scholarly journals Ultrasonic Body Condition Measurements for Computerized Dairy Management Systems

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amos Mizrach ◽  
Sydney L. Spahr ◽  
Ephraim Maltz ◽  
Michael R. Murphy ◽  
Zeev Schmilovitch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Ultrasonic Measurement ◽  
Commercial Development ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Subdermal Fat ◽  
Body Condition Scores

The body condition (BC) score is recognized in the dairy industry as an essential tool for managing the energy reserves of the dairy cow, which is essential for sustaining optimal and efficient production over several lactations. The current use of BC scoring depends on the accuracy of subjective visual estimates, and this limits its kusefulness as a management aid in the dairy industry. A measuring tool that would frequently provide objective data on the cow's body reserves would be a major contribution to efficient dairy herd management. Ultrasonic sensors have the potential to be developed into an efficient BC measuring device, and the experimental use of such sensors for subcutaneous fat thickness (SDFT) estimates, as an indication for BC in beef cattle, supports this assumption. The purposes of this project were: 1. To compare visual BC scoring and ultrasonic fat thickness with on-line automated body weight (BW) measurements as monitors of nutritional adequacy of dairy cows at various stages of lactation. 2. To determine the effects of variation in digestive fill in early and late lactation on the accuracy of body weight measurements in lactating cows. 3. To modify an existing ultrasonic system and develop a specialized, low-cost sensor for repeatable determination of body condition scores by users with minimal training and skill. 4. To develop a standard for the assignment of body condition scores based on ultrasonic measurements of subdermal fat thickness. The procedure to execute these objectives involved: 1. Frequent measurement of BW, milk yield (MY), BC (visually scored) and subdermal fat thickness ultrasonically measured of dairy cows, and data analysis on average and individual basis. 2. Testing and selection of an appropriate special-purpose sensor, finding an optimum body location for working an ultrasonic measurement, prcessing the signals obtained, and correlating the resulting measurements with performance responses in lactating cows. Linking the ultrasonic signals to BC scores, and developing a BC scoring data acquisition system are the first steps towards fulfilling the necessary requirements for incorporating this device into an existing dairy herd management system, in order to provide the industry with a powerful managment tool. From the results obtained we could conclude that: 1. BC does not correlate with BW changes during all stages of lactation, although in general terms it does. These results were confirmed by individual cow BW and BC data obtained during the course of lactation, that were supported by individual objective ultrasonic measurement of SDFT. 2. BW changes reflect energy metabolism reliably ony after peak milk yield; early in lactation, a decrease in BW expresses mobilization of body reserves only qualitatively, and not quantitatively. 3. Gastrointestinal content increases throughout the whole period during which dry matter intake (DMI) increases. The drastic increase very early in lactation prevents the use of BW changes as a basis for quantitative estimatio of energy meatabolism; at this stage of lactation, konly a BC score or any other direct measurements willl provide a quantitative estimate of energy metabolism. 4. Ultrasonic measurements of subdermal fat thickness can be used to quantify changes that correlate with the actual condition of the cow, as assessed by performance and the traditional way of scoring. 5. To find the best site on the cow's body at which to obtain responses to BC and its changes in the course of lactation, additional sites have to be examined. From the present study, it seems that the sites between ribs 12 and 13 have the potential for this purpose. 6. The use of templates made it easier to repeat measurements at a desired site and spot. However, the convenient easy-to-handle way to standardize the measurement, described in this study, koffers scope for improvement. 7. The RF peak values of the A-mode are better indicators of the location of fat layer borders than image analysis, from the point of view of future commercial development. 8. The distances between the RF peaks of the A-mode can be automatically measured by suitable software, for future commercial development. 9. Proper analysis of daily body weight and milk yield data can provide the necessary information on body condition changes during lactation, until a direct BC measurement device is developed. 10. In any case, at least one visual BC assessment has to be done, preferably immediately after calving, for calibration purposes.

scholarly journals PSII-24 Performance, carcass and meat quality of castrated and intact Dorper lambs slaughtered at different body condition scores

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 170-171
Author(s):  
Edson Luis de A Ribeiro ◽  
Francisco Fernandes Jr ◽  
Camila Constantino ◽  
Fernando Augusto Grandis ◽  
Natália Albieri Koritiaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Daily Gain ◽  
Body Condition Scores

Abstract This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the performance, carcass and meat characteristics of castrated and intact Dorper male lambs slaughtered at three different body condition scores. Thirty-five lambs, approximately 3 months old, 21.6 ± 4.0 kg of body weight and 3.1 ± 0.5 of body condition score (BCS), were used. The BCS scale used varied from 1.0 (very thin) to 5.0 (very fat). Four weeks prior to the experiment, 17 lambs were castrated. Lambs were further divided into three groups, according to the criteria for slaughter: BCS of 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5. All animals received the same diet. BCS were achieved after 27, 84 and 130 days in feedlot, respectively. There were no interactions (P > 0.05) between sexual conditions and slaughter criteria. Average daily gain of weight (ADG) was different (P < 0.05) for the three BCS (average of 0.263). However, final body weight (28.6 ± 1.7; 42.7 ± 1.8 and 56.8 ± 1.7 kg) and back fat thickness (0.5 ± 0.5; 4.2 ± 0.5 and 7.3 ± 0.5 mm) were different (P < 0.05) among BCS criteria, panelists found that meats from lambs slaughtered with greater fat content were less (P < 0.05) desirable. We can conclude by the performance and meat results that it is better to slaughter Dorper lambs with BCS with no more than 4.0, or 4.2 mm of back fat cover, and for the best acceptability of the meat the lambs should be castrated.

scholarly journals Temporal associations between low body condition, lameness and milk yield in a UK dairy herd

2014 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.E. Green ◽  
J.N. Huxley ◽  
C. Banks ◽  
M.J. Green
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Dairy Herd

scholarly journals Genetic Relationships among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, Milk Yield, and Fertility in Dairy Cows

2003 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 2193-2204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.P. Berry ◽  
F. Buckley ◽  
P. Dillon ◽  
R.D. Evans ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Condition Score

The control of appetite in lactating cows

1972 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. S. Monteiro
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Loop System ◽  
Closed Loop System ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Body Reserves ◽  
Lactation Curve ◽  
Rate Of Increase

SUMMARYA closed-loop system is proposed for the control of voluntary food intake in lactating cows, and an expression is deduced relating the response of food intake to changes in milk yield and body-weight gain.A closed-loop system necessarily involves a delay in the response to changes in production. The rate of increase of food intake is there- fore slower than the rate of increase in milk yield. The consequent deficit in energy during the rising part of the lactation curve is met by the mobilization of body reserves, which are partly accounted for by losses in body weight. During the declining part of the lactation the delay effect leads to an excess of energy intake and to the replacement of body reserves and, consequently, of body weight.The expression deduced from the model was fitted to four different types of lactation curve corresponding to long and short lactations of Friesians and Jerseys fed ad libitum on a complete diet. The expected food intake based on the control model was contrasted with a linear regression model. The former gave a better account of the variation in food intake in all four types of lactation.The total change in body weight during lactation was partitioned between changes in weight due to the mobilization and replacement of reserves and gain directly attributable to food intake. There was, in general, good agreement between the observed losses in weight occurring at the beginning of lactation and those predicted from the mobilization of reserves for milk production.The physiological implications of the model and the values estimated for the parameters are discussed.

scholarly journals Effect of dietary-induced increases in circulating insulin concentrations during the early postpartum period on reproductive function in dairy cows

Reproduction ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
JG Gong ◽  
WJ Lee ◽  
PC Garnsworthy ◽  
R Webb
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Selection For

Although it has become increasingly clear that fertility in modern dairy cattle is declining in association with increased milk yields, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The first ovulation post partum is delayed in dairy cows undergoing selection for genetic merit for milk yield in association with lower circulating insulin concentrations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether feeding a diet to increase circulating insulin concentrations can overcome this delay in the first ovulation post partum. The experiment was a 2 x 2 factorial design (n = 10 per group) involving diet and genetic merit for milk yield. The dietary treatment started on the day of calving and lasted for 50 days. Plasma samples were collected each day and ovarian ultra-sonography was performed three times a week during the experimental feeding period. Milk yield was recorded each day, and body weight and body condition score were determined each week. Milk samples were collected three times a week from day 50 to day 105 post partum, and reproductive performance data were recorded for all the cows as part of the routine farm practice. The dietary treatment induced significant differences in plasma insulin concentrations in both high and low genetic merit cows. Although high genetic merit cows produced more milk, lost more body weight and had lower body condition scores during the experiment, no significant effect of diet was observed on these measurements. The high insulin inducing diet increased the proportion of cows ovulating within 50 days of calving and reduced the intervals from calving to first ovulation, and tended to reduce the intervals from calving to first service and to conception. These fertility parameters were also more favourable in low than in high genetic merit cows, but no interaction between diet and genetic merit was observed for any of these parameters. Genetic merit, but not diet, also affected the number of services required per conception and the conception rate. In conclusion, these results have confirmed that genetic selection for high milk yield is associated with a decrease in reproductive performance in dairy cows. More importantly, this study has demonstrated that it is possible to alleviate this problem by nutritional manipulation.

Addition of protected and unprotected fish oil to diets for dairy cows. I. Effects on the yield, composition and taste of milk

2002 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIERRE LACASSE ◽  
JOHN J. KENNELLY ◽  
LOUIS DELBECCHI ◽  
CHARAF E. AHNADI
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Fish Oil ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Short Chain Fatty Acids ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Silage Maize ◽  
Long Chain

Thirty Holstein cows in mid-lactation (158±20 DIM) were given a total mixed ration based on grass silage, maize silage and rolled barley. After a preliminary period of 1 week, this diet was supplemented with nothing (control), unprotected fish oil (3.7% of dry matter, DM), or two levels of glutaraldehyde-protected microcapsules of fish oil (1.5% and 3.0% of DM, respectively). Unprotected and protected supplements contained, respectively, 74% and 58% of DM as lipids. Cows given the unprotected supplement reduced their feed intake by >25%. Consequently, these cows lost body weight and produced less milk. DM intake, body weight, and milk yield were unaffected by protected fish oil. Fish oil reduced both milk fat and protein percentages, and decreased the proportion of short-chain fatty acids, stearic, and oleic acids in milk fat. Milk trans C18[ratio ]1 fatty acids increased in cows given both unprotected and protected fish oil. Milk fat content of very-long-chain n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including C20[ratio ]5 and C22[ratio ]6, increased with fish oil in the diet. Accordingly, the peroxide index increased and a taste panel was able to detect unusual taste in milk from cows consuming the higher level of protected fish oil and disliked the milk from cows given unprotected fish oil. In conclusion, when lactating cows consumed fish oil, milk concentration of long-chain n3 fatty acids increased and mammary de novo synthesis of fatty acids decreased, but milk yield and milk protein content were reduced, and the milk was more susceptible to oxidation and its taste was adversely affected.

Composition of body-weight change during lactation in Hereford × British Friesian cows

1981 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. Trigg ◽  
J. H. Topps
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Body Fat ◽  
Deuterium Oxide ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Body Water ◽  
Body Protein ◽  
Blood Constituents ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Weight Losses

SUMMARYMeasurements were made of changes in body water, estimated by the dilution of deuterium oxide, in six Hereford x British Friesian lactating cows in their second lactation and in four of the same animals in their third lactation. The animals were subjected to a prolonged period of underfeeding followed by a period of realimentation. Milk yields were measured twice daily whilst measurement of live weight and certain blood constituents were made at 7-day intervals during the experimental periods in both years. During underfeeding milk yield differed markedly among the cows and it appeared that the cows with a higher milk potential maintained a higher yield but in doing so they incurred a greater loss of body weight. On refeeding there was little or no response in milk yield. Weight losses during the second lactation consisted mainly of body fat (calculated by difference) but the four higher yielding cows lost appreciable amounts of body water and probably significant amounts of body protein. In the third lactation all four cows lost less body fat but more body water and probably body protein than they did in the second lactation. On refeeding all animals in both years except the two lowest yielders in the second lactation gained substantial amounts of body water and probably protein but relatively little or no body fat. Significant negative and positive correlations were obtained between plasma glucose and loss of body water and between plasma free fatty acids and loss of body fat respectively.

THE RESPONSE OF LACTATING COWS AND GROWING HEIFERS TO TREATMENT FOR PARASITES

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
A. C. MacNEILL
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Body Weight Loss ◽  
Anthelmintic Treatment ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
Production Response

A series of three trials, two with lactating cows and one with growing heifers on pasture, utilized over 200 cows and heifers to establish whether there was a production response to the anthelmintic, "Tramisol" (levamisole phosphate). The lactating cows were subdivided into control and treated animals at parturition. Treated animals were injected with Tramisol on the day following parturition and 8 wk later. Heifers were treated when they were put out to pasture and every 4 wk thereafter. In the first trial with lactating cows there was no effect of treatment on milk yield or milk fat percent but body weight loss was less during the first 84 days for the treated versus control cows. In the second trial with lactating cows, milk yield was higher for total lactation and from 57 to 180 days for the treated cows. Body weight loss was also less during the first 50 days of lactation. There were no differences between the control or treated groups in either number of services required or days open. Heifers injected with Tramisol, when put on pasture, gained more body weight than control animals, particularly during periods of stress. Considering that the parasitic infestation in the herd was low the positive responses observed in these trials, although variable, warranted the conclusion that, in the majority of dairy herds in the area, routine anthelmintic treatment would be beneficial. Key words: Milk yield, growth, dairy cattle, anthelmintic treatment

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