Investigating integument alterations in cubicle housed dairy cows: which types and locations can be combined?

In this study, a data set of 2922 lactating dairy cows in a sample of 64 conventional and organic dairy farms with Holstein Friesian cows in Germany and 31 conventional dairy farms with the dual purpose breed Fleckvieh in Austria was used to screen for correlations between the occurrences of different integument alterations. All cows were housed in cubicle systems. Alterations were classified as hairless areas (H), scabs or wounds (W) or swellings (S) and assessed at 15 locations of the cows’ body. Highest median farm prevalences were found at the joints of the legs, which are already commonly included in studies on integumentary alterations: median farm prevalence was 83% for S and 48% for H at the carpal joints, followed by H (38%) and S (20%) at the lateral tarsal joints and H at the lateral calcanei (20%). Additional body parts with notable median prevalences for H were the hip bones (13%), pin bones (12%) and sacrum (11%). Three cluster models, with 2, 5 and 14 clusters, were built by hierarchical clustering of prevalences of the 30 most relevant alteration location combinations. Clustering revealed that location overruled type of lesion in most cases. Occasionally, clusters represented body segments significantly distant from each other, for example the carpal joints and lateral and dorsal calcanei. However, some neighbouring areas such as the medial and lateral hock area should be analysed separately from each other for causal analysis as they formed distinct clusters.     

Cubicle Refusal in Norwegian Dairy Herds

In order to survey the behaviour of choosing the alley area instead of a cubicle as a lying place (cubicle refusal), a questionnaire was sent to the 273 dairy farms in Norway known to keep cows in cubicle housing systems. Sixty-six percent of the farmers contacted were included in the study. The median herd size was 18 cows (range 7–118). More than 85% of the herds had sheds providing one or more cubicles per cow. The mean herd occurrence of cubicle refusal was 6%, but showed great variation (range 0–55%). Regression analysis showed a significant association between rearing heifers in slatted floor pens and an increased cubicle refusal occurrence (p = 0.02, R² = 0.05), while herd size, use of litter, or cubicle-to-animal ratio were not found to be associated with cubicle refusal. The practice of rearing heifers in slatted floor pens accounted for about one half of the observed cubicle refusal (etiologic fraction = 0.51).     

Effects of cubicle characteristics on animal welfare indicators in dairy cattle

Cubicle characteristics such as cubicle dimensions or management factors such as cow-to-cubicle ratio could affect health and behaviour of dairy cows. The objective of this study was to estimate effects of cubicle characteristics on animal welfare indicators in dairy cattle. A total of 64 loose housing farms in Germany were assessed once during the winter housing period by one experienced assessor. Nearly 15% of the dairy cows had access to pasture during summer months for <6 h/day, whereas 85% were zero-grazing farms. Selected animal welfare indicators (duration of the lying down process, collisions of cows with cubicles, cows lying outside cubicles, cow cleanliness, integument alterations, lameness and subclinical mastitis incidence) of the Welfare Quality® protocol and cubicle characteristics such as cow-to-cubicle ratio and cubicle dimensions were recorded. Data were statistically analysed using a multiple linear regression approach. Pasture access and cubicle type were considered as potential influencing factors. Wider cubicles positively affected the proportion of dairy cows with dirty flanks (−18.5% per 10 cm increase) but increased the number of cows with severe integument alterations (+8.9% per 10 cm increase). Larger lying areas reduced the percentage of cows with dirty udders (−2.9% per 10 cm² increase). Longer distances from neck rail to curb were associated with higher prevalence of cows with dirty flanks (+3.1% per 10 cm increase) and subclinical mastitis incidence (+1.2% per 10 cm increase). With increasing neck rail height, the duration of the lying down process (−0.1 s per 10% increase), the percentages of cows with dirty legs (−8.4% per 10 cm increase), dirty udders (−7.0% per 10 cm increase) and severe lameness (−3.0% per 10 cm increase) decreased. Compared with rubber mat-equipped cubicles, deep-bedded cubicles showed a reduction in the lying down duration (−0.8 s), percentages of cows with dirty legs (−34.2%), dirty udders (−30.5%) and lesions and swellings (−13.1%). Compared with farms that did not provide any summer grazing, pasture access was associated with an increase of cows with severe lameness (+5.6%). Contrastingly, the number of cows with subclinical mastitis incidence was lower when cows had access to pasture in summer (−5.4%). Findings of the present study indicate several associations between cubicle characteristics and animal welfare in dairy cattle. Bedding type was found as the most influencing factor in terms of health and behaviour. Results of this study are valuable for farmers to identify the optimal cubicle design and improve the animal welfare level.     

Validation of AfiTagII,a device for automatic measuring of lying behaviour in Holstein and Jersey cows on two different bedding materials

Lying behaviour is important for the welfare of the cow. Therefore, reliable electronic devices may improve the management of the cows, and the devices can be used as a tool in research. However, accelerometer-based devices measure acceleration, and an algorithm is therefore necessary for the calculation of lying behaviour. Thus, validation of such devices is imperative prior to use. The objective of this study was to validate the use of the AfiTagII device for measurements of the lying time and frequency of lying bouts of Danish Holstein (DH) and Danish Jersey (DJ) cows in a loose-house system on two different bedding materials. The validation included correlations and linear regression analyses of data collected by the AfiTagII compared with data collected both by direct observations and recordings from a previously validated device (IceQube). In total, 40 cows were observed directly with primiparous and multiparous DJ and DH cows, equally represented. Furthermore, 21 cows were monitored with both AfiTagII and IceQube devices, and data from both devices were collected simultaneously. The devices were attached to the hind leg of the cow. The estimates of the lying time from the AfiTagII device was highly correlated with the recordings from direct observations (r=0.98), and there was a linear relation between these with an intercept equal to 0 and a slope close to 1. The estimates of the lying time from the AfiTagII device was also highly correlated with the IceQube recordings (r=0.94). However, the intercept deviated from 0. The frequency of lying bouts recorded by the AfiTAgII compared to direct observations showed a positive predictive value of 0.96 for lactating cows on the slatted floor and of 0.85 for the dry cows on the deep bedding. The correlations between frequency of lying bouts recorded with the two devices were high (r=0.94), but the intercept deviated from 0. In conclusion, the AfiTagII has a high accuracy for the measurements of lying behaviour in both DH and DJ cows kept on different bedding materials.     

Effects of two stall flooring systems on the behaviour of tied dairy cows

Effects on dairy cow behaviour of a new type of flooring in tie-stalls, with the ability to drain faeces and urine, was studied in a controlled randomised trial in one Swedish university herd. Forty-two Swedish Red and White cows were kept tied in traditional long-stalls (2.20m). In 21 stalls (one stall row), the rearmost 0.74m of the solid stall floor had been replaced with nine rubber-coated 53mm wide slats, divided by 29mm slots. Stalls with rubber slats were equipped with 20mm ethyl-vinyl-acetate (EVA) mats in the front part and littered with 0.7kg of wood shavings daily, while stalls with a solid floor had standard rubber mats and received 3kg of chopped straw daily as bedding. Behaviour was compared between the two stall types, using video recordings of 12 matched pairs of cows for two complete 24h periods each. Statistical analysis was done using the Student's t-test for matched pairs or the sign test. Cows on the rubber slatted flooring lie down and rise normally and without any increased risk of slipping. They lay down more comfortably, i.e. spent on an average 23% less time preparing to lie down, and slipped less frequently during rising. There was some evidence of a preference for a solid floor when lying.     

Bacterial concentrations in bedding and their association with dairy cow hygiene and milk quality

Comparison of bacterial counts (BCs) among common bedding types used for dairy cows, including straw, is needed. There is concern that the microbial content of organic bedding is elevated and presents risks for dairy cow udder health and milk quality. The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) % DM and BCs (Streptococcus spp., all gram-negatives and specifically Klebsiella spp.) in different types of bedding sampled, and to investigate housing and farm management factors associated with % DM and BCs; (2) if bedding type was associated with hygiene of cow body parts (lower-legs, udder, upper-legs and flank) and housing and management factors associated with hygiene and (3) bedding types associated with higher BCs in cow milk at the farm level and bulk tank milk and management factors that were associated with highest BCs. Seventy farms (44 free-stall and 26 tie-stall) in Ontario, Canada were visited 3 times, 7 days apart from October 2014 to February 2015. At each visit, composite samples of unused and used bedding were collected for % DM determination and bacterial culture. Used bedding samples were collected from the back third of selected stalls. Data were analyzed using multivariable linear mixed models. Bedding classification for each farm were: new sand (n = 12), straw and other dry forage (n = 33), wood products (shavings, sawdust; n = 17) and recycled manure solids (RMSs)-compost, digestate (n = 8). In used bedding, across all bedding samples, sand was driest, compared to straw and wood, and RMS; higher % DM was associated with lower Streptococcus spp. count. Streptococcus spp. and all Gram-negative bacteria counts increased with increasing days since additional bedding was added. Gram-negative bacteria counts in used bedding varied with type: RMS = 16.3 ln colony-forming units (cfu)/mL, straw = 13.8 ln cfu/mL, new sand = 13.5 ln cfu/mL, and wood = 10.3 ln cfu/mL. Klebsiella spp. counts in used bedding were lower for wood products (5.9 ln cfu/mL) compared to all other bedding types. Mean cow SCC tended to be higher on farms with narrower stalls. Farms with mattress-based stalls had a higher prevalence of cows with dirty udders compared to those using a deep bedding system (often inorganic sand). Wider stalls were associated with lower bulk milk bacteria count. Lower % DM of used bedding was associated with higher bulk milk bacteria count. In conclusion, bedding management may have a profound impact on milk quality, bacterial concentrations in the bedding substrates, and cow hygiene.     

Effects of lameness of dairy cows

Lameness is one of the most important welfare problems in dairy cattle. Most studies on lameness have focused on wide ranging surveys to identify causal factors, but few have considered the welfare implications of this disorder. In this study, we compared the social and individual behavior of 10 lame cows and 10 nonlame cows. The 20 Holstein-Friesian cows calved in the summer and spent the autumn and winter together with another 36 nonlame cows in a Newton Rigg cubicle house building. The cubicle to cow ratio was 1:1, and wheat straw bedding was provided every day. The investigators fed the cows ad lib a silage-based diet and milked them twice a day, at which time they received adjusted amounts of concentrate. The investigators observed the 2 groups of cows a total of 32 hr to obtain information on social and individual behaviors through scan and behavior sampling. Although lame cows were less likely to start an aggressive interaction, there were no differences in times receiving aggression. No differences were found in the times licking other cows; however, the frequency of times being licked was higher in the lame cows. The lame cows spent more time lying out of the cubicles, had longer total lying times, and spent less time feeding. The behavioral differences seen show that lame cows do not cope as successfully with their environment as do nonlame cows. Also, these results provide useful information on how licking in dairy cows may play a role in alleviating discomfort of other herd members who are in pain or who are sick.     

Tramped Teats – Clinical Mastitis Disease Complex in Tied Cows. Environmental Risk Factors and Interrelationships with Other Diseases

The effects of stall length, manure system, type of bedding and calving disorders on incidence rates of tramped teats, udder injuries, and clinical mastitis in Swedish Red and White tied cows, as well as interrelationships between these 3 disorders were investigated. Data used consisted of 370 herds, for a total of 45,133 cow records. Cows in herds with liquid manure system were at hihger risk of udder injuries and mastitis than in herds with solid system. Lower risk of both udder injuries and mastitis was found for cows in herds with short stall size (< 180 cm) compared to herds with stalls of 205–219 cm length. It was suggested that other factors, such as slipperiness of the stall floor and presence and type of feeding barrier, must be considered when the effect of stall characteristics on tramped teats is investigated. In farms with solid manure system cut straw or sawdust bedding increased the risk of tramped teats and mastitis relative to uncut straw. Parity and calving disorders were important risk factors for udder health and their effect was greater in herds with liquid manure system. Tramped teats and udder injuries were the most serious risk factors for clinical mastitis.     

Behavioural response to humans and the productivity of commercial dairy cows

This study examined the relationships between the attitude and the behaviour of the stockperson towards cows and the behavioural response to humans and the milk production of cows at 31 commercial dairy farms over one lactation. The attitude of the stockperson was measured on the basis of the stockperson's opinion of the cow's behaviour and how the stockperson evaluated his own behaviour. The behaviour of the stockperson was measured by recording the nature and frequency of the tactile interactions and some visual and auditory interactions directed towards the cows. The behavioural response of cows to humans was assessed by observing their approach behaviour to an unfamiliar experimenter in a standard test and production records were collected for the entire lactation at each farm. Correlation and regression analyses using farm averages were used to examine relationships between human and cow variables. Several cow behaviour variables, indicative of fear of humans, were moderately (P<0.05) to highly (P<0.01) correlated with milk yield and composition and regression analysis indicated that fear of humans accounted for 19% of the variation in milk yield between farms. The results suggest that at farms where milk yield was low, cows showed less approach to the experimenter in the standard fear test than at farms where milk yield was higher. A composite attitude score, based on the responses of stockpeople to questions about patting and talking to cows, ease of movement of cows and cows recognising unfamiliar stockpeople, was moderately (P<0.05) to highly (P<0.01) correlated with the behaviour of the stockperson. While a number of stockperson behaviour variables were correlated (P<0.05) with milk yield, the former variables were generally poorly correlated with cow behaviour. Therefore these preliminary findings provide evidence that, as seen in the pig industry, sequential relationships may exist between the attitude and behaviour of the stockperson and the behaviour and productivity of commercial dairy cows. Research is required to further examine these relationships because of the possible implications on cow productivity and welfare.     

Behaviour of dairy cows when fed concentrates with an automatic feeding system

On Dutch commercial farms automatic systems for feeding concentrates in a feeding station are being used increasingly. Various systems have been developed, which differ in the timing and amount of concentrates made available to the cows over a 24-h period. Three types of a fixed-time system and one variable-time system are compared with a traditional system. The fixed-time systems provided a ration of concentrates every 12 h. The starting time of these 12-h cycles varied, hence the fixed-7-time system started at 07:00 and 19:00 h; the fixed-11-time system cycles started at 11:00 and 23:00 h; and the fixed-3-time system cycles started at 15:00 and 03:00 h. The variable-time system continuously added small amounts of concentrates to the available ration per cow throughout a 24-h cycle. The traditional system provided concentrates mixed with maize silage at the feeding rack. The aim of the investigation was to describe the pattern of intake of concentrates, and the possible consequences of the various feeding systems on the cows' general activities such as eating, standing and lying down.

Three experiments were carried out, each with a group of 20 lactating dairy cows kept in a cubicle house with a single concentrates feeding station. In each of the experiments, feeding systems were tested during 3-week experimental periods. Behaviour was observed during three 24-h periods in each experimental period.

It was found that each of the five feeding systems tested evoked a typical pattern of visits to the feeding station. The number, the duration and the timing of rewarded and unrewarded visits differed between the various systems. The cows adapted to each feeding system, eating all their rations of concentrates as soon as they were made available.

Adaptation to the feeding system affected several of the general activities, in particular the time spent at the feeding rack and the time spent lying in the cubicles. With the fixed-11-time system, new feeding cycles started at times when many cows were lying down. Under these conditions the lowranking cows sometimes had to wait a long time before they could enter the station, which resulted in a reduced lying time for them.     

Lameness detection via leg-mounted accelerometers on dairy cows on four commercial farms

Lameness in dairy herds is traditionally detected by visual inspection, which is time-consuming and subjective. Compared with healthy cows, lame cows often spend longer time lying down, walk less and change behaviour around feeding time. Accelerometers measuring cow leg activity may assist farmers in detecting lame cows. On four commercial farms, accelerometer data were derived from hind leg-mounted accelerometers on 348 Holstein cows, 53 of them during two lactations. The cows were milked twice daily and had no access to pasture. During a lactation, locomotion score (LS) was assessed on average 2.4 times (s.d. 1.3). Based on daily lying duration, standing duration, walking duration, total number of steps, step frequency, motion index (MI, i.e. total acceleration) for lying, standing and walking, eight accelerometer means and their corresponding coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated for each week immediately before an LS. A principal component analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between the variables. The effects of LS and farm on the principal components (PC) and on the variables were analysed in a mixed model. The first four PC accounted for 27%, 18%, 12% and 10% of the total variation, respectively. PC1 corresponded to Activity variability due to heavy loading by five CV variables related to standing and walking. PC2 corresponded to Activity level due to heavy loading by MI walking, MI standing and walking duration. PC3 corresponded to Recumbency due to heavy loading by four variables related to lying. PC4 corresponded mainly to Stepping due to heavy loading by step frequency. Activity variability at LS4 was significantly higher than at the lower LS levels. Activity level was significantly higher at LS1 than at LS2, which was significantly higher than at LS4. Recumbency was unaffected by LS. Stepping at LS1 and LS2 was significantly higher than at LS3 and LS4. Activity level was significantly lower on farm 3 compared with farms 1 and 2. Stepping was significantly lower on farms 1 and 3 compared with farms 2 and 4. MI standing indicated increased restlessness while standing when cows increased from LS3 to LS4. Lying duration was only increased in lame cows. In conclusion, Activity level differed already between LS1 and LS2, thus detecting early signs of lameness, particularly through contributions from walking duration and MI walking. Lameness detection models including walking duration, MI walking and MI standing seem worthy of further investigation.     

Lying laterality and the effect of IceTag data loggers on lying behaviour of dairy cows

Lying behaviour is a useful indicator of cow comfort, but can be time consuming to measure. Data loggers are commonly used to automatically record behavioural activity but may influence the animal's behaviour. We investigated the effect of a new model of the IceTag data logger (IceTag Sensor, IceRobotics© Ltd, Edinburgh, UK) on lying behaviour of forty dairy cows. Smaller Hobo^® Pendant G data loggers (Onset Computer Corporation, Pocasset, MA) were attached to the hindlegs of all cows balanced for left and right and measured total duration of lying time, frequency and mean duration of lying bouts and the percent of time lying down on each side. Sixteen cows were semi-randomly split into two groups depending on the position of the IceTags on the inside of the leg (medial) or the outside (lateral). Each cow experienced four treatments in a Latin square design: no IceTag data logger attached as a control (C); one IceTag data logger on the left hind leg (L), one IceTag data logger on the right hind leg (R), and a IceTag data logger on both hind legs (B). Each treatment lasted for 6 days. As part of a separate study, lying laterality data from 24 cows with an IceTag data logger attached to the lateral part of each hindleg was used. On average, cows (n = 39) spent 47.5% of their time lying on the right side during a 24-h period. However, there was a large variation of time spent lying on the right side ranging from 25.1% to 65.7%. There was no significant effect of IceTag location (medial or lateral) or treatment (C, L, R, B) on total lying time, frequency of lying time, duration of lying bouts or percentage of time lying on each side. In summary, IceTags did not affect lying behaviour in dairy cows, allowing them to be reliably used in research as a high tech tool to measure activity. Overall as a group, cows show no preference for lying on one particular side, but individual cows do show a distinct preference.     

Misting and fan cooling of the rest area in a dairy barn

This summer study aimed to evaluate the effect on dairy cows, kept in a free stall barn equipped with fans and sprinklers in the feeding area, of the delivery rate of misters in a cooling system in rest areas with different bedding materials. Thirty cows were divided into two homogenous groups according to milk yield and kept in two pens: one had beds with sand (SAMM) while the other had straw (STLM). Each pen was equipped with 2 fans (Ø 70 cm, 0.50 kW) and 2 misters (delivery rate of 11.2 and 22.5 L/h in STLM and SAMM, respectively) in the rest area. Microclimatic parameters, rectal temperature (RT), breathing rate (BR), milk yield, and some milk traits were recorded. Behavioural routines of the cows (standing and lying) were also continuously recorded during the hotter days. During the trial, two mild–moderate heat waves were observed. During these hotter periods, the daily maximum temperature recorded in the rest areas was 28.9 in SAMM and 31.2 in STLM, and the daily maximum THI was 78.2 in SAMM and 81.5 in STLM. In these periods, the cows in SAMM compared with those in STLM showed lower BR (P?相似文献   

The effect of dry cow winter management system on feed intake, performance and estimated energy demand

This research compared three wood-chip out-wintering pad (OWP; an unsheltered OWP; a sheltered OWP (both with a concrete feed apron); and an unsheltered OWP with silage provided directly on top of the wood-chip bedding (self-feed OWP)) designs and cubicle housing with regard to dairy cow performance during the pre-partum period, and for 8 weeks post partum. Data were compared during 2 years. In Year 1, the unsheltered (space allowance = 12 m2 per cow) and sheltered (6 m2 per cow) OWPs were compared with cubicle housing (n = 49 cows per treatment). In Year 2, all three OWP designs (12 m2 per cow) were compared with cubicle housing (n = 24 cows per treatment, split into two replicates). Animals were dried off and assigned to treatment in the autumn, and remained there until calving in spring. Subsequently, they were managed at pasture during lactation. Outcome measures for analysis during the pre-partum period were feed intake, live weight, body condition score (BCS), heat production and heat loss, and post-partum were live weight, BCS, milk yield and milk composition. In Year 1, all cows had a similar live weight, but both pre-partum and at calving cows on the unsheltered OWP had a lower BCS than cows in cubicles (P < 0.05). However, in Year 2, there were no differences in either live weight or BCS. In Year 1, cows in the unsheltered OWP produced less heat than in cubicles (P < 0.05), but in Year 2, there was no treatment effect. In both years, cows in unsheltered OWPs lost more heat than cows in the sheltered OWP (P < 0.001). Treatment had no effect on milk composition either year. However, in Year 2, cows in the self-feed OWP had higher milk yields than the other treatments (P < 0.05). The lower BCS and heat production values in unsheltered treatments during Year 1 were probably because of higher rainfall and wind-speed values of that year. However, in both years, live weight in all treatments increased pre partum, and BCS did not decrease, indicating that unsheltered cows did not need to mobilise body reserves. Thus, OWPs could be a suitable pre-partum alternative to cubicle housing for dry dairy cows with regard to some aspects of dairy cow productive performance. However, further research should be carried out to investigate longer-term effects.     

The Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in the Environment of Dairy Farms

The prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in the environment of dairy farms was surveyed from December 1993 to June 1994 in one city of Hokkaido. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 3 out of 5 farms investigated. Serovar 4b organism was isolated from the brain stem of a cow from one farm which was clinically diagnosed as having listeriosis. The same serovar of L. monocytogenes was also isolated from the rectal contents of a healthy cow, straw on the floor, straw in the barn, and silage scattered around the silo from the same farm. At another farm, with no reported cases of bovine listeriosis, serovar 1/2 organism was isolated from the same types of samples as the above mentioned farm except from straw on the floor. The difference in the isolation rates of the organism from straw on the floor between the two farms (22%: 5/23 vs 0%: 0/24) is considered to be caused by the different feeding methods of silage between the two farms.     

The number of farm mates influences social and maintenance behaviours of Japanese Black cows in a communal pasture

The objective of the present study was to investigate optimal group size in cattle in communal pastures where cattle from various farms are turned out: (1) to ascertain if cows derived from each farm form an affiliative group and (2) to investigate the effect of the number of farm mates on social and maintenance behaviours when farm mates form an affiliative group. Farm mates were defined as cows from the same farm. A total of 27 cows having zero, one, two to four, or sixteen farm mates were selected as focal animals in two communal pastures. Each focal animal was followed by an individual observer for 8 h from sunrise. The nearest neighbour and the distance to the nearest neighbour were recorded at 10-min intervals, and maintenance behaviours at 1-min intervals; social behaviours and participants were recorded continuously. Most focal animals frequently choose cows from the same farm as their nearest neighbours allogroomed with these farm mates significantly more (P<0.001). Two focal animals did not form affiliative groups with farm mates. The mean distance to the nearest neighbours, whether farm mates or non-farm mates from focal animals having one and two to four farm mates was shorter than cows turned out with no farm mate (1.4 vs. 1.9 times as long as a cow's body length, P<0.05). Cows having two to four farm mates performed (7.8 s/h/cow, P=0.06) and received allogrooming more (9.8 s/h/cow) and escaped less during agonistic encounters (0.1 frequencies/h/cow, P<0.01) than ones having other numbers of farm mates. The mean duration of grazing behaviour per bout tended to increase with the number of farm mates (5.2 to 10.3 min, P<0.05). The mean duration of recumbency behaviour of cows having two to four farm mates (44.0 min/bout) was longer than the ones having other numbers of farm mates. Social and maintenance behaviours of cows having 16 farm mates were like those having zero or one farm mates, which suggested that the social bond among them was weak. It is concluded that a group of cows having two to four farm mates, that is, a group size of three to five cows, may be optimal for a stable life in a communal pasture.     

An evaluation of mattresses and mats in two dairy units

In order to investigate the relative merits of mats and mattresses in terms of cow comfort, production and performance, 29 cows were housed on ethylethene vinyl acetate (EVA) mats and 29 on mattresses of loose rubber crumb with a polypropylene cover, at each of two similar dairy units (SAC Auchincruive and Myerscough). Both mats and mattresses were newly installed at the start of the trial. The cows were housed in the autumn after calving. Milk yield was recorded daily. Cows were weighed and scored for body condition, locomotion, dirtiness and hock and knee injury at fortnightly intervals. Feed offered was recorded daily and refusals were weighed weekly. Monthly milk records of milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell count data were available for both herds. In addition, 24 h behavioural observations of 15 core cows in each group were made at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 16, and 32 post-housing. There was no difference between cows on mats and mattresses in milk yield, composition or quality; in feed intake; in weight loss or body condition score; in severe hock or knee injury, or in the incidence of lameness. Cows on mattresses tended to have slightly higher total dirtiness scores than those on mats (7.06 vs. 6.95, P=0.074) and had dirtier udders (mattress, 7.50 vs. mat, 6.52, P<0.05). However, over the whole housing period, cows on mattresses spent longer feeding, ruminating and lying and a greater proportion of their lying time was spent ruminating. They spent less time standing doing nothing (idling) than cows on mats and less time idling in cubicles. Cows on mattresses appeared to adapt to housing more quickly than those on mats. Overall, neither mat nor mattress gave advantages in terms of production or performance, cows were slightly cleaner on mats but behavioural indices suggest that cow comfort was greater on mattresses.     

Measures to improve dairy cow foot health: consequences for farmer income and dairy cow welfare

Dairy farming in western countries with cubicle housing is an efficient way of dairy farming. Though, a disadvantage is the high prevalence and incidence of foot disorders (clinical and subclinical), which cause high economic losses and also seriously impair the welfare of dairy cattle. To point out the importance of reducing the amount and severity of foot disorders, advice to farmers should include information about the scale of the problem and the consequences in terms of economics and animal welfare. To provide support in making decisions on implementing intervention measures, insight into costs and benefits of different measures should be available. The objective of this study, therefore, is to provide more insight into the costs and benefits, for farmer and cow, of different intervention measures to improve dairy cow foot health. Intervention measures were modeled when they were applicable on a dairy farm with cubicle housing and when sufficient information was available in literature. Net costs were calculated as the difference between the costs of the measure and the economic benefits resulting from the measure. Welfare benefits were calculated as well. Cost-effective measures are: improving lying surface (mattress and bedding, €7 and €1/cow per year, respectively), reducing stocking density (break even) and performing additional foot trimming (€1/cow per year). Simultaneously, these measures have a relative high welfare benefit. Labor costs play an important role in the cost-effectiveness of labor-intensive measures. More insight into cost-effectiveness and welfare benefits of intervention measures can help to prioritize when choosing between intervention measures.     

The reaction of cows to a short-term deprivation of lying

In a herd of 20 cows in a cubicle house, lying behaviour was prevented for 3 h each morning by enclosing the animals on the slatted floor of the feeding area. Lying time of cows was recorded during the 10 h following deprivation. The 3 h of lying deprivation resulted in a recovery rate of almost 50% within the observation period. When cows were also deprived of food during the lying-deprivation period, the recovery rate of lying did not alter. However, when feeding alone was prevented, the increased feeding tendency did decrease lying time in the subsequent hour. It is concluded that cows aim to achieve a rather fixed amount of lying, and that their well-being must seriously be impaired when lying time is restricted for several hours.     

Variation in enteric methane emissions among cows on commercial dairy farms

Methane (CH₄) emissions by dairy cows vary with feed intake and diet composition. Even when fed on the same diet at the same intake, however, variation between cows in CH₄ emissions can be substantial. The extent of variation in CH₄ emissions among dairy cows on commercial farms is unknown, but developments in methodology now permit quantification of CH₄ emissions by individual cows under commercial conditions. The aim of this research was to assess variation among cows in emissions of eructed CH₄ during milking on commercial dairy farms. Enteric CH₄ emissions from 1964 individual cows across 21 farms were measured for at least 7 days/cow using CH₄ analysers at robotic milking stations. Cows were predominantly of Holstein Friesian breed and remained on the same feeding systems during sampling. Effects of explanatory variables on average CH₄ emissions per individual cow were assessed by fitting a linear mixed model. Significant effects were found for week of lactation, daily milk yield and farm. The effect of milk yield on CH₄ emissions varied among farms. Considerable variation in CH₄ emissions was observed among cows after adjusting for fixed and random effects, with the CV ranging from 22% to 67% within farms. This study confirms that enteric CH₄ emissions vary among cows on commercial farms, suggesting that there is considerable scope for selecting individual cows and management systems with reduced emissions.