Evaluation of the efficiency of computer monitoring based on selected parameters of dairy herd behaviour in relation to daily milk yield

Abstract

The study analysed the indicators of welfare and motor activity of animals to support farmers in taking decisions on breeding management in Polish Holstein-Friesian black-and-white cows. The survey involved 236 cows during a 305-day lactation period, kept in an open-sided free stall barn, before and after furnishing the complete computer management system DeLaval DelPro. It evaluated the motor activity and breeding parameters of cows assigned to three groups (I, II, III), depending on daily milk production. It was demonstrated that the highest-yielding cows spent more time (12.5 vs 10.5 h/day) lying down and resting than the lowest-yielding cows. The highest motor activity of cows (29.66% of the herd) was observed in the morning between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM, and the lowest (6.78% of the herd) in the evening between 9:00 PM and 00:00. The monitoring significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved all the evaluated breeding parameters (insemination index, inter-pregnancy interval, and calving interval) in the highest-yielding group of cows. Based on the outcomes, the use of livestock management software should be recommended to improve the welfare and breeding indicators of Polish Holstein-Friesian black-and-white cows.