Effect of woodchip bedding during wet conditions on feedlot cattle productivity, behaviour and relative adrenal gland weight

Problems associated with muddy pens have been identified as some of the most serious animal welfare issues related to outdoor feedlot beef production, but there is relatively little work examining the use of woodchip bedding for lot-fed beef cattle under conditions of cold, wet, but non-freezing winters on soil under-bases. This study examined the effects of graded levels of woodchip on the performance and behaviour of feedlot cattle housed in wet pen conditions. Bos taurus steers (n = 300; 379.1 ± 24.1 kg) were blocked by weight and breed and randomly assigned to 30 10-steer feedlot pens provided with either no woodchip bedding (Control, n = 10) manure interface only, or 15 cm depth of woodchip bedding (W15, n = 10) or 30 cm depth of woodchip bedding (W30, n = 10). The steers were housed in these treatment pens for 109 days on a feedlot ration, and the pens were irrigated so that approximately 74 mm of total precipitation (irrigation + natural rainfall) fell onto the pen surface every 30 days. Temperatures were mostly <20 °C maximum and -1 to 5 °C minimum. Steers were weighed on five occasions. Animal position and posture in pen were recorded once a week over an 8-hour day-time period. Carcase characteristics were measured, and adrenal gland weights were recorded. Providing woodchip bedding increased liveweight gain (P < 0.001) and gain:feed (G:F, P = 0.012) after day 28, increased DM intake (DMI) after day 92 (P = 0.049), and increased carcase weight (P = 0.001) and dressing percentage (P = 0.023). There was no additional benefit of W30 over W15 for liveweight gain or DMI, but the benefit of W15 for G:F was lower than that of W30 by the end of the feeding period (P = 0.012). There were no effects of bedding on other carcase quality traits. Steers in Control pens utilised the front of the pen for lying and standing more than the W15 and W30 steers (P < 0.001) suggesting the steers in the Control pens perceived the front of the pen as less aversive, potentially due to increased drainage compared to rest of the pen and proximity to feed bunk. Adrenal gland weight/kg and carcase weight tended to be higher in the Control treatment group than the W30 steers (P = 0.077). This research has demonstrated that for a 109-day feeding period in cold, wet conditions, steer performance and welfare can be improved by providing a minimum of 15 cm woodchip bedding.

Review of the Heat Stress-Induced Responses in Dairy Cattle

In the dairy cattle sector, the evaluation of the effects induced by heat stress is still one of the most impactful and investigated aspects as it is strongly connected to both sustainability of the production and animal welfare. On the other hand, more recently, the possibility of collecting a large dataset made available by the increasing technology diffusion is paving the way for the application of advanced numerical techniques based on machine learning or big data approaches. In this scenario, driven by rapid change, there could be the risk of dispersing the relevant information represented by the physiological animal component, which should maintain the central role in the development of numerical models and tools. In light of this, the present literature review aims to consolidate and synthesize existing research on the physiological consequences of heat stress in dairy cattle. The present review provides, in a single document, an overview, as complete as possible, of the heat stress-induced responses in dairy cattle with the intent of filling the existing research gap for extracting the veterinary knowledge present in the literature and make it available for future applications also in different research fields.

Transition Management in Grazing Systems: Pragmatism Before Precision

Grazing cows undergo a similar degree of metabolic stress and immune dysregulation to those reported in high-yielding housed cows consuming total mixed rations, but the ability to manage daily nutrient intake is much less. Feed quality varies from day-to-day and weather can greatly influence amount consumed on any given day. Transition cow management, therefore, tends to revolve around pragmatism as opposed to precision. Mid- and late-gestation management of body condition score is essential to a smooth transition period.

Beef Cattle Preference and Usage of Environmental Enrichments Provided Simultaneously in a Pasture-Based Environment

Environmental enrichment can improve livestock welfare through increasing environmental complexity to promote a greater range of natural behaviours. However, there is limited understanding of the need for and impacts of enrichments for extensively managed beef cattle that can sometimes be kept in grassed paddocks devoid of additional natural and artificial features, i.e., ‘barren pastures’. This trial assessed which enrichments beef cattle preferred and utilised in a barren paddock environment. Eight groups of seven Angus steers housed on pastured paddocks devoid of natural or artificial features were observed during daylight hours for two days a week over a period of three weeks, after being presented with four enrichments simultaneously: a cattle brush, a piece of hanging rope, a tree stump, and a woodchip pile. Although enrichment use generally decreased over time, the brush, stump, and woodchip maintained a higher level of use than the rope, based on the frequency of interactions and number of displacements around the enrichments (both p < 0.001). This suggests that the brush, stump, and woodchip pile were more valuable resources to the cattle, allowing for grooming and lying behaviours, although oral manipulations also occurred on the stump, woodchip, and rope. The inclusion of these enrichments can increase the complexity of barren pasture environments and allow for the increased expression of natural behaviours, potentially contributing to improved welfare.

Time Spent in a Maternity Pen during Winter Influences Cow and Calf Behavior in Pasture-Based Dairy Systems

Simple Summary

One of the major challenges of spring calving pasture-based systems in temperate regions is the exposure of periparturient dairy cows and their newborn calves to cold and wet winter conditions. We investigated whether moving precalving cows from an outdoor paddock to an indoor maternity pen affects the behavior of the cow and her newborn during winter and if this was influenced by the timing relative to calving. Our results indicated that cows housed in a maternity pen spent more time lying and ruminating compared with cows kept in an outdoor paddock. Moreover, newborn calf vitality improved when cows were moved to a maternity pen 3 weeks before calving when compared with those moved during the week before calving or those that remained in an outdoor paddock precalving. This information may aid in the design of calving management systems that can minimize any negative effects of inclement winter weather on cow and calf welfare in seasonal, year-round pasture-based systems.

Abstract

Our study compared the behavior of prepartum dairy cows that either remained in an outdoor paddock until calving (OP) during winter or were moved to an indoor maternity pen either early (EM) or late (LM) relative to calving. Forty-two multiparous Holstein cows were divided into three treatments (OP, EM, or LM) and monitored from 3 weeks before to 1.5 h after calving. Cows in EM and LM were moved to a maternity pen starting at week three and week one before the expected calving date, respectively. We assessed the cleanliness of the cows at calving, immunoglobulin G concentration in colostrum, and the behavior and vitality of calves across treatments. Cows spent more time lying in EM compared to OP and LM during the weeks −3 and −2 relative to calving, but lying time was increased in LM cows compared with OP cows during the week −1 relative to calving. Prepartum rumination time was lowest in OP cows but not different between EM or LM. Calves from OP cows spent more time lying and had lower vitality after calving than those from LM and EM cows, respectively; calves from EM and LM cows were intermediate for lying and vitality, respectively, but did not differ from either group. The cleanliness was greatest in cows that calved indoors (EM or LM); nevertheless, precalving management did not affect the IgG concentration in colostrum. Our study demonstrates that, in comparison with OP, EM and LM have positive implications for the welfare of the dam and its newborn calf during winter.

Behavioral changes in dairy cows with metritis in seasonal calving pasture-based dairy system

The aims of this study were to determine changes in lying and rumination behavior of transition dairy cows that were healthy or affected by metritis during the autumn and spring calving season in a temperate climate and determine the effect of some weather variables (precipitation and heat stress) on these behaviors. A total of 103 multiparous cows were monitored during the autumn (February to April) and spring calving season (July to October) from 10 d before to 10 d after calving. Cows were chosen retrospectively by diagnosis of metritis [autumn season, (n = 11); spring season, (n = 13)] or as healthy [autumn season, (n = 25); spring season, (n = 25)] based on vaginal discharge characteristics evaluated during the first 10 days in milk. In all animals, electronic data loggers recorded lying (Hobo Pendant G Acceleration, Onset Computer Corp.) and rumination behavior (Hi-Tag rumination monitoring system, SCR Engineers Ltd.) during the study period. We included precipitation level (>1 mm/d = with rain, and ≤1 mm/d = without rain) and heat stress [no heat stress = temperature-humidity index (THI) < 68 vs. heat stress = THI ≥ 68] as weather factors that may have affected lying and rumination behavior during the spring and autumn season in a temperate climate, respectively. Metritis during the spring calving season was associated only with longer lying times (≥1.3 h/d) after calving. During the autumn calving season cows with metritis lay down longer the day of calving (~2.1 h/d) and had fewer lying bouts of longer duration during the prepartum period compared with healthy cows. Rumination time did not differ by health status during the spring calving season, whereas cows with metritis during autumn ruminated 30, 21, and 24 min/d less than healthy cows during the prepartum, calving, and postpartum period, respectively. Precipitation and heat stress were associated with decreased daily lying and rumination time in sick cows. Our results indicate that differences in lying and rumination behavior depended on the metritis status, and support the idea that weather factors such as rainfall or heat stress requires to be considered in analyses of transition cow behavior in seasonal calving pasture-based dairy systems.

The Influence of Environmental Conditions on Intake Behavior and Activity by Feedlot Steers Fed Corn or Barley-Based Diets

Simple Summary

Cattle wintered at northern latitudes are often exposed to periods of severe cold. Cattle likely alter feed intake and behavior to combat environmental challenges. This study evaluated the influence of diet and environmental changes on intake behavior and activity (lying time) of feedlot steers. Short-term temperature changes impacted both beef feedlot cattle intake behavior and activity. The steers’ diet, whether they were fed corn or barley, interacted with short term environmental changes to influence animal feeding behavior, but diet had limited impact on cattle lying behavior. Lying behavior was influenced by short-term temperature changes in which cattle spent more time lying down on relatively cold days. Overall, environmental shifts and cold temperature conditions could result in greater energetic needs and ultimately impact feedlot steer intake behavior and activity. By providing information related to beef cattle feedlot behavior, we can more effectively manage cattle feeding systems at northern latitudes to improve feed efficiency.

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of diet and environmental conditions on intake behavior and activity of feedlot steers. Feedlot rations used were comprised of a main concentrate: (1) corn or (2) barley. A GrowSafe system measured individual animal intake and behavior and HOBO accelerometers measured steer standing time. An Onset weather station collected on site weather data. Steer daily intake displayed a diet by temperature class interaction (p ≤ 0.05). Relative temperature change had no effect on variation in intake (p = 0.60); however, diet influenced variation of intake (p < 0.01), where corn-fed steers had a greater coefficient of variation (CV) than barley-fed steers (21.89 ± 1.46 vs. 18.72 ± 1.46%). Time spent eating (min d⁻¹) and eating rate (g min⁻¹) both displayed a diet by temperature class interaction (p ≤ 0.05). Diet did not affect steer lying activity (p ≥ 0.12), however, time spent lying (min d⁻¹) and frequency of lying bouts (bouts d⁻¹) increased on relatively cold days while the duration of lying bouts (min bout⁻¹; p < 0.01) decreased. Short-term environmental temperature changes interacted with diet influencing feedlot beef cattle intake behavior; however, they did not interact with basal diet in respect to steer activity.

Provision of shelter during the prepartum period: Effects on behavior, blood analytes, and health status in dairy cows in winter

This study aimed to assess the effect of shelter provision during the prepartum period on lying, ruminating, and feeding behavior in outdoor-housed dairy cows exposed to winter weather conditions in a temperate climate. We also aimed to determine whether shelter provision during the prepartum period influenced blood analytes related to energy metabolism, body cleanliness, and health status. In this study, 2 cohorts of 12 multiparous Holstein prepartum cows were tested in winter. Twenty-five days before their expected calving date, the cows in each cohort were paired and randomly assigned to an open paddock without shelter or to one with access to an artificial shelter until calving. Shelter use, lying time, number of lying bouts, duration of lying bouts, rumination time, and feeding time were continuously recorded during the 3 wk before calving. Cows were assessed weekly for body cleanliness throughout the 3-wk prepartum period. A blood sample was taken from the coccygeal vein of each cow at wk -3, -2, -1, 1, 2, and 3 relative to calving date, and were assayed for nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate, and haptoglobin concentrations. Cases of clinical health disorders after calving were also recorded. The cows spent 60% of their daily time in the shelters, and for 75% of that time they were lying down. Cows with access to shelter during the prepartum period lay down around 3.2 h/d more than cows without shelter on wk -3 and -2 relative to calving. The cows with shelter access spent less time feeding during the morning (wk -3: 29.7 min; wk -2: 12.1 min; wk -1: 17.3 min) and afternoon (wk -3: 18.2 min; wk -2: 21.9 min) than cows without shelter access. As well, cows with shelter access showed a higher body cleanliness score (∼92 vs. ∼48%) and lower NEFA concentrations (wk -2: 0.27 vs. 0.44 mmol/L; wk -1: 0.46 vs. 0.64 mmol/L) in the precalving period, and lower haptoglobin concentrations in the first week postpartum (0.34 vs. 0.79 mg/mL) than cows without shelter access. We observed no treatment differences in daily rumination time, β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, or postpartum health disorders. Despite the small number of dairy cows used in this study, these findings suggest that having access to a shelter during the prepartum period increases lying time, improves body cleanliness, and reduces adipose mobilization. Therefore, it is important to provide a protected area for the welfare of prepartum dairy cows exposed to winter climate conditions.

Lying behavior and activity during the transition period of clinically healthy grazing dairy cows

Lying behavior and activity may provide useful information for the prediction of an imminent calving and the health of transition dairy cows; however, it is important first to understand what constitutes typical lying behavior and activity because this has not been defined for grazing dairy cows during the transition period. Our objective was to describe changes in lying behavior and activity in grazing dairy cows during the transition period using varying phenotypes typical of commercial dairy herds under grazing systems. Behavior data from IceTag or IceQube (IceRobotics, Edinburgh, Scotland) triaxial accelerometers were collected for 310 cow parities from multiparous, mixed-age (mean ± standard deviation; 4.5 ± 1.65 yr), and mixed-breed [Holstein-Friesian (HF), n = 216; and HF × Jersey, n = 94] grazing dairy cows from 4 parent experiments. The IceTags or IceQubes captured lying and activity data during the transition period (-21 to 34 d relative to calving) to allow the calculation of daily lying time (h/d), daily lying bouts (LB; no./d), mean LB duration (min/bout), and the number of steps taken (steps/d). Lying behavior and activity were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA during 3 periods: PRE (-21 to -3 d), POST (3 to 21 d), and the day of calving (d 0). Lying time was lower on d 0 (7.25 h/d) compared with PRE and POST lying times (10.3 and 8.58 h/d, respectively), with more frequent LB on d 0 (12.9 no./d) compared with the PRE and POST daily LB (8.15 vs. 7.74 no./d). Cows took more steps POST (4,424 steps/d) compared with d 0 and PRE (4,105 and 2,289 steps/d, respectively). Regression analysis determined that daily lying time decreased substantially from -3 to 0 d (slope = -1.03 ± 0.07 h/d) and from -2 and -1 d for daily LB (slope = 5.09 ± 0.54 no./d), which may be due to the calving event itself but also reflect restlessness. Daily lying time, daily LB, LB duration, and number of steps taken were substantially altered at the time of the calving event in grazing dairy cows. Cows were more active, spent less time lying, and took more steps postcalving compared with precalving, and it appears that this behavior may largely be due to activity associated with twice daily milking. Mean lying behavior and activity measures were more highly variable across individuals than across groups. Information available via activity monitors may contribute to the improvement of individual management of transition dairy cows, and this research provides a benchmark for typical changes in behavior during the transition period in grazing systems.