Impacts of Heat Stress on the Physiological and Production Responses of Lactating Dairy Cows Grazing Pastures over Hot Summer Months

Heat stress (HS), a major challenge for sustainable livestock production justifies the need for productive thermotolerant cattle. We measured body temperature (non-invasively using a FLIR T1200 thermal imaging camera), respiratory rate and panting scores of 120 Holstein Friesian cows at the University of Melbourne Dookie Dairy Farm weekly during the summer period (December 2018-February 2019). The effect of Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) on milk production, protein content, fat content was also measured. We categorized THI as low (≤72), moderate (73–82) and high (≥83) and observed a highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) effect of THI on respiratory rate (66.7, 84.7 and 109.1/min), panting scores (1.4, 1.9 and 2.3) and average body temperature of cows (38.4, 39.4 and 41.5). Average milk production parameters were also significantly (P ≤ 0.01) affected by THI: daily milk production dropped by 14% from high to low THI, milk temperature and fat% increased by 3% whilst protein% increased by 2%. Highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) positive correlations were obtained between THI and milk temperature, fat% and protein% whilst the reverse was observed between THI and milk yield, feed intake and rumination minutes. Under moderate and high THI, most cows sought shade, spent more time around watering points and showed signs of distress (excessive drooling and open mouth panting). These findings clearly indicate that lactating dairy cows grazing summer pastures experience severe HS compromising their welfare. The quantum of production losses, though significant may however be lower than previously reported in studies using climatic chambers.

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Effects of utilizing rumen protected niacin on core body temperature as well as milk production and composition in lactating dairy cows during heat stress

Animal Feed Science and Technology ◽

10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2013.01.005 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 180 (1-4) ◽

pp. 26-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

R.B. Zimbelman ◽

R.J. Collier ◽

T.R. Bilby

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Core Body Temperature ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Core Body

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Effect of Heat Stress on Bacterial Composition and Metabolism in the Rumen of Lactating Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9110925 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 925

Author(s):

Zhao ◽

Min ◽

Zheng ◽

Wang

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Dry Matter ◽

16S Rrna Genes ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Rrna Genes ◽

Bacterial Composition ◽

Rumen Ph ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows

Heat stress negatively impacts the health and milk production of dairy cows, and ruminal microbial populations play an important role in dairy cattle’s milk production. Currently there are no available studies that investigate heat stress-associated changes in the rumen microbiome of lactating dairy cattle. Improved understanding of the link between heat stress and the ruminal microbiome may be beneficial in developing strategies for relieving the influence of heat stress on ruminants by manipulating ruminal microbial composition. In this study, we investigated the ruminal bacterial composition and metabolites in heat stressed and non-heat stressed dairy cows. Eighteen lactating dairy cows were divided into two treatment groups, one with heat stress and one without heat stress. Dry matter intake was measured and rumen fluid from all cows in both groups was collected. The bacterial 16S rRNA genes in the ruminal fluid were sequenced, and the rumen pH and the lactate and acetate of the bacterial metabolites were quantified. Heat stress was associated with significantly decreased dry matter intake and milk production. Rumen pH and rumen acetate concentrations were significantly decreased in the heat stressed group, while ruminal lactate concentration increased. The influence of heat stress on the microbial bacterial community structure was minor. However, heat stress was associated with an increase in lactate producing bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae), and with an increase in Ruminobacter, Treponema, and unclassified Bacteroidaceae, all of which utilize soluble carbohydrates as an energy source. The relative abundance of acetate-producing bacterium Acetobacter decreased during heat stress. We concluded that heat stress is associated with changes in ruminal bacterial composition and metabolites, with more lactate and less acetate-producing species in the population, which potentially negatively affects milk production.

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PREDICTION OF CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC INDICATORS AND THE LEVEL OF MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF COWS

Molochnoe i miasnoe skotovodstvo ◽

10.33943/mms.2021.22.98.008 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 42-47

Author(s):

Е.О. КРУПИН

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Thermal Stress ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Respiration Rate ◽

Average Increase ◽

Milk Productivity ◽

Humidity Index ◽

Respiratory Movements

В различные синоптические сроки выявлено количество измерений по индексу температуры и влажности (ТВИ) в животноводческом помещении, при которых у коров наблюдается тепловой стресс. Спрогнозированы данные о температуре тела и частоте дыхания коров в условиях теплового стресса и его отсутствия, в том числе и по четырем срокам измерений. Определен потенциально возможный уровень молочной продуктивности коров при отсутствии теплового стресса. По методу E.C. Thom установлено, в среднем, 80,0% значений ТВИ, характеризующих условия среды как «тепловой стресс». Наблюдалось увеличение доли данных значений с 10 ч утра до 19 ч. По A. Berman et al. Выявлено, в среднем, 10,9% значений ТВИ, а по M.K. Yousef — 5,0%, относящихся к тепловому стрессу. В 15-й синоптический срок измерений по Гринвичу в животноводческом помещении спрогнозирована наибольшая вероятность теплового стресса. Среднее увеличение температуры тела коров с 6-го по 15-й синоптические сроки измерений при тепловом стрессе составит 1,0% (0,4°C, P<0,001), а частоты дыхания — 51,3% (18 дыхательных движений в 1 мин, (P<0,001). Максимальная динамика увеличения температуры тела наблюдается в 13 ч и 16 ч, а частоты дыхания — в 13 ч. Потенциальная молочная продуктивность дойных коров в летние месяцы может быть в среднем на 8,9% выше. In various synoptic terms in the cowshed room, the amount of measurements of the temperature of the heat and humidity index was revealed when the cows suffer from thermal stress. Data on body temperature and respiration rate of cows in conditions of heat stress and its absence were predicted, including those for four measurement periods. Potentially possible level of milk production of cows in the absence of heat stress was determined. According to E.C. Thom is found on average 80.0% of the values of THI, characterizing environmental conditions as "heat stress". An increase in the share of these values is observed in the period from 10:00 to 19:00. According to A. Berman et al. revealed on average 10.9% of THI values, and according to M.K. Yousef — 5.0% of the THI values related to heat stress. In 15, the synoptic term of measurements in Greenwich in the cowshed, the highest probability of heat stress is predicted. The average increase in body temperature of cows from 6 to 15 synoptic term of measurements in Greenwich heat stress will be 1.0% (0.4°C, P<0.001), and the respiration rate will be 51.3% (18 respiratory movements per minute, P<0.001). The maximum dynamics of an increase in body temperature is observed at 13:00 and 16:00 for body temperature, and respiratory rate at 13:00. The potential milk production of dairy cows in the summer months can be 8.9% higher on average.

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Kajian Komparatif Parameter Ekonomi (Harga Susu dan Pakan) Terhadap Efisiensi Penggunaan Teknologi Pakan Pada Usaha Sapi Perah

Sains Peternakan ◽

10.20961/sainspet.12.1.49-55 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 49

Author(s):

Bayu Setya Hertanto

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Key Words ◽

Milk Production ◽

Dairy Farm ◽

Quality Standard ◽

Milk Quality ◽

Production Parameters ◽

Feed Cost ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

The Impact

<p>The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of feed technology on changing of milk and feed price, and also its impact on efficiency of feed technology in dairy farm. In this study, fifteen lactating dairy cows were divided into 3 groups based on the feed technology. Production parameters measured were milk production and quality for 42 days, while economic parameters were milk and feed price. The highest milk production was produced by feed technology III which was Rp. 11,845 l/herd/day. The highest milk quality was resulted in by feed technology II with quality standard of fat 3.960%, SNF 8.312%, TS 12.272%, and milk density 1.029. Result showed that the lowest was by feed technology III, which was Rp. 1,143.80/l. Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC) showed that the use of feed technology III was more efficient than other feed technologies, which was Rp. 24,664.55/herd/day with the milk price of Rp. 4,207.55/l.<br />Key words: Feed technology, milk production, milk quality, milk price, feed price</p>

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Continuous Respiration Rate Measurement of Heat-Stressed Dairy Cows and Relation to Environment, Body Temperature, and Lying Time

Transactions of the ASABE ◽

10.13031/trans.12451 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 61 (5) ◽

pp. 1475-1485 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ian K. Atkins ◽

Nigel B. Cook ◽

Mario R. Mondaca ◽

Christopher Y. Choi

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Respiration Rate ◽

Cooling System ◽

Visual Observation ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Ambient Conditions ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract. This study uses a continuously sampling sensor to document the respiration rate dynamics of lactating dairy cows under conditions of heat stress. Previously available respiration rate data on lactating dairy cows had primarily been generated by manually counting flank movements at discrete points in time, typically several times per day. Continuous measurements provide much higher-resolution data over time. The primary objective of this study was to analyze these continuous respiration rate measurements in relation to ambient conditions, body temperature, lying time, and time of day. Better understanding continuous responses to heat stress may help synchronize cooling system operation to the cows’ need for heat stress relief. For 19 days during a summer season in Wisconsin, eight lactating Holstein cows were equipped with sensors designed to detect the abdominal expansion associated with breathing. An algorithm was developed to derive respiration rate from each sensor’s signal. To validate the accuracy of the sensor and algorithms, measurements from the sensor were compared to respiration rate measurements taken via visual observation. Overall, variation in continuously measured respiration rate corresponded to changes in temperature-humidity index (THI) and body temperature. However, respiration rate and body temperature also remained elevated at night despite decreasing THI. Keywords: Dairy cow, Heat stress, Physiological monitoring, Respiration rate, Telemetry, Wearable.

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1156 Effects of Omnigen-AF supplementation on body temperature, milk production, and somatic cell count in lactating dairy cows

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jam2016-1156 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 94 (suppl_5) ◽

pp. 554-555

Author(s):

T. Leiva ◽

R. F. Cooke ◽

A. P. Brandao ◽

R. L. A. Cerri ◽

R. O. Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Temperature ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Somatic Cell ◽

Cell Count ◽

Milk Production ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows

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Effects of Feeding Frequency on the Lying Behavior of Dairy Cows in a Loose Housing with Automatic Feeding and Milking System

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9040121 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 121 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Gabriele Mattachini ◽

Johanna Pompe ◽

Alberto Finzi ◽

Emanuela Tullo ◽

Elisabetta Riva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Dairy Farm ◽

Management Systems ◽

Feeding Frequency ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Long Duration ◽

High Feed ◽

Very High

Management systems in modern dairy farms is an important issue in relation to animal comfort and welfare. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed delivery frequency on the behavior patterns, visits to an automatic milking system (AMS) and on milk production of lactating dairy cows. The study was conducted on a commercial dairy farm with automatic feeding and milking systems. Feeding treatments consisted of two different frequencies, high feed delivery frequency (11 deliveries per day) and low feed delivery frequency (six deliveries per day). Lying behavior of 20 dairy cows was electronically monitored. The results obtained showed that 11 deliveries per day feed delivery frequency decreases the number of long-duration lying bouts, which may indicate that a very high feeding frequency disturbs the cows during their resting periods and thus influences both animal comfort and milk production. High feeding frequency may disturb the duration of lying bouts and alter the pattern of lying behavior throughout the day, affecting mainly the lying time during the 60 min before and following the provision of fresh feed. Delivering feed at a low frequency allow cows to distribute more evenly their lying time over the course of the day and improve their utilization of an AMS.

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Effect of core body temperature, time of day, and climate conditions on behavioral patterns of lactating dairy cows experiencing mild to moderate heat stress

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2013-7704 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 98 (1) ◽

pp. 118-127 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

J.D. Allen ◽

L.W. Hall ◽

R.J. Collier ◽

J.F. Smith

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Core Body Temperature ◽

Time Of Day ◽

Behavioral Patterns ◽

Climate Conditions ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Core Body ◽

Temperature Time

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EFFECTS OF STAGE OF MATURITY OF TIMOTHY HAY AND CONCENTRATE SUPPLEMENTATION ON PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING DAIRY COWS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas80-060 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 511-521 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

C. VINET ◽

R. BOUCHARD ◽

G. J. ST-LAURENT

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Sole Source ◽

Concentrate Supplementation ◽

Boot Stage ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows ◽

Gross Energy ◽

Daily Milk Production ◽

Daily Milk

The effects of concentrate supplementation of timothy hay cut at the late-boot and early-bloom was tested with dairy cows during two feeding and two digestibility trials. The diets for each trial contained the following hay to concentrate ratios: 100:0, 85:15, 70:30 and 55:45. Daily dry matter intake and fat-corrected milk production, respectively, were 15.1, 16.8, 18.6, 19.4 kg; 16.7, 20.7, 23.1, 21.0 kg for the four diets containing early-cut timothy hay and 11.0, 14.7, 17.2, 19.8 kg; 8.4, 10.7, 13.3 and 15.9 kg for the late-cut timothy hay. Percent digestibilities of the four diets containing early-cut and late-cut timothy hay, respectively, were 65.6, 65.6, 66.9, 66.8 and 53.6, 53.6, 60.2, 62.9 for dry matter; 62.5, 63.7, 65.2, 65.3 and 24.0, 39.3, 53.3, 60.0 for nitrogen; 70.3, 70.3, 68.4, 67.8 and 53.7, 53.4, 60.1, 62.6 for gross energy; 66.4, 65.3, 67.1, 66.6 and 55.0, 54.5, 61.4, 63.5 for cell wall constituents; 68.2, 65.8, 64.9, 63.4 and 50.8, 48.2, 52.7, 52.1 for acid detergent fiber. Timothy hay cut at late-boot stage as sole source of feed supported a daily milk production of 16.7 kg compared to 15.9 kg for cows consuming timothy hay cut at late-bloom stage supplemented with 9 kg of concentrate.

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