Tag Archives: dairy cow

1877-1884 M. Soonberg, M. Kass, T. Kaart, R. Leming and D.R. Arney
Additional concentrates do not affect feeding times of cows, but social positions of cows do
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Additional concentrates do not affect feeding times of cows, but social positions of cows do

M. Soonberg¹*, M. Kass¹, T. Kaart², R. Leming¹ and D.R. Arney¹

¹Estonian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 46, EE51006 Tartu, Estonia
²Estonian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi 46, EE51006 Tartu, Estonia
*Correspondence: maria.soonberg@student.emu.ee

Abstract:

In robotic milking dairy systems lack of control over intakes can be problematic for balancing the forage and concentrate portions of diets. This can lead to problems associated with high concentrate intakes and concomitant low forage intakes. To check this as a problem, the feeding behaviour of cows was observed: the number of daily visits to the feed barrier, the duration of these visits and actual feeding, of high and low yielding cows. The cows were robot-milked and fed a ration comprising, separately, concentrate feed from a robot and a feeder, and a grass/clover silage mix forage at the feed barrier. Individual variation in visiting times and times spent at the feed barrier were greater than the effect of level of production. There was no evidence that cows with higher milk yields are differentially motivated to feed from forage. But more dominant cows spent more time feeding than submissive cows.

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879-891 U. Antone, J. Zagorska, V. Sterna, A. Jemeljanovs, A. Berzins, and D. Ikauniece
Effects of dairy cow diet supplementation with carrots on milk composition, concentration of cow blood serum carotenes, and butter oil fat-soluble antioxidative substances
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Effects of dairy cow diet supplementation with carrots on milk composition, concentration of cow blood serum carotenes, and butter oil fat-soluble antioxidative substances

U. Antone¹*, J. Zagorska², V. Sterna¹, A. Jemeljanovs¹³, A. Berzins³⁴, and D. Ikauniece¹⁴

¹Agency of the Latvia University of Agriculture ‘Research Institute of Biotechnology and Veterinary Medicine ‘Sigra’’, Instituta 1, Sigulda, LV- 2150, Latvia
²Faculty of Food Technology, the Latvia University of Agriculture, Liela 2, Jelgava, LV 3001, Latvia
³Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, the Latvia University of Agriculture, K.Helmana 8, Jelgava, LV 3004, Latvia
⁴Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment ‘BIOR’, Lejupes 3, Riga, LV 1076, Latvia
*Correspondence: u.antone@gmail.com

Abstract:

Fat-soluble constituents of milk – β-carotene and α-tocopherol – are essential for quality and nutritional value of milk and dairy products. Provision of fat-soluble antioxidants and vitamins such as carotenoids and vitamin E necessary for cow organism and milk synthesis depends on their concentration in fodder. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of cow feed supplementation by carrots on the total carotene concentration in cow blood serum, on fat, protein, lactose concentration in milk, and milk yield, as well as to investigate the effects on β-carotene and α-tocopherol concentration in butter oil and intensity of its yellow colour. A total 20 cows of Latvian brown (n = 8) and Danish red (n = 12) breed were divided into control (CG) and experimental group (EG). In the EG, cow feed was supplemented with seven kg of carrots per cow per day for six weeks at the end of the indoor period (March–May). Milk samples from indoor period (n = 100) and grazing (n = 20) were used for butter oil extraction. The carotene concentration observed in blood of animals before the experiment was insufficient taking into account that the recommended β-carotene concentration in serum is above 3.0 mg l-1 level. During indoor period the increase in carotene concentration in blood of cows was significant in both groups (P < 0.05) but in EG it was more eplicit showing the positive effect of carrot supplementation. Carrot supplementation did not change milk fat, protein, lactose concentration, and yield (P > 0.05). At the same time it contributed in more stable β-carotene, as well as 30% higher α-tocopherol concentration and more intense yellow colour of butter oil samples during the indoor period of the experiment (P < 0.05).

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223-230 E. Kokin,, J. Praks, I. Veermäe, V. Poikalainen and M. Vallas
IceTag3D™ accelerometric device in cattle lameness detection
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IceTag3D™ accelerometric device in cattle lameness detection

E. Kokin¹,*, J. Praks², I. Veermäe², V. Poikalainen² and M. Vallas²

¹Institute of Technology, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia; *Correspondence: eugen.kokin@emu.ee 2Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, EE51014 Tartu, Estonia

Abstract:

The objective of the pilot study was to evaluate the possibility of using IceTag3D™ accelerometric device for the early detection of lame cows in dairy herd. The measurements were carried out in the experimental cowshed of Estonian University of Life Sciences in the free-stall section with milking parlour. The time the cow spent lying and standing, number of lying bouts, step count and the motion index of 33 dairy cows (14 lame and 19 sound cows) was registered during 15 days period. The measurements confirmed that the lame cows stand and move less than sound animals. As the same trend was in force for older cows it was impossible to differentiate the influence of lameness and age. To clarify the inequality in activity between lame and sound rear legs both legs of lame cows were equipped with loggers (eight cows). Great difference in recordings of diseased and healthy leg lying bouts (ratio 2.47) indicates that this parameter may be one possibility to identify leg disorders. However, further investigations are needed to synchronize video- and IceTag recordings and identify threshold values.

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187-194 V. Poikalainen, J. Praks, I. Veermäe and E. Kokin
Infrared temperature patterns of cow’s body as an indicator for health control at precision cattle farming
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Infrared temperature patterns of cow’s body as an indicator for health control at precision cattle farming

V. Poikalainen, J. Praks, I. Veermäe and E. Kokin

Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 1, EE51014, Tartu, Estonia

Abstract:

Cows’ infrared radiation temperature study was carried out at experimental cowshed (120 cows) of Estonian University of Life Sciences. Thermal image scanner Fluke TiS was used for obtaining 640×480 pixels thermal images with resolution of 0.1°C. The temperature distribution pattern of different parts of cow’s body was estimated and analysed with SmartView software. Special attention was paid to udder, feet and areas with skin injuries. It was estimated that the temperature varies considerably at different parts of the body. Radiation temperature of healthy udder did not change considerably after milking. It means that automatic monitoring of udder temperature is possible not only in milking parlour or milking robot but also in other places where cows are identified. The udder thermograms enable to assess the milking hygiene, as the cleanliness of udder surface influences the measurement results, especially average temperature. The temperature of legs was lowest at the hoofs and highest at coronary band. Differences from this distribution may be used for estimation of leg disorders. Thermal images can be also successfully used for detection of skin injuries. Radiation temperature of injured and depilous locations was higher by several degrees than their surroundings. The study showed that thermal images analysis is promising method to be implemented at precision cattle farming.

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