Review: Behaviour and its role in the nutritional management of the growing dairy heifer

T J DeVries

doi:10.4141/cjas09123

Review: Behaviour and its role in the nutritional management of the growing dairy heifer

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas09123 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (3) ◽

pp. 295-302 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

T J DeVries

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Management Practices ◽

Empirical Work ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Nutritional Management ◽

Delivery Methods ◽

Dairy Heifers ◽

Behavioural Patterns ◽

Dairy Heifer ◽

Ad Libitum Intake

There has recently been a significant increase in the amount of scientific research relating dairy cattle behaviour to nutritional management, particularly with respect to the interaction with health. Much of this research has been focused on using information on the natural behavioural patterns of dairy cattle to improve management practices. As with calves and mature dairy cattle, the behaviour of growing replacement dairy heifers interacts with various nutritional management practices. For replacement dairy heifers, much of the research in this area has been focused on how these interactions relate to different feed delivery methods, the amount of feed provided, and stocking density at the feed bunk. This review describes empirical work focused on understanding how nutritional management practices affect heifer behaviour, and how these practices may affect the health, productivity, and welfare of these animals. In particular, evidence will be provided for those practices (such as total mixed ration feeding, feeding for ad libitum intake, and reducing feed bunk competition) that promote feeding behaviour patterns related to more consistent nutrient intake and improved rumen health. Even though the behavioural effects of these nutritional practices are known, additional research is still needed to further demonstrate the possible physiological consequences (e.g., rumen pH, growth rate) of these changes in behaviour. This information is needed so that further recommendations can be made on these practices so these animals may be raised for maximum production potential, while maintaining their behavioural needs, health and overall welfare.Key words: Behaviour, nutritional management, replacement dairy heifer

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Management practices associated with high mortality among preweaned dairy heifers

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029996001999 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

WILLARD C. LOSINGER ◽

A. JUD HEINRICHS

Keyword(s):

High Mortality ◽

Management Practices ◽

Stepwise Logistic Regression ◽

Dairy Heifers ◽

Operation Analysis ◽

Primary Responsibility ◽

Whole Milk ◽

High Death ◽

Dairy Heifer ◽

Operation Characteristics

In a national survey of US dairy operations, 1685 dairy operations reported 47057 new dairy heifers (either births or acquisitions) and 4427 deaths (9·4%) of preweaned dairy heifer calves over a 3 month period. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify management practices associated with high mortality among preweaned heifers in dairy operations where at least three dairy heifer calves were born alive or moved on to the operation. Analysis was done twice: once by separating all operations by size into high or low mortality; again using only operations with <2 and >10% mortality to eliminate dairy operations with intermediate levels of mortality from the comparisons. Results were similar. Dairy operations in the West were more likely to fall in the high mortality category than dairy operations in the rest of the country. In addition, the following dairy operation characteristics were associated with high death levels in both models: rolling herd average milk production <7710 kg, preweaned heifers placed in groups of seven or more, a male having primary responsibility for the care and feeding of preweaned heifers, calves not receiving hay or other roughages until >20 d old, calves fed on mastitic or antibiotic milk after colostrum and calves not given whole milk after colostrum.

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A review of dairy heifer rearing and its effect on heifer performance, longevity, rearing costs and farm income

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00040039 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 1-35

Author(s):

Jean K Margerison

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Dairy Cow ◽

Dairy Herd ◽

Farm Income ◽

Dairy Heifers ◽

Dairy Heifer ◽

The Uk ◽

The Eu

The length of time dairy heifers survive in a herd and longevity of dairy cattle, was found to decrease significantly between 1981 and 1992, with the average herd life of a dairy cow in the 1990's declined to 33 (± 0.38) months or 2.75 years (Durr, Monardes, Cue and Philpot, 1997). In the UK, 21 % of dairy heifers are culled during the first lactation (MDC, 1998) while in the EU 33.4 % of heifers complete only one lactation (Durr et al., 1997). In the UK dairy herd 48 % of heifers complete three lactations (MDC, 2000), while in the EU as a whole only 17 % of heifers remain in the herd for their third lactation (Durr et al., 1997).

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Assisted Reproductive Technologies for Decision Support in Reproductive Management of Dairy Cattle in Ke

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology ◽

10.36630/jasft_21001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 10-18

Author(s):

Wilkister Nakami ◽

◽

Victor Tsuma ◽

Keyword(s):

Decision Support ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Human Population ◽

Management Practices ◽

Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Breeding Method ◽

Reproductive Management ◽

Low Levels ◽

Livestock Products

The human population is expected to double in Africa by 2030 and with it a consequent rise in demand for livestock products. Reproductive technologies improve livestock productivity however, uptake of the technologies has been low in Africa, yet this is where there is a dire need for livestock products as the human population surges. This study aimed to assess knowledge extent and understanding the use of assisted reproductive technologies in decision support for reproductive management of dairy cattle in Kenya. Dairy farmers and veterinary practitioners were interviewed using a questionnaire to obtain relevant data on knowledge, attitude and practices in the use of assisted reproductive technologies in reproductive management in dairy farms. Observable heat signs was the only method used by participants to ascertain estrus in a cow. Artificial insemination technique was adopted by all farmers as the breeding method of choice. The analysis highlighted that the respondents with low levels of formal education had less knowledge on reproductive technologies and displayed risky practices. Overall, a larger proportion of respondents indicated that the assisted reproductive technologies would be important in reproductive management. The relatively low levels of awareness, higher levels of education and a willingness to use the assisted reproductive technologies in reproductive management of dairy cattle strengthen the logic of improving productivity through the application of these assisted reproductive technologies as well as improve levels of awareness of reproductive management practices. Keywords: attitude, heat detection, knowledge, pregnancy diagnosis, practices, progesterone

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

Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1752756200597609 ◽

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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Nutritional recommendations and management practices adopted by feedlot cattle nutritionists: the 2016 Brazilian survey

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1139/cjas-2018-0031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 99 (2) ◽

pp. 392-407 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Ana C.J. Pinto ◽

Danilo D. Millen

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Energy Content ◽

Primary Source ◽

Feedlot Cattle ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Nutritional Management ◽

Finishing Diets ◽

Feeding Management ◽

Grain Processing ◽

Management Recommendations

The feedlot industry in Brazil is still evolving, and some nutritional management recommendations adopted by nutritionists changes from year to year. The main objective of this survey was to provide a snapshot of current nutritional management practices adopted in Brazilian feedlots. The 33 nutritionists surveyed were responsible for approximately 4 228 254 animals. Corn remained as the primary source of grain used in feedlot diets by the participants, whereas fine grinding was the primary grain processing method. Corn silage was the primary roughage source indicated by nutritionists, and for the first time, physically effective neutral detergent fiber was the preferred fiber analysis method. The average dietary fat recommended was 50 g kg−1 of dry matter, which is about 10% higher than values reported in previous surveys. The use of truck-mounted mixers increased, which may have increased the percentage of feedlots using programmed feed delivery per pen, allowing the increase of energy content of finishing diets. Feedlots did not increase their capacity and nutritionists reported an improvement in feeding management. Results reported in the current study provide a baseline that can be used to improve practices and aid in the development of feedlot industry in Brazil and similar tropical climates.

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Campylobacter Colonization of Sibling Turkey Flocks Reared under Different Management Conditions

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-67.7.1463 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 67 (7) ◽

pp. 1463-1468 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

KATIE SMITH ◽

NANCY REIMERS ◽

H. JOHN BARNES ◽

BONG CHOON LEE ◽

ROBIN SILETZKY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vertical Transmission ◽

Management Practices ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Production Cycle ◽

Campylobacter Coli ◽

Processing Plant ◽

Sibling Pairs ◽

Feed Withdrawal ◽

Breeder Hens ◽

Teaching Animal

Uncertainty exists concerning the key factors contributing to Campylobacter colonization of poultry, especially the possible role of vertical transmission from breeder hens to young birds. A longitudinal study of Campylobacter colonization was performed in two sibling pairs of turkey flocks (four flocks total). Each pair of sibling flocks shared breeder hen populations and was obtained from the same hatchery. One flock of each pair was grown on a commercial farm, and the other was grown in an instructional demonstration unit (Teaching Animal Unit [TAU]). Flocks were located within a 60-mi (96.8-km) radius. The time of placement, feed formulations, stocking density, and general husbandry were the same for both flocks, and each flock was processed at a commercial processing plant following standard feed withdrawal and transport protocols. Both flocks grown on the commercial farms became colonized with Campylobacter between weeks 2 and 3 and remained colonized until processing. Between 80 and 90% of isolates were Campylobacter coli, and the remainder were Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast, neither C. coli nor C. jejuni were isolated from either of the TAU flocks at any time during the production cycle. None of the fla types of Campylobacter from the breeders that provided poults to one of the commercial flocks matched those from the progeny. These results failed to provide evidence for vertical transmission and indicate that this type of transmission either did not occur or was not sufficient to render the TAU turkey flocks Campylobacter positive. Management practices such as proper litter maintenance, controlled traffic between the TAU farm and other turkey flocks, and other less well-defined aspects of turkey production were likely responsible for the absence of Campylobacter in the TAU flocks before harvest.

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Dairy cow welfare: the role of research and development in addressing increasing scrutiny

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an12276 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 53 (9) ◽

pp. 924 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A. D. Fisher ◽

J. R. Webster

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Body Condition ◽

Management Practices ◽

Good Practice ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Grazed Pasture ◽

Dairy Management ◽

Animal Management ◽

Cow Welfare

Pasture-based dairying in New Zealand and Australia has come under increasing animal welfare scrutiny as a result of changing public expectations for farm animal management. Concurrently, efficiency-driven changes in dairy management practices and a broadening of the feedbase beyond traditionally grazed pasture have resulted in increased intensification and stocking density within the dairy industries. This intensification has included a higher proportion of grain concentrates in the diet (particularly in Australia), and the greater management of cows off pasture and even in housing (particularly in New Zealand). Research to assess the animal welfare implications of these changes and to recommend good practice management has concentrated on issues of cow environments and cow feeding, including body condition. Research has shown that cows may be managed for a few hours per day on concrete surfaces without compromising their lying behaviour and other indicators of welfare, but that longer periods off pasture require the provision of a well drained and comfortable lying surface. Other research has defined the extremes of hot and cold/wet conditions beyond which cows benefit from provision of adequate shade and shelter. Research on cow body condition has indicated that welfare responses are aligned with measures of health and productivity in supporting the need to maintain a minimum body condition before calving and during the subsequent weight loss period of early lactation. Continued research, extension and industry adoption will enable dairy producers to address community expectations as they continue to change their farming practices.

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Risk factors of S. aureus intramammary infection in pre partum dairy heifers under grazing conditions and molecular characterization of isolates from heifers and cows

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029919001018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

pp. 82-88

Author(s):

Cecilia M. Camussone ◽

Ana I. Molineri ◽

Marcelo L. Signorini ◽

Verónica E. Neder ◽

Carlos A. Vitulich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Management Practices ◽

Molecular Level ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Cow Milk ◽

Intramammary Infection ◽

Dairy Heifers ◽

Lactating Cows

AbstractThe aims of the research reported here were to identify potential risk factors associated with the presence of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infection (IMI) in pre partum dairy heifers on 17 dairy farms from three provinces of Argentina and to characterize, at molecular level, isolates from those heifers and lactating cows from two selected herds. A total of 1474 heifers and 4878 lactating cows were studied. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus IMI in the heifers, heifers at quarter level and lactating cow mammary quarters was 14.41, 4.82, and 14.65%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed the key variables associated with S. aureus IMI presence in the heifers were: S. aureus IMI prevalence in cows of the lactating herd, the time calves stayed with their dam after birth, the calf rearing system, the place of rearing (own farm or other dairy farm) and fly control on the farm. None of the variables included in the multivariable analysis was associated with the presence of S. aureus IMI in the pre partum heifers, probably due to low variability among management practices used by the farms for rearing the heifer calves. At the molecular level, S. aureus isolates were grouped into three main PFGE clusters and several genotypes within the clusters. Isolates from mammary secretion of pre partum heifers and milk of lactating cows comprised different PFGE clusters in both herds, although two exceptions occurred. The absence of gene fnbpB, which codifies for a virulence factor protein involved in cell invasion by S. aureus, was significantly more frequent in pre partum heifer secretion isolates than in isolates from lactating cow milk. These results suggest that, under these management conditions, isolates from mammary secretions of pre partum heifers do not originate from the milk of lactating cows, but rather other sources to which the heifer is exposed.

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Drivers of Antimicrobial Use Practices among Tennessee Dairy Cattle Producers

Veterinary Medicine International ◽

10.1155/2018/1836836 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

John E. Ekakoro ◽

Marc Caldwell ◽

Elizabeth B. Strand ◽

Chika C. Okafor

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Management Practices ◽

Appropriate Technology ◽

Antimicrobial Use ◽

Sensitivity Testing ◽

Dry Cow Therapy ◽

Early Disease Detection ◽

Print Form ◽

Modifiable Factors

Nonjudicious antimicrobial use (AMU) and inadequate antimicrobial stewardship are known modifiable factors driving the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A mixed methods approach using a combination of focus groups and survey questionnaires was used to explore the AMU practices of Tennessee (TN) dairy cattle producers. Specifically, the objectives of the study were to determine the following: (1) the most common drivers for using antimicrobials, (2) perceived alternatives to antimicrobials, (3) knowledge of and perceptions regarding AMR, (4) and the appropriate avenues for receiving information on prudent AMU. Two focus groups were conducted, one in July 2017 and the other in March 2018. The questionnaire was simultaneously made available to participants both in print form and online from January 26, 2018, through May 11, 2018. Twenty-three dairy producers participated in the focus groups and 45 responded to the survey. Eight (18.6%) producers never used bacterial culture and sensitivity testing (C/S) to select antimicrobials, more than half (25 producers (58.1%)) sometimes used C/S, four (9.3%) used C/S about half the time, five (11.6%) most of the time, and one (2.3%) always used C/S. The most common drivers for using antimicrobials were disease and animal welfare, pathogen surveillance, economic factors, veterinarian recommendation, producer’s experience and judgment, drug attributes, and the Veterinary Feed Directive. Good management practices, vaccination, use of immunomodulatory products, and use of appropriate technology for early disease detection were considered alternatives to AMU. Four (9.1%) dairy producers were very concerned about AMR, 27 (61.4%) moderately concerned, and 10 (22.7%) not concerned. The veterinarian was considered to be a trusted source of information on prudent AMU. Use of C/S test results for antimicrobial selection is widespread among TN dairy producers. There is a need to popularize/promote selective dry cow therapy among TN dairy producers.

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