Influence of space allowance and housing conditions on the welfare, immune response and production performance of dairy ewes

2008 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariangela Caroprese ◽  
Giovanni Annicchiarico ◽  
Laura Schena ◽  
Antonio Muscio ◽  
Raffaella Migliore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Outdoor Area ◽  
Group 3

The experiment used 45 Comisana ewes, divided into 3 groups of 15. The aim was to determine the effects of two different stocking densities and two different housing conditions on welfare, and on production performance of dairy ewes. The stocking densities tested were: high stocking density (1·5 m2/ewe, HD group) and low stocking density (3 m2/ewe, LD group); the two housing conditions tested were: ewes housed indoors (LD group, 3 m2/ewe) and ewes allowed to use an outdoor area (LDP group, 3 m2/ewe divided into 1·5 m2/ewe indoors and 1·5 m2/ewe outdoors). At the beginning of the experiment, and then every 2 months, the cell-mediated immune status of sheep was evaluated. One month after the beginning of the experiment, and 20 d later, the ewes were injected with chicken egg albumin (OVA) to assess their humoural immune responses. Starting from the beginning of the experiment and then monthly, behavioural activities of ewes were monitored using 15-min scans. After lamb weaning, milk yield from individual ewes was measured and milk composition analysed weekly. Housing conditions (low density reared ewes indoors v. low density reared ewes with free access to an outdoor area) affected cell-mediated response, which was higher in LDP than in LD ewes. Concentrations of anti-OVA IgG were mainly influenced by space allowance, with higher antibody titres in LD than in HD ewes throughout the experiment. Both housing conditions and space allowance affected sheep behavioural activities: a greater proportion of LDP ewes displayed standing and drinking behaviours than LD ewes, and a greater proportion of LD ewes was observed walking than HD ewes. Ewes allowed access to the outdoor area had a higher protein content and lower somatic cell count in their milk, whereas reduced space allowance led to a reduction in milk yield and an increase in somatic cell count of milk. Results indicate that both increased space allowance and availability of outdoor area can improve the welfare and production performance of the lactating ewe.

scholarly journals The importance of hoof health in dairy production

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 107-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Krpálková ◽  
Victor E. Cabrera ◽  
Ludmila Zavadilová ◽  
Miloslava Štípková
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Binary Variable ◽  
Data Set ◽  
The Czech Republic

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of hoof health on reproduction and production performance, somatic cell count, and longevity in dairy cattle. The data set consisted of records from 19 145 dairy cows at 11 dairy farms in the Czech Republic during years 1998 to 2016. Observations were grouped according to the number of hoof disease (HD) incidence. Each record included a binary variable indicating if HD was observed. The prevalence (% of all cows) observed with HD and its changes according to parity, milk yield, and calving interval were calculated. Great variability among farms was observed. HD detected in the first month of first lactation was associated with 1.5 kg/day lower milk yield and 58 000 cell/ml higher somatic cell count during first lactation. HD detected in the first month of second lactation was associated with 2.6 kg/day lower milk yield and 45 000 cell/ml higher somatic cell count during second lactation. Results from completed lactations showed that observed HD was associated with significantly lower milk yield: 124 kg less during first lactation and 308 kg less during second lactation. Reproductive performance was the poorest in the group with the highest number of HD observations (frequency) within a single lactation (≥ 4). The higher the number of HD frequency per lactation, the greater was the negative association on production and reproductive performance.

scholarly journals Hyperketonemia Predictions Provide an On-Farm Management Tool with Epidemiological Insights

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1291
Author(s):  
Ryan S. Pralle ◽  
Joel D. Amdall ◽  
Robert H. Fourdraine ◽  
Garrett R. Oetzel ◽  
Heather M. White
Keyword(s):  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Milk Analysis ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
High Throughput Detection

Prediction of hyperketonemia (HYK), a postpartum metabolic disorder in dairy cows, through use of cow and milk data has allowed for high-throughput detection and monitoring during monthly milk sampling. The objective of this study was to determine associations between predicted HYK (pHYK) and production parameters in a dataset generated from routine milk analysis samples. Data from 240,714 lactations across 335 farms were analyzed with multiple linear regression models to determine HYK status. Data on HYK or disease treatment was not solicited. Consistent with past research, pHYK cows had greater previous lactation dry period length, somatic cell count, and dystocia. Cows identified as pHYK had lower milk yield and protein percent but greater milk fat, specifically greater mixed and preformed fatty acids (FA), and greater somatic cell count (SCC). Differential somatic cell count was greater in second and fourth parity pHYK cows. Culling (60d), days open, and number of artificial inseminations were greater in pHYK cows. Hyperketonemia prevalence decreased linearly in herds with greater rolling herd average milk yield. This research confirms previously identified risk factors and negative outcomes associated with pHYK and highlights novel associations with differential SCC, mixed FA, and preformed FA across farm sizes and production levels.

Comparative analyses of enteric methane emissions, dry matter intake and milk somatic cell count in different residual feed intake categories of dairy cows

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dagnachew Hailemariam ◽  
Ghader Manafiazar ◽  
John A. Basarab ◽  
Paul Stothard ◽  
Filippo Miglior ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Cell Count ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter Intake ◽  
Milk Traits

This study compared the different residual feed intake (RFI) categories of lactating Holsteins with respect to methane emission, dry matter intake (kg), milk somatic cell count (SCC, 103/mL) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, mmol/L). RFI was calculated in 131 lactating Holstein cows that were then categorized into –RFI (RFI<0) vs. +RFI (RFI>0) and low (RFI<-0.5 SD) vs. high RFI (RFI>0.5 SD) groups. Milk traits were recorded in 131 cows while CH4 and CO2 were measured in 83. Comparisons of –RFI vs. +RFI and low vs. high RFI showed 7.8% (22.3±0.40 vs. 24.2±0.39) and 12.9% (21.1±0.40 vs. 24.2±0.45) decrease (P<0.05) in DMI of –RFI and low RFI groups, respectively. Similarly, –RFI and low RFI cows had lower (P<0.05) CH4 (g/d) by 9.7% (343.5±11.1 vs. 380.4±10.9) and 15.5% (332.5±12.9 vs. 393.5±12.6) respectively. Milk yield was not different (P>0.05) in –RFI vs. +RFI and low vs. high comparisons. The –RFI and low RFI cows had lower (P<0.05) SCC in –RFI vs. +RFI and low RFI vs. high RFI comparisons. BHB was lower (P<0.05) in low RFI compared to the high RFI group. Low RFI dairy cows consumed less feed, emitted less methane (g/d), and had lower milk SCC and BHB without differing in milk yield.

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