Calm Cows Research Articles

Effects of mineral and vitamin supplementation on pregnancy rates in Nelore cattle submitted to FTAI programs with different reactivity scores

A high-reactivity herd temperament reduces productivity and profitability in cattle farming. In Bos taurus indicus (Nellore) cattle, we hypothesized that a higher reactivity score is associated with a lower pregnancy rate, and that injectable supplementation with minerals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se) and vitamins (A, E) would increase the pregnancy rate and reduce embryonic mortality in very reactive cows. Injectable supplement or control treatments were administered on days 25 and 10 before fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI; Day 0 : day of FTAI). We selected 1722 cows 45 ± 7 days postpartum, with different behavioral reactivity levels, and a series of measures related to reproduction were measured. The cows were randomly grouped and received sc 1 mL/50 kg live weight of the supplement (n = 872) or placebo (n = 850), 25 and 10 days before the FTAI protocol (Day–25 and Day–10 respectively). On Day −10, devices containing 1 g progesterone were inserted into the vagina, and 2 mg estradiol benzoate was applied intramuscularly. On Day–2, the devices were removed and 530 µg of sodium d-cloprostenol, 300 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin, and 1 mg of estradiol cypionate were applied. At 48 h after final injection, the cows were subjected to FTAI (Day 0). On Day - 25 (25 days before IATF), temperament was graded as 3 to 12 using composite reactivity score (RS), which evaluates movement and breathing while the animal is in the cattle chute, and their escape velocity, and was used to classify cows as calm (RS ≤ 4; n = 590), reactive (RS 5 to 8; n = 573), and very reactive (RS ≥ 9; n = 559). On Day 0, calm cows had a higher largest follicle diameter on the FTAI compared to reactive and very reactive (14.4 + 0.2 vs. 13.6 + 0.4 and 13.2 + 0.2 mm, respectively; P = 0.03). Interactions were observed, where supplemented cows compared to those no supplemented had higher pregnancy on Day 30 (P = 0.04; 60.00 vs. 54.10 % calm and 58.00 vs. 52.50 % very reactive) and Day 60 (P = 0.03; 58.70 vs. 47.90 % calm, 52.20 vs. 49.10 % reactive and 48.40 vs. 41.30 % very reactive) and reduced embryonic loss at 30 to 60 d (P = 0.04; 2.00 vs. 6.10 % calm, 4.20 vs. 8.40 % reactive and 9.60 vs. 11.20 % very reactive). Supplementation on Days–25 and–10 improved pregnancy rates and reduced embryonic in calm and very reactive cows.

Relationship of Temperament during Milking with Milking Behavioural Features, Milk Yield and Udder Health of Crossbred Jersey Cows in Tropical Climate

Background: Milking behaviour of milch cows has notable impacts on their production efficiency. The present investigation is designed to explore the relationship of temperament while milking with other milking behavioural features, milk yield and udder health in crossbred Jersey cows. Methods: The study was done on crossbred Jersey cows (N=94) kept at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal. The cows’ temperament score (TS) was judged on 5 points scale (1-docile, 5-aggressive). Calmer cows (TS-1 and 2) covered relatively higher (75.24%) proportions and no observation had shown for TS-5. Result: The temperament score was positively associated (P less than 0.01) with stepping/milking (0.72), flight speed (0.43) and exit score (0.33), while it was negatively associated (P less than 0.01) with milk yield (-0.64), milking duration (-0.61) and milk flow rate (-0.65). It was concluded from the above study that milking behavioural features are directly correlated with each other and production parameters. Dairy animals of calmer temperament were significantly high-yielders. The temperament of dairy animals did not significantly impact udder health as assessed through MCMT and somatic cell counts in milk.

Is the temperament of crossbred dairy cows related to milk cortisol and oxytocin concentrations, milk yield, and quality?

Reactive dairy cows are more susceptible to stress, and this may result in negative effects on milk yield and quality. The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between temperament traits and concentration of milk cortisol and oxytocin, milk yield, milkability, and milk quality in Holstein-Gyr cows. Temperament traits were assessed in 76 Holstein-Gyr cows in the milking parlor (by scoring milking reactivity and recording the numbers of steps and kicks during pre-milking udder preparation and when fitting the milking cluster) and during handling in the corral (by measuring the time to enter in the squeeze chute, ET and flight speed, FS). Milk samples were collected for milk quality (% fat, % protein, % lactose, and somatic cell count, SCC), and milk cortisol and oxytocin. Milk yield, milking time, and average flow were also measured. The calmer cows during milking management (class 'low') produced milk with higher protein (p = 0.028) content and tendencies for lower fat (p = 0.056) and higher lactose (p = 0.055) contents. Regarding the hormones, the most reactive cows (class 'high') in the milking and handling corral produced milk with higher concentrations of cortisol (p<0.001) and oxytocin (p = 0.023). In addition, the temperament of the animals affected some of the productive measures evaluated. Cows with reactive temperament had lower milk flow and longer milking time than the intermediate ones and had higher fat and a tendency for lower protein percentage in milk compared to cows with intermediate temperaments. Calm and intermediate cows in the handling corral produced more milk and presented better milkability parameters, such as a shorter milking time and greater average milk flow. Our results suggest that the cows' behavioral reactivity can be related to the intensity of their response to stress during handling.

Dairy Cows’ Temperament and Milking Performance during the Adaptation to an Automatic Milking System

Adaptative responses of cows to an automatic milking system (AMS) could depend on their temperament, i.e., cows with certain temperament profiles could be able to cope more successfully with the AMS. The relationships between dairy cows' temperament, behaviour, and productive parameters during the changeover from a conventional milking system (CMS) to an AMS were investigated. Thirty-three multiparous cows were classified as 'calm' or 'reactive' based on each of the temperament tests conducted: race time, flight speed (FS), and flight distance, at 5, 25, and 45 days in milk at CMS, then the cows were moved from the CMS to the AMS. During the first five milkings in AMS, the number of steps and kicks during each milking were recorded. The daily milk yield was automatically recorded. The number of steps did not vary by temperament classification, but the number of kicks per milking was greater for calm (0.45 ± 0.14) than for reactive cows (0.05 ± 0.03) when they were classified by FS (p < 0.01). During the first seven days in the AMS, reactive cows for the FS test produced more milk than calm cows (36.5 ± 1.8 vs. 33.2 ± 1.6 L/day; p = 0.05). In conclusion, behavioural and productive parameters were influenced by cows´ temperament during the milking system changeover since the calm cows kicked more and produced less than the reactive ones.

Effects of dairy cow temperament on milk yield: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The temperament of dairy cows interferes in milk yield and quality, but there is a lack of consensus throughout the literature. Thus, systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) methodologies were used to assess the effects of dairy cow temperament on milk yield. Our literature search included four electronic databases (CABI Abstracts, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) and bibliographies of the publications included on MA. As inclusion criteria, we considered publications about the temperament of lactating cows and its effect on daily milk yield and total milk yield (whole lactation). A random effect-MA was carried out separately for daily milk yield and total milk yield related to each class of cows' temperament, 'low' (low reactivity, calm animals), 'intermediate' (intermediate reactivity), and 'high' (high reactivity, reactive animals). A total of eight publications reporting 75 trials were included in the analyses for daily milk yield, and three publications reporting nine trials for total milk yield. For daily and total milk yield the heterogeneity between publications was high (I2 = 99.9%). Cows of European breeds with intermediate temperament produced less milk daily than the calm (P = 0.020) and reactive ones (P < 0.001). In the case of primiparous cows, those with intermediate temperament produced less milk daily (P < 0.001) than the reactive ones, while for multiparous, the intermediate produced less than calm (P = 0.032) and reactive cows (P < 0.001). Regarding the stage of lactation, cows evaluated throughout lactation with a calm temperament tended (P = 0.081) to produce more milk than the intermediate ones, but less than the reactive ones (P < 0.001). For total milk yield, reactive cows tended to produce more than the calm (P = 0.082) and intermediate (P = 0.001) ones. Among European and primiparous cows, reactive cows produced more than the intermediate (P = 0.001). According to our results, we cannot confirm what we expected, that calmer cows would be the most productive for both daily and total yield.

Effects of milking temperament of dairy cows on production and reproduction efficiency under tied stall housing

In recent years, schemes developed to assess cattle welfare on-farm have shifted their weight from resource-based measures, such as feed and water availability and housing facilities, to animal-based measures such as expression of behavior, positive emotional state of the animals and human-animal relationships. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the effects that milking temperament has on production and reproduction efficiency and on welfare of dairy cows housed in tied stanchion barns. Milking temperament of 94 Romanian Black Spotted lactating cows was evaluated by two independent observers, using a 5-point subjective scale. The behavioral reactivity of cows during milking significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) milk yield, with the calmer cows having a higher milk production than their nervous counterparts. The relation between body condition score of cows and milking temperament was significant (P ≤ 0.05), with calmer cows having higher fat deposits and maintaining better condition, compared to nervous animals. However, no significant influence (P > 0.05) of the temperament was found on milking speed, body weight, fertility related traits, coat cleanliness and integuments alterations. Current results showed that it is feasible to include milking temperament as a trait in selection indexes, considering the economic implications of the trait, with calmer cows having significantly higher milk yields, while maintaining a better body condition score throughout lactation in tied stanchion barn systems. Apart of the obvious milk production gains, fluctuations to a lesser extent of body fat reserves in dairy cows during the production cycle, might lead to lower risks of developing metabolic diseases.

Effects of Milking Temperament on Milk Yield, Udder Health and Milk Composition in Crossbred Jersey Cows

The aim of study was to investigate the effects of milking temperament on milk yield; milkability and udder health in Jersey crossbred cows. The experiment was conducted on Jersey crossbred cows (N=94) maintained at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani, West Bengal. Temperament score (TS) of cows was assessed in 5 points scale(1-docile, 5-aggressive). Calmer cows (TS-1&2) comprised of relatively higher(75.24%)proportions and none for TS-5.Milk yield (kg)/day of TS-1 cows was significantly (P

Human and farm influences on dairy cows´ responsiveness towards humans - a cross-sectional study.

The human-animal relationship can have a major impact on cow welfare and stockpersons´ work safety and quality. This cross-sectional study investigated possible effects of stockperson and farm related factors on cows´ behaviour towards humans in different test situations on a range of farm types including farms with automatic milking system. On 32 dairy farms, cows´ avoidance distances (AD), tolerance to tactile interactions (TTI), behavioural reactions during and after release from restraint (RB) and expressive behaviour by means of qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA) were recorded. Multiple regressions were calculated to analyse associations between the cows´ responses towards humans and factors of stockpersons´ attitudes, factors of human-animal contact and further herd and management characteristics. Positive attitudes towards cows were significantly associated with calmer cows in all test situations. Furthermore, different herd and management factors were related to individual variables of cows´ behaviour towards humans: for instance, the percentage of dehorned cows in the herd was associated with more fearful cows; the frequency of human-animal contact, manual feed provision, or selection for docility were associated with calmer cows. Explained variances were highest for the outcome variables AD and QBA. Directly or indirectly all factors remaining in the final models may be related to the amount and quality of human-animal contacts. Thus, the results suggest that on a broad range of different farm types a positive attitude and frequent human-animal contact can contribute to calmer cows in different interactions with humans in the barn.

Flunixin meglumine improves pregnancy rate in embryo recipient beef cows with an excitable temperament

Objectives were to determine effects of: 1) handling temperament and administration of flunixin meglumine, an inhibitor of prostaglandin F2a (PGF2a) synthesis, given at the time of embryo transfer, on pregnancy rates in beef cattle embryo transfer recipients; 2) handling temperament and flunixin meglumine on peripheral concentrations of progesterone, cortisol, substance-P, prostaglandin F metabolites (PGFM, (13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2a) and isoprostane 8-epi PGF2a; and 3) flunixin meglumine treatment on proportion of non-pregnant recipient cows returning to estrus within an expected interval. Angus cross beef cows (n = 710) at 7 locations were assigned a body condition score (BCS: 1, emaciated; 9, obese) and a temperament score [0, calm, slow chute exit; walk (n = 352), 1, excited, fast chute exit; jump, trot or run (n = 358)] and were synchronized with Select-Synch with a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol. Estrus detection aids were applied at CIDR removal and cows were observed thrice daily for estrus until 72 h. Recipient cows that expressed estrus and had a corpus luteum received a frozen-thawed embryo on Day 7 after estrus. At the time of transfer, recipient cows were randomly allocated to receive 10 mL of flunixin meglumine im, immediately after transfer (n = 365) or served as an untreated control (n = 345). In a subset of cows (n = 80), ovarian ultrasonography was performed on the day of embryo transfer to determine corpus luteum volume and blood samples were collected twice, at the time of embryo transfer and 7 d later. All cows received estrus detection aids again on Day 14 (7 d after embryo transfer) and were observed for estrus twice daily until Day 24. Accounting for treatment (P > 0.1), embryo transfer difficulty score (P < 0.1), temperament by treatment interaction (P < 0.05), recipient cows with calm temperament had a higher pregnancy rate compared to those with an excited temperament [59.4 (209/352) vs 51.7% (185/358)]. The pregnancy rate for excitable cows without flunixin meglumine was lower (46.3% 81/175) compared to excitable cows that did received flunixin meglumine [56.8% (104/183)], and calm cows that did [59.3% (108/182)] or did not [59.4% (104/170)] receive flunixin meglumine. Proportions of non-pregnant recipient cows returning to estrus on Days 18–24 were not different between flunixin meglumine and control groups, 87.6% (134/153) and 84.0% (137/163), respectively (P > 0.1). At the time of embryo transfer and 7 d later, there were moderate to strong correlations among circulating concentrations of progesterone, cortisol, substance-P, PGFM and isoprostane 8-epi PGF2a. Among excitable cows, progesterone concentrations were lower and cortisol, substance-P, PGFM and isoprostane 8-epi PGF2a concentrations were greater for cows in the control group compared to cows that received flunixin meglumine. In conclusion, administration of flunixin meglumine improved pregnancy rates in excitable recipient cows following embryo transfer without affecting the proportion of non-pregnant cows returning to estrus.

Effect of temperament on performance of primiparous dairy cows

Abstract This study was designed to analyse the effect of milking behaviour (temperament) of primiparous dairy cows on their milk and reproductive performance as well as survival to the second lactation. Milk performance, reproductive performance and culling data on 12028 Polish Holstein-Friesian primiparous dairy cows were acquired from the SYMLEK database. Using the methodology of the Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Dairy Farmers, the temperament of the cows was assessed as: 1 - calm, 2 - normal, 3 - excitable or aggressive. Primiparous cows from the analysed population were characterized by averagely normal temperament and optimal milking speed. Daily and lactation yield depended (P≤0.01) on the temperament of cows. Excitable (aggressive) cows had higher daily and lactation yield compared to normal and calm cows. The temperament trait was found to correlate (P≤0.01) also with functional traits such as milking speed, survival to the second lactation, and culling level. As milking speed increased, the proportion of cows with calm temperament decreased and that of excitable (aggressive) primiparous cows increased. As the temperament score increased, so did the proportion of primiparous cows sold for further breeding. Excitable (aggressive) primiparous cows had the lowest chance of survival to the second calving.

Genetic associations of teat cup attachment failures, incomplete milkings, and handling time in automatic milking systems with milkability, temperament, and udder conformation

ABSTRACTAutomatic milking systems (AMS) allow recording of alternative milkability measures. Our objectives were to estimate genetic parameters for teat cup attachment failures (AtF), incomplete milkings (IM), and handling time (HT), and their genetic correlations with box time (BT), udder traits and temperament. Teat coordinates were to measure udder conformation and teat placement. Genetic correlations were estimated between these traits and linear classification traits. Data on Swedish Holstein and Swedish Red cows in 19 AMS herds and 74 herds with conventional milking parlors were analyzed. HT and IM had low heritabilities, but that of AtF was 0.21–0.31. Genetic correlations between AtF and temperament were 0.44–0.71 (calm cows having low AtF). Short BT was weakly genetically associated with shallow udders with short and thin teats. High genetic correlations (0.91–0.98) were found between teat coordinate traits and linear classification traits. Thus, AMS records can be effectively used to select for improved milkability and temperament.

Calm temperament improves reproductive performance of beef cows.

Profitability of a beef operation is determined by the proportion of cows attaining pregnancy early in the breeding season and those that are pregnant at the end of breeding season. Many factors, including temperament, contribute to those reproductive parameters. The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of temperament on reproductive performance of beef cows. In Experiment 1, Angus and Angus-cross beef cows (n = 1546) from eight locations were assigned a body condition score (BCS; 1 = emaciated; 9 = obese) and chute exit and gait score (1 = slow exit, walk; calm temperament; 2 = jump, trot or run; excitable temperament). Cows were grouped with bulls (1 : 25 to 1 : 30; with satisfactory breeding potential and free of venereal disease) for an 85-day breeding season. Pregnancy status and stage of gestation were determined (transrectal palpation) 35 days after the end of the breeding season. Controlling for BCS (p < 0.01) and handling facility (p < 0.0001) and handling facility by temperament score interaction (p < 0.001), breeding season pregnancy rate was lower in excited versus calm cows [88.6% (798/901) vs 94.1% (607/645); p < 0.001]. Cows with an excitable temperament took 24 more days to become pregnant compared to calm cows (median days to pregnancy, 35 vs 59 days; p < 0.0001). In Experiment 2, Angus and Angus-cross beef cows (n = 1407) from 8 locations were assigned scores for body condition and chute exit and gait (as described in Experiment 1) and assigned to bulls (breeding sound and free of venereal disease; 1 : 25 to 1 : 30) for 85 days. Pregnancy status was determined by transrectal palpation at 2 and 6 months after the onset of the breeding season. Controlling for BCS (p < 0.05), pregnancy loss was higher in excited versus calm cows [5.5% (36/651) vs 3.2% (20/623), p < 0.0001]. In conclusion, beef cows with an excitable temperament had significantly lower reproductive performance than calmer cows. The modified two-point chute exit-gait scoring method was repeatable and identified cattle with an excitable temperament.

Effect of temperament of Jersey and Holstein Friesian cows on milk production traits and somatic cell count (Short Communication)

Abstract. The aim of present study was to investigate the relationships between temperament score and milk production, as well as somatic cell count in a herd of Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds. The temperament of 283 Jersey and 69 Holstein Friesian cows were assessed (scored) by the temperament score test (behaviour of animals was assessed in a 5-score system (1: calm, 5: nervous) while spending 30 s on the scale during weighing). The daily milk yield, fat, protein content and somatic cell count were also investigated in this study. Our investigation did not reveal any correlation between daily milk yield and temperament score. But milk somatic cell count was showed positive moderate relation with the temperament scores of Jersey (rrank=0.67; P=0.0001) and Holstein Friesian (rrank=0.66; P=0.0001) cows. Calmer cows had lower somatic cell count (Jersey: 135.40×103/cm3; Holstein Friesian: 176.07×103/cm3) compared to the more temperamental cows (Jersey: 540.44×103/cm3; P=0.0001; Holstein Friesian: 744.91×103/cm3; P=0.0001, resp.).

Analysis of the relationship between workability traits and functional longevity in Canadian dairy breeds

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of workability traits like milking speed and temperament on functional longevity of Canadian dairy cattle using a Weibull proportional hazards model. First-lactation data consisted of the following: 1,728,289 and 2,426,123 Holstein cows for milking temperament and milking speed, respectively, from 18,401 herds and sired by 8,248 sires; 39,618 and 60,121 Jersey cows for milking temperament and milking speed, respectively, from 1,845 herds and sired by 2,413 sires; and 54,391 and 94,847 Ayrshire cows for milking temperament and milking speed, respectively, from 1,316 herds and sired by 2,779 sires. Functional longevity was defined as the number of days from the first calving to culling, death, or censoring adjusted for production. Milking temperament and milking speed were recorded on a 1- to 5-point scale from very nervous to very calm and from very slow to very fast, respectively. The statistical model included the effects of stage of lactation; season of production; the annual change in herd size; type of milk recording supervision; age at first calving; effects of milk, fat, and protein yields calculated as within herd-year-parity deviations; herd-year-season of calving; sire; and milking temperament or milking speed class. The relative culling rate was calculated for animals in each milking temperament or milking speed class after accounting for the above-mentioned effects. The study showed that there was a statistically significant association between workability traits and functional longevity. Very nervous cows were 26, 23, and 46% more likely to be culled than very calm cows in Holstein, Ayrshire, and Jersey breeds, respectively. Similarly, very slow milkers were 36, 33, and 28% more likely to be culled than average milkers in Holstein, Ayrshire, and Jersey breeds, respectively. Additionally, very fast milkers were 11, 13, and 15% more likely to be culled than average milkers in Holstein, Ayrshire, and Jersey breeds, respectively. Producers might want to avoid consequences associated with the fast milkers such as udder health problems.