In pasture-based milk production systems grass utilization is a key factor in driving economic performance. Grass is currently allocated based on a combined calculation of either grass height measurements or estimates and grass quality estimations. However, the recommended measurement procedures are time and labour demanding and estimates are subjective. The aim of this study was to evaluate if cow feeding and activity behaviour, measured by an automated noseband sensor and pedometer, could be used to identify different levels of feed availability in a pasture-based system. Control cows were offered 100 % of their intake capacity as herbage allowance (Control) throughout a 10-week experimental period, while treatment cows were offered 60 % of the herbage allowance of the control cows (Treatment) for a 2-week or 6-week period in spring-time. Rumination behaviour (rumination time/day and chews/bolus) as well as bite frequency were significantly affected by the restricted feeding regimen. Thus, a change in feeding behaviour was observed when the herbage allowance was restricted. This indicated that feeding behaviour may represent a suitable indicator of insufficient grass allocation. Decision support based on monitoring cow behaviour can be indicative of insufficient grass allocation and may allow improved management of pasture based milk production systems. © 2017 European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming. All rights reserved
Effect of restricted feeding conditions on cow’s feeding behaviour and activity on pasture-based milk production systems / Werner, J., Leso, L., Umstätter, C., Kennedy, E., O’Leary, N., Schick, M., O’ Brien, B.. - ELETTRONICO. - (2017), pp. 443-450. (Intervento presentato al convegno Precision Livestock Farming 2017 tenutosi a Nantes; France nel 12 September 2017 through 14).
Effect of restricted feeding conditions on cow’s feeding behaviour and activity on pasture-based milk production systems
Leso L.Investigation
;
2017
Abstract
In pasture-based milk production systems grass utilization is a key factor in driving economic performance. Grass is currently allocated based on a combined calculation of either grass height measurements or estimates and grass quality estimations. However, the recommended measurement procedures are time and labour demanding and estimates are subjective. The aim of this study was to evaluate if cow feeding and activity behaviour, measured by an automated noseband sensor and pedometer, could be used to identify different levels of feed availability in a pasture-based system. Control cows were offered 100 % of their intake capacity as herbage allowance (Control) throughout a 10-week experimental period, while treatment cows were offered 60 % of the herbage allowance of the control cows (Treatment) for a 2-week or 6-week period in spring-time. Rumination behaviour (rumination time/day and chews/bolus) as well as bite frequency were significantly affected by the restricted feeding regimen. Thus, a change in feeding behaviour was observed when the herbage allowance was restricted. This indicated that feeding behaviour may represent a suitable indicator of insufficient grass allocation. Decision support based on monitoring cow behaviour can be indicative of insufficient grass allocation and may allow improved management of pasture based milk production systems. © 2017 European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming. All rights reserved
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