Animal Behavior and Well-Being: Dairy, Sheep, and Beef

The dry period between successive lactations is crucial for regeneration of productive function of mammary tissue, preparation for high production, and to prevent new intramammary infections (IMI). With continually increasing production levels over time, the stress of abrupt drying-off could be a welfare concern, as well as an increased risk period for new IMI. The objectives of this study were to document standing and lying behaviors through the process of drying-off, and to evaluate the associations between parity (lactation 1 relative to lactation 2 and above) and production level (>27 kg/d compared with <22 kg/d) and changes in these activities. From June to October 2009, a total of 76 cows in a commercial free-stall herd, milking 3 times per day, were enrolled onto this study. Each cow was fitted with a HOBO data logger (HOBO Pendant G Data Logger, Onset, Pocasset, MA) on the outside of the right hind leg, parallel to the floor (longitudinally). The HOBOs were programmed to start data collection at 7am, 2 d before drying-off (d-2), and to continue for 6 d following drying-off (d6). Cows received their last milk-out at the second daily milking (d0, noon). The HOBO recorded time-stamped standing and lying behavior (including lying side) at one minute intervals, allowing for the calculation of total lying time per day. Simple univariable analysis by 2-sample t-tests was used to compare production level and parity against total lying time. Upon completion of the full data set, multivariable analysis will be performed. Cows drying-off at high production had significantly lower lying times compared with cows at lower production levels on d1 (P < 0.05; 634.71 ± 211.04 vs. 747.04 ± 166.86 min) and d3 (P < 0.005; 724.58 ± 138.81 vs. 836.15 ± 116.03 min). Lactation 1 cows also showed significantly (P < 0.001) lower lying times of almost 3 h compared with multiparous cows on d1 (572 ± 195.04 vs. 751.61 ± 170.66 min). In conclusion, these data suggest that abrupt cessation of milking at drying-off is associated with changes in standing and lying behaviors, indicative of increased discomfort. These behavioral changes appear to be influenced by production level at the time of drying-off and by parity. Management interventions in the process of drying-off may be warranted.