Change in rumination behavior parameters around calving in cows with subclinical ketosis diagnosed during 30 days after calving

We hypothesized that cows with SCK (blood BHB over >1.2 mmol/l) diagnosed within the first 30 days of calving can be predicted by changes in rumination and activity behavioral parameters in the period before calving and indeed subsequently. A total of 45 cows were randomly selected from 60 dry cows from at least 40 days before calving. All the cows were fitted with RuniWatch sensors monitoring both intake behaviors (faceband) and general movement and activity behavior (pedometer) (RWS-ITIN + HOCH, Switzerland). Following an adaptation period of 10 days, rumination, eating, and activity parameters were monitored for 30 days before calving and 30 days after calving. Considering the design of the study, we divided the data of cows into three stages for statistical evaluation: (1) the last thirty days before calving (from day −30 to −1 of the study); (2) day of calving; and (3) the first thirty days after calving (from day 1 to 30 of the study). We found that before calving, those cows with a higher risk of having SCK diagnosed after calving had lower rumination time, eating time, drinking gulps, bolus, chews per min, chews per bolus, downtime, maximal temperature, and activity change. On the calving day, in cows with higher risk of SCK after calving, we found lower rumination time, eating time, chews per min, chews per bolus, uptime, downtime, minimal temperature, other chews, eating chews, drinking time, drinking gulps, activity, average temperature, maximal temperature, activity change, rumination chews, and eating chews. After calving in cows with SCK, we found lower rumination time, eating time 1, eating time 2, bolus, chews per bolus, uptime, downtime, minimal temperature, maximal temperature, rumination chews, and eating chews. Moreover, after calving we found higher drinking gulps, drinking time, activity, activity change, average temperature, other chews, and eating chews in cows with SCK. From a practical point of view, we recommend that by tracking changes in rumination and activity behavior parameters registered with RuniWatch sensors (such as rumination time, eating time, drinking time, drinking gulps, bolus, chews per minute, chews per bolus, downtime, maximal temperature, and activity change) before, during, and after calving, we can identify cows with a higher risk of SCK in the herd

Effects of a monensin controlled release capsule on reticulorumen temperature and pH determined using real-time monitoring in fresh dairy cows

Monensin has been shown to decrease mortality and morbidity in feedlot cattle by reducing the incidence of acute and subacute rumen acidosis (SARA). Lately, the technique of real-time observance of reticuloruminal temperature and pH, which involves placement of indwelling pH probes in the reticulum or in the rumen has gained in popularity. In this study, we aimed to determine, using real-time monitoring in fresh dairy cows, how monensin controlled release capsules affect the reticulorumen temperature and pH. We used a slow-release rumen preparation, which emitted daily monensin doses of 335 mg. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, the preparation was administered through an oral balling gun. The following points indicate the method for determining the two experimental groups: (1) monensin-supplemented test group (TG) (a 32.4 g monensin controlled release capsule, MCRC, n = 20) and (2) a control group (CG) (capsule containing no monensin, n = 20). Both began a day after calving, and one month after calving the experiment was finished. A set of smaXtec boluses fabricated for animal care was used to measure the temperature and pH of the reticulorumen. After the first day of the study, a statistically significant difference between reticulorumen temperature in CG (38.67 ± 0.10 °C) and TG (39.08 ± 0.09 °C; P < 0.01) was found. The use of the monensin controlled release capsule, which emitted daily monensin doses of 335 mg, in the first 30 days after calving increased the reticulorumen pH by 1.89% (P < 0.001), and the temperature of the reticulorumen by 0.82 % (P < 0.001). We conclude that using monensin in the form of monensin controlled release capsules reduces the risk of SARA. Real time observation of temperature and pH levels in the reticulorumen in fresh dairy cows allows for evaluation of the risk of SARA and provides the opportunity to determine the prophylactic effect of those capsules

Inline changes in lactate dehydrogenase, milk concentration according to the stage and number of lactation periods, including the status of reproduction and milk yield in dairy cows

The aim of the present study was to investigate inline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) dynamic changes based on different cow factors – different number and stages of lactation, milk yield, and the status of reproduction in clinically healthy dairy cows. In the Herd Navigator system, LDH activity levels (μmol/min per litre) were measured using dry-stick technology. A total of 378 cows were selected. According to their reproductive status, the cows were classified as belonging to the following groups: Fresh (1 – 44 days after calving); Open (45 – 65 days after calving); Inseminated (1 – 35 days after insemination); Pregnant (35 – 60 days after insemination and pregnant). According to their productivity, the cows were classified into the following groups: 35 kg/day. The cows were milked with a DeLaval milking robot (DeLaval Inc. Tumba Sweden) in combination with a Herd Navigator analyser (Lattec I/S. Hillerød Denmark). In conclusion inline dynamic changes in the milk LDH concentration may increase together with the rise in the lactation period frequency. The highest LDH level determinated in the group of the fresh cows ranged from 5 to 10 DIM, while the highest LDH concentration level was found in the fresh cow milk. Thus, there was a positive relationship between the milk concentration of LDH and the milk yield

Evaluation of efficacy of selected oestrous synchronization programs depending on the functional state of the ovaries, heifers and cows of meat breed

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of progesterone concentration (P4) and ovarian structure models before initiation of different synchronization programmes on pregnancy outcomes per artificial insemination (AI) (P/AI) in beef cattle. Cattle were randomly assigned to one of three different synchronization programes (8-d PRID+7PGF&TAI, PGF 7-d Select Synch+PRID&TAI and 7-d PRID+6PGF&TAI); blood sampling and ultrasound examinations were performed before (day −7) and at initiation (day 0) of synchronizations, and during the experiment. The models were designed based on the turnover in P4 and ovarian structures at day −7 and day 0: groups of Model 1 were based on P4 (<1, 1–3.99 and ≥4 ng/ml); groups of Model 2 were based on P4 (<1 and ≥1 ng/ml) and referred to the phase of the oestrus cycle; groups of Model 3 were based on follicle (F) diameter (absent, <10 and ≥10 mm); groups of Model 4 were based on corpus luteum (CL) diameter (absent, <10, 10–20 and ≥21 mm). It was indicated that P/AI for heifers and cows were 54.6 and 55.3% in the 1st, 61.5 and 60.6% in the 2nd and 36.1% (only cows) in the 3rd synchronizations (P < 0.05), respectively. Significant effect on P/AI of Model 1 in the LH, HL, HM, HH groups (P < 0.05) was found in 2nd and of Model 4 in MA, MM, HH, LA in 1st (P < 0.05) synchronizations. So, the presence of higher P4 concentration (Model 1) and CL (Model 4) before initiation of synchronizations improves P/AI in beef cattle

Assessment of Ruminating, Eating, and Locomotion Behavior during Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle by Using Advanced Technological Monitoring

Heat stress (HS) significantly impacts dairy farming, prompting interest in precision dairy farming (PDF) for gauging its effects on cow health. This study assessed the influence of the Temperature–Humidity Index (THI) on rumination, eating, and locomotor activity. Various parameters, like rumination time, drinking gulps, chews per minute, and others were analyzed. The hypothesis was that precision dairy farming technology could help detect HS. Nine healthy Lithuanian Black-and-White cows were randomly selected for the trial. RumiWatch noseband sensors recorded behaviors, while SmaXtec climate sensors monitored THI. The data collection spanned from 14 June to 30 June. Cows in the THI class ≥ 72 exhibited reduced drinking time (51.16% decrease, p p p p p < 0.01). Innovative technologies like RumiWatch are effective in detecting HS effects on behaviors. Future studies should explore the impact of HS on RWS biomarkers, considering factors such as lactation stage, number, yield, and pregnancy

Inline Milk Lactose Concentration as Biomarker of the Health Status and Reproductive Success in Dairy Cows

In this study, cow reticulorumen content pH and temperature together with the activity were registered using smaXtec boluses, specially designed for animal care. Body weight, rumination time, milk fat/protein ratio, milk yield, milk lactose, milk electrical conductivity, milk somatic cell count and consumption of concentrated feed were registered by Lely Astronaut&reg; A3 milking robots. The cows in this study were assigned into two groups according to the milk lactose concentration: group 1&mdash;milk lactose &lt; 4.70% (n = 20), group 2&mdash;milk lactose &ge; 4.70% (n = 15). The following cows were further classified according to milk fat and protein ratio: F/P &lt; 1.2 (class 1), F/P = 1.2 (class 2) and F/P &gt; 1.2 (class 3). According to our results, we can conclude that inline registered milk lactose concentration can be used to indicate the health status and reproductive success of fresh dairy cows. Cows with an increased lactose concentration (&ge;4.70%) showed more activity (54.47%) and had less risk of mastitis (determined by lower milk electrical conductivity (EC) and somatic cell counts (SCC)) and metabolic disorders, determined by milk F/P. A higher glucose concentration was also apparent in the cows with higher lactose concentration. Registered lower levels of milk lactose can be used for early identification of metabolic disorders and mastitis (set at milk SCC &ge; 100 thousand/mL). Lactose levels in cows&rsquo; milk were positively associated with their reproductive success

Ruminating, Eating, and Locomotion Behavior Registered by Innovative Technologies around Calving in Dairy Cows

The hypothesis for this study was that there are correlations between ruminating, eating, and locomotion behavior parameters registered by the RumiWatch sensors (RWS) before and after calving. The aim was to identify correlations between registered indicators, namely, rumination, eating, and locomotion behavior around the calving period. Some 54 multiparous cows were chosen from the entire herd without previous calving or other health problems. The RWS system recorded a variety of parameters such as rumination time, eating time, drinking time, drinking gulps, bolus, chews per minute, chews per bolus, activity up and down time, temp average, temp minimum, temp maximum, activity change, other chews, ruminate chews, and eating chews. The RWS sensors were placed on the cattle one month before expected calving based on service data and removed ten days after calving. Data were registered 10 days before and 10 days after calving. We found that using the RumiWatch system, rumination time was not the predictor of calving outlined in the literature; rather, drinking time, downtime, and rumen chews gave the most clearcut correlation with the calving period. We suggest that using RumiWatch to combine rumination time, eating time, drinking, activity, and down time characteristics from ten days before calving, it would be possible to construct a sensitive calving alarm; however, considerably more data are needed, not least from primiparous cows not examined here

Inline Milk Lactose Concentration as Biomarker of the Health Status and Reproductive Success in Dairy Cows

In this study, cow reticulorumen content pH and temperature together with the activity were registered using smaXtec boluses, specially designed for animal care. Body weight, rumination time, milk fat/protein ratio, milk yield, milk lactose, milk electrical conductivity, milk somatic cell count and consumption of concentrated feed were registered by Lely Astronaut® A3 milking robots. The cows in this study were assigned into two groups according to the milk lactose concentration: group 1—milk lactose n = 20), group 2—milk lactose ≥ 4.70% (n = 15). The following cows were further classified according to milk fat and protein ratio: F/P 1.2 (class 3). According to our results, we can conclude that inline registered milk lactose concentration can be used to indicate the health status and reproductive success of fresh dairy cows. Cows with an increased lactose concentration (≥4.70%) showed more activity (54.47%) and had less risk of mastitis (determined by lower milk electrical conductivity (EC) and somatic cell counts (SCC)) and metabolic disorders, determined by milk F/P. A higher glucose concentration was also apparent in the cows with higher lactose concentration. Registered lower levels of milk lactose can be used for early identification of metabolic disorders and mastitis (set at milk SCC ≥ 100 thousand/mL). Lactose levels in cows’ milk were positively associated with their reproductive success

Changes in the inline lactate dehydrogenase according to the cow’s production and reproduction status

The aim of the present study was to investigate inline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) changes in clinically healthy dairy cows according to the number and stage of lactations, milk yield, and the reproduction status The LDH activity (μmol/min per litre) was measured using the dry-stick technology. A total of 378 cows were selected and classified according to their reproductive status into the following groups: fresh (1–44 days after calving); open (45–65 days after calving); inseminated (1–35 days after insemination); pregnant (35–60 days after insemination). According to their milk productivity, the cows were classified into the following groups: 25–35 kg/d, and >35 kg/d. They were milked with a DeLaval milking robot in combination with a Herd Navigator analyser. The results showed that the inline LDH concentration had a tendency to increase along with the increase in the number of lactation periods (P < 0.05). The highest level of LDH was observed in fresh cows 5–10 days in milk (DIM), and the highest LDH concentration was found in the milk of fresh cows. A positive statistically reliable relationship was found between the milk yield and LDH concentration (P < 0.05); LDH and milk somatic cell counts (SCC) were positively related in all groups of cows, although LDH concentration and SCC were the highest correlated variables in inseminated cows (P < 0.05). The present study shows that measuring LDH activity in milk is both easy and cost effective with high sensitivity and specificity, having a great potential as a diagnostic tool for detection of subclinical mastitis