Physiological and behavioural effects of changeover from conventional to automatic milking in dairy cows with and without previous experience

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The effects of the changeover from conventional parlour to an automatic milking system (AMS) on behaviour and physiological parameters in dairy cows with and without previous experience in AMS milking were investigated. Heart rate increase was higher in unexperienced cows (UC) than in experienced cows (EC) during the first AMS visit (31 ± 2 and 12 ± 2 beats per min, respectively, P < 0.05). EC entered the automatic milking stall voluntarily without any intervention by the staff. In contrast, in UC the rate of voluntary visits was 4, 26, 40, 49, 63, 72, 76, 89, 91 and 94% during the first 10 d of AMS milking, respectively. Faecal cortisol metabolites were not affected by the changeover. In UC milk ejection was disturbed during the first visits, i. e. mean milk yield at the first milking in the AMS was significantly lower as compared to that in the parlour (67 ± 7%, P < 0.05), whereas milk ejection in EC was not disturbed. The total milk yield of the first 15 milkings differed significantly in UC (87.3 ± 2.4%) and EC (108.8 ± 3.3%) as compared to previous parlour yields (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cows with previous experience to AMS milking did not need a new adaptation period in the AMS after a transient period of parlour milking. In contrast, UC do need an intensive adaptation to the AMS in order to minimise production loss. Data clearly demonstrate that an adequate adaptation is crucial for successful milk production in AMS.

Heart rate, heart rate variability, faecal glucocorticoid metabolites and avoidance response of dairy cows before and after changeover to an automatic milking system

“…The handling method during PARL was the way the milker handled the animals, it was not an experimental condition. Although Hopster et al (2002) studied the effects of AMS 4 weeks after the changeover, we have found that an 8-week interval is more appropriate to exclude not only the effects of transition to the new milking system (Weiss et al, 2004(Weiss et al, , 2005Jacobs and Siegford, 2012b) but also the possible long-term effects of rough handling. Considering that cows can remember the site of the preferred feed for at least 6 weeks (Kovalčik and Kovalčik, 1986) and positive handling had prolonged effects on the avoidance reaction for 8 weeks , we supposed that unpleasant experiences might as well have a longer-term influence on behaviour.…”

Welfare implication of measuring heart rate and heart rate variability in dairy cattle: literature review and conclusions for future research

“…Results let us to conclude that a rise in vagal tone during milking was possibly the consequence of the release of oxytocin during udder preparation (Bruckmaier, 2005) being in association with increased parasympathetic activity (Uvnäs- Moberg and Petersson, 2005) which decreased with time spent in the milking stall and by anticipation to be released resulting in lower vagal activity.…”

“…Becoming adaptated to the novel milking environment, this pattern could not be observed as proved by HR (Hopster et al, 2002;Weiss et al, 2005) and HRV studies as well (Neuffer et al, 2004;Neuffer, 2006; Gygax et al, 2008). Results suggest that automatic milking did not cause a higher load than conventional milking.…”

The effects of a training program using a phantom to accustom heifers to the automatic milking system

“…Therefore, the initial period at the AMS can be very stressful and demanding for both animals and staff, because the animals often have to be fetched for milking several times a day (Tse et al, 2018). Thus, an adequate acclimatization period is crucial to allow animals to adapt to the new circumstances (Weiss et al, 2005).…”