from 0 to 7 days) is under th... more The body weight of calves in the earliest period of their life (age from 0 to 7 days) is under the greatest influence of the farm and the season of birth. The farm manifests its influence most often through the conditions of nutrition and housing and the organization of the technological production process, while the influence of the birth season is manifested through microclimatic and nutritional conditions, as well. The most common deficiencies related to the nutrition of newborn calves are related to: inadequate colostrum supply in terms of quality, quantity and time of colostrum intake, which is closely related to the organization of the technological production process on the farm. Dietary deficiencies affect the body weight of calves at birth and at 8 days of age. In a study conducted over a year (4 seasons), the colostrum diet of newborn calves of the HF breed on two farms (A and B) with a tied housing system was analyzed. Calves were fed colostrum on both farms at intervals,...