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Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Welfare".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 36826

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Dr. Annabelle Beaver

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Guest Editor

Department of Animal Production, Welfare and Veterinary Sciences, Harper Adams University, Shropshire TF10 8NB, UK
Interests: dairy cattle natural behaviour; dairy cattle housing; precision technology; the human-animal relationship; dairy cow and calf contact systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of dairy cattle welfare science is burgeoning. According to Web of Science, the yearly number of peer-reviewed articles on this topic increased more than 15-fold between 1996 and 2019. The field has expanded not only in volume, but also in scope, with themes such as dairy cattle affective state, welfare assessment, human–animal relationships, and precision technology gaining momentum.

We are proposing a Special Issue on “Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity” with the aim of gathering new science and perspectives on the interrelationships between these three themes. These topics are neither synonymous nor mutually exclusive, and we invite debates on productivity as it relates to dairy cattle welfare, and the importance of natural behavior.

Dairy cattle welfare improvements depend on the incorporation of the latest scientific evidence, but science alone is insufficient to sustain progress due to the influence of societal values. Therefore, while submissions from traditional veterinary and animal science perspectives are most welcome, we also encourage manuscripts from fields such as psychology, sociology, philosophy, and law. We call for original research papers arising from multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary collaborations, as well as those implementing quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods approaches. Review papers (including narrative reviews, systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and metanalyses) will also be considered.

Dr. Annabelle Beaver
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Dairy cattle welfare
Dairy cattle behavior
Dairy cattle productivity
Affective state
Natural behavior
Policy
Stakeholder views
Precision technology
Welfare assessment
Animal welfare science

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1741 KiB

Open AccessArticle

In Silico Predictions on the Productive Life Span and Theory of Its Developmental Origin in Dairy Cows

by Evgeniy Kharitonov, Gennadiy Cherepanov and Konstantin Ostrenko

Animals 2022, 12(6), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12060684 - 9 Mar 2022

Viewed by 1800

Abstract

Animal welfare includes health but also concerns the need for natural factors that contribute to the increase in viability. Therefore, quantitative parameters are necessary to predict the risks of early culling of cows. In the study of the age dynamics of the disposal rate (culling for sum of reasons + death) in dairy cow populations, it was found that the average productive life span can be predicted by the value of the reciprocal culling/death rate (reciprocal value of Gompertz function) at the first lactation. This means that this potential of viability is formed during the developmental periods preceding the onset of lactation activity. Therefore, taking into account current data in the field of developmental biology, it can be assumed that the structural prerequisites for viability potential are laid down during prenatal development and in the early periods of postnatal life. To prevent unfavorable deviations in these processes due to negative welfare effects, it is advisable to monitor the physiological status of mothers and young animals using biosensors and Big Data systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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11 pages, 986 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing the Accuracy of Leg Mounted Sensors for Recording Dairy Cow Behavioural Activity at Pasture, in Cubicle Housing and a Straw Yard

by Gemma Charlton, Carrie Gauld, Fabio Veronesi, Steven Mark Rutter and Emma Bleach

Animals 2022, 12(5), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12050638 - 3 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1940

Abstract

The accuracy of CowAlert IceQube sensors (IceRobotics Ltd., Edinburgh, UK) for recording lying duration, standing and lying transitions and number of steps when dairy cows where at pasture, in cubicle housing and in a straw yard, was investigated. Holstein Friesian cows at Harper Adams University, UK were fitted with IceQube sensors; one on the back left (BL) leg and one on the front left (FL) leg. Cows at pasture (n = 48), in cubicle housing (n = 46) and in a straw yard (n = 45) were visually observed. Data were analysed in two stages: (1) an initial exploratory phase determined the correlation level between sensor measurements andvisual observations. Subsequently, (2) a mixed effects modelling framework was used to check whether sensors provide significantly different measures of cow’s activities compared to the observations. Results indicate that lying and standing times are similar between the observed and recorded times, in all three locations. In terms of sensor placement, significant differences were found between the number of steps recorded between BL and FL on straw and pasture, but all other activities were similar, in each location. The accuracy of CowAlert IceQube sensors on the BL leg gives them the potential to be used as lifelong sensors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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10 pages, 460 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dairy Cattle Euthanasia—Focus Groups Exploring the Perspectives of Brazilians Working in the Dairy Cattle Industry

by Victoria R. Merenda, Eduardo B. de Oliveira, Heather N. Fowler and Monique D. Pairis-Garcia

Animals 2022, 12(4), 409; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12040409 - 9 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1476

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore perspectives and attitudes about euthanasia specific to the Brazilian dairy cattle industry. Twenty-five Brazilian citizens (13 veterinarians, 4 animal scientists, 3 professors, 3 researchers, 1 dairy owner, and 1 caretaker) participated in one of three focus groups conducted and recorded online (10, 8, and 7 participants per group). Questions regarding euthanasia were posed by a moderator, and the focus group discussions were then transcribed verbatim for analysis. After the initial data analysis, themes were evaluated and collapsed into three major categories: Euthanasia Training and Farm and Human Components. A complex interconnection between the three main themes and multiple subthemes specific to dairy cattle euthanasia was also revealed. The lack of nationally recognized euthanasia guidelines for dairy cattle paired with ineffective and inaccessible euthanasia tools makes it difficult for dairy veterinarians to implement humane protocols for on-farm euthanasia. In addition, logistical factors, particularly, the financial cost of euthanasia and the human–animal bond, play a role in the failure to perform euthanasia when warranted. Future studies should focus on the development of science-based standards and producer training to improve the consistency of on-farm euthanasia in Brazilian dairy operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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15 pages, 937 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Daytime Grazing in Mountainous Areas Increases Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Decreases Cortisol in the Milk of Holstein Dairy Cows

by Jalil Ghassemi Nejad, Bae-Hun Lee, Ji-Yung Kim, Kyung-Il Sung and Hong-Gu Lee

Animals 2021, 11(11), 3122; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113122 - 31 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1958

Abstract

The effects of grazing lactating cows in mountainous areas for 12 and 24 h compared with the confined indoor system were evaluated by examining the overall milk fatty acid and cortisol. Twenty-one dairy cows were allocated to three treatment groups: (1) control (confined management system in a free-stall barn; TMR based), (2) grazing for 12 h (12 hG; TMR plus grazing pasture), and (3) grazing for 24 h (24 hG; pasture-based feeding system). Dry matter intake was higher in the control and 12 hG groups than in the 24 hG group. The yields of total milk and the 3.5% fat-corrected milk were the lowest in the 24 hG group. Milk fat was the highest in the 24 hG group and higher in 12 hG compared with the control group. Milk protein and lactose levels were the highest in the 12 hG group. The highest somatic cell count was observed in the 24 hG group. The saturated fatty acid levels were higher in the control group compared with the 12 hG and 24 hG groups. There was no difference in overall mono-unsaturated fatty acids between 12 hG and 24 hG groups. Poly-unsaturated fatty acids were higher in the 12 hG group compared with the control and 24 hG groups. There was no difference in omega-6 (ω-6) fatty acids among the groups, and omega-3 fatty acids were higher in the 12 hG group than in the control group. Milk cortisol was the highest in the 24 hG group and higher in the control group compared with the 12 hG group. Taken together, grazing for 12 h is advisable for farms that have access to mountainous areas to improve the milk fatty acid profile and decrease the stress levels in high-yielding Holstein lactating cows. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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13 pages, 641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine Learning to Detect Posture and Behavior in Dairy Cows: Information from an Accelerometer on the Animal’s Left Flank

by Paolo Balasso, Giorgio Marchesini, Nicola Ughelini, Lorenzo Serva and Igino Andrighetto

Animals 2021, 11(10), 2972; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102972 - 15 Oct 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3399

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to develop a model to identify posture and behavior from data collected by a triaxial accelerometer located on the left flank of dairy cows and evaluate its accuracy and precision. Twelve Italian Red-and-White lactating cows were equipped with an accelerometer and observed on average for 136 ± 29 min per cow by two trained operators as a reference. The acceleration data were grouped in time windows of 8 s overlapping by 33.0%, for a total of 35,133 rows. For each row, 32 different features were extracted and used by machine learning algorithms for the classification of posture and behavior. To build up a predictive model, the dataset was split in training and testing datasets, characterized by 75.0 and 25.0% of the observations, respectively. Four algorithms were tested: Random Forest, K Nearest Neighbors, Extreme Boosting Algorithm (XGB), and Support Vector Machine. The XGB model showed the best accuracy (0.99) and Cohen’s kappa (0.99) in predicting posture, whereas the Random Forest model had the highest overall accuracy in predicting behaviors (0.76), showing a balanced accuracy from 0.96 for resting to 0.77 for moving. Overall, very accurate detection of the posture and resting behavior were achieved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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12 pages, 766 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Walking Distance and Time Away from the Paddock Influence Daily Behaviour Patterns and Milk Yield of Grazing Dairy Cows?

by Heather W. Neave, J. Paul Edwards, Helen Thoday, Katie Saunders, Gosia Zobel and James R. Webster

Animals 2021, 11(10), 2903; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11102903 - 7 Oct 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2432

Abstract

In pasture-based systems, cows may spend several hours away from the paddock and may also walk several kilometres to meet daily milking requirements; this could lead cows to experience time constraints for grazing, ruminating and lying time in the paddock. This study investigated how walking distance and time spent away from the paddock affected daily behavioural patterns (i.e., grazing, ruminating and lying time) and milk yield. Dairy cows were managed in three rotationally grazed groups (n = 29 cows each) on the same farm and milked twice daily. A triaxial ear tag accelerometer on each cow recorded daily duration of grazing and ruminating, and a leg-based accelerometer recorded the daily lying time, for 13 days. GPS collars on four cows per group recorded the daily walking distance and total time away from the paddock for the group. A mixed repeated measures model tested how time off-paddock and walking distance affected the daily behavioural patterns; age, breed, milk yield and maximum ambient temperature were used as covariates with group as the observational unit. A second similar model tested how these factors affected milk yield. Walking distance and time spent away from the paddock were not correlated. When daily walking distance increased (to a maximum of 4 km/d), cows spent more time grazing and less time ruminating, but lying time was not affected. This result may, in part, be related to the greater energy expenditure demands for walking longer distances and milk production. When time away from the paddock increased (to a maximum of 4 h/d), cows spent less time lying, but grazing and ruminating times were not affected. Milk yield was not affected by walking distance, but one of the groups experienced a lower milk yield when time away from the paddock was increased. This result suggests that, for some cows, lying times may be shorter when experiencing a longer time away from the paddock, which may also affect milk yield. Overall, this study indicates that paddock behaviours are associated with walking distance to the milking parlour and time spent away from the paddock. Efforts to reduce walking distance and time spent away from the paddock are likely to provide cows with greater opportunity to engage in daily behaviours in the paddock that meet their needs and maintain their milk yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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12 pages, 1523 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Understanding the Awareness, Knowledge, and Opinion of Dairy Cattle Welfare among Dairy Farmers in Keningau, Sabah

by Mohammed Babatunde Sadiq, Sim Song-Lin, Siti Zubaidah Ramanoon, Sharifah Salmah Syed-Hussain, Wan Mastura Shaik Mossadeq, Mohd Shahrom Salisi and Rozaihan Mansor

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061750 - 11 Jun 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4511

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and opinions about DCW among dairy cattle farmers in Keningau, Sabah. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered by hand to 30 farmers. The data collected include farmers’ and farm demographics, and opinions regarding the criteria and indicators of DCW. Only 17 respondents (57%) had heard of “dairy cattle welfare” before this study. Nine farmers (30.0%) had poor knowledge about DCW criteria, whereas 13 (43.7%) and 8 (26.7%) farmers had satisfactory and good knowledge, respectively. Farmers with higher education, larger herd size, high production level, and exotic cattle breeds showed a better understanding. Farmers understood most of the indicators; however, opinions regarding cattle behavior during milking, their physical appearance and their lying down behaviour need to be improved. Nevertheless, 28 respondents ranked their animals’ welfare as either good or satisfactory, which further reflects a poor implementation of DCW measures. The main factors suggested by farmers to influence DCW in their herds were facilities, worker issues, management practices, and animal well-being. In conclusion, guidance from veterinarians and animal welfare specialists may be needed to improve the farmers’ understanding and practices of DCW. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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12 pages, 1960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Freestall Reimagined: Effects on Stall Hygiene and Space Usage in Dairy Cattle

by Annabelle Beaver, Emma Strazhnik, Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk and Daniel M. Weary

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1711; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061711 - 8 Jun 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5077

Abstract

Modern freestall barns for dairy cattle have been constructed with considerations for dairy cow cleanliness; partitions and other stall features such as neck rails are designed to reduce manure contamination of bedding and decrease farm labor. However, cows prefer to lie in more open spaces, including on bedded packs and pasture. We created an “alternative” housing area by modifying a traditional freestall pen and including flexible partitions to create larger lying areas. We assessed cattle lying behaviour, including lying postures, in this alternative pen (ALT) compared to an open pack (OP) and freestalls (FS) with different stocking densities. We also assessed levels of manure contamination across systems. Cleanliness was highest in FS, but ALT provided substantial improvement compared to OP. Cattle spent more time lying down in OP and ALT compared to FS. There were few differences in postures (such as lying with limbs outstretched) between OP and ALT, but cows in both of these systems more often lay in extended positions compared to when they were housed in FS. Housing in OP and ALT was associated with reduced perching for cows with high body weight; perching has been linked to an increased prevalence of both hoof lesions and lameness. Thus, alternative lying areas can offer a solution for producers seeking to provide cattle with the advantages of a more open lying area, while improving hygiene relative to an open pack. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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13 pages, 260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Pre-Parturient Iodine Teat Dip Applications on Modulating Aversive Behaviors and Mastitis in Primiparous Cows

by Hannah N. Phillips, Ulrike S. Sorge and Bradley J. Heins

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1623; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061623 - 31 May 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4472

Abstract

Heifers and their human handlers are at risk for decreased welfare during the early lactation period. This experiment investigated pre-parturient teat dipping and parlor acclimation to reduce mastitis and aversive behaviors in early lactation heifers. Three weeks prior to calving, heifers were randomly assigned to receive either: (1) a weekly 1.0% iodine-based teat dip in the parlor (trained; n = 37) or (2) no treatment (control; n = 30). For the first 3 days of lactation, heifers were milked twice daily, and treatment-blinded handlers assessed behaviors and clinical mastitis. Aseptic quarter milk samples were collected within 36 h of calving and analyzed for pathogens. Control heifers had (OR ± SE) 2.2 ± 0.6 times greater (p < 0.01) odds of kicking during milking. Trained heifers had (OR ± SE) 1.7 ± 0.4 times greater (p = 0.02) odds of being very calm during milking, while control heifers had 2.2 ± 0.8 and 3.8 ± 2.1 times greater (p < 0.04) odds of being restless and very restless or hostile during milking, respectively. Quarters of control heifers had (OR ± SE) 5.4 ± 3.4 greater (p < 0.01) odds of intramammary Staphylococcus aureus infection, yet clinical mastitis was similar among treatments. The results indicate that teat dipping in the parlor weekly for 3 weeks before calving may alleviate some aversive milking behaviors and protect against early lactation S. aureus intramammary infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

Review

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17 pages, 573 KiB

Open AccessReview

Understanding Behavioural Development of Calves in Natural Settings to Inform Calf Management

by Laura Whalin, Daniel M. Weary and Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk

Animals 2021, 11(8), 2446; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082446 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 7317

Abstract

One important type of animal welfare concern is “natural living” (i.e., that animals are able to express natural behaviours that are important to them, and to engage with aspects of the natural world that they find important). The aims of this narrative review were to describe the behavioural development of calves (Bos taurus) in natural settings and use this to identify characteristics of natural systems that may be important to consider relative to this natural living conception of animal welfare. At birth, calves are licked by their mothers and soon stand to suckle for colostrum, and during the milk-feeding period, calves spend much of their time lying down. In natural systems, calves perform a variety of social behaviours with herd-mates, and slowly transition from their mother’s milk to eating solid food, by gradually increasing time spent grazing and ruminating. In contrast, on most commercial dairy systems, dairy calves are removed from their mothers at birth, housed individually, fed restricted amounts of milk and weaned abruptly at a young age. The results of this review suggest that accommodating key natural behaviours, for example through the use of teat feeding of milk, social housing, and gradual weaning, can help address welfare concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dairy Cow Behavior, Welfare, and Productivity)

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