Activity and rumination changes as predictors of calving in primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate if rumination and activity changes determined by an automated activity monitoring system (AAM) could be use as predictors of calving in Holstein cattle. A total of 94 Holstein cows (67 primiparous and 27 multiparous) were enroled in the study. Approximately 21 d before their expected calving date cows were moved into the pre-partum pen and fitted with a collar-mounted AAM (Heatime®, SCR Engineers). Rumination and activity behaviour were monitored continuously by the AAM and recorded every 2 h. Cameras were used to record calving time. Rumination and activity data from 100 h prior to calving to 6 h after calving were analysed using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS. Mean rumination did not differ between parities, but primiparous cows had higher activity than multiparous cows during the entire study (P = 0.0002, 37.3 ± 0.5 vs. 33.4 ± 0.8 arbitrary units). Rumination began to decline steadily from -10 h in both parity groups and nadir was reached at 0 h and -2 h in primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. The rumination arbitrary units and % changes between -10 h and nadir were 26.7 and 64.2% (P < 0.001) and 30.6 and 80.5% (P < 0.0001) for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. Activity started to increase steadily from -8 h in both parity groups, the highest activity change was reached at 0 h and -2 h in primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. The activity arbitrary units and % changes between -8 h and the highest measure were 10.0 and 26.4% (P < 0.0001) and 6.6 and 20.0% (P = 0.0002) for primiparous and multiparous cows, respectively. In summary, both rumination and activity changes as measured by a collar-mounted AAM could be used as indicators for calving, with considerations made for the association of parity with both the degree and timing of behaviour change relative to calving.