Milk yield and behavioural changes during a hot period on a commercial dairy farm

Judith Roelofs*, A.T.M. van Knegsel, E. van Erp-van der Kooij

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference paperAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

When the temperature-humidity index (THI) exceeds 72, dairy cows are at risk for heat stress. Heat stress leads to changes in behaviour and negatively impacts milk yield. Utilising sensor data on behaviour and milk yield can provide insights into identifying cows experiencing difficulties during hot periods in commercial settings. We studied changes in behaviour and milk yield in 96 cows during an 8-d period with an average daily THI above 75 (HOT) compared with an 8-d period with an average THI below 68 (NORM). Commercially available activity meters measured the behaviour and an automated milking system recorded milk yield. Lying (LY) decreased by 1.7 h/day, eating (EAT) by 2.1 h/day, rumination (RUM) by 1.3 h/day, and milk yield (MY) by 6.3 kg/day (P<0.01) in HOT compared with NORM. Individual cows varied in the extent of changes in behaviour and MY. Effects of parity (1, 2, 3 or >3) and average MY during NORM (continuous) on relative changes (RelCh) in LY, EAT, RUM, and MY were analysed. Parity did not affect RelCh in LY and EAT but did affect RelCh in RUM and MY (P<0.01). Primiparous cows had a smaller RelCh in RUM (-6%) compared with parity 2 (-17%), 3 (-17%), and >3 (-18%) cows. The RelCh in MY was smaller in primiparous cows (-10%) compared with parity 3 (-23%) and parity >3 (-19%) cows. The higher the daily average MY was during NORM, the more LY, EAT, and MY decreased in HOT. Future research aims to identify factors influencing individual cows' capacity to adapt to hot periods.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming (ECPLF 2024)
EditorsD. Berckmans, P. Tassinari, D. Torreggiani
PublisherEuropean Association for Precision Livestock Farming
Pages496-503
ISBN (Electronic)9791221067361
ISBN (Print)9798331303549
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024
Event11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming - Bologna, Italy
Duration: 9 Sept 202412 Sept 2024

Conference

Conference11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityBologna
Period9/09/2412/09/24

Keywords

  • dairy cow
  • heat stress
  • activity meter
  • behaviour
  • milk yield
  • individual differences

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