Free-stall Housing Research Articles

How dairy heifers initially respond to free stalls: the effect of neck-rail placement

Dairy heifers are often kept on open packs early in life and later transitioned to free stalls. The neck-rail in free stalls acts as a barrier intended to prevent animals from entering too far in the stall, with the aim of improving stall cleanliness. Unfortunately, this barrier can hinder stall use and may be a hazard to animals due to physical contact, perhaps especially when animals first learn to use the stall. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 2 different neck-rail positions on frequency of stall use (for lying and standing) and misuse (standing or lying backward in the stall and lying down outside of the stall) by dairy heifers when first introduced to free-stall housing. A secondary aim was to measure, via the use of an instrumented neck-rail, the maximum force (N) with which heifers contacted this part of the stall. Holstein heifers (n = 8 per treatment) were randomly assigned to one of 2 neck-rail positions: 110 cm and 130 cm (as measured diagonally from the inside of the rear curb to the bottom of the instrumented neck-rail, 0.7 m above the bedded stall surface). Animals were tested individually and responses were measured for 6 h following introduction to the free stalls. On average (median, minimum, maximum) heifers lay down 3.5 (0, 6) times in the free-stall when the neck-rail was positioned at 130 cm vs. 0 (0, 4) times at 110 cm. Heifers also were more likely to stand fully in the stall when the neck-rail was positioned at 130 cm vs. 110 cm (3.5, 0, 9 vs. 1, 0, 3), and were also more likely to stand backward in the stall (3, 0, 5 vs. 0, 0, 1). In contrast, heifers tested at the 130 cm position were rarely observed lying down outside of the stall (1, 0, 4), while this behavior was more common at the 110 cm treatment (4, 0, 7). Contrary to our expectation, the force with which heifers contacted the neck-rail was higher in the 130 cm vs. the 110 cm treatment (337, 6, 548 vs. 78, 26, 403 N). We conclude that neck-rail position acts as a barrier for naïve heifers, such that a more restrictive position reduces the likelihood that heifers use the stall correctly.

Dynamics of milk productivity of cows depending on the method of housing and the calving season

The results of the dynamics of milk productivity of cows depending on the method of housing and calving season have been presented in the paper. Under the conditions of the Educational and Experimental Farm “Ramzai” of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Penza State Agrarian University”, a stall and pasture system and tie-up housing of cows is used. In CJSC “Konstantinovo” a stall system and free-stall method of housing of cows is used with using separate boxes for the animals. For research, animals were divided into groups depending on the method of housing and calving time. Analysis of the average monthly milk yield of fi rst-calf heifers showed that, in general, their dynamics were the same. However, animals housed in free-stall and calved in the spring-summer period showed higher productivity rates, exceeding on average other groups of animals by 124 kg or 20 %. The highest productivity values in the fi rst three months of lactation were in cows of the 1st group, housed in free-stall method. In relation to milk yield for the fi rst 3 months to milk yield for 305 days of lactation, the fluctuations ranged from 19 to 35 % with free-stall housing, and from 26 to 34 % with tie-up housing. It was revealed on the base of study of the milk productivity of cows for 305 days of lactation that the highest indicators were obtained from cows housed in free-stall method 6127–6845 kg of milk, while with the tie-up method of housing 4870–5020 kg only. When assessing the lactation activity of cows by month of lactation, it was found that both the method of housing and the calving season of cows influence milk productivity and the dynamics of milk yield by month of lactation. At the same time, cows housed in freestall method had higher productivity and a stable lactation curve.

Partial herd hoof trimming results in a higher economic net benefit than whole herd hoof trimming in dairy herds.

Sole ulcers, a common cause of lameness is the costliest non-infectious foot lesion in dairy cows and one of the most prevalent non-infectious foot lesions in freestall housing systems. Costs associated with sole ulcers are treatment costs, plus increased labor and decreased productivity and fertility. Routine hoof trimming is part of a strategy to manage sole ulcers. However, hoof trimming strategies differ among farms. The two most frequently applied strategies are: 1) partial herd hoof trimming with a 2-month interval between trims; and 2) whole herd hoof trimming at 6-month intervals. A Markov model was developed to investigate whether every 2 months partial herd hoof trimming or whole herd hoof trimming every 6 months was the most cost-effective strategy to avoid costs associated with sole ulcers. In this model, the net benefits for a 100-cow herd and the average productive life span of a dairy cow in intensive dairy systems of 3 years were evaluated. Partial herd hoof trimming was the most cost-effective strategy 100% of the time compared to whole herd hoof trimming, with a difference in 3-year net benefits of US$4,337 (95% CI: US$2,713-US$5,830). Based on sensitivity analyses, variables that were the sources of the biggest uncertainty in the model were herd size, the probability of being trimmed in a partial herd trim, and the prevalence of sole ulcers. To further investigate the impacts of herd size and of probability of being trimmed, various scenario analyses were conducted. With increasing herd size, the difference in net benefits in favor of partial herd hoof trimming increased even more. Scenario analyses about the probability of getting trimmed all indicated that targeted intervention increased the difference in net benefits in favor of partial herd hoof trimming. However, if the selection of cows to be trimmed in a partial herd trim was random, the whole herd hoof trimming strategy became cost-effective. Therefore, targeted selection and early intervention are necessary to decrease costs associated with sole ulcers.

Cytokine inflammatory response in dairy cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae.

The aim of the study was evaluation of the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, IL-12β and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the serum and milk of cows with mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. A total of 60 milk samples from diseased cows and 30 milk samples from healthy cows were included in the study. Blood and milk samples were taken from Holstein-Friesian cows from three herds (two in tie-stall and one in a free-stall housing system) in Lublin Province in Poland. The concentrations of cytokines in blood serum and quarter milk samples were determined by ELISA. The levels of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-12β and TNF-α were significantly higher in the milk of cows suffering from mastitis caused by S. agalactiae compared to the milk of healthy cows (263.03 vs 55.36 pg/mL, 298.34 vs 131.82 pg/mL, 604.10 vs 139.17 pg/mL and 460.86 vs 78.82 pg/mL, respectively). In the group of sick cows, cytokine levels were significantly higher in milk than in serum (263.03 vs 55.25 pg/mL for IL-1β, 298.34 vs 164.22 pg/mL for IL-8, 604.10 vs 70.34 pg/mL for IL-12β and 460.86 vs 104.78 pg/mL for TNF-α). The results confirm the involvement of the entire bovine immune system to protect against the bacteria first locally in the udder. The response of the mammary gland to infection caused by S. agalactiae is rapid and already very strong at the beginning of the infection.

Bioaerosols in Eastern Canadian Dairy Barns Using Tie- and Free-Stall Housing

Highlights Building characteristics (ventilation and animal density) seem to have an important effect on air quality. Concentration in the air seems to be influenced by amounts in the bedding for certain air quality indicators. Dust concentrations were below OSHA threshold, while some barns exceeded DECOS threshold for endotoxins. This study gives new data into the biological components in the air of dairy barns (bacteria, molds, endotoxins, etc.) Free-stall or tie-stall housing may not be linked with poorer air quality. Abstract. Alternative farming methods make it possible to satisfy public demands for animal welfare while preserving production efficiency, with free housing in dairy farms being an example. The increased movement of cows may have a negative impact on air quality and the presence of etiological agents, increasing the prevalence of lung disease in workers. Free-stall farms, however, are more spacious and modern than tie-stall farms. This study characterizes air quality in free-stall and tie-stall farms (dust, total bacteria, Penicillium/Aspergillus, archaea, and endotoxins). It also focuses on detecting airborne etiological agents and indicators of fecal contamination, as well as assessing the effect of environmental factors on air quality. Five farms of each type (free housing and tie housing) using straw bedding material and equipped with mechanical ventilation were visited. Sampling visits were conducted in winter with no activity (e.g., bedding spreading) in buildings. Dust was evaluated using the DustTrakTM DRX Aerosol Monitor, and bioaerosols were sampled in triplicates for 10 minutes using the SASS®3100 Dry Air Sampler. Finally, soiled bedding was collected throughout the barn. No type of housing seems to be linked with poorer air quality, but some air quality indicators stood out in some outliers. The most recently designed free-housing buildings and the greater air volume may have played a role in the absence of detected differences. Escherichia coli, Enterococcus spp., Clostridium perfringens, Aspergillus fumigatus, Staphylococcus aureus, Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, Coxiella burnetii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were detected in high concentrations in both types of buildings. Soiled bedding concentrations, ventilation rates, and animal density seemed to have a significance on air quality in dairy barns. Keywords: Air Quality, Bioaerosols, Housing, Occupational exposure.

Scientific and production substantiation of the effectiveness of the product for dry hoof baths

This paper presents the results of a study of the adsorption activity of a developed complex product for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the distal extremities of cattle and its effectiveness with individual and group use using the method of dry hoof baths in a number of agricultural enterprises with tethered and freestall housing of cattle. It was shown that the developed product has a porous structure and a wide range of adsorption. The main cause of infection causing mass lesions of the fingers and hooves of cattle in the surveyed agricultural enterprises was an increase in the threshold number of the diversity of saprophytic and opportunistic microorganisms transmitted directly from one animal to another. Associations of bacteria and micromycetes determined the cause of the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases of the fingers and hooves. The test results of the developed complex product, which includes inorganic adsorbents and active substances with pronounced fungicidal, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties indicate the possibility of its introduction into the system of control measures with diseases of fingers and hooves in disadvantaged agricultural enterprises with both tethered and free-stall livestock keeping.

Formation of meat productivity and quality of meat of young cattle of the Aberdeen-Angus and Blanc-Blue Belge breeds

Beef differs from meat from other types of animals in quality, taste and versatility in cooking. The reduction in livestock numbers leads to a negative trend in beef production; therefore, crossing beef cattle with Holstein bulls was the optimal solution. However, reducing the number of young animals for fattening does not improve the quality of their meat. In this regard, assessing the efficiency of beef production, depending on the period of cultivation and slaughter, taking into account quality indicators, is relevant and has practical value. Of particular importance is the study of the meat characteristics of bulls of modern meat breeds, in particular Blanc Blue Belge and Aberdeen Angus, in the conditions of the Central Black Earth zone of free-stall housing using existing stationary premises. The research was carried out in accordance with the plan of research work at the Department of Private Animal Science of Voronezh State Agrarian University in LLC “SHP Novomarkovskoe” Kantemirovsky district of the Voronezh region. During the study, the features of the formation of meat productivity of bulls and heifers of the Aberdeen Angus breed in comparison with the Blanc Blue breed were studied Belge. The results obtained were analyzed in terms of live weight and average daily gains of these breeds. The data obtained were presented in the form of diagrams reflecting changes in live weight during the periods of growing, growing and fattening. Significant differences in the chemical composition of meat of the Aberdeen-Angus breeds were also identified and Blanc Blue Belge based on the protein and fat content in the meat of these breeds.

316 Routine Claw Trimming Data Provides Insight into the Occurrence of Claw Lesions Holstein Herds in the Central Region of South Africa

Abstract Claw lesions in dairy cows are a primary contributor to lameness, posing severe welfare concerns due to the distress and discomfort experienced by affected cows. Claw disorders have a significant negative impact on herd efficiency, milk yield, reproductive performance, and involuntary culling. Despite increased awareness of the detrimental effects of lameness, its incidence has continued to rise. Reducing the occurrence of lameness remains a major challenge, especially in defining and recording of claw traits. In South Africa (SA), claw data is limited to private hoof trimmers with paper-based recording. The objective of this research was to examine the occurrence and recording of claw lesions in Holstein cattle from the central region of South Africa. Claw-trimming data from five intensively managed dairy farms (average herd size: 1,073) using both dirt lot (DL) and free-stall (FS) housing systems were analyzed over a six-year period (2014 to 2019). The Claw Lesion Identification in Dairy Cattle brochure, co-developed by Zinpro Corporation and the International Lameness Committee, was used as the reference for lesion identification by a local hoof trimmer. Digital dermatitis (D) showed the greatest prevalence (64.02% of all recorded lesions), followed by sole ulcers (U; 8.59%), white line disease (W; 6.27%), and sole hemorrhage (H; 4.28%), with most lesions occurring in the rear feet. A chi-square test of independence between lesion and housing was rejected (P < 0.0001). Correspondence analysis (CA) was then used to explore these dependencies. The first dimension of the graphical display explained 90.7% of the variation in the data. The CA indicated that the prevalence of D and F are strongly associated, and closely associated with U. The prevalence of these lesions is also associated with housing systems DL and FS. The CA also confirmed a close association between W and H, and the prevalence of these lesions in housing system DL+FS. Improving the precision of claw lesion identification and recording, especially with regard to lesions that tend to occur together, can furnish essential data to identify the most prevalent lesions in a population. This will enhance our comprehension of the causal factors behind these significant lesions and offer producers practical recommendations to use these data for prevention, early detection, management, and improvement of lameness.

Seasonal effects on multiparous dairy cow behavior in early lactation

Controlled studies have shown that heat stress abatement positively influences health, productivity, behavior, and reproductive performance of dairy cows during all stages of the lactation cycle. Based on previous findings, the present study focused on a better understanding of how seasonal changes affect the behavior of multiparous lactating dairy cows kept in typical free-stall housing with the objective to aid in the management of lactating cows exposed to variable environmental conditions. Automated monitoring devices (Nedap, the Netherlands) were used to assess behavioral activity of mature Holstein dairy cows during the “hot season” (HS; n = 19; July, August, and September) and the “cool season” (CS; n = 15; December, January, and February) under normal management conditions. Cows received a leg tag to measure daily lying time, and number of steps and standing bouts, and a neck tag to measure eating and rumination time. All cows were housed in sand-bedded freestall barns equipped with cooling systems (soakers and fans). Behavior, milk production and milk components were recorded for the first 9 wk of lactation after calving. Average temperature-humidity index (THI) was 78.2 ± 0.4 (± standard error) in the HS and 54.4 ± 0.2 in the CS. Fat-corrected milk yield was greater in the CS compared with HS during the first 5 wk of lactation. Milk protein percentage was lower in CS during the first 2 wk of lactation. In contrast with HS, milk fat percentage was greater in the CS. Compared with CS, overall, during HS cows spent less time eating, lying down, and tended to spend less time ruminating. In addition, exposure to high THI resulted in increases in standing bouts, and overall standing time in HS relative to CS. No differences in number of steps were observed between HS and CS. In summary, exposure to high THI during lactation seems to negatively affect the behavior and consequently the daily time budget of lactating Holstein cows, even under housing conditions with active cooling. A better understanding on how different seasons affect the daily time budget of lactating dairy cows may contribute to the development of more effective management strategies to decrease the negative effects of heat exposure.

Outdoor access practices in the Canadian dairy industry

Dairy cows are highly motivated to access pasture and have a partial preference for alternative forms of outdoor access (e.g., deep-bedded outdoor sand or wood-chip packs). In addition, Canadians value the provision of outdoor access to dairy cows as they perceive it as important for good cow welfare. In contrast to Europe, Oceania, and the USA, little data exist on the use of outdoor access on Canadian dairy farms. Therefore, our objective was to assess current outdoor access practices for dairy cows in Canada. An online questionnaire was used to determine housing and outdoor access practices for lactating cows, dry cows, pregnant heifers, and weaned, nonpregnant heifers on Canadian dairy farms. The questionnaire was distributed by the 10 provincial milk boards between November 2020 and August 2021, resulting in an 8.9% response rate (n = 903 completed questionnaires). In total, 75% (n = 675) of respondents provided some form of outdoor access to at least 1 cattle class on their farm. Pasture was the most frequently used form of outdoor access for all cattle classes. A total of 28 and 44% of Canadian dairy farms provided lactating and dry cows, respectively, access to pasture whereas for youngstock, these numbers were 44 and 24% for pregnant heifers and weaned, nonpregnant heifers, respectively. Herd size (for each cow class), indoor housing system, and region were all associated with the provision of pasture. Farms with larger lactating herds less often provided access to pasture; larger herd sizes in terms of weaned, nonpregnant heifers, pregnant heifers, and dry cows were also associated with a lower likelihood of access to pasture. Farms using indoor bedded pack housing for their lactating cows more often provided pasture to this cattle class than farms with freestall or tiestall housing; this likelihood did not differ between farms with tie or freestall housing for this cattle class. Dry cows or pregnant heifers housed in a tiestall were more often provided pasture than freestall-housed dry cows or pregnant heifers. Housing type for weaned, nonpregnant heifers was not associated with the likelihood of pasture provision. Farms in British Columbia or on Canada's East Coast (i.e., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) more often provided lactating cows pasture compared with farms in other regions. For the other 3 cattle classes, farms on the East Coast of Canada more often provided pasture than farms in other parts of Canada. These results will inform future decisions regarding outdoor access for Canadian dairy cattle and may also aid in identifying future areas of research. For example, our results may aid in designing housing systems that facilitate outdoor access in larger herds and in areas that are subject to more extreme weather conditions.

Behavioral and physiological responses to an inspired-air supplemental cooling system for dairy cows in free-stall housing.

During heat stress, dairy cows spend less time lying down to dissipate heat. Heat stress abatement strategies generally target cows outside of their resting areas. However, cooling cows while in their stalls could help alleviate heat stress without compromising lying behavior. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of an inspired-air supplemental cooling system (SCS) on respiration rate, rectal temperatures, lying behavior, rumination time, and milk production (energy-corrected milk, ECM) of lactating dairy cows. A free-stall pen was retrofitted with custom stall partitions to deliver cooled air and mist. The pen, including the stall platform, was divided into two separate sides. Twenty-eight lactating Holstein cows were randomly sorted into two groups, each housed on one side of the experimental pen. Cows experienced four treatments (control, CTRL; cooled air, AIR; mist, MIST; cooled air and mist, AIR+MIST) in a four-treatment, four-period, two-sequence crossover design, with each period lasting seven days. Cooled air was provided continuously, and mist was cycled 3min on, 12min off from 0900 to 2100h. Respiration rates were observed hourly between 0900 and 1500h, and only measurements recorded while cows were lying down were used in the analysis. Rectal temperatures of 16 focal cows were recorded at 1545h once per day. Lying behavior and rumination were recorded continuously, and milk yields recorded twice daily were used to calculate ECM. Throughout the experimental period, the average temperature-humidity index was 66.4±6.07. During the MIST treatment, the respiration rate was lower than the CTRL (45.7 vs 49.0±1.92 breaths/min) and AIR (45.7 vs 48.7±1.92 breaths/min). CTRL and AIR did not differ (48.7 vs 49.0±1.92 breaths/min), and MIST and AIR+MIST (45.7 vs 47.1±1.92 breaths/min) did not differ. All other variables were not significantly different between treatments. In conclusion, the SCS appeared to be tolerated by cows and shows the potential to assist in alleviating heat stress. The cooling capacity needs to be evaluated under more extreme environmental conditions causing heat stress than those experienced during this study. Further testing is required to determine the cooled air temperature specifications and mist delivery frequency.

Prevalence of udder pathogens in milk samples from Norwegian dairy cows recorded in a national database in 2019 and 2020

BackgroundIdentification of aetiological agents of mastitis in dairy cattle is important for herd management of udder health. In Norway, results from mastitis diagnostics are systematically recorded in a central database, so that the dairy industry can follow trends in the recorded frequency of udder pathogens and antimicrobial resistance patterns at national level. However, bacteriological testing of milk samples is based on voluntary sampling, and data are therefore subject to some bias. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of udder pathogens in Norwegian dairy cows by analysing data from the national routine mastitis diagnostics and to explore how routines for sampling and diagnostic interpretations may affect the apparent prevalence of different bacterial pathogens. We also assessed associations between udder pathogen findings and the barn- and milking systems of the herds.ResultsThe most frequently detected major udder pathogens among all milk samples submitted for bacterial culture (n = 36,431) were Staphylococcus aureus (24.5%), Streptococcus dysgalactiae (13.3%) and Streptococcus uberis (9.0%). In the subset of samples from clinical mastitis (n = 7598); Escherichia coli (14.5%) was the second most frequently detected pathogen following S. aureus (27.1%). Staphylococcus epidermidis (10.0%), Corynebacterium bovis (9.4%), and Staphylococcus chromogenes (6.0%) dominated among the minor udder pathogens. Non-aureus staphylococci as a group, identified in 39% of the sampling events, was the most frequently identified udder pathogen in Norway. By using different definitions of cow-level bacterial diagnoses, the distribution of minor udder pathogens changed.Several udder pathogens were associated with the barn- and milking system but the associations were reduced in strength when data were analysed from farms with a comparable herd size. S. aureus was associated with tiestall housing, E. coli and S. dysgalactiae were associated with freestall housing, and S. epidermidis was associated with automatic milking systems.Only 2.5% of the 10,675 tested S. aureus isolates were resistant to benzylpenicillin. Among the 2153 tested non-aureus staphylococci, altogether 34% were resistant to benzylpenicillin.ConclusionsThis study presents the recorded prevalence of udder pathogens in Norway over a two-year period and assesses the possible impact of the sampling strategies, diagnostic methods and diagnostic criteria utilized in Norway, as well as associations with different housing and milking systems. The national database with records of results from routine mastitis diagnostics in Norway provides valuable information about the aetiology of bovine mastitis at population level and can reveal shifts in the distribution and occurrence of udder pathogens.

Conversion of protein and feed energy into food protein and meat fat in steers of Simmental breed

The organism of young cattle in postnatal ontogenesis can be considered as a system capable of effectively transforming feed nutrients into food protein and fat. The intensity of synthesis and accumulation of protein and fat in carcasses depends on the technological solutions used at all stages of beef production such as rearing and fattening. The purpose of the research was to study the character and intensity of protein and fat deposition in steers of Simmental breed, as well as the ability of their body to transform protein and metabolic energy of feed into the main nutrients of the beef of carcasses under conditions of various methods of housing. Using the method of pairs of analogues taking into account the origin, age and birth weight, 3 groups of steers with 15 heads in each were formed. The housing of steers of the 1st control group was in group-housed till 7 months, and then by keep tied method. Calves of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups from birth to the age of 7 months were reared using the technology of beef cattle breeding on suckling method. After weaning from the cows, the steers of the 2nd experimental group were transferred to keep tied method, and the herdmates of the 3rd experimental group were transferred to free-stall housing. The slaughter of steers was carried out at birth, at the age of 6, 12, 15 and 18 months, determining the morphological composition of carcasses and the chemical composition of the average sample of meat, on the basis of which the conversion of protein and feed energy into food protein and fat of carcasses was calculated. It was found that weaning stress and free-stall housing negatively aff ected the ability of steers to transform protein and feed energy into nutrients of meat products, which resulted in a decrease in the conversion coeffi cients of protein, fat and energy. The value of the protein conversion coeffi cient at the end of the experimental period was in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups 6,7; 6,6; 6,1 %, respectively. The conversion coeffi cients of the metabolic energy of feed into fat and the energy of the edible part of carcasses in young animals of the 3rd experimental group aged 12, 15 and 18 months were, respectively, 1,4; 1,7 and 1,5 abs.% lower than in animals of the 1st control group.

Influence of high temperatures on the behavior, productivity and bioenergetic characteristics of goats

Abstract. The research was carried out in IE «Babyni kozy» of Kyiv region at a goat farm where a stable-pasture system of goats is used. In winter, goats are kept at free-stall housing on a deep litter and during the grazing period, on a forage area. Goats are milked on a milking parlor into the milk line. The article presents the results of researches of the influence of ambient temperature during the thermo neutral period and during the period of high temperatures on the productivity, daily behavior and bioenergetic characteristics of Saanen goats. A group of goats of the Saanen breed of the 3rd lactation was formed during the period of the milk yield increasing. The research was performed in thermo neutral period (average daily air temperature was up to + 22.3 °C) and during the period of temperature load at an average daily air temperature of + 27.6 °C. Each period lasted 12 days. It has been found that goats responded to the change in temperature by reducing of productivity by 10.70 % (0.35 kg). Hereby, the mass fraction of fat in goat's milk during this period increased by 0.09 %. During the period of high temperatures, goats spent a little less time eating food, watering and walking, but rested more in a supine position compared to the thermo neutral period. In general, in both temperature periods, the duration of the main acts of behavior in goats corresponded to physiological norms. The decrease in the duration of feed consumption during the temperature load caused a decrease in the number of feed reactions and the duration of chewing the cuddy in goats. The energy index, i.e. the amount of net energy consumption of feed, which transfers into milk energy during the temperature load decreased by 1.42 MJ %. Net energy consumption per 1 MJ of milk energy during the period of high temperatures has increased by 0.62 MJ. Key words: goats, temperature, productivity, metabolic energy, behavior, bio-energy.

IoT Based Monitoring System for Mobility Control of Dairy Cattle in Indonesia

Providing appropriate space for movement is one of the best ways needed to increase cows’ comfort in optimizing their productivity. Currently, several farms have made some changes to the housing system by implementing a free-stall housing system. The system makes the cows more comfortable to rest and do activities because they are not tied up. Due to the large number of cows that are kept, sometimes farmers find it difficult to detect the health condition of each cow individually. Hence, an early detection system is needed to control and monitor cattle activity. The study aimed to develop a monitoring system at the free stall barn farm based on the internet of things. The method used for the study adopted the steps in the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Microcontroller-based dairy cow mobility monitoring tool built with NodeMCU ESP8266, GPS sensor, 5v booster, 18650 battery and housing to protect all components. All components used cables with the provisions of the NodeMCU ESP8266 as the tool control centre, GPS sensor as a coordinate point reader, battery as a voltage source, and 5v voltage booster as a component that controls the tool and controls the power off or on. The tool works by getting a power source from the battery and then displaying all the components. The GPS antenna will search for satellites to determine the coordinates of the tool and the coordinate point information will be sent to the NodeMCU ESP8266. When the GPS antenna searches for coordinates, the NodeMCU ESP8266 will look for a WiFi connection in it to then be able to access the internet and send information from the GPS sensor to the hosting website.

Apparent prevalence and risk factors for udder skin diseases and udder edema in Bavarian dairy herds.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors for teat warts, udder edema, udder thigh dermatitis, and udder cleft dermatitis on Bavarian dairy farms. Udder health and hygiene scores of lactating cows were recorded on 152 farms in Bavaria, Germany. Management practices (e.g., housing, milking systems, and feeding regimens) were assessed with a comprehensive questionnaire. Adjusted prevalence estimates were determined using regression analysis with herd as the random effect. Mann-Whitney U or Fisher's exact on herd level and regression analyses on cow level were performed to determine risk factors. Of the 6,208 cows examined, 4.0% had teat warts, 1.1% udder edema, 0.2% udder thigh dermatitis, and 0.3% udder cleft dermatitis. The apparent median within-herd prevalence was less than 4% for all 4 diseases. Herd-level factors that were associated with the presence of teat warts on a farm were the proportion of cows with poor teat ends as well as conventional milking systems compared with milking robots. At a cow level, teat warts were associated with high somatic cell counts. Herds with poor depth (<5 cm) of bedding material and cows with days in milk less than 60 d had increased odds for udder edema. First-lactating cows had higher odds for udder thigh dermatitis. Freestall housing and comfort rubber mats were identified as risk factors for udder cleft dermatitis on a herd level. In conclusion, although most nonmastitis udder diseases were rarely observed in this study, some herd management practices and cow factors were associated with their presence on a farm or cow level. Future studies are needed to further investigate risk factors for each disease in more detail.

Comparison of Cattle Housing Systems Based on the Criterion of Damage to Barn Equipment and Construction Errors.

Simple SummaryAs a result of many years of use, dairy cattle barns are subject to gradual wear and degradation. Damage to technical equipment can be identified in many areas in the barn. These areas are used by dairy cattle, so it is important to recognize the problem of damage and the associated health risks for animals. The problem of damage to internal equipment (e.g., damage to the floor, partitions between lying stalls, feed ladders, drinking bowls) applies to both tie-stall and freestall barns, which are the most common in dairy farms. Such premises became an inspiration to compare barns with a tie-stall system, a freestall system and their individual areas (lying, feeding, milking and social) in terms of the amount of damage but also construction errors. Most damage per one barn was found in the feeding area of objects with a tie-stall housing system. More cow health problems (e.g., laminitis, hoof problems) were identified in the barns with the freestall housing system. Equipment failures and construction errors may disrupt efficient and animal-safe dairy production in the barn. The results of the research study may be an incentive for farmers to check the barns in terms of their technical wear.Dairy cattle housing systems are the subject of numerous studies, in which a strong emphasis is placed on the comparison of animal welfare, animal behavior, production indicators and labor inputs. Dairy cattle housing systems are linked to specific livestock buildings, which is a prerequisite for undertaking studies comparing barns and their technical equipment. The aim of the study was to compare barns with two types of housing systems, i.e., tie-stall and freestall, including the identification of technical wear in various areas used by animals. This objective was linked to the assessment of animal health problems in livestock facilities. The research covered 38 dairy farms, 19 of which kept cows in the tie-stall system and 19 in the freestall system. The barns in these farms were examined for technical damage and construction errors, assessed in four areas: lying, feeding, milking and social. The research results confirmed significant differences in the degree of damage to technical equipment in individual areas of barns and between barns with tie-stall and freestall housing systems. The conclusions indicate the need to link the degradation of barns and their technical equipment, as well as design errors with the evaluation of dairy cattle welfare in future studies.

Effects of freestall vs. bedded pack housing on growth performance, health status, and behavioral responses of weaned heifers

This research evaluates the effect of two housing types, freestalls vs. bedded-pack, on growth performance, health scoring, and behavior of weaned heifers. Twenty-four heifers with no previous experience with freestalls (12 heifers/ treatment) were randomly assigned to the two treatments (freestalls vs. bedded-pack) at d 80 ± 3 of age. Heifers had free access to total mixed ration (TMR) and water throughout the experiment. The TMR intake and health score were recorded daily from d 80 to 110 of age. Body weight and skeletal growth of heifers were measured at the beginning (d 80) and the end (d110) of the experiment. Feeding behaviors were recorded for a period of 22 h and at the same time. Growth performance (ADG, structural growth, and final body weight), overall DMI, and health assessment (fecal score, general appearance, and rectal temperature) were similar between treatments. Behavioral patterns of eating, drinking, standing, lying, and rumination were also similar between treatments. However, in freestall-housed heifers, the proportion of time spent lying inside the stall increased by 8.1%, and time spent lying outside the stall decreased by 9.44% from the beginning to the end of the study (from 80 to 110 d). In summary, our results indicate that weaned heifers showed similar growth performance, behavior, and health when housed in freestall and bedded-pack housing. However, introducing weaned heifers to freestall housing at an early age will prepare them for using the facility.

Experience and problems of implementation of digital solutions in animal husbandry of the Republic of Belarus (review)

The presented review article describes a number of some important software products, information systems, and other digital solutions that are extremely necessary for the effective functioning of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Belarus in general and animal husbandry in particular. The important global trends in the development of modern agriculture are considered, the benefits received by farmers from the use of various digital technologies are discussed, and the need to accelerate the current pace of introduction of diffirent elements of precision farming and animal husbandry systems into Belarusian agriculture is noted. In the animal husbandry of the republic a number of farms using Smart Farm technology already use robotic milking modules with monitoring of milk quality and the physiological state of animals, which reduces the incidence of cows with mastitis by 25–30 %, increases the time of economic use of animals up to 4–5 lactations. The use of robotic tools for the preparation and distribution of feed mixtures allows us to increase the milk yield of cows by 30–40 %. At the same time, the profitability of products produced using this technology can exceed 40 %. Feed preparation and distribution systems have been developed. On farms with free-stall housing animal husbandry, concentrated feed is normalized by the automated cow feeding station SKA-25 developed by RUE “NPC of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Agricultural Mechanization”. The use of a feeding station makes it possible to automate the process of issuing concentrated feed, as well as to monitor the use of high-energy feed through automated process control systems on cattle farms.

Productivity of cows of Black-and-White breed in association with the technology of their housing

The research of the influence of the method of housing cows on productivity, reproductive ability and productive longevity is relevant. The purpose of the research was to determine the influence of technological factors on productivity, reproductive ability, and longevity of productive use of cows in the Tver region. The research has been carried out on the basis of the breeding farm of ZAO Kalininskoye in the Tver region. In order to conduct the experiment two groups of cows were formed, depending on the method of housing. Animals in the 1st group were free-stall housing; the 2nd group of cows were in tie up housing. The feeding conditions of the experimental animals were the same. The productivity of cows after the first lactation in the 2nd group (tie up housing) exceeded the productivity of cows in the 1st group (free-stall housing). The difference in milk yields was 345 kg (P ≤ 0,01) of milk for 305 days of the first lactation with a slight difference in the mass fraction of fat and protein. The shortest duration of the period of open days with the free-stall housing was established for both first-calf heifers (123 days) and cows of the second calving (101 days) than for herdmates with the tie up housing for 16 and 27 days. The multiplicity of insemination with tie up housing was higher depending on the age, the difference was 0,42 and 0,26 units in favor of the free-stall housing. The lifetime milk yield of cows with tie up housing was 6847 kg of milk or 29,9 % higher than free-stall housing, and their average milk yield with basic fat content (3,4 %) exceeded analogues by 853 kg of milk or 10,6 %, respectively. Calculations indicate that the prim-cost of 1 centner of milk from cows with tie up housing was lower by 165,6 rubles or 10,6 %, and the profit from its sale per 1 cow was higher than the free-stall housing by 24,6 thousand rubles. The evaluation of the conducted studies fully reflects the economic feasibility of further use of the tie up housing method of cows.