Effects of misty‐fan cooling and supplemental rbST on rumen function and milk production of crossbred Holstein cattle during early,mid and late lactation in a tropical environment

Two groups of five crossbred 87.5% Holstein cattle were housed in normal shade only (NS) as non‐cooled cows and in shaded housing with misty‐fan cooling (MF) as cooled cows. The cows were treated with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) in early, mid and late lactation with three consecutive injections of rbST in every 14 days. Ambient temperatures and the temperature humidity index in the NS barn were significantly higher than those of the MF barn, whereas relative humidity in MF was higher than that of NS barn. The DMI of cooled cows were higher than those of non‐cooled cows, and cooled cows exhibited more response to rbST treatment. Exogenous rbST significantly increased milk yield throughout lactation. The rbST‐treated cows had higher total ruminal fermentation products as volatile fatty acid and ammonia nitrogen than the non‐rbST treated cows and associated changes were greater in cooled animals in all stages of lactation. Exogenous rbST increased the concentrations of milk urea nitrogen in both groups. These results suggest that the changes in ruminal fermentation with greater production of total VFA and NH₃N in response to rbST in crossbred cows whether under misty‐fan cooling or not, is in part through an increase in feed intake, thereby making more substrate available to the mammary gland for milk synthesis.     

Effects of long-term administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin on the concentration of metabolites in milk in different stages of lactation in crossbred Holstein cattle

Effects of long‐term treatment with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on concentrations of cellular metabolites in the milk of 87.5% crossbred Holstein cattle were performed. The peak milk yield of rbST‐treated animals was 22% higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control animals in early lactation. The mammary glucose uptake of rbST‐treated animals increased in early lactation, but decreased in mid and late lactation, while plasma glucose concentrations were not affected. Lactose and milk triacylglycerol secretion of rbST‐treated animals significantly increased (P < 0.05) when compared with those of control animals in early lactation. The concentrations of milk glucose of rbST‐treated animals significantly increased in early and mid‐lactation (P < 0.05). The concentrations of milk galactose markedly increased (P < 0.05) whereas the concentrations of milk uridine 5′‐diphosphoglucose (UDP‐glucose) and UDP‐galactose showed no significant changes as lactation advances in both groups. The concentrations of isocitrate, 2‐oxoglutarate and citrate in milk from both groups showed no significant changes throughout experiment. The concentration of glucose‐6‐phosphate (G6P), glucose‐1‐phosphate and cyclic adenosine 3,5′monophosphate in milk from both groups markedly decreased as lactation advances exception in early lactation of rbST‐treated animals, which G6P was not affected. These findings suggest that prolonged rbST treatment exerts its galactopoietic action at least in early lactation through both intramammary and extra‐mammary changes. Increases in the concentrations of glucose and G6P in milk maintained the level of pretreatment in early lactation associated with increases in milk yields during rbST administration, reflect their concentrations in the cytosol or Golgi vesicles of mammary cells, which would be one of the factors regulating intermediary metabolites in the lactose biosynthetic pathway.     

Effects of long-term administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin on the plasminogen–plasmin system and milk composition of crossbred Holstein cattle

Experiments were performed to examine the effects of long‐term treatment with recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on milk plasmin–plasminogen and milk composition by one injection of 500 mg of rbST in every 14 days throughout lactation in crossbred Holstein cattle. The animals receiving rbST gave a greater milk yield and rate of blood flow to the udder during early lactation than the control group. The milk lactose concentration remained constant while the milk protein concentration increased as lactation advanced in both groups. The level of milk fat in rbST‐treated animals was significantly greater than in controls in the early lactation period (P < 0.05). The milk sodium and chloride concentrations of the rbST‐treated animals significantly decreased in early lactation as compared with the control animals. The sodium : potassium ratio of the rbST‐treated animals was significantly lower than those of control animals in the early lactation (P < 0.05) and it markedly increased in late lactation. As lactation advanced, the concentration of plasmin in the milk gradually increased, while the milk plasminogen concentration significantly increased in both groups. The plasminogen : plasmin ratio decreased in the control animals while it increased in the rbST‐treated animals as lactation advanced. These findings demonstrate that rbST is involved the activity of the plasmin–plasminogen system but is not involved in maintaining tissue integrity in the mammary gland during late lactation in crossbred dairy cattle.     

Effects of long-term exogenous bovine somatotropin on glucose metabolism and the utilization of glucose by the mammary gland in different stages of lactation of crossbred Holstein cattle

The effects of long-term administration of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on glucose turnover and the utilization of glucose in the mammary gland using a continuous infusion of [3-³H]glucose and [U-¹⁴C]glucose in lactating crossbred Holstein Friesian(HF) cattle were investigated. Glucose turnover of rbST-treated animals was significantly higher than those of control animals ( P  < 0.05) in mid lactation, while plasma glucose concentrations were not affected. The utilization of glucose of non-mammary tissues of rbST-treated animals significantly increased ( P  < 0.05) as lactation advanced. The glucose taken up by the mammary gland in early lactation increased flux through the lactose synthesis and the pentose cycle pathway with significant increases in NADPH formation for fatty acid synthesis during rbST administration. The utilization of glucose carbon incorporation into milk appeared to increase in milk citrate and milk triacylglycerol but not for milk lactose as lactation advances in rbST-treated animals. The stimulant effect for milk yield by rbST treatment was transiently and significantly increased in early lactation and was decreased in late lactation even though there was a high level of udder blood flow. These findings demonstrate that the regulation of biosynthetic capacity within the mammary gland would be influenced more by local than by systemic factors. The proportion of glucose would be metabolized less for lactose synthesis, but metabolized more via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle as lactation advances.     

Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) and season on plasma and milk insulin-like growth factors I (IGF-I) and II (IGF-II) in lactating dairy cows

During two studies, effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on plasma and milk IGF's in cows adapted to summer (S; 12 cows) or winter (W; 12 cows) conditions were evaluated. Each study consisted of on-farm periods (30 days) followed by climatology chamber periods (CC; 30 days). Cows were given daily injections of rbST, Sometribove, USAN (25mg/day; 6 cows each study) or saline (control; 6 cows each study). During on-farm periods, blood and milk (am and pm) samples were collected once weekly. During CC periods, blood samples were collected every 2 days and milk samples (am and pm) were collected daily. Plasma IGF-I and IGF-II were increased in cows treated with rbST. A pronounced seasonal pattern in basal and rbST-stimulated plasma IGF-I but not IGF-II was detected. Higher basal and rbST-stimulated plasma IGF-I concentrations in S occurred despite large decreases in feed intake and energy balance. Milk IGF-I and IGF-II was not affected by rbST treatment or season. Although milk IGF-I and IGF-II concentrations were unaffected by rbST treatment, total IGF-output increased due to increased milk yield. The observed seasonal patterns in plasma IGF-I may be indicative of seasonal differences in the coupling of the somatotropin-IGF axis. In particular, we failed to detect an uncoupling of the somatotropin-IGF-I axis in S despite an induced negative energy balance during thermal stress.     

Pharmacokinetics and renal clearance of oxytetracycline after intravenous and intramuscular administration to dairy cows

Following intravenous administration of an oxytetracycline-HC1 and an oxytetracycline-dihydrate formulation to dairy cows, no statistical difference could be found between the pharmacokinetic parameters, derived from the three-compartment model, of these preparations. Urinary recovery was continued for a period of 72 h following intravenous or intramuscular OTC administration. The recovery of OTC in the urine in the 72-h period was in the range of 73% to 96% of the available dose administered. The renal OTC clearance, the renal creatinine clearance, the urinary flow, and the interrelationships of these were determined on the basis of urine and plasma data. The mean OTC renal clearance ranged from 482 to 1050 ml/min and the creatinine clearance from 651 to 1304 ml/min. The OTC and creatinine clearances were significantly correlated to the urine flow up to 30 ml/min. The total body clearance and renal clearance values were of the same order of magnitude, and along with the urine recovery data they provided evidence of predominantly renal route of OTC elimination in dairy cows. The renal OTC elimination is the net result of mainly glomerular filtration, partly tubular secretion, minus reabsorption in the urogenital tract.     

Effects of somatotropin on the conceptus,uterus, and ovary during maternal recognition of pregnancy in cattle

Effects of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) on ovarian and uterine function and the production of components of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system were examined during the period of maternal recognition of pregnancy in cattle. Lactating dairy cows were treated with 25 mg/d rbST (n = 8) or saline (n = 8) for 16 d after estrus. Ovaries, uteri, and conceptuses were collected on Day 17 after estrus. The length (millimeters) of the conceptus was recorded. The concentration of IGF-I and the content of IGF-binding proteins (BP) in uterine flushings were determined. Corpora lutea (CL) were weighed, and the number of follicles (⩾2 mm in diameter) were counted. Follicular fluid from the largest and second-largest follicles was assayed for the concentration of IGF-I, IGFBP, progesterone, and estradiol. The length of the conceptus and the total amount of IGF-I in uterine fluid were similar for rbST and control. Recombinant bST increased 1) the weight of the CL, 2) the number of largest follicles (10 to 15 mm in diameter), 3) the concentration of IGF-I in the follicular fluid, 4) the follicular fluid content of IGFBP of the largest estrogenic follicle, and 5) the quantity of IGFBP in uterine flushings. The concentration of progesterone in the follicular fluid tended to be increased in rbST-treated cows, whereas the concentration of estradiol was similar to that of control cows. The concentration of progesterone in plasma was similar for rbST compared with control. In conclusion, the administration of rbST in lactating dairy cows for 16 d after estrus did not alter the growth of the conceptus collected on Day 17. The greatest responses to rbST were found within the ovary, where rbST increased the weight of the CL and altered the amount of IGF-I and IGFBP in the follicular fluid.     

Pharmacokinetics and renal clearance of oxytetracycline after intravenous and intramuscular administration to dairy cows

Summary

Following intravenous administration of an oxytetracycline‐HC 1 and an oxytetracycline‐dihydrate formulation to dairy cows, no statistical difference could be found between the pharmacokinetic parameters, derived from the three‐compartment model, of these preparations. Urinary recovery was continued for a period of 72 h following intravenous or intramuscular OTC administration.

The recovery of OTC in the urine in the 72‐h period was in the range of 73% to 96% of the available dose administered.

The renal OTC clearance, the renal creatinine clearance, the urinary flow, and the interrelationships of these were determined on the basis of urine and plasma data. The mean OTC renal clearance ranged from 482 to 1050 ml/min and the creatinine clearance from 651 to 1304 ml/min. The OTC and creatinine clearances were significantly correlated to the urine flow up to 30 ml/min. The total body clearance and renal clearance values were of the same order of magnitude, and along with the urine recovery data they provided evidence of predominantly renal route of OTC elimination in dairy cows. The renal OTC elimination is the net result of mainly glomerular filtration, partly tubular secretion, minus reabsorption in the urogenital tract.     

Effect of exogenous prolactin administration on lactational performance of dairy cows

Eight Holstein cows were utilized to examine the effect of prolactin on lactational performance prior to peak milk production (day 21–34 postpartum) and after peak milk production (day 60–73 postpartum). During each 14 day period, cows received daily intramuscular injections of pituitary-derived bovine prolactin (120 mg; 13.0 IU/ mg protein) or excipient. Cows were housed in a controlled environment at 18.1C, 47.8% relative humidity and a 15 hr light: 9 hr dark cycle. In cows administered exogenous prolactin, circulating prolaction concentrations increased within one-half hr post injection, peaked within 2 to 6 hours and declined through the remainder of the day. Average prolactin concentration in the plasma was increased 2 to 5 fold over the 24 hr period in response to prolactin treatment. Yields of milk and milk components (fat, lactose and protein) were not affected by prolactin treatment in either period but the concentration of -lactalbumin in milk was significantly increased (P<.10) in both periods. Circulating concentrations of somatotropin, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, glucagon, nonesterified fatty acids and glucose were not altered. In prolactin-treated cows, the milking-stimulated prolactin release was decreased at both the PM milking, when circulating concentrations of prolactin were high, and the AM milking, when prolactin concentrations had returned to baseline. Concentration of prolactin in milk tended to increase but was not significantly altered by administration of exogenous prolactin. However, prolactin concentrations in plasma were correlated (r=.56) with milk concentrations. It is clear that postpartum administration of exogenous prolactin during the period of lactation prior to peak milk yield or after peak milk yield does not alter lactational performance in high producing dairy cows.     

Effects of high ambient temperature on urea‐nitrogen recycling in lactating dairy cows

Effects of exposure to hot environment on urea metabolism were studied in lactating Holstein cows. Four cows were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration and housed in a temperature‐controlled chamber at constant moderate (18°C) or high (28°C) ambient temperatures in a cross‐over design. Urea nitrogen (N) kinetics was measured by determining urea isotopomer in urine after single injection of [¹⁵N₂]urea into the jugular vein. Both dry matter intake and milk yield were decreased under high ambient temperature. Intakes of total N and digestible N were decreased under high ambient temperature but urinary urea‐N excretion was increased. The ratio of urea‐N production to digestible N was increased, whereas the proportion of gut urea‐N entry to urea‐N production tended to be decreased under high ambient temperature. Neither return to the ornithine cycle, anabolic use nor fecal excretion of urea‐N recycled to the gut was affected by ambient temperature. Under high ambient temperature, renal clearance of plasma urea was not affected but the gut clearance was decreased. Increase of urea‐N production and reduction of gut urea‐N entry, in relative terms, were associated with increased urinary urea‐N excretion of lactating dairy cows in higher thermal environments.     

Leptin, GH, PRL, Insulin and Metabolic Parameters Throughout the Dry Period and Lactation in Dairy Cows

Leptin may play a role in the endocrine-metabolic processes that guarantee the physiological course of lactation in dairy cattle. This study was aimed at determining the changes in plasma concentrations of leptin and some of the main hormones and metabolites involved in the lactogenetic process in high-yielding dairy cows throughout lactation; we also wanted to assess whether leptin secretion is subjected to seasonal influences. Blood samples were collected from 23 Italian Friesian dairy cows from the end of a lactation to the ninth month of the subsequent one; in addition, blood was sampled from 47 dairy cows in different phases of lactation during February and July. Plasma concentrations of leptin, growth hormone (GH), insulin, prolactin (PRL), glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and urea were quantified by either validated radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzymatic colorimetric methods. At the beginning of lactation, GH concentrations significantly increased, while a significant reduction occurred in leptin and insulin. This endocrine condition, such as the significant increase in NEFA plasma concentrations, is indicative of a marked lipid mobilization. In the more advanced stages of lactation, when both energy and protein balances become positive, leptin plasma concentrations increased, whereas GH and NEFA concentrations declined. During the summer months, a significant increase in leptin plasma concentrations, irrespective of the phase of lactation, was observed. Collectively, our findings suggest that, in dairy cows, leptin may represent a 'metabolic signal' of animal's status of fattening and nutritional level; in addition, leptin seems to be influenced by photoperiod and environmental temperature.     

Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and plasma antioxidative capacity in dairy cows at different lactation stages

The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the level of the lipid peroxidation and plasma antioxidative capacity in plasma of dairy cows at different lactation stages. Twenty six healthy dairy cows were used in our experiment. The groups: I - dry cows (n = 7), II - dairy cows < 1 month after calving (n = 9), III - dairy cows 4 - 5 months after calving (n = 10). The highest level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) was recognized in dairy cows in early lactation (II - 0.58+/-0.42 micromol/l) with significant differences between the groups (p < 0.05). In contrast, there was a tendency (p > 0.05) to the lowest plasma antioxidative activity in cows in the same group (158 +/- 44 micromol/l). The strongest trend to metabolic imbalance was found in the dairy cows in early lactation (group II). In conclusion, the metabolic stress of dairy cows associated with early lactation resulted in an increased level of plasma lipid peroxidation.     

Age and dosage dependency in the plasma disposition and the renal clearance of sulfamethazine and its N4-acetyl and hydroxy metabolites in calves and cows

Plasma disposition, protein binding, urinary recovery, and renal clearance of sulfamethazine (SMZ), its N4-acetylsulfamethazine (N4-SMZ), and its 2 hydroxy metabolites--6-hydroxymethylsulfamethazine (SCH2OH) and 5-hydroxysulfamethazine (SOL)--and the glucuronide of the latter were studied in 7 cows and 7 calves to determine the relationship between these values and the age of the animal and dosage applied. A capacity-limited hydroxylation of SMZ into SCH2OH was observed in cows and calves given dosages of 100 to 200 mg/kg. A biphasic SMZ elimination curve and steady state in SCH2OH plasma concentration (6 to 15 micrograms/ml) were observed. The N4-SMZ plasma concentration-time curve was parallel to that of SMZ at the dosages and in all animals. The total body clearance and the cumulative urinary recovery (expressed as percentage of the dose) for SMZ and its metabolites depended on drug dosage and age of the animals. At dosages of SMZ less than 25 mg/kg, the main metabolite in the urine of calves and cows was SCH2OH (23% to 55.2%), whereas in calves given a larger dosage (100 mg/kg), the N4-SMZ and SOH percentages increased. The plasma protein binding of SMZ and its metabolites depended on the SMZ plasma concentration. Hydroxylation lowered the protein binding (from 75-80%) to 50%. The renal clearance of SMZ was dependent on urine flow in all animals. The renal clearance of the SCH2OH metabolite was 2 to 3 times greater than the creatinine clearance value; thus, this compound was excreted by glomerular filtration and partly by tubular secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Factors influencing somatic cell score in Swiss dairy production systems

The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of fixed effects on somatic cell score (SCS) in Swiss dairy production. Monthly milk recording results were investigated against the background of changing housing conditions from tie-stall barns to loose housing systems. Zone, housing system and calving age within lactation number had a significant effect on SCS, as well as the covariables milk yield per day, fat and protein percentage and days in milk. Highest SCS was observed in cows of valley situated farms. Concerning housing system, best values were recorded in tie-stall barns (2.53). SCS was 0.08 higher during the changing period (2.61), and 0.12 higher in loose housing systems (2.65). SCS increased continuously with lactation number, but the differences between the age classes within lactation number were not significant. The lactation curves for SCS resembled inverted milk yield curves and were different between the first lactation on the one hand and higher lactations on the other hand.     

Efficacy of sodium borate in the prevention of fatty liver in dairy cows

The effects of sodium borate (100 mg/kg body weight, p.o., 15 days) from a month before expected calving until a month after calving were evaluated in dairy cows susceptible to fatty liver. Cows received either sodium borate (n = 13) or no treatment (n = 10). All cows had mild fatty livers and increased plasma triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations at the beginning of the experiment. The control group of cows developed significant fatty liver after calving, and 2 of them had severe fatty liver associated with clinical and biochemical abnormalities. There were no clinicopathological signs related to sodium borate administration. Serum triglycerides and VLDL concentrations before calving decreased significantly at calving and after calving in controls, and they were within the normal range only after calving. There were significant alterations during the experiment in some hematological and chemical variables between groups, within period, but they were within the normal range. Unlike treated cows, serum triglycerides and VLDL concentrations correlated with liver fat content after calving in untreated cows. Our results document that sodium borate decreases the degree of fatty liver in dairy cows during early lactation.     

Pharmacokinetics of sulphamethoxazole in calves and cows

The kinetics of sulphamethoxazole (SMZ) in plasma and milk, and its metabolism, protein binding and renal clearance were studied in three newborn calves and two dairy cows after intravenous administration. SMZ was predominantly acetylated; no hydroxy and glucuronide derivatives could be detected in plasma and urine. Age-dependent pharmacokinetics and metabolism of SMZ were observed. The plasma concentration-time curves of the N4-acetyl metabolite in the elimination phase were parallel to those of the parent drug; the N4-acetyl metabolite plasma percentage depended on age and ranged between 100% (new-born) to 24.5% (cow). SMZ was rapidly eliminated (elimination half-lives: 2.0-4.7 h) and exhibited a relatively small distribution volume (VDarea: 0.44-0.57 l/kg). SMZ was excreted predominantly by glomerular filtration, while its N4-acetyl metabolite was actively eliminated by tubular secretion.     

Changes in circulating adiponectin and metabolic hormone concentrations during periparturient and lactation periods in Holstein dairy cows

Although our previous report demonstrated that adiponectin and AdipoR1 gene expressions changed among different lactation stages in the bovine mammary gland, its in vivo kinetics remain unclear in ruminant animals. In this study, we investigated the changes in circulating concentrations of adiponectin, as well as other metabolic hormones and metabolites, (i) during the periparturient period and (ii) among different lactation stages, in Holstein dairy cows. In experiment 1, serum adiponectin concentrations increased after parturition. Serum insulin concentrations were lower in the postpartum than prepartum period, whereas serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations increased in the postpartum period. Serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels were increased during the postpartum period and were dependent on the parity. In experiment 2, there was no significant difference in plasma adiponectin concentrations among lactational stages. Plasma insulin concentrations tended to be lower in early lactation while plasma GH levels tended to be higher. Plasma NEFA concentrations were significantly lower in mid‐ and late‐lactation stages than non‐lactation stages. These findings indicate that elevation of serum adiponectin might be involved in energy metabolism just around parturition, and might exert its action through regulation of receptor expression levels in target tissues in each lactational stage in Holstein dairy cows.     

Nephrotoxicity of sodium arsenate in dogs

Nephrotoxicity of sodium arsenate was evaluated in dogs to determine the pathophysiologic basis for renal lesions caused by this heavy metal. Examination of biopsy specimens indicated that the low dose of the As salt (0.73 mg/kg of body weight) produced histologic changes consisting of mild degeneration and vacuolation of renal tubular epithelium. Vacuolation involved mainly the ascending thick portion of the nephron. Clinical pathologic changes were not demonstrable at this dosage level according to glomerular filtration rate (creatinine clearance), fractional reabsorption of sodium, potassium, and chloride; plasma osmolar and free water clearance; and urinalysis. The medium dose (7.33 mg/kg) resulted in alterations determined by urinalysis, but did not markedly affect other clinical pathologic measurements. Histopathologic changes were equal to or greater than those seen with the low dose. Tubular necrosis was observed in the cortical portion of the nephron and the ascending thick limb. The high dose (14.66 mg/kg) consistently produced marked changes in all parameters evaluated. Clinical pathologic alterations were compatible with acute tubular necrosis involving all segments of the nephron. Histologically, moderate glomerular sclerosis and severe tubular necrosis were observed. During recovery from the high dose of As, a gradual compensatory healing process was observed that was evident in all clinical pathologic parameters and was confirmed from sequential renal biopsy specimens.     

胎次和泌乳阶段对奶牛体细胞数和乳损失量的影响

通过奶牛生产性能（dairy herd improvement,DHI）测定体细胞数,探究奶牛的胎次及其不同泌乳阶段对其乳体细胞数（somatic cell count,SCC）和乳损失量的影响。通过对某养殖场泌乳期奶牛DHI的测定进行分析,结果表明：体细胞评分（somatic cell score,SCS）随奶牛胎次的增加而增加,但SCS在不同胎次的不同泌乳阶段表现有所不同。一胎牛SCS随着泌乳期的延长而增加,前期、中期与后期的SCS呈显著性差异（P＜0.05）;二胎牛与三胎牛SCS呈现相同变化规律,泌乳前期的SCS较泌乳中期高,而泌乳后期SCS显著高于前2个泌乳阶段（P＜0.05）。乳损失量随胎次的增加整体呈现增加趋势,且泌乳早期和泌乳后期乳损失量高于泌乳中期。     

Housing system and herd size interactions in Norwegian dairy herds; associations with performance and disease incidence

Background

According to the Norwegian animal welfare regulations, it has been forbidden to build new tie-stall barns since the end of 2004. Previous studies have shown that cow performance and health differ between housing systems. The interaction between housing system and herd size with respect to performance and disease incidence has not been evaluated.

Methods

Cow performance and health in 620 herds housed in free-stall barns were compared with in 192 herds housed in tie-stall barns based on a mail survey and data from the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording and Cattle Health Systems. The housing systems herds were comparable with respect to herd size (15-55 cows). Associations between performance/disease incidence and housing system, herd size and year of building the cow barn were tested in general linear models, and values for fixed herd size of 20 and 50 cows were calculated. On the individual cow level mixed models were run to test the effect of among others housing system and herd size on test-day milk yield, and to evaluate lactation curves in different parities. All cows were of the Norwegian Red Breed.

Results

Average milk production per cow-year was 134 kg lower in free-stall herd than in tie-stall herds, but in the range 27-45 cows there was no significant difference in yields between the herd categories. In herds with less than 27 cows there were increasingly lower yields in free-stalls, particularly in first parity, whereas the yields were increasingly higher in free-stalls with more than 45 cows.In free-stalls fertility was better, calving interval shorter, and the incidence rate of teat injuries, ketosis, indigestions, anoestrus and cystic ovaries was lower than in tie-stalls. All of these factors were more favourable in estimated 50-cow herds as compared to 20-cow herds. In the larger herd category, bulk milk somatic cell counts were higher, and the incidence rate of mastitis (all cases) and all diseases was lower.

Conclusion

This study has shown that there is an interaction between housing system and herd size, and that performance and health is not universally better in small free-stalls than in tie-stalls.