Flight Speed Test Research Articles

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.

Generating High-Speed Earth Reentry Test Conditions in an Expansion Tube

Future space missions, such as return from Mars, will require entry speeds of the order of . These harsh conditions are dominated by radiative heat flux and have large modeling uncertainties related to radiative coupling, such as precursor radiation and ablation radiation coupling. These conditions have also never been tested in a flight scenario and have limited ground testing data available. This study investigates the feasibility of generating these conditions in the X2 expansion tube at the University of Queensland so that these flows can be tested over scaled test models for the study of shock relaxation, heat flux, shock standoff, or ablation. This paper presents a theoretical performance map of the X2 facility for the generation of these conditions before it presents some of the unique issues that may be encountered when generating and investigating them. Some preliminary experimental data are then presented, showing that these 15 km/s equivalent flight speed test conditions can be generated in X2 within the current performance limits of the facility.

Relationships between temperament, meat quality, and carcass traits in Nellore cattle1.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between temperament in Nellore bulls with carcass and meat quality traits. In total, 1,400 bulls were studied, and temperament was assessed using two measurements: movement score (MOV) and flight speed test (FS). Both MOV and FS were measured at two time points, with background (MOVb and FSb) temperament measured at yearling age, ~550 d after birth, and the preslaughter (MOVps and FSps) temperament measured at the end of the feedlot period. The change of temperament resulting in an increase or decrease in reactivity was also used to measure meat quality. The traits used to define carcass and meat quality included carcass bruises (BRU), hot carcass weight (HCW, kg), ribeye area (REA, cm2), backfat thickness (BFT, cm), marbling score (MS), meat pH after thawing (pH), presence or absence of dark cutters, color parameters of luminosity (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*), cooking loss (CL, %), and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF, kg). A principal component (PC) analysis was initially applied to the carcass and meat quality traits, followed by logistic regression models and linear mixed models to evaluate the effects of temperament on carcass and meat quality. The risks of carcass bruises and dark cutters did not differ as a function of any temperament trait (P > 0.05). In turn, animals classified as high MOVb (reactive) had lower PC3 values (P = 0.05), CL (P = 0.02), and tended to have lower MS (P = 0.08). In addition, animals classified as high FSb (faster and reactive cattle) produced carcasses with smaller REA (P < 0.01), higher meat pH (P < 0.01), lower color gradients (L*, P = 0.04; b*, P < 0.01), and lower PC1 and PC4 scores (P < 0.01) when compared with the low FSb class. For preslaughter temperament, high MOVps was related to lower color a* (P = 0.04), whereas high FSps was related to lower HCW, MS, and PC2 (P < 0.01) than the calmer ones (low FSps). The reduction in MOV was related to more tender meat, and the reduction in FS to heavier carcass and brighter meat. We conclude that excitable temperament in Nellore cattle may have negative effects in some of the carcass and meat quality attributes assessed, mainly those related to muscle deposition on carcass and color gradients. Measurement of temperament before the cattle entered the feedlot was a better predictor of carcass and meat quality traits, compared with temperament assessment at the end of the feeding period.

Temperament effects on performance and adaptability of Nellore young bulls to the feedlot environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of temperament on cattle performance and adaptability to the feedlot environment, when kept under three space allowances (6, 12 and 24 m2/animal). Temperament of 1,350 Nellore young bulls (pure and crossbred) were assessed by the flight speed (FS) test on days 0 (FS0), 35 (FS35) and 87 (FSfin) in the feedlot, and the differences between FSfin and FS0 (ΔFS) were calculated. Three classes of flight speed were defined (calm, intermediate and reactive) for FS0 (FSC0) and FSfin (FSCfin). Performance was assessed by recording body weights on days 0, 35 and 87 (BW0, BW35 and BWfin, respectively), average daily gains between days 0 and 35, and 0 and 87 (ADG0-35 and ADG0-fin, respectively), and hot carcass weight (HCW). Adrenal glands of a subset of 270 animals were collected to measure their weight (WEIGHT), and cortical (COA) and medullary (MEA) areas. Spearman's coefficients of correlation were estimated to assess the relationships between FS test results over time. General linear mixed model with Proc MIXED of SAS was used in all other analyses, and a repeated measures modelling was used for FS, except for ΔFS. For FS analysis the model included the fixed effects of space allowance, days in feedlot and 2-way interaction. For ΔFS analysis only space allowance was included. Growth performance and adrenal gland variables were analyzed considering the fixed effects of space allowance, flight speed classes (for FSC0 and FSCfin, separately) and 2-way interaction in the model. In all models, BW0 was fitted as a covariate. Means comparisons between FS classes were corrected by Tukey adjustment. Significant and positive correlations were found between all FS test values, which decreased over time in all feedlot space allowances (p < 0.01). Calm animals showed higher (p < 0.05) ADG0-35, BW35 and BWfin means than intermediate and reactive ones, and also produced heavier carcasses at the end of the finishing period (p < 0.05). A significant effect of the interaction between FSCfin and space allowance was found for ADG0-fin, showing that only when kept at 12m2 of space allowance, reactive animals had lower (p < 0.05) growth performance than calm ones. Reactive cattle (FSC0) had greater COA and heavier WEIGHT (p = 0.01, for both) than calm and intermediate ones. Based on our results, it can be concluded that calm animals show better performance in the feedlot, regardless of the space provided to them in the pen, given their greater adaptability to feedlot conditions.

Genome-Wide Association Study between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Flight Speed in Nellore Cattle.

IntroductionCattle temperament is an important factor that affects the profitability of beef cattle enterprises, due to its relationship with productivity traits, animal welfare and labor safety. Temperament is a complex phenotype often assessed by measuring a series of behavioral traits, which result from the effects of multiple environmental and genetic factors, and their interactions. The aims of this study were to perform a genome-wide association study and detect genomic regions, potential candidate genes and their biological mechanisms underlying temperament, measured by flight speed (FS) test in Nellore cattle.Materials and MethodsThe genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using a single-step procedure (ssGBLUP) which combined simultaneously all 16,600 phenotypes from genotyped and non-genotyped animals, full pedigree information of 162,645 animals and 1,384 genotyped animals in one step. The animals were genotyped with High Density Bovine SNP BeadChip which contains 777,962 SNP markers. After quality control (QC) a total of 455,374 SNPs remained.ResultsHeritability estimated for FS was 0.21 ± 0.02. Consecutive SNPs explaining 1% or more of the total additive genetic variance were considered as windows associated with FS. Nine candidate regions located on eight different Bos taurus chromosomes (BTA) (1 at 73 Mb, 2 at 65 Mb, 5 at 22 Mb and 119 Mb, 9 at 98 Mb, 11 at 67 Mb, 15 at 16 Mb, 17 at 63 Kb, and 26 at 47 Mb) were identified. The candidate genes identified in these regions were NCKAP5 (BTA2), PARK2 (BTA9), ANTXR1 (BTA11), GUCY1A2 (BTA15), CPE (BTA17) and DOCK1 (BTA26). Among these genes PARK2, GUCY1A2, CPE and DOCK1 are related to dopaminergic system, memory formation, biosynthesis of peptide hormone and neurotransmitter and brain development, respectively.ConclusionsOur findings allowed us to identify nine genomic regions (SNP windows) associated with beef cattle temperament, measured by FS test. Within these windows, six promising candidate genes and their biological functions were identified. These results may contribute to a better comprehension into the genetic control of temperament expression in Nellore cattle.

Zhodnocení testů temperamentů u volků masných plemen

The aim of the study was to evaluate three times repetited measurements of the beef steers temperament using of the Scale Test (1–5 score from docile to wild) and the Flight Speed Test (the time taken to cover a set distance of 1.7 m after leaving the weight scale in tenths of a second). Ten Charolais and 10 Hungarian Grey steers were used. At the start of testing, the Charolais and Hungarian Grey steers aged 446 and 487 days, respectively, while the following measurements were realized at their average age of 553 and 594 days, respectively and of 713 and 754 days, respectively. The mean temperament scores revealed that temperament was fairly consistent in Hungarian Grey steers (1.3–1.4–1.4) and it worsened in Charolais ones only on the third measurement (1.6–1.5–2.5). Flight speed varied non-significantly in Charolais (2.77–2.89–2.46 s) and in Hungarian Grey (4.09–5.01–5.33 s) steers either through the study. In our opinion, the successive use of the Scale Test and the Flight Speed Test can offer a more reliable measure of cattle temperament when the sample is small.

Genetic association between temperament and sexual precocity indicator traits in Nellore cattle.

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic associations between temperament and sexual precocity indicators in Nellore cattle. Temperament was evaluated at approximately 550 days of age, using three traits: i) movement score (MOV), recording the animals' movement inside the crush; ii) temperament score (TS) for assessing the reactions of animals in a corral pen; and iii) flight speed test (FS), recording the speed (in m/s) at which the animals exit the crush after being weighed. Three sexual precocity indicators were used: i) age at first calving (AFC, in days); ii) occurrence of precocious pregnancy (OPP, as a binary trait); and iii) yearling scrotal circumference (SC, in cm). The (co)variance and genetic parameters were estimated by Bayesian Inference via Gibbs sampling, assuming a linear animal model for FS, AFC and SC and a threshold animal model for MOV, TS and OPP in multitrait analyses. The mean posterior heritability estimates for MOV, FS, TS, AFC, OPP and SC were 0.11 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.07, 0.16 ± 0.09, 0.09 ± 0.01, 0.44 ± 0.06 and 0.43 ± 0.02, respectively. The mean posterior correlation estimates were: 0.13 ± 0.14 (MOV-AFC), -0.03 ± 0.16 (MOV-OPP), 0.08 ± 0.10 (MOV-SC), 0.14 ± 0.11 (FS-AFC), -0.19 ± 0.15 (FS-OPP), -0.07 ± 0.08 (FS-SC), 0.09 ± 0.09 (TS-AFC), -0.03 ± 0.09 (TS-OPP) and -0.28 ± 0.08 (TS-SC). These results indicate that all the traits had sufficient genetic variability to respond to selection. The low magnitude of the genetic correlations indicated that selection for improvements in sexual precocity would not change the temperament of Nellore cattle. In order to obtain genetic progress in cattle temperament, direct selection for these traits is recommended.

Flight speed and agitation in weaned lambs: Genetic and non-genetic effects and relationships with carcass quality

By identifying sheep with a genetic or environmentally-induced propensity for higher responses to stress, it is possible to manage or select against those sheep to improve the welfare and ease of handling of the entire flock. Previous studies have reported variable estimates of heritability and non-genetic influences on flight speed and agitation, two measures of behavioural reactivity used in Australian sheep research. While the relationships between these tests and a number of aspects of productivity, including maternal performance, wool and milk production and fattening performance, have been assessed, no such investigation has been made of relationships with carcass quality.This study investigated the 2008–2010 cohorts of the Information Nucleus. Eight flocks totalling 11,047 lambs were tested. Flight speed and agitation were measured at 2–6 weeks post-weaning. Lambs were slaughtered between 5 and 14 months of age, with kill dates staggered to reach target carcass weights of 21kg.Low to moderate heritabilities of flight speed (0.11±0.02) and agitation (0.19±0.02) indicate that while there is an inherent component to behaviour as measured in these tests, that component is small. Phenotypic and genetic correlations between flight speed and agitation were low (0.06±0.01 and 0.20±0.10 respectively).Heavier and female lambs were more reactive in both behavioural tests than lighter and male lambs. First cross terminal breed×Merino type lambs were faster in the flight speed test than other types. In one flock, younger lambs were more reactive in the agitation test. The two behavioural traits varied independently within flocks such that flocks with high average flight speeds did not necessarily also have high average agitation scores.Phenotypic and environmental correlations between behaviours (flight speed and agitation) and carcass traits were very weak or non-significant, indicating that stress responses measured during handling shortly after weaning may not be relevant to stress responses at slaughter several months later. Genetic correlations were mostly non-significant or weak, suggesting that selection based on improving behavioural reactivity of lambs should have little to no impact on carcass quality.

Validity and feasibility of qualitative behavior assessment for the evaluation of Nellore cattle temperament

The aims of this study were to assess the validity and the feasibility of the qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) method as indicator of Nellore cattle temperament under field conditions, evaluating its associations with four other traditional methods and weight gain. The temperament and live weight of 2229 Nellore cattle was assessed at approximately 550 days of age. Five measurements of cattle temperament were recorded: flight speed test (FS, in m/s), visual scores of movement in the crush (MOV), crush score (CS), temperament score (TS), and the qualitative behavior assessment method (QBA), by using a list of 12 behavioral based adjectives as descriptors of temperament. Average daily weight gain (ADG) was calculated for each animal. For statistical analysis of QBA data, the Principal Component Analysis was used. A temperament index (TI) was defined for each animal using the scores for the first principal component. Pearson's correlation coefficients were estimated between TI with FS and ADG. A mixed model ANOVA was used to analyze the TI variation as a function of TS, CS, and MOV. The score plot for the first and second principal components was used to classify the cattle in four groups (from very bad to very good temperament). The first principal component explained 49.50% of the variation in the data set, with higher positive loadings for the adjectives ‘agitated’ and ‘active’, and higher negative loadings for ‘calm’ and ‘relaxed’. TI was significantly correlated with FS (r=0.49; P<0.01) and ADG (r=−0.10; P<0.01). The means of ADG, FS, and the temperament scores (CS, TS, MOV) differed significantly (P<0.01) among the four groups, from very bad to very good temperament. The QBA method could discriminate different behavioral profiles of Nellore cattle and were in agreement with other traditional methods used as indicators of cattle temperament. Additional studies are needed to assess the inter- and intra-observers reliability and to study its association with physiological parameters.

Consistency of flight speed and response to restraint in a crush in dairy cattle

Flight speed (FS) is an objective measure of the behavioural response to handling procedures in beef cattle but to date there is no published work on dairy cattle. It is useful to determine whether there is consistency in FS in dairy cattle, and assess the relationship between FS and other subjective measures of responsiveness in dairy cattle. The aims of this study were to: (a) evaluate the repeatability of the FS and crush score (CS) test in dairy cattle by repeated measurements and (b) examine the correlation of FS and CS with reactivity responses in a human approach test (HAT). FS and CS measurements for 55 Holstein–Friesian heifers were conducted three times at 4-week intervals. Flight response to a HAT was assessed in the passageway of the home-pen on a subset of 33 animals. On completion of the HAT, an assessment of six qualitative terms (at ease, friendly, bold, docile, shy, fearful and nervous) were assessed on a visual analogue scale according to a subjective judgement of whether a cow scored low or high for each term. Correlations between the three monthly repetitions of FS measurements were all significant and positive (FS 1,2: r s = 0.36, P = 0.007; FS 2,3: r s = 0.31, P = 0.002; FS 1,3: r s = 0.47, P < 0.001) which indicates a level of individual consistency. No significant correlations between the three monthly repetitions of CS measurements were found. The mean FS was correlated with HAT flight response ( r s = 0.42, P = 0.004). However, no significant correlations existed between the HAT and the CS. In conclusion, the results suggest that both HAT and FS measurements provide consistent (both intra- and inter-measure) assessments of temperament under these handling situations in dairy cows.

Temperament traits of beef calves measured under field conditions and their relationships to performance1

A total of 3,050 German Angus (Aberdeen Angus x German dual-purpose breeds), Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, and German Simmental calves were used to examine temperament traits of beef cattle using 2 different test procedures. The chute test and the flight-speed test have been validated in terms of routine on-farm applicability. Behavior tests were performed in 2006 and 2007 on 24 commercial beef cattle farms located in the northern and eastern part of Germany. A single, trained observer assigned subjective scores to characterize the behavior of each animal during restraint in the head gate (calm, restless shifting, squirming, vigorous movement, violent struggling) and when leaving the chute (walk, trot, run, jumping out of the chute). Breed was a significant source of variation in chute scores and flight-speed scores (P < 0.001). Charolais and Limousin cattle had the greatest scores in both traits, whereas Herefords had the least (P < 0.001) chute scores. German Angus and Hereford calves had the least (P < 0.001) flight-speeds, indicating that these breeds have a more favorable temperament. Temperament scores differed significantly between male and female calves (P < 0.01), with females scoring better for both traits. Average daily BW gains of the calves were significantly influenced by effects of breed (P < 0.001) and sex (P < 0.001) of the calves. Heritabilities were estimated for chute- and flight-speed scores of beef cattle. They were least for chute score and flight-speed score of Limousin cattle with values of 0.11. In contrast, greatest heritabilities were 0.33 for chute score and 0.36 for flight-speed score of Hereford cattle. Genetic correlations were estimated among both temperament traits, with values between 0.57 and 0.98. Chute scores and visual flight-speed scores were negatively correlated with daily BW gain of the calves in most breeds. The results presented in this paper indicate that on-farm evaluation of beef cattle temperament is possible, either using the chute test or the flight-speed test. Genetic selection seems to be promising to improve temperament traits of beef cattle without decreasing production traits like ADG of the calves.

Effect of age at weaning on the physiological stress response and temperament of two beef cattle breeds

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of age at weaning and breed on the stress response of calves to weaning and their temperament. At calving, 14 Parda de Montaña calves and 14 Pirenaica calves were randomly assigned to either early weaning (at 90 days) or traditional weaning (at 150 days) treatment. During nursing, calves were allowed to suckle their dams twice a day for 30 min. After weaning, calves were placed in an adjacent barn without access to their dams, where they remained for 7 days. On day 8 after weaning, they were transported to a feedlot where they received an intensive diet. Blood samples were taken 168 h before weaning (baseline) and 6, 24, 48 and 168 h after weaning for cortisol, fibrinogen and haematology analyses, and temperament was measured 90 and 180 days after weaning with the flight speed test. Cortisol concentration increased after weaning, irrespective of age at weaning. Early-weaned calves had a lower fibrinogen baseline and a greater increase in fibrinogen concentrations 48 h after weaning than traditionally weaned calves. Moreover, fibrinogen concentration returned to baseline values 168 h after weaning in traditionally weaned calves, whereas it remained high in early-weaned calves. Concerning breed effects, Pirenaica calves had higher cortisol concentration and fibrinogen increments after weaning than Parda de Montaña calves. Slight alterations occurred after weaning in haematology, but all parameters returned to baseline values 168 h after weaning, with no significant effects of age at weaning or breed. Despite the absence of clinical signs, early-weaned calves of both breeds suffered marginal anaemia, according to haemoglobin values. Regardless of age at weaning, Pirenaica calves had greater reactivity to human presence than Parda de Montaña calves, according to their higher flight speed values measured. Finally, early-weaned calves were lighter than traditionally weaned calves at weaning, but had similar weight gains in the feedlot. Consequently, they needed an additional 40 days to reach the target weight, irrespective of breed. Therefore, age at weaning had no major effects on the stress response to weaning or temperament, but early weaning increased the length of the feedlot period. On the other hand, Pirenaica calves were more reactive than Parda de Montaña calves to the stress of weaning and human presence.

Consistency of flight speed and its correlation to productivity and to personality in Bos taurus beef cattle

Flight speed (FS) has been used as a measure of temperament and is correlated with weight gain in Bos indicus cattle. However, no work to date has investigated this relationship in Bos taurus cattle and, more importantly, there have been no attempts to understand the individual differences in personality which cause individual differences in FS and average daily gain (ADG). Thus, the objectives of this study were to: (a) evaluate the reliability of the FS test by repeated measurements, (b) determine the correlation of FS to ADG, and (c) examine the correlation of FS and ADG to personality traits measured in a social separation test. FS measurements for 61 Aberdeen Angus crossbred heifers were repeated three times at 4-week intervals (FS 1–3), and a fourth time (FS 4) immediately following FS 3. The relationship between FS and ADG over 8 weeks was quadratic ( P < 0.05), with those animals having particularly high FS showing the lowest ADG over the study period. FS increased slightly over time (FS 1–3 = 3.20, 3.36, 3.84 m/s, respectively), which may be attributed to either increased fearfulness or animal growth. The monthly measures of FS were significantly correlated (FS 1,2: r = 0.50; FS 2,3: r = 0.63), which may reflect individual consistency. The two FS measures taken within a day did not differ and were correlated (FS 4 = 4.03 m/s; FS 3,4: r = 0.84). A 15 min social separation test was conducted once using a subset of 36 animals. Animals having higher FS showed more locomotion ( r s = 0.34) and changed between behavioural states more often ( r s = 0.35), possibly reflecting an agitated state during the social separation test. The shorter duration of immobility ( r s = −0.34) and the lower frequency of vigilance ( r s = −0.40), along with the higher locomotion ( r s = 0.41) of cattle with higher ADG, may indicate an absence of fear during a social separation test. In conclusion, the results indicate that animals that differed in their FS also exhibited differences in their personality traits, which may be related to differences in their physiological characteristics resulting in differences in ADG.

Comparative Evaluation of the Temperaments of Charolais and Hungarian Grey Steers

Animal breeding increasingly lays claim to the theoretical and practical knowledge of applied ethology. The authors’ aim was to evaluate and compare the temperaments of Charolais (CH, n= 10) and Hungarian Grey (HG, n= 10) steers, and also to determine the correlation between their temperament scores and flight speed scores. Temperament was evaluated by the results of the scale test (assessing of behaviour in a 1-5 score system, while the animal is standing on a scale for 30 seconds) and flight speed test (minutes it takes the animal to move a set distance of 1.7 m when leaving the scale), on three occasions (1, 2, 3). Data management was done by SPSS.10 (ANOVA, Mann-Whitney-test, Spearman-correlation). Results of the scale test differed significantly between breeds at the third measurement (CH: 2,9 scores; HG: 1,4 scores; P&lt;0,01) and when evaluating the three measurements together (CH: 2,0 scores; HG: 1,37 scores; P&lt;0,05). Concerning of flight speed score, there were significant differences between breeds of steers at each measurement (1. measurement CH: 2,77 s; HG: 4,09 s; P&lt;0,05; 2. measurement CH: 2,89 s; HG: 5,01 s; P&lt;0,01; 3. measurement CH: 2,46 s; HG: 5,33 s; P&lt;0,01) and overall (CH: 2,71 s; HG: 4,81 s; P&lt;0,001). In the case of both breeds, evaluated by measurements and overall, a negative correlation was calculated between temperament score and flight speed score, but this was significant only in three cases: CH1 (n=10) r= -0,75; P&lt;0,01; CH1+2+3 (n=30) r= -0,44; P&lt;0,05; CH+HG1+2+3 (n=60) r= -0,33; P&lt;0,01). Results indicate that Hungarian Grey steers are calmer than individuals of Charolais. Animals behaving calmer on the scale left the scale, more slowly. The authors propose the use of these temperament tests in Hungarian breeding practice, in order to select too temperament animals.