The aim of the present study was to get a total physical and chemical characterization and comparison of the principal components in Bangladeshi buffalo (B), Holstein cross (HX), Indigenous cattle (IC) and Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC) milk. Protein and casein (CN) composition and type, casein micellar size (CMS), naturally occurring peptides, free amino acids, fat, milk fat globule size (MFGS), fatty acid composition, carbohydrates, total and individual minerals were analyzed. These components are related to technological and nutritional properties of milk. Consequently, they are important for the dairy industry and in the animal feeding and breeding strategies. Considerable variation in most of the principal components of milk were observed among the animals. The milk of RCC and IC contained higher protein, CN, β-CN, whey protein, lactose, total mineral and P. They were more or less similar in most of the all other components. The B milk was found higher in CN number, in the content of αs2-, κ-CN and α-lactalbumin, free amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, Ca and Ca:P. The B milk was also lower in β-lactoglobulin content and had the largest CMS and MFGS. Proportion of CN to whey protein was lower in HX milk and this milk was found higher in β-lactoglobulin and naturally occuring peptides. Considering the results obtained including the ratio of αs1-, αs2-, β- and κ-CN, B and RCC milk showed best data both from nutritional and technological aspects.

To determine the prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation of cattle in and around the Bhawal forest area in Gazipur district in Bangladesh, an epidemiological investigation was carried out during the period from November 2008 to October 2009. Of 206 cattle examined, 132 (64.07%) were found to be infested with several species of ticks and lice. The prevalence rate was highest in case of Boophilus microplus (45.63%) followed by Rhipicephalus sanguineus (36.89%), Linognathus vituli ((23.30%), Haematopinus euysternus (17.96%), Hemaphysalis bispinosa (16.50%), and Damalinia bovis (8.25%). Results revealed that, older cattle aged > 8 years are more (71.11%) susceptible than that of adults aged > 2-8 years (67.74%), and young aged ≤2 years (47.05%). In females, prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation was observed significantly (p< 0.005) higher than that of male. Prevalence of ectoparasitic infestation was significantly (p<0.005) higher in animal reared under free range system than that of semi-intensive system and cattle with malnourished and poor health status were found to be significantly more vulnerable to such parasitic infestation than normal healthy cattle. Seasonal prevalence showed that, significantly (p<0.001) higher prevalence occurred in summer season (78.46%), followed by winter (62.85%) and rainy season (52.11%). Mean parasitic burden were 1.49±0.80 per square inches of heavily infected area.

An experiment was carried out to study the effect of cattle slurry on maize fodder (Zea mays) production. Maize fodder was produced at 4 cattle slurry levels T 0 (0 ton/ha), T 1 (10 ton/ha), T 2 (12 ton/ha) and T 3 (14 ton/ha) in a randomized block design. Agronomic characteristics, plant heights, circumference of stems, number of leaves, leaf area and dry matter yield of maize fodder were measured. Maize plant height and stem circumference were significantly (p<0.01) influenced by the increasing rate of cattle slurry at 15, 30, 45 and 56 days after sowing. Number of leaves of fodder plants was not significant but leaf area was significant (p<0.05) among the treatment groups. The highest biomass yield (p<0.01) of maize fodder was observed in T 2 (44.0 ton/ha). For crude protein content, a significant difference (p<0.01) was observed in the treatment groups and the highest value was observed in T 2 (11.99%). Organic matter content of maize fodder showed a significant difference but ash, ADF and NDF contents showed no significant differences among treatment groups. From this study it may be concluded that the application of 12 tons of cattle slurry/ha was optimal for production of biomass and nutrient content of maize fodder.

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The study was undertakento detect the type of adulterants and preservatives added to the incoming fluid milk from rural areas to the Barisal city of Bangladesh. Total fifty milk samples were collected from five different entry points of Karapure, Dabdopia, Shaestabad, Goriarpar and Khanpura of Barisal district where ten samples were taken from each entry point. The results indicated that, 100% of the milk samples were adulterated with water irrespective of collection points and months. Cane sugar, powdered milk and starch were detected as 26.0, 14.0 and 12.0% in the milk samples, respectively. Two types of preservatives namely formalin and sodium bicarbonate were detected in the fluid milk from the study areas. Out of all samples, 10.0% was adulterated with formalin and 20.0% with sodium bicarbonate. However, none of the samples contained either hydrogen peroxide or borax. There was a positive relationship between day temperature and intensity of adding preservatives to the fluid milk. As the day temperature increased, the number of preservative positive samples also increased in a linear fashion and vice versa. It could therefore be inferred that, the consumers need to be more cautious regarding the quality of raw milk specially in summer season.