Cow welfare aspects in automatic milking systems

This paper deals with the aspects of cow welfare in automatic milking systems, using literature and observations from the Suitia research farm and the first Finnish private farms. The welfare of a cow is largely dependent on her stockperson, also in automatic milking systems. Cow traffic arrangements are decisive in the cow's welfare

The Diverse Structure and Organization of U.S. Beef Cow-Calf Farms

Beef cow-calf production in the United States is widespread, occurring in every State. Nearly 765,000 farms, about 35 percent of the 2.2 million farms in the United States, had a beef cow inventory in 2007. Most of these were small, part-time operations. About a third of farms that raise beef animals had a beef cow inventory of less than 10 cows, more than half had fewer than 20 cows, and nearly 80 percent had fewer than 50 cows. In this study, ERS uses data from USDA’s 2008 Agricultural Resource Management Survey for U.S. beef cow-calf operations to examine the structure, costs, and characteristics of beef cow-calf producers. Many small operations are “rural residence farms” that specialize in beef cow-calf production, but their income from off-farm sources exceeds that from the farm. Most beef cow-calf production occurs on large farms, but cow-calf production is not the primary enterprise on many of these farms. Findings suggest that operators of beef cow-calf farms have a diverse set of goals for the cattle enterprise.Beef cow-calf production, farm income, animal traceability, Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), National Animal Identification System (NAIS), Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Livestock Production/Industries,

COMMERCIAL BEEF HERD REPLACEMENT STRATEGIES

Annualized cow ownership costs represent a large component of the total costs in a cow-calf enterprise, and therefore impact profitability. Annualized cow costs are determined in large part by the price or cost of that cow when it entered the herd. We find that ownership costs, and in turn cow-herd profitability, can be significantly impacted by heifer replacement strategies. Timing (within the cattle cycle) and method (raise vs. purchase) are both important considerations.Livestock Production/Industries,

Effects of infrequent dried distillers grain supplementation on spring-calving cow performance

Feed and supplement costs and the expenses associated with delivery of winter supplements account for a large proportion of the total operating expenditures for cow-calf producers. Cattle grazing low-quality dormant native range (<6% crude protein) typically are unable to consume sufficient protein from the forage base, which limits microbial activity and forage digestion. Supplemental protein often is required to maintain cow body weight and body condition score during the last trimester of pregnancy. Low cow body condition scores at calving are common and may negatively affect lactation, rebreeding rates, and calf weaning weight. Failure to maintain proper nutritional status during this period severely affects short-term cow performance, reduces overall herd productivity, and limits profit potential. The most effective means of supplying supplemental protein to cows consuming dormant native range is to provide a small amount of high-protein feedstuff (>30% crude protein). Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) are a by-product of the ethanol refining process. Distillers grains supply the recommended 30% crude protein level, are readily available, and often are favorably priced compared with more traditional feedstuffs. With the rising costs of inputs in today’s cow-calf sector, reducing cost is necessary to maintain viability of the national cowherd. Reducing the frequency of supplementation results in less labor and fuel use, effectively reducing input costs; however, this is viable only as long as cow performance is maintained at acceptable levels. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of infrequent supplementation of dried distillers grains with solubles on cow body weight and body condition score

Milk production and survival of spring-calving carryover cows in New Zealand dairy herds : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand

Non-pregnant cows are generally culled from dairy herds and replaced with two-year-old heifers. Alternatively, non-pregnant cows can be dried-off at the end of lactation, retained for one year (carried over), before being mated and returned to a milking herd in the following year. In this study, calving interval was used as a tool to identify and define the carryover cow population in spring-calving dairy herds. Linear modelling methods were used to compare carryover cow milk production with that of heifers, lactation-matched and age-matched non-carryover cows. Lastly, the survival for second-lactation carryover cows was compared with that of two-year-old heifers and lactation-matched non-carryover cows. Results showed that annually, 2.5% of spring-calving cows had returned to a milking herd after a carryover period in the previous year. Of those carryover cows, 43% returned to a milking herd at four years old, after failing to conceive in their first lactation. Most (69%) dairy herds contained less than 5% carryover cows and 17% of dairy herds comprised of zero carryover cows. The difference between the proportion of Holstein-Friesian in the carryover cow and non-carryover cow group was minimal (2%) but statistically greater (P<0.01) for the carryover cow group. Estimated breeding values (EBVs) for milk traits (milk yield, fat yield, protein yield and somatic cell count) were greater (P<0.01), but fertility EBVs were lower (P<0.01) for the carryover cow group in the year when they failed to conceive, compared to those for the non-carryover cow group. These were reflected in greater (P<0.01) selection indices (Breeding Worth and Production Worth) for carryover cows. After the carryover period, EBVs for milk traits and fertility decreased, and Breeding Worth was lower (P<0.01) for the carryover cow group, compared to the non-carryover cow group. Carryover cow milk yield, fat yield, protein yield and somatic cell score was greater (P<0.01) than those for heifers, lactation-matched and age-matched non-carryover cows in their first carryover year. This milk production advantage was maintained for up to three carryover years, if the carryover cow maintained an annual calving pattern, but at a decreasing rate. The probability of survival (days) was lower (P<0.01) for second-lactation carryover cows when compared to heifers and lactation-matched non-carryover cows. These findings are important for the New Zealand dairy industry as they can aid on-farm culling (removal from the herd) decisions

Wireless sensor network for cattle monitoring system

This paper describes a cost effective Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) technology for monitoring the health of dairy cows. By monitoring and understanding the cow individual and herd behaviour, farmers can potentially identify the onset of illness, lameness or other undesirable health conditions. However, the WSN implementation needs to cope with various technical challenges before it can be suitably and routinely applied in cow management. This paper discusses results concerning data transportation (i.e. mobility) from the cow mounted sensory devices

Investment Analysis of Alternative Dairy Systems under MILC

Three dairy systems, 120-cow grazing, 120-cow conventional, and 600-cow concentrated, were evaluated by internal rate of return (IRR) accounting for the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC). With MILC, the grazing and conventional systems had higher IRRs. Without MILC, the 600-cow dairy had the highest IRR. Results were sensitive to assumptions.Concentrated feeding, conventional, grazing, internal rate of return, Livestock Production/Industries,

DETERMINANTS OF COW-CALF PAIR PRICES

Cow-calf prices are determined by interaction of many factors. At a particular auction, cow-calf pair prices often had a range of 75% of the mean price. This variability suggests that producers need to be informed regarding cow-calf price determinants. This study uses auction data during 1993 to estimate price differentials associated with cow-calf pair characteristics using a hedonic model. Cow breed, age, health, conditions, horns, frame, and whether the cow had been bred back were significant price determinants. Calf weight, health, and frame had significant price impacts. Highest prices were paid for pens containing 9-12 pairs of young Angus, dehorned, bred back, healthy cows with heavy healthy calves.Demand and Price Analysis,