Survey on housing,management and welfare of dairy cattle in tie-stalls in western Italian Alps

In the Alps, the traditional breeding system for dairy cattle is based on the alternation between a free-ranging period on mountain ranges during the summer, and an indoor period in tie-stalls in the winter. Several welfare issues may arise in tie-stall housing systems. We describe the situation in 47 farms in three villages in western Italy, trying to identify possible relationships among structural and management characteristics, animal health and behaviour traits. A long duration of the grazing period, associated with frequent manure removal during the housing period, are probably key factors for limiting the occurrence of lameness. Teat trauma is more common in narrower stalls. Getting-up behaviour is unnatural in most of the visited farms. Some lack in the farmers’ knowledge of animal behaviour was noted. Some structural and management characteristics are strictly related to geographical constraints. However, circumstances permitting, some expedients may be achieved for improving welfare levels.     

Prevalence of Neospora antibodies in New Zealand dairy cattle and dogs

Abstract

Extract

Neospora caninum is a major cause of disease in cattle and dogs, manifesting with abortions in cattle, and hind limb paresis in mostly young dogs ⁽¹⁾ Dubey, JP and Lindsay, DS. 1996. A review of Neospora caninum and neosporosis. Veterinary Parasitology, 67: 1–59. [Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]. Previous reports from New Zealand suggest that around 30% of bovine abortions may be due to Neospora ⁽²⁾ Thornton, RN, Thompson, EJ and Dubey, JP. 1991. Neospora abortion in New Zealand cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 39: 129–133. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] ⁽³⁾ Thornton, R. 1992. Bovine abortions — Laboratory diagnosis 1991. Surveillance, 19: 24–24.  [Google Scholar] and that about 40% of recently aborted dairy cows have antibodies against Neospora ⁽⁴⁾ Reichel, MP and Drake, JM. 1996. The diagnosis of Neospora abortions in cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 44: 151–154. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar].     

Pregnancy loss in dairy cattle in the Waikato region of New Zealand

AIM: To define the incidence rate of pregnancy loss and risk factors for those losses in pasture-fed dairy cattle in the Waikato region of New Zealand. METHODS: Cows (n=2,004) from 10 pasture-fed, spring-calving dairy herds in the Waikato were enrolled following confirmation of pregnancy 29-45 days after insemination, for inseminations that occurred within the first 16 days of the seasonal breeding period. Transrectal ultrasonographic examinations for pregnancy were conducted at approximately 6, 8, 10, 14 and 22 weeks gestation, and subsequent calving data were recovered. Pregnancy loss was defined as having occurred when a confirmed pregnancy was not re-diagnosed, when gross abortion was detected, or when a cow calved <265 days after the confirmed conception date. Data were analysed using reverse stepwise logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS: A total of 128 (6.4%) pregnancy losses were detected. The incidence rate was higher in early compared to late gestation (10.9 vs 2.8 losses/10,000 cow-days between Weeks 6-10 vs Weeks 10-14, respectively; p<0.001). Higher rates of loss were associated with the occurrence of clinical mastitis (Hazards ratio (HR)=1.57; p=0.071), being treated for anoestrus (HR=1.69; p=0.007), and in cows that had calving-to-conception intervals < or =63 days compared with those that had calving-to-conception intervals >92 days (HR=2.49; p=0.06). In addition, the rate of pregnancy loss differed between herds (p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The highest rate of pregnancy loss occurred in early gestation. Clinical mastitis, anoestrus and calving late in the calving season were risk factors for pregnancy loss. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography can be undertaken from 28 days post-insemination. However, due to the high rate of pregnancy loss at this stage of gestation, herdowners need to be warned of possible losses, and cows should be re-examined to confirm pregnancy before certification of pregnancy status is given.     

Pregnancy loss in dairy cattle in the Waikato region of New Zealand

AIM: To define the incidence rate of pregnancy loss and risk factors for those losses in pasture-fed dairy cattle in the Waikato region of New Zealand.

METHODS: Cows (n=2,004) from 10 pasture-fed, spring-calving dairy herds in the Waikato were enrolled following confirmation of pregnancy 29–45 days after insemination, for inseminations that occurred within the first 16 days of the seasonal breeding period. Transrectal ultrasonographic examinations for pregnancy were conducted at approximately 6, 8, 10, 14 and 22 weeks gestation, and subsequent calving data were recovered. Pregnancy loss was defined as having occurred when a confirmed pregnancy was not rediagnosed, when gross abortion was detected, or when a cow calved <265 days after the confirmed conception date. Data were analysed using reverse stepwise logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 128 (6.4%) pregnancy losses were detected. The incidence rate was higher in early compared to late gestation (10.9 vs 2.8 losses/10,000 cow-days between Weeks 6–10 vs Weeks 10–14, respectively; p<0.001). Higher rates of loss were associated with the occurrence of clinical mastitis (Hazards ratio (HR)=1.57; p=0.071), being treated for anoestrus (HR=1.69; p=0.007), and in cows that had calving-to-conception intervals ≤63 days compared with those that had calving-to-conception intervals >92 days (HR=2.49; p=0.06). In addition, the rate of pregnancy loss differed between herds (p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The highest rate of pregnancy loss occurred in early gestation. Clinical mastitis, anoestrus and calving late in the calving season were risk factors for pregnancy loss.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pregnancy diagnosis using ultrasonography can be undertaken from 28 days post-insemination. However, due to the high rate of pregnancy loss at this stage of gestation, herdowners need to be warned of possible losses, and cows should be re-examined to confirm pregnancy before certification of pregnancy status is given.     

Health, welfare and fertility implications of the use of bovine somatotropin in dairy cattle

Twenty-two Friesian and Friesian cross Ayrshire cows and 16 first lactation heifers were paired. Twenty were injected subcutaneously with 500 mg recombinant bovine somatotropin (sometribove) and 18 with a placebo at fortnightly intervals, starting 80 (+/- 7) days after calving, through the winter of 1986-87. The cows' weights and changes in condition, milk yields, milk solids, health and fertility were recorded regularly. Compound cake was fed at a fixed stepped rate according to the number of days since the cow calved. Silage was available on an easy-feed basis. Ten cows had their daily silage intake measured. Sometribove treated cows produced on average 27.7 kg of milk per day, 4.5 kg more than the controls. Treated heifers produced 23.5 kg per day, 2.5 kg more than the controls. Milk quality was unchanged. Treated cows gained weight during the trial, but not by as much as the controls. Control heifers also gained weight but the treated heifers lost, on average, 3 kg. Local reactions at the injection site were not felt to be of welfare concern, nor was the general effect of the extra milk production. A small number of treated animals experienced mastitis and had poorer fertility but the differences were mostly not statistically significant. If bovine somatotropin should become licensed for use in Britain it is recommended that clear guidelines should be issued on the management practices necessary for economic success and for the welfare of the treated animals.     

Health and welfare of dairy cows in different housing programs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two Swiss animal welfare friendly housing programs, 'regular access to outdoor facilities' (RAUS) and 'improved loose housing systems' (BTS) on health and welfare of dairy cows. During two years, the following indicators of health and welfare were observed on 136 randomly selected dairy farms: injuries around the joints, callosities, lameness, teat injuries, cleanliness, behaviour during lying and rising, body condition score, and incidence of medical treatments. Farms participating in both housing programs (BTS + RAUS) and farms with the program RAUS were compared to traditional farms that did not participate in a program. Housing system and management practice were recorded as additional factors influencing health and welfare of cows. Cows on farms participating in BTS + RAUS had, on average, fewer injuries around the hocks and fewer callosities at the carpal joints than cows in farms which did not participate in a housing program. Lameness was most frequent in cows of farms without housing program, followed by cows in tie stalls with the program RAUS and cows in loose housing systems with BTS + RAUS. There were fewer antibiotic treatments in farms with BTS + RAUS compared to the other farms.     

The impact of dystocia on dairy calf health,welfare, performance and survival

Up to one-third of dairy calves are born after dystocia and this is a major cause of calf mortality. This study investigated the neonatal physiology, survival, health and subsequent growth of dairy calves following dystocia and is the first longitudinal study to analyse multiple effects and to look beyond the perinatal period.A total of 455 live born Holstein calves (N: No assistance, n = 360; FN: Farmer assistance but normally presented calf, n = 82; FM: Farmer assistance of malpresented calf, n = 13) were followed from birth to first service (heifers) or until leaving the farm (bulls). Compared to N calves, FN and FM animals had higher salivary cortisol concentrations at day 1 (P < 0.001) and FN calves had lower passive immune transfer (P = 0.03). Dystocia had no biologically significant impact on rectal temperature throughout the first 4 days (P > 0.05). During the first 60 days, FM calves had a higher proportion of days with non-routine health treatments (P < 0.05) and, by the time of weaning, mortality in FN and FM heifers was higher than in N calves (2.8×; P < 0.01). However, in surviving calves, growth to first service was not affected by dystocia category (P > 0.05).Calves which survive dystocia experience lower passive immunity transfer, higher mortality and higher indicators of physiological stress. Such calves have poorer welfare in the neonatal period and possibly beyond. Strategies need to be implemented to improve the subsequent health and welfare of such calves and to lower the incidence of dystocia.     

The impact of suboptimal animal husbandry practices on animal health and economic profitability using the example of tie-in and loose housing system of dairy cattle

In this study of two common housing systems of dairy cattle, the tie-in system and the loose housing system, check lists were created to evaluate whether these husbandry systems fulfill the needs of the animals. Furthermore, a combination of questionnaires and interviews were employed to assess the qualification of dairy stockmen to handle the animals. These checklists should provide a useful tool for those persons involved in the examination of husbandry systems, both by providing a written record and by providing a clear outline of all the points that need to be covered during such an examination. The study, done in the way of an explorative analysis of data, included 22 farms (14 with tie-in systems and 8 with loose housing systems) and a total of 802 animals. With regard to the economic effects of poor management and housing conditions, several interesting and statistically noteworthy correlations emerged. TIE-IN SYSTEM: Positive correlations were found between severity of behavioural abnormalities (behave)and number of injuries due to husbandry system (injury); injury and number of inseminations per pregnancy (preg); injury and age of cow (age); preg and cell count of milk (cell). Negative correlations were found between cell and milk yield (milk) as well as between the qualification of stockmen (equal) and inappropriate technical design of the housing environment (tech). LOOSE HOUSING SYSTEM: Positive correlations existed between behave and injury, and between tech and injury. Negative correlations were found between milk and cell, equal and tech, and milk and age. The magnitudes of these correlations were quantified by means of linear regression analysis. Comparison of the two husbandry systems revealed that while the loose housing systems is associated with significantly more problems related to tech, it is associated with significantly fewer problems related to injury. It seems that in this housing system cows are better able to avoid injury since they are allowed to move freely. No significant differences in behavior were found between the two husbandry systems. The present study shows the importance of proper technical design of housing environments, both in relation to animal welfare and to economic profitability.     

Evaluation of cattle breeds for beef production in New Zealand—A review

Important differences are noted between the New Zealand and European cattle industries, in terms of both breeds and farming systems. Under pasture feeding, experimental data strongly suggest that selection and genetic evaluation for growth performance should be based on weight-for-age rather than on post-weaning weight gains. Carcass merit is more appropriately measured by the yield of trimmed boneless retail cuts than by accepted commercial grades.Relative to the nationally predominant Angus beef breed, research results demonstrate an advantage in final and carcass weight per animal of 5–10% for the Hereford and 20–30% for the Friesian, with the superiority being approximately halved in crossed with the Angus. In terms of weaning performance, the Friesian dam is greatly superior, the Hereford slightly inferior, to the Angus. Heterosis for growth traits is of the order of 5%.In crosses over Jersey cows the Charolais sire is superior to the Hereford but not to the Friesian for total meat output. Carcasses from the dairy breeds and dairy x beef crosses slaughtered at the same age contain a higher bone percentage and are less acceptable on traditional export grading standards than those of the British beef breeds, but nevertheless achieve high output and quality of lean meat.Preliminary results from current large-scale trials suggest that the larger European breeds have potential for improving growth rate and meat yield in crosses with local Angus and Hereford cattle but are more prone to difficult calvings and show later sexual maturity.     

The use of computers in dairy herd health program: A review

This review of the literature covers the changes in the approach to veterinary health management that led to the introduction of computerized herd health programs and the various other applications of the computer in the practice of dairy herd medicine. The role that production recording systems, mainframe computers, minicomputers, and microcomputers have played in the evolution of herd health programs are also reviewed.     

Genetic and crossbreeding parameters for incidence of recorded clinical lameness in New Zealand dairy cattle

AIM: To estimate genetic and crossbreeding parameters for the incidence of recorded clinical lameness in New Zealand dairy cattle.

METHODS: Herd records from 76,357 cows, collected during the 2005/06 to 2008/09 milking seasons from 155 herds in the Livestock Improvement Corporation young sire progeny test scheme, were used to estimate genetic parameters and breed effects for incidence of recorded clinical lameness in HolsteinFriesian, Jersey and crossbred dairy cattle. Recorded clinical lameness was coded “1” for cows that presented at least one event of clinical lameness at any day during the season and “0” for unaffected cows. Genetic parameters were estimated using an animal model across breeds considering all and then only first lactation records. Heritability and repeatability of recorded clinical lameness were calculated from the variance component estimates both with and without logit transformation.

RESULTS: The mean incidence of recorded clinical lameness per herd was 6.3 (min 2, max 34)%. The incidence of recorded clinical lameness in Holstein Friesian cows (mean 6.8, SE 0.24%) was higher than the incidence of recorded clinical lameness in crossbred (mean 6.1, SE 0.19%) and Jersey cows (mean 6.0, SE 0.28%) (p=0.0002). There was no difference in incidence between crossbred and Jersey cows (p=0.96).

Estimates of the heritability of recorded clinical lameness as an untransformed trait were 0.053 (SE 0.014) for first lactation records and 0.016 (SE 0.003) for all lactation records. As a transformed (logit) trait heritabilities were 0.067 (SE 0.024) and 0.044 (SE 0.016) for first and all lactation records, respectively. The repeatability estimates of recorded clinical lameness were 0.071 (SE 0.005) and 0.107 (SE 0.011) for untransformed and logit transformed lactation records, respectively. Sire estimated breeding values for recorded clinical lameness showed the lowest values in Jersey sires, and ranged between -5 and 8%.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low heritability of recorded clinical lameness, this study provided evidence that there is significant exploitable animal genetic variation. Selection of specific sires across and within breeds could be an option for increasing genetic resistance to lameness in New Zealand dairy cattle.     

The welfare significance of the castration of cattle: A review

Castration is an ancient husbandry procedure used to produce docile cattle for draught work, to reduce unwanted breeding, and to modify carcass quality. All the physical methods used to castrate cattle have side-effects and cause pain. The plasma cortisol response to castration using Burdizzo clamps and, by inference, the acute pain experienced, is less than that caused by surgical, rubber-ring or latex-band castration. The cortisol response may be influenced by the age of the animal castrated, but this has not been well defined. Local anaesthesia virtually eliminates the cortisol response, and thus the acute pain, caused by rubber-ring or latex-band castration, but needs to be combined with a systemic analgesic such as the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen to eliminate the cortisol response to Burdizzo or surgical castration. When used alone, ketoprofen sometimes reduces the cortisol response to Burdizzo or surgical castration but may need to be accompanied by local anaesthesia to eliminate the pain-induced behaviour seen during the castration process itself. Thus, pharmacological methods are available to virtually eliminate the acute pain experienced by calves during the 12 h following castration. The use of these methods is an additional cost for farmers and may be limited by the availability of drugs for farmers to use and the scarcity of veterinarians in farm animal practice.     

Effect of the RSPCA Freedom Food Scheme on the welfare of dairy cattle

To evaluate the effect of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Freedom Food (FF) scheme on the welfare of dairy cattle in England, 28 FF and 25 non-FF farms were assessed during the winter of 2000 to 2001. The assessments were based on a protocol which included the examination of the farms' records, the farmers' estimates of the incidence of disease, and independent observations of the behaviour and physical condition of the cows. The data were analysed to identify which measures of welfare were affected by FF membership and to assess the number of farms on which intervention would be required, as defined by a panel of 50 experts. The FF farms had better results for 12 of the welfare indicators, including those for mastitis, non-hock injuries, cow cleanliness and body condition, and poorer welfare indicators for eight of the measures, including hock injuries, lameness and restrictions in rising behaviour. Except for the prevalence of dull coats (which was lower on the FF farms) there were no significant differences in the proportions of FF and non-FF farms on which intervention was required according to the experts' assessment.     

Male dairy calf welfare: A Canadian perspective on challenges and potential solutions

Male dairy calf welfare is a key issue in the Canadian cattle industry. The welfare of male dairy calves can be explored through the aspects of health and biological functioning, affective states, and natural living. Presently, the main welfare issues associated with the production of male dairy calves include morbidity and mortality, colostrum and feeding management, transportation, isolation, castration and disbudding, and euthanasia. Opportunities to improve male dairy calf welfare include improving accepted industry practices, enhancing education and compliance with industry codes of practice, and increasing veterinarian involvement in on-farm animal welfare. The benefits of improving male dairy calf welfare include maintenance of the cattle industry’s social license and improved producer mental health and occupational satisfaction. The main barriers to improving male dairy calf welfare are economics and cultural attitudes within the industry towards male dairy calves.