Comparison of energy expenditure, eating pattern and physical activity of grazing and zero-grazing dairy cows at different time points during lactation

Dohme‐Meier, F.; Kaufmann, L. D.; Görs, Solvig; Junghans, P.; Metges, C. C.; Dorland, H.A. van; Bruckmaier, Rupert M.; Münger, A.

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2014.01.006

Cited by 54 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The interest in restricting time at pasture has increased in recent years due to the potential impact on animal performance (Chilibroste et al 2007), environmental benefits (Gregorini 2012), herbage production and animal energy expenditure (Gregorini et al 2009b;Dohme-Meier et al 2014). Gregorini et al (2009b) demonstrated that dairy cows reacted to restrictions in their time at pasture mainly by changing locomotory behaviour (stride length, rate of walking and distance walked while eating), which led to considerable changes in the area explored while eating.…”

Section: Grazing Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural adaptation of grazing dairy cows to changes in feeding management: do they follow a predictable pattern?

Chilibroste¹,

Gibb²,

Soca³

et al. 2015

Anim. Prod. Sci.

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Research conducted over recent decades to improve understanding of the functional responses among sward characteristics, intake rate and grazing behaviour has been reviewed. The opportunities to modify grazing pattern by changes in feeding management are discussed and the implications for dairy-farm feeding strategies are highlighted. Progress in the understanding of the functional responses between sward characteristics and intake rate and their main components (bite mass, bite area, bite depth and bite rates) has been substantial. However, progress in understanding the factors that mediate the initiation and the end of individual meals has been poorer and requires further study. Much of the research has been conducted using short-term experiments with a limited number of experimental animals and mostly conducted on mono-specific uniform swards. The physiological state of the animal as well as the maintenance energy associated with grazing strategies have received very little, if any, attention. More integrated (sward, animal, management) and long-term basic research is required to improve feeding practices at the farm level and the design of farms for the new generation of grassland-based dairy-production systems.

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Section: Grazing Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioural adaptation of grazing dairy cows to changes in feeding management: do they follow a predictable pattern?

Chilibroste¹,

Gibb²,

Soca³

et al. 2015

Anim. Prod. Sci.

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“…() concluded that herbage‐only diets lead to lower total DM intake compared with those supplemented with concentrate, probably because of a higher eating rate (g feed/min) of concentrate compared with herbage (Beauchemin, ). In addition, cows on pasture required more time to consume 1 kg of herbage DM and generally had a lower total DM intake than cows in a barn who had access to feed of the same quantity and quality (Dohme‐Meier et al., ). The longer eating time of grazing cows might be explained by the smaller bite size due to more selective grazing compared with herbage‐fed cows in the barn (Oshita, Sudo, Nonaka, Kume, & Ochiai, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a zero‐grazing study, herbage‐fed cows not receiving a supplementary concentrate experienced a higher metabolic load than cows receiving concentrate supplementation (Zbinden et al., ). In addition, grazing cows expended around 20% more energy than herbage‐fed cows kept indoors (Dohme‐Meier et al., ), indicating that grazing cows receiving little or no supplementary concentrate are particularly susceptible to metabolic disorders and, hence, impaired well‐being (Von Keyserlingk, Rushen, de Passillé, & Weary, ). In order to decrease the risk of reduced animal welfare in grazing dairy cows, a monitoring system based on noninvasive markers that immediately reflects changes in the animal's metabolic state is desirable.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological and behavioural responses of grazing dairy cows to an acute metabolic challenge

Müller

Münger

Mandel

et al. 2018

Animal Physiology Nutrition

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Due to seasonal changes in the quality and quantity of herbage, the nutrient supply to grazing dairy cows is not always sufficient, which may increase their metabolic load. To investigate the temporal pattern of behavioural changes in relation to concomitant metabolic alterations, we subjected 15 multiparous early lactating Holstein dairy cows (24 (SD 7.4) days in milk) to a short-term metabolic challenge, which we provoked by abruptly withdrawing concentrate for 1 week. Cows grazed full-time and were supplemented with concentrate in experimental week (EW) 1 and EW 3, whereas concentrate was withdrawn in EW 2. We analysed milk and blood samples to characterise the metabolic changes and found that the total yield of milk and protein decreased (p < 0.05) and fat yield, fat-to-protein ratio and acetone content increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were lower (p < 0.05), and concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyrate were higher (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1. Apart from ingestive and rumination behaviour and activity, we also monitored the use of an automated brush on pasture. While time spent eating and ruminating increased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, time spent idling decreased (p < 0.05). Concomitantly, while time standing and moving increased (p < 0.05) from EW 1 to EW 2, walking time decreased (p < 0.05). The daily proportion of cows using the automated brush decreased (p < 0.05) in EW 2 compared with EW 1, as did the duration of brushing per day. In conclusion, grazing cows experiencing a metabolic challenge try to compensate for the nutrient deficiency by increasing eating time, a behavioural element important for short-term survival. Due to the strong impact of weather conditions, we cannot currently recommend observation of outdoor brushing activity to address short-term alterations in the metabolic state of grazing cows.

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“…Walking distance of housed cows is already limited compared with walking distance of grazing cows. For example, studies reported walking distances of 233 m per day for housed cows versus 2170 m for cows on pasture (Olmos et al, 2009), and step counts of 1506 versus 4064 steps per day (Dohme-Meier et al, 2014). Studies showed that exercise is beneficial for health in early lactation and for fitness of lactating and dry dairy cows (Gustafson, 1993;Davidson and Beede, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

More milking days with lower yields : sustainability impacts of short or no dry periods in dairy cows

Kok¹

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Chapter 2. Sensor validation Chapter 3. Measure effects on behaviour Chapter 4. Behaviour and metabolic status Chapter 5. Develop measure to compare milk yield Chapter 6. Effect on milk yield over multiple lactations Chapter 7. Build model and evaluate short/no dry periods Chapter 9. Discussion Chapter 8. Adapt model and evaluate extended lactations Evaluating sustainability impacts of short or no dry periods in dairy cows Cow welfare Cash flows Greenhouse gas emissions 12 |

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Comparison of energy expenditure, eating pattern and physical activity of grazing and zero-grazing dairy cows at different time points during lactation

Cited by 54 publications

References 40 publications

Behavioural adaptation of grazing dairy cows to changes in feeding management: do they follow a predictable pattern?

Behavioural adaptation of grazing dairy cows to changes in feeding management: do they follow a predictable pattern?

Physiological and behavioural responses of grazing dairy cows to an acute metabolic challenge

More milking days with lower yields : sustainability impacts of short or no dry periods in dairy cows

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