scholarly journals Methodological terminology and definitions for research and discussion of cow-calf contact systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (S1) ◽  
pp. 108-114
Author(s):  
Janja Sirovnik ◽  
Kerstin Barth ◽  
Daiana de Oliveira ◽  
Sabine Ferneborg ◽  
Marie J. Haskell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Broad Array ◽  
Cow Calf

AbstractDue to increasing public concern regarding separation of the dairy cow and calf within the first days after birth, alternative systems, where cows and calves stay in contact for an extended period, are receiving increasing interest from a broad array of researchers and other stakeholders. With more research in the area, there is a risk of inconsistencies emerging in the use of terminology. To create a better consensus in further discussions, the aim of this Research Reflection is to provide definitions and propose a common terminology for cow-calf contact in dairy production. We also suggest definitions for various systems allowing cow-calf contact and describe the distinct phases of cow-calf contact systems.

The effect of restricted suckling and non-suckling systems on dairy cow and calf behaviour

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 128-128
Author(s):  
J. K. Margerison ◽  
C. J. C. Phillips ◽  
T. R. Preston
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Artificial Rearing ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Cow Calf

Artificial rearing necessitates stressful cow-calf separation (Lefcourt and Elsasser, 1995; Hopster et al, 1995) and precipitates cross-suckling (Lidfors, 1993). Thus, suckling systems may improve the welfare of cows and calves, by alleviating 'stressful' cows-calf separation and satiating suckling motivation. The aim of this experiment was to compare behaviour in cows and calves in restricted suckling and non-suckling systems.Thirty six multiparous dairy cows and calves were divided at 4 days postpartum into three groups. The treatment groups were; non-suckled (NS) cows with calves artificially reared (AR), cows suckled by their own calf (RSM) and cows suckled by a foster calf (RSF). Suckling took place for 15 minutes following mechanical milking only.

scholarly journals Antagonism in the carbon footprint between beef and dairy production systems

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 17-20
Author(s):  
MM Scholtz ◽  
J Du Toit ◽  
FWC Neser
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Carbon Footprint ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Dairy Farming ◽  
Feed Water ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Total Mixed Ration ◽  
Cow Calf

Primary beef cattle farming in South Africa is largely extensive, whereas dairy farming is based on both total mixed ration and pasture production systems. Under natural rangeland conditions, decomposition of manure is aerobic, which produces carbon dioxide (CO2), part of which is absorbed by the regrowth of vegetation rather than released into the atmosphere, and water (H2O) as end products. Thus the cow releases methane (CH4) and the manure CO2. This is in contrast to intensive cow-calf systems in large parts of Europe and North America, where large quantities of manure are stockpiled and undergo anaerobic decomposition and produce CH4. Thus both the cow and the manure release CH4, which result in a higher carbon footprint than the extensive cow-calf systems. In dairy farming, increasing cow efficiency through intensive feeding (same kg milk output by fewer animals) can reduce farm CH4 production by up to 15%. In addition, when differences in productivity are accounted for, pasture systems require more resources (land, feed, water, etc.) per unit of milk produced and the carbon footprint is greater than that of intensive systems. This raises the question as to why the carbon footprint of intensive dairy cow production systems is less, but the carbon footprint of intensive beef cow-calf production systems is higher. The explanation lies in the differences in production levels. In the case of beef cows the weight of the intensive cows will be ± 30% higher than that of the extensive cows, and the weaning weight of their calves will also differ by ± 30%. In the case of dairy cows the weight of the intensive cows will be ± 20% higher, but their milk production will be ± 60% higher. The higher increase in production (milk) of intensive dairy cows, compared to the increase in production (calf weight) of intensive beef cows, explains the antagonism in the carbon footprint between different beef and dairy production systems. Unfortunately, carbon sequestration estimates have been neglected and thus the quantitative effects of these differences are not known.Keywords: Cow-calf production, methane, pasture production, production levels, total mixed ration

Welfare aspects of the perchery systea of housing for laying hens

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 68-68
Author(s):  
D M Alvey ◽  
S A Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
Feather Pecking ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Current Alternative ◽  
High Feed ◽  
Battery Cages

There is continuing public concern about the welfare of poultry kept in battery cages. However, current alternative systems would be unsuitable to fill the gap if cages were to be banned. Many welfare problems have been encountered with alternative systems. These include feather pecking, cannibalism, poor foot condition, bone breakage, poor production, high feed intake and floor egg laying. In 4 studies, between 1988 and 1992, the effect of the Gleadthorpe design of perchery on the performance, behaviour and welfare of laying hens was evaluated.The perchery consisted of 2 perch units constructed on wooden slatted platforms over a droppings pit. A block of 5 tier high nestboxes was provided along each side of the perchery. The nestboxes were of a rear roll-away type and contained “Astroturf” nest pads. Litter areas were available between the 2 perch units and between the perch units and the blocks of nest boxes.

scholarly journals Methodology for studying human attitudes and behaviour to cow−calf contact systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (S1) ◽  
pp. 122-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Ferneborg ◽  
Fabio Napolitano ◽  
Mette Vaarst ◽  
Cecilie M. Mejdell ◽  
Susanne Waiblinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methods ◽  
Knowledge Base ◽  
Consumer Behaviour ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Methods

AbstractThis position paper describes a common stand on methodology of human attitudes and behaviour that is suitable to use in studies regarding cow−calf contact (CCC) in dairy production, in order to create a common knowledge base and foundation for future recommendations of CCC systems. We describe how different quantitative and qualitative methods can be used to study human attitudes to CCC as well as farmer or consumer behaviour. We aim to contribute to a better understanding of the available methods, and hope that this paper can be used as a guideline for future studies in this area.

scholarly journals Dairy cow breed interacts with stocking rate in temperate pasture-based dairy production systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 101 (5) ◽  
pp. 4690-4702 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.K. Spaans ◽  
K.A. Macdonald ◽  
J.A.S. Lancaster ◽  
A.M. Bryant ◽  
J.R. Roche
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Stocking Rate

Nitrogen efficiency in contrasting dairy production systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 9-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Whelan ◽  
F. J. Mulligan ◽  
K. M. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Nitrogen Efficiency ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Metabolic Demand ◽  
N Losses ◽  
Ground Level Ozone ◽  
N Efficiency

Nitrogen (N) losses from dairy production systems are a cause for environmental concern. Excreted primarily as urea N in the urine, this volatile form of N can be lost as ammonia (NH3) contributing to ground-level ozone, the greenhouse effect and the deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In addition, the production of urea N places a metabolic demand for energy on the dairy cow and excessively high levels of blood urea N are known to have deleterious effects on reproductive performance. Therefore, it is of interest to develop strategies that reduce N excretion from dairy cows and to this end, dietary manipulation of N efficiency offers great potential. There are a significant number of reports in the literature on N efficiency in the lactating dairy cow, including reducing dietary CP intake, improving the balance of amino acids reaching the small intestine, optimising the forage mix and optimising the energy sources in the diet. Across these experiments, N intake ranged from 0.33 to 0.67 kg/day with N efficiency ranging from 0.21 to 0.42. This paper will report on recent N balance experiments conducted at University College Dublin, as well as reports in the literature on studies aimed at improving N efficiency in the lactating dairy cow.

scholarly journals Epidemiology and Classification of Mastitis

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2212
Author(s):  
Maros Cobirka ◽  
Vladimir Tancin ◽  
Petr Slama
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Somatic Cell Count ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
External Effects ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Causative Agents

Farmers should focus on milk quality over quantity because milk that contains unsuitable components and/or antibiotic residues, or has a high somatic cell count, cannot be used in food production and thereby results in reduced milk yield. One of the main problems affecting the ultimate milk yield of dairy cows is mastitis. This disease is the most serious economic and health problem associated with dairy cow herds and is a major reason for excessive culling. Therefore, many studies have addressed this problem to further our understanding of the agents causing mastitis and their classification and virulence factors. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding mastitis prevalence, the characteristics of its main causative agents, and the effects of mastitis on dairy production. The review also intends to provide guidance for future studies by examining external effects influencing dairy production in cows under field conditions.

scholarly journals Ontogeny of suckling behaviour in cattle - a model for several mammalian species?

2007 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 549-561
Author(s):  
M. Mayntz ◽  
G. Sender
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Cow Calf ◽  
First Contact ◽  
Dairy Breed

Abstract. Suckling behaviour of nine beef cow-calf-pairs (Hereford and Charolais) and five dairy cow-calf-pair's (Polish Holstein-Friesian) was video-recorded from day one pp to day 70 (beef) or 82 (dairy) post partum (pp) regularly. Cows were only suckled during that time and milk yield could not be recorded. Bout was defined as all activities of the calf from the first contact between the mouth of the calf at a specific teat and the last contact at this teat, i.e., as a small sub-unit of a meal. Number of suckled teats, uniformity of relative shares of suckled teats, number of bouts, average bout and relative number of bout-teat-repetitions described the course of ontogeny of suckling behaviour. The first model included the effects breed, cow (breed), and day pp as regression. The analysis revealed the following: (i) number of teats, uniformity of relative shares between suckled teats, and number of bouts increased with increasing day pp. (ii) Average bout, relative number of bout-teat repetitions and mealbout- relationship decreased with increasing day pp. (iii) The same developments could be observed in both breeds, however, significantly slower in the dairy breed. The second model included the effects breed, cow (breed) and average bout as regression, representing milk yield. Breed changed from a very powerful into an almost negligible effect in that second analysis. The implications of the results for a wider group of mammalian species are discussed.

The effects of production parameters on piglet mortality in an open farrowing system

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 198-198
Author(s):  
J.N. Marchant ◽  
S. Corning ◽  
D.M. Broom
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Public Concern ◽  
Production Parameters ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Piglet Mortality ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Sow Stalls

Public concern with intensive farming systems, particularly in the pig industry, has lead to legislation banning sow stalls and tethers and closer examination of the welfare aspects of confining the sow in a crate at parturition. In general, alternative systems have resulted in higher piglet mortality than farrowing crates. In any farrowing system, many different factors affect piglet mortality and in order for specific problems within the alternative systems to be identified and addressed, the exact causes and timings of piglet deaths need to be assessed. The objectives of this study were to determine which physical and performance characteristics of the sow and her litter influenced piglet mortality in a communal farrowing system during early lactation.

Impact of circulating concentrations of progesterone and antral age of the ovulatory follicle on fertility of high-producing lactating dairy cows

2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 267 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Richard Pursley ◽  
Joäo Paulo N. Martins
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Management Issue ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cows ◽  
Ovulatory Follicle ◽  
The World ◽  
Conception Rates

Dairy cow infertility negatively affects profit of dairy production enterprises around the world, and enhancing conception rates of dairy cows is a critical management issue to resolve. It appears that conception rates of dairy cows are attenuated due to reduced progesterone concentrations in circulation during growth of the ovulatory follicle. It is not clear how reduced progesterone influences fertility, but data presented in this brief review suggest that it can be somewhat reversed through increasing concentrations of progesterone during the growth of the ovulatory follicle before luteolysis. Ovsynch protocols may be utilised to enhance progesterone concentrations through the induction of an accessory corpus luteum (CL) following the initial gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) treatment. Cows at Day 13 of the oestrous cycle with a 7-day-old accessory CL had ~50% more progesterone at the time of prostaglandin injection of Ovsynch compared with cows with only a Day 13 CL. Ovsynch can consistently induce an accessory CL following the initial GnRH treatment if cows are on Days 6 or 7 of the oestrous cycle at the time of treatment. Pre-synchrony strategies are critical to enhance the probability that cows will be on Days 6 or 7 at first GnRH treatement of Ovsynch.

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