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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 language | English |
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Title of host publication | 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming (ECPLF 2024) |
Editors | D. Berckmans, P. Tassinari, D. Torreggiani |
Publisher | European Association for Precision Livestock Farming |
Pages | 496-503 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9791221067361 |
ISBN (Print) | 9798331303549 |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2024 |
Event | 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming - Bologna, Italy Duration: 9 Sept 2024 → 12 Sept 2024 |
Conference
Conference | 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming |
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Country/Territory | Italy |
City | Bologna |
Period | 9/09/24 → 12/09/24 |
Keywords
- dairy cow
- heat stress
- activity meter
- behaviour
- milk yield
- individual differences
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Dive into the research topics of 'Milk yield and behavioural changes during a hot period on a commercial dairy farm'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Activities
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Milk yield and behavioural changes during a hot period on a commercial dairy farm
Roelofs, J. (Speaker), van Knegsel, A. (Contributor) & van Erp-van der Kooij, E. (Speaker)
10 Sept 2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation › Academic