scholarly journals First data-driven approach to using individual cattle weights to estimate mean adult dairy cattle weight in the UK

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah E. Schubert ◽  
Sarah Wood ◽  
Kristen K. Reyher ◽  
Harriet L. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Production Level ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Data Driven Approach ◽  
Automatic Milking Systems ◽  
Common Weight ◽  
The Uk ◽  
On Farm

ABSTRACTIntroductionKnowledge of accurate weights of cattle is crucial for effective dosing of individual animals with medicine and for reporting antimicrobial usage metrics, amongst other uses. The most common weight for dairy cattle presented in current literature is 600 kg, but this is not evidenced by data. For the first time, we provide an evidence-based estimate of the average weight of UK dairy cattle to better inform decisions by farmers, veterinarians and the scientific community.MethodsWe collected data for 2,747 dairy cattle from 20 farms in the UK, 19 using Lely Automatic Milking Systems with weigh floors and 1 using a crush with weigh scales. These data covered farms with different breed types, including Holstein, Friesian, Holstein-Friesian and Jersey, as well as farms with dual purpose breeds and cross-breeds. Data were used to calculate a mean weight for dairy cattle by breed, and a UK-specific mean weight was generated by scaling to UK-specific breed proportions. Trends in weight by lactation number, DIM and production level were also explored using individual cattle-level data.ResultsMean weight for adult dairy cattle included in this study was 617 kg (standard deviation (sd) 85.6 kg). Mean weight varied across breeds, with a range of 466 kg (sd=56.0 kg, Jersey) to 636 kg (sd=84.1, Holsteins). When scaled to UK breed proportions, the estimated mean UK dairy cattle weight was 620 kg. Overall, first-lactation heifers weighed 9% less than cows. Mean weight declined for the first 30 days post-calving, before steadily increasing. For cattle at peak production, mean weight increased with production level.ConclusionsThis study is the first to calculate a mean weight of adult dairy cattle in the UK based on on-farm data. Overall mean weight was higher than that most often proposed in the literature (600 kg). Evidence-informed weights are crucial as the UK works to better monitor and report metrics to monitor antimicrobial use and are useful to farmers and veterinarians to inform dosing decisions.

scholarly journals Data-driven approach to using individual cattle weights to estimate mean adult dairy cattle weight

2019 ◽  
Vol 185 (17) ◽  
pp. 540-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Schubert ◽  
Sarah Wood ◽  
Kristen Reyher ◽  
Harriet Mills
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Data Driven Approach ◽  
The Uk ◽  
On Farm ◽  
First Time ◽  
Lactating Dairy Cattle

BackgroundKnowledge of accurate weights of cattle is crucial for effective dosing of individual animals and for reporting antimicrobial usage. For the first time, we provide an evidence-based estimate of the average weight of UK dairy cattle to better inform farmers, veterinarians and the scientific community.MethodsData were collected for 2747 lactating dairy cattle from 20 farms in the UK. Data were used to calculate a mean weight for lactating dairy cattle by breed and a UK-specific mean weight. Trends in weight by lactation number and production level were also explored.ResultsMean weight for adult dairy cattle in this study was 617 kg (sd=85.6 kg). Mean weight varied across breeds, with a range of 466 kg (sd=56.0 kg, Jersey) to 636 kg (sd=84.1, Holsteins). When scaled to UK breed proportions, the estimated UK-specific mean weight was 620 kg.ConclusionThis study is the first to calculate a mean weight of adult dairy cattle in the UK based on on-farm data. Overall mean weight was higher than that most often proposed in the literature (600 kg). Evidence-informed weights are crucial as the UK works to better monitor and report metrics to measure antimicrobial use and are useful to farmers and veterinarians to inform dosing decisions.

A comparison of the fertility of Holstein Friesian and Norwegian Dairy Cattle under low and high nutrient input systems

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
A.D. Crawford ◽  
C.S. Mayne ◽  
M.A. McCoy ◽  
D. Lennox
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Selection Procedure ◽  
Dairy Herds ◽  
Nutrient Input ◽  
Milk Output ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Nutrient Utilisation ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Norwegian Dairy

Until relatively recently, breeding programmes for Holstein Friesian (HF) dairy cattle have focused selection procedures on increasing milk output with little emphasis on secondary traits such as fertility. As a result the fertility of the Holstein Friesian dairy animal is currently declining in the UK. This decline in fertility causes particular problems in seasonal calving dairy herds, where compact calving is crucial to overall performance of this system. In the Norwegian dairy cattle (NC) breeding programme, emphasis has been placed on a multi trait selection procedure including fertility and disease resistance. There is evidence that this selection procedure has resulted in improved fertility within the NC population. The present study is part of an overall programme comparing the performance of HF and NC cattle with respect to food intake, animal performance, nutrient utilisation, behaviour, health, fertility and longevity. The objective of the present study was to investigate possible differences in fertility between the two breeds when offered either a high or a low nutrient input diet based on grass silage.

Prediction of dairy cattle reproductive performance in pastoral feeding systems

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
J.E. Pryce ◽  
B.L. Harris ◽  
G. Verkerk
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Genetic Merit ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
High Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Short Time ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Feeding Systems

As NZ milk production is predominantly seasonal and reliant on pasture growth, a high pregnancy rate within a short time after planned start of mating is essential to match feed supply to production. A Holstein-Friesian strain trial was established in Hamilton, New Zealand, to investigate the physical and financial performance of three strains of dairy cattle under a range of pasture based systems that differ in stocking rate and supplementary feeding. The three strains of cows were: Overseas High genetic merit (OS), New Zealand High genetic merit (NZH) and New Zealand Low genetic merit (NZL). The objective of this study was to predict reproductive performance from information available prior to mating, as an aid to on-farm decisions.

Identification of potential on-farm sources ofListeria monocytogenesin herds of dairy cattle

2009 ◽  
Vol 234 (5) ◽  
pp. 673-673
Author(s):  
Hussni O. Mohammed ◽  
Korana Stipetic ◽  
Patrick L. McDonough ◽  
Ruben N. Gonzalez ◽  
Daryl V. Nydam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
On Farm

scholarly journals Causal relationships between milk quality and coagulation properties in Italian Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Tiezzi ◽  
Bruno D Valente ◽  
Martino Cassandro ◽  
Christian Maltecca
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Quality ◽  
Causal Relationships ◽  
Holstein Friesian

Comparison of milk production, mastitis, lameness and days to conception of Brown Swiss, Holstein and Holstein cross Brown Swiss dairy cattle

2006 ◽  
Vol 2006 ◽  
pp. 86-86
Author(s):  
G Wellwood ◽  
J K Margerison
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Somatic Cell ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Complex Disease ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Brown Swiss ◽  
Somatic Cell Counts ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Holstein Friesian

Mastitis is a complex disease causing inflammation of the udder, which has been estimated to cost the dairy farmer between £40-£117/cow per year (Stott et al., 2002). Economic loss occurs as a result of discarded milk, reduced milk yield and milk quality, increased vet costs and an increase in replacement costs. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of breed on the incidence of mastitis and somatic cell counts and milk production capabilities of Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss and Brown Swiss crossbred cows.

scholarly journals On-farm characterization and evaluation of dairy cattle crossbreeds in Côte d’Ivoire

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 398-399
Author(s):  
Edouard K. N’Goran ◽  
Valentine C. Yapi Gnaore ◽  
Agathe T. Fantodji
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Cote D'ivoire ◽  
Côte D’Ivoire ◽  
Cote D’Ivoire ◽  
Côte D'ivoire ◽  
On Farm

The effect of space allowance and milk yield level on the performance and behaviour of dairy cattle housed in straw yards

1998 ◽  
Vol 1998 ◽  
pp. 108-108
Author(s):  
J. A. Fregonesi ◽  
J.D. Leaver
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Ways Of Coping ◽  
Yield Level ◽  
Face Width ◽  
Holstein Friesian ◽  
Friesian Cows

Space allowance could be an important variable affecting production, health, reproductive performance and behaviour of dairy cattle. Also, high and low yielding cows may have different ways of coping with insufficient space allowance. The aim of this experiment was to study the influence of space allowance and milk yield level on the performance and behaviour of strawyard housed dairy cows.The experiment was carried out using 24 Holstein Friesian cows with two groups in early lactation of high (over 30 kg/day milk yield) and two groups in late lactation of low yield (under 25 kg/day milk yield). The groups were allocated to strawyard systems with low stocking density (bed area/cow = 9 m2; pen area/cow = 13.5 m2; feed face width/cow = 1.5 m) or high stocking density (bed area/cow = 4.5 m2; pen area/cow = 6.75 m2; feed face width/cow = 0.75m) conforming to a changeover design with two periods, each of four weeks. The cows were fed a total mixed ration ad libitum and 2kg/cow/day of concentrate in the milking parlour. All animals were milked twice daily.

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