Virtual fencing technology to intensively graze lactating dairy cattle. II: Effects on cow welfare and behavior
نویسندگان
چکیده
Virtual fencing technology uses a neckband-mounted device to deliver an audio cue when animal nears virtual boundary that is set via global positioning system, followed by electrical stimulus if it crosses the boundary. The flexibility offered this could revolutionize grazing management on dairy farms, but its application and effects lactating cattle have not been assessed. This experiment reports of electric or front-fence cow behavior welfare. Two temporally separated treatments were applied herd 30 multiparous cows. Cows provided estimated 14 15 kg dry matter/cow fresh pasture in new paddock every 24 h. From d 1 10 cows grazed using conventional (control treatment) from 23 they (eShepherd, Agersens Pty Ltd.). trained 11 13. milk production live weight individual recorded daily. Cortisol concentrations obtained samples collected 3 during each control fence periods, plus first day training. 6 experiment, focal fitted with RumiWatch (Itin + Hoch GmbH) noseband sensor monitor ruminating time, 8 IceTag (IceRobotics Ltd.) sensors activity. Milk production, weight, time spent standing lying did differ between periods. cortisol concentrations, activity, times comparable early periods (i.e., 1–3 fence). However, at 4 fence, activity (steps taken motion index) lower, was greater, compared fence. Further, least significant difference tests suggest higher 5 than We conclude there no evidence behavioral welfare days immediately following implementation simple intensive regimen, longer study required fully elucidate beyond period.
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ژورنال
عنوان ژورنال: Journal of Dairy Science
سال: 2021
ISSN: ['0022-0302', '1525-3198', '1529-9066']
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-19797