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peer-reviewed Dairy cows in experimental grazing herds are often confined for metabolic measurements. The objective of this study was to establish effects of transfer from pasture, to tie-stalls in a metabolism house, then back to pasture, on lying behaviour and locomotion score of lactating cows: Holstein-Friesian (H, n = 16), Jersey (J, n = 16) and H × J (HJ, n = 16). Cows were transferred to tie-stalls on d 1 for 12 days, and were offered freshly cut ryegrass according to herbage allowance (HERB) and genotype: J low = 14; J high = 17; H and HJ low = 16; and H and HJ high = 20 kg DM/d. Lying behaviour was recorded on four days: −2, −1 (Pre-confinement), 3 (Early confinement), 10, 11 (Late confinement), 13 and 14 (Post-confinement) relative to transfer (d 1) using dataloggers, and was also video-recorded during the first 15 h. Locomotion score was recorded on days −4, −3, 12 and 16. No effects of HERB on lying variables were observed during the first 15 h in confinement, but J cows made more lying intentions (21.0 vs. 12.2; P < 0.05) and tended (P = 0.07) to have a shorter latency to lie. Cows spent less (P < 0.001) time lying in early confinement (07:22:29 h/d) than on any of the other occasions (9:12:50 h/d). Cows had more (P < 0.001) and shorter (P < 0.001) lying bouts in confinement than while at pasture. Low HERB cows spent more time lying than high HERB cows (09:54:55 vs. 09:09:33 h/d; P < 0.01). J had higher locomotion scores than H (9.2 ± 0.2 vs.7.8 ± 0.2; P < 0.001), and tended (P = 0.09) to have higher scores than HJ (8.5 ± 0.2) cows. Locomotion scores were lowest pre confinement, highest at turnout (d 12), and intermediate after that at pasture (d 16) (7.6 ± 0.2, 9.3 ± 0.2 and 8.6 ± 0.3, respectively; P < 0.01). On transfer to the metabolism house cows showed disrupted patterns of lying although daily lying time returned to levels similar to pasture by late confinement. Confinement also resulted in a short-term deterioration in locomotory ability, which although improving, was still evident 4 days following the cows return to pasture with Jersey cows being more affected than the other genotypes. These findings suggest that longer adaptation periods and temporary release to loafing areas may improve both the validity of data collected and cow welfare.

Nitrate (NO3−) leaching and nitrous oxide (N2O) emission from urine patches in grazed pastures are key sources of water and air pollution, respectively. Numerous studies have demonstrated that broadcast application of the nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) can abate such losses of reactive nitrogen (N). This research explored an alternative usage of DCD. It is the first field study that investigates the feeding of powdered DCD mixed with several typical cattle feeds as a practical and effective method to deliver a nitrification inhibitor to urine patches. DCD (in its dry powdered form) was manually mixed with three typical dairy cow feed types (barley concentrate, maize silage or grass silage) before being fed to the cattle in a Latin Square design experiment. DCD delivery to the small area covered by urine patches during grazing events was then measured as a DCD equivalent application rate (in kg DCD ha−1). The absence of a significant feed type effect (P > 0.1) on the urine patch DCD equivalent application rate suggests that the ingestion of any of the three supplementary feeds mixed with DCD should be similarly effective at delivering DCD to urine patches, despite the potential differences in aspects of feed digestibility and the impact on rumen pH and rate of DCD passage through the rumen. Importantly, there was a highly significant positive relationship (P ≤ 0.0001) between excreted DCD and N in urine and urine patches, which meant that the deposition rate of DCD matched the urinary N inputs in urine patches. Additionally, less total DCD was needed than is required with broadcast application. Added to the fact that DCD and urinary N are both deposited at the same time and intimately mixed in urine patches, feeding DCD to dairy cows after mixing with different feeds could represent a more effective and practical DCD application strategy than a DCD broadcast application at a single rate.

In temperate climates where cows are primarily managed at pasture shortages of grass could result in nutritional deficits for the cow and thus pose a challenge to her welfare. This study investigated the effect of daily herbage allowance (DHA) on dairy cow lying behaviour, locomotory ability, and some aspects of hoof health. Ninety-six cows were randomly assigned to one of eight treatments in a 2 × 4 factorial design; experimental duration (2 week (2 W) or 6 week (6 W)), and nutritional levels (DHA) (60%, 80%, 100% or 120% of intake capacity). Cows were assigned to treatment on 25 March (36 ± 16 days in milk). Lying behaviour was recorded using modified voltage dataloggers over 7 × 24 h periods at approximately 4 d intervals for cows on the 6 W treatments. Locomotory ability (including overall locomotion, ab/adduction, tracking, speed, head carriage and spine curvature scores) was assessed four times at approximately 16 d intervals. Hoof health (heel erosion and dermatitis scores) were recorded in the milking parlour on four occasions at approximately 19 d intervals. Although there was no effect on daily lying time, DHA tended to affect the duration of lying bouts (P = 0.1). Cows allocated the highest DHA (120%) had shorter bouts than all other treatments (P = 0.05), whereas cows allocated the lowest DHA (60%) had fewer lying bouts than all other treatments (P

The effect of sward type, grass only (GO) or grass white clover (GWc), on lactating dairy cow feeding behaviour, herbage depletion rate and rumen function was investigated in rotationally strip-grazed swards at a daily herbage allowance of 17 kg dry matter (DM)/cow/day, in two experiments. In 2011, eight rumen-cannulated cows were blocked into two groups and allocated to each sward type for a 14-day period in a change-over design (2 sward types×2 periods) on three occasions: late spring, summer, and autumn. Feeding behaviour, rumen pH and rumen volatile fatty acids and ammonia contents were measured. Following a continuous design, in 2012 feeding behaviour and herbage depletion rate measurements were undertaken at similar times to those in 2011 over 2–3 weeks in late spring, summer and autumn. Twenty-six (spring) and 36 (summer and autumn) cows were used. Grazing sward height (GSH) was measured five times/day. The percentage of grazed vegetative units, and the extended tiller height, free leaf lamina, tiller DM weight and tiller leaf DM weight of perennial ryegrass (ryegrass) tillers were estimated four times/day. During late spring, summer and autumn, sward white clover content (DM basis) was 7.5%, 8.8% and 30.9%, respectively, in 2011, and 18.0%, 29.7% and 30.6%, respectively, in 2012. In 2011 cows had similar grazing times on both sward types. Cows on GWc spent less time ruminating than cows on GO. Cows had similar total volatile fatty acids on both swards but the isoacids and d -lactic acid percentages, ammonia content and rumen pH were higher in autumn for cows grazing GWc. In 2012, cows on GWc grazed for longer in late spring, ruminated for less time in summer and for less time at night in autumn compared to cows grazing the GO sward. Both sward types had similar post-grazing sward heights and sward height depletion rates, except during morning grazing in autumn, when GWc had a greater sward height depletion rate. A similar percentage of grazed ryegrass tillers was observed between sward types, but the percentage of ryegrass grazed was greater than the percentage of white clover grazed in the GWc swards. The ryegrass tillers in the GWc swards were smaller than those in the GO swards but had similar depletion rates. The GWc swards influenced cow feeding behaviour and rumen characteristics with increased effect in autumn because of an increase in white clover content and a decrease in ryegrass quality.

The prediction of grass dry matter intake (GDMI) and milk yield (MY) are important to aid sward and grazing management decision making. Previous evaluations of the GrazeIn model identified weaknesses in the prediction of GDMI and MY for grazing dairy cows. To increase the accuracy of GDMI and MY prediction, GrazeIn was adapted, and then re-evaluated, using a data set of 3960 individual cow measurements. The adaptation process was completed in four additive steps with different components of the model reparameterised or altered. These components were: (1) intake capacity (IC) that was increased by 5% to reduce a general GDMI underprediction. This resulted in a correction of the GDMI mean and a lower relative prediction error (RPE) for the total data set, and at all stages of lactation, compared with the original model; (2) body fat reserve (BFR) deposition from 84 days in milk to next calving that was included in the model. This partitioned some energy to BFR deposition after body condition score nadir had been reached. This reduced total energy available for milk production, reducing the overprediction of MY and reducing RPE for MY in mid and late lactation, compared with the previous step. There was no effect on predicted GDMI; (3) The potential milk curve was reparameterised by optimising the rate of decrease in the theoretical hormone related to secretory cell differentiation and the basal rate of secretory cell death to achieve the lowest possible mean prediction error (MPE) for MY. This resulted in a reduction in the RPE for MY and an increase in the RPE for GDMI in all stages of lactation compared with the previous step; and (4) finally, IC was optimised, for GDMI, to achieve the lowest possible MPE. This resulted in an IC correction coefficient of 1.11. This increased the RPE for MY but decreased the RPE for GDMI compared with the previous step. Compared with the original model, modifying this combination of four model components improved the prediction accuracy of MY, particularly in late lactation with a decrease in RPE from 27.8% in the original model to 22.1% in the adapted model. However, testing of the adapted model using an independent data set would be beneficial and necessary to make definitive conclusions on improved predictions.

The excretion of urine by dairy cows provides a source of nitrogen (N) to pasture. Excess N from urine patches can be lost through nitrate (NO 3 − ) leaching and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions. Dicyandiamide (DCD) inhibits nitrification in the soil and is usually applied to the pasture by blanket spreading the entire field. This study assessed the potential of pulse-dosing cows with DCD so that the DCD will be excreted in the urine and deposited directly onto the urine patches. The objective of this study was to measure the recovery of DCD in urine and faeces and to assess the effects of DCD on rumen and blood metabolites and diet digestibility. Eight non-lactating Holstein–Friesian dairy cows fitted with rumen cannulae were assigned to two treatments in a Latin square design over two periods. The two treatments used were (1) control (CON) consisting of 500 ml distilled water and (2) DCD consisting of 0.1 g DCD per kg liveweight (LW) suspended in 500 ml distilled water. Both treatments were pulse-dosed into the rumen daily for 6 days with half the volume dosed in the morning and the remainder in the afternoon. The administration of DCD into the rumen had no effect on rumen and blood metabolites, and diet digestibility when compared to the control treatment, as all were not significantly different from the control treatment and were within the normal biological range. During 6 days of dosing with DCD the average recovery of the dosed DCD in urine was 82.3%, with a further 2.1% recovered in the faeces. No DCD was recovered in the urine and faeces 10 days following the cessation of dosing. These results could provide the basis for a novel mitigation strategy to reduce NO 3 − leaching and N 2 O emissions from urine patches in grazed grassland.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of providing paper or rope, alternative enriching substrates to straw, to piglets in farrowing crates on piglet and sow welfare. Sixty multiparous sows and their litters were housed in crates that were either barren (BARREN), enriched with shredded paper (PAPER) or natural fibre rope (ROPE). Enriching substrates were introduced when piglets were 10 days old. The proportion of sows with udder and teat lesions before parturition and at weaning was recorded. Piglet facial lesions were scored according to severity on days 11, 18 and 27. Sow and piglet behaviour was recorded using scan sampling on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. Furthermore, the behaviour of one male and one female focal piglet per litter was recorded continuously for 10 min twice per day on days 14, 18, 22 and 26. On day 27 post-partum, focal piglets were observed for 5 min in a novel arena and for a further 5 min after a novel object was introduced. On day 27, there was a tendency for more BARREN sows to have teat lesions ( P = 0.07). PAPER litters tended to have a smaller proportion of piglets with facial lesions ( P = 0.06). ROPE piglets were active in the enriched area of the crate in more observations than BARREN and PAPER piglets ( P P P P P = 0.05). In conclusion, shredded paper improved piglet welfare and was easily incorporated into the farrowing crates.

Teeth resection is a method of controlling the injurious effects of the aggression displayed when newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. Recent European legislation discourages the practice. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of piglets in farrowing crates. Six days pre-partum, 60 sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. The time taken to carry out each procedure was recorded. Piglet weights and facial lesions, which were scored according to severity, were recorded on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27. Piglet weights were also recorded at birth. Mouth lesions were recorded on days 1, 4 and 27. Instantaneous scan samples of piglet behaviour were carried out for 30 min post-teeth resection procedure (1 min intervals), and for 6 h on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26 (5 min intervals). One male and one female piglet per litter were chosen as focal animals and observed for 5 min each post-procedure and for 10 min each twice per day on days 1, 5, 12, 20 and 26. Mortalities were recorded throughout lactation. Grinding took significantly longer than clipping the teeth or leaving them intact (F = 638.87, P In conclusion, although all three options were associated with welfare problems, grinding can be recommended in preference to clipping or leaving the teeth intact.

Recent EU legislation discourages the practice of resecting piglets’ needle teeth. However, the effect of leaving piglets’ teeth intact on the welfare of sows in farrowing crates is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the study was to compare the effects of clipping and grinding piglets’ needle teeth, compared to leaving them intact, on the welfare of sows in farrowing crates. Six days pre-partum 60 multiparous sows were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth clipped (C), ground (G) or left intact (I) at birth. Sows’ teats were inspected for lesions pre-partum (day −3) and on days 1, 4, 11, 18 and 27 post-partum. Instantaneous scan samples (5 min intervals) of sow behaviour were carried out during three 2 h periods on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 21 and 26. On days 1, 4 and 11 all piglets were removed from the crate for 60 min. On re-introduction of the piglets, sow maternal behaviour was recorded continuously for 20 min. The number of sows with teat lesions tended to differ between treatments on days 11 (P = 0.06) and 18 (P = 0.10). There was an interactive effect between treatment and day on sow dog-sitting behaviour throughout lactation (P There were indications that leaving the teeth intact and to a lesser extent grinding caused injury and disturbance to sows. In farrowing crates, leaving piglets’ teeth intact cannot be recommended.

We surveyed the prevalence of obesity in the general population in Jamaica, and examined the relationship between it and lifestyle. The survey population consisted of 1935 inhabitants, whose body weight, marital status, educational history, and other obesity-associated lifestyle factors were surveyed. Six major findings emerged. The first finding is that the proportion of obesity in women was very high, and there was a big gender difference. Secondly, a lower prevalence towards obesity was associated with cohabitation of the subjects in both genders, and higher educational levels in female subjects. Thirdly, the proportion of the subjects who considered their weight to be quite acceptable was higher in the obese/overweight groups in both genders, although they felt physically unfit. Fourthly, exercise frequency showed a negative correlation with the body mass index (BMI) in men but not in women, and the frequency of exercising was apparently lower in women than in men. Fifthly, as for dietary factors, in both genders, vegetables showed a negative correlation with the BMI. Finally, non-smokers were also associated with a lower obesity prevalence in men. These findings suggest that social and lifestyle factors such as the educational level, marital status and dietary habits of the general population influence Jamaican obesity.

The objectives were to assess the prevalence of self-reported non-communicable chronic diseases and ascertain factors associated with a health-seeking behaviour (blood pressure screening) following an intervention aimed at improving health-seeking behaviours. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2093 participants aged 15–75 years in Manchester, Jamaica. The first 1660 (males, 820; females, 840) subjects are included. Hypertension was reported by 14.4% of males and 27.4% of females followed by diabetes (males 4.1%, females 7.0%) and heart disease (males 2.1%, females 3.8%). In multivariate analyses, recent blood pressure screening was explained by the presence of diabetes (males, OR 7.56, CI 2.14, 26.6; females, OR 4.82, CI 1.69, 13.78), and increasing age, (males OR 2.19, CI 1.76, 2.70; females OR 1.55, CI 1.32, 1.83). Among men, higher education (OR 1.74, CI 1.18, 2.55), and use of the mobile clinic, (a component of the intervention, OR 3.80, CI 1.92, 7.51) increased likelihood of screening while smoking (OR 0.48, CI 0.33, 0.69) and alcohol consumption (OR 0.56, CI 0.39, 0.81) were inversely related. Among women, intervention-related variables (use of Wellness Clinic OR 1.81, CI 1.12, 2.93; heard of mobile clinic, OR 1.60, CI 1.12, 2.27) increased likelihood of screening. Socio-demographic and behavioural factors were determinants of health-seeking behaviour. In addition, the intervention facilitated health-seeking behaviour of recent blood pressure screening.

A five-(5) year Joint Technical Cooperation Project between the Government of Jamaica and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was implemented with an overall goal of improving the health status of the Jamaican population by strengthening the function of the regional health system in Southern Jamaica. A joint project management team was established, comprised of Jamaican and Japanese counterparts working side by side for the duration of the project. Early activities focused on a needs analysis of organizational capacity, human resource skills, clinical activities and community lifestyles, especially in relationship to the prevention of Chronic Lifestyle Diseases (CLDs). Guided by findings from this analysis, a disease prevention model (including a mobile clinic) was first established in the parish of Manchester and then extended to the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Clarendon. Concurrently, capacity building and staff training activities were implemented with both Jamaican and Japanese inputs. The disease prevention model including free health screening (BP and BMI,) was established as planned, first in the parish of Manchester with subsequent extensions to Clarendon and St. Elizabeth. A total of 5,539 clients were seen at the end of December 2002. In spite of financial and human resource constraints (on the Jamaican side) all planned outputs were achieved although some (e.g. mobile clinic in Clarendon) were achieved later than projected dates. A detailed evaluation of lifestyle changes is pending. However, anecdotal evidence suggests positive changes among staff and clients (including community groups). The intervention facilitated strengthening of chronic lifestyle disease prevention at the community level through capacity building and human resources training which included strengthening the pioneering approach of Community Health Aide (CHA) involvement in health screening and promotion. The method of technical transfer undoubtedly played an integral role in the success of the project and could be seriously considered as an approach in other CARICOM countries with similar chronic disease challenges. Objective : To document the Joint Technical Cooperation Project between Jamaica and Japan on strengthening health care in the Southern Region. Method : Within an overall goal of improving the health status of the Jamaican population by strengthening the function of the regional health system, a joint project management team was established, which comprised of Jamaican and Japanese counterparts working side by side, for the duration of the project. Early activities focused on a need analysis of organizational capacity, human resource skills, clinical activities and community lifestyles, especially in relationship to the prevention of Chronic Lifestyle Diseases (CLDs). Guided by findings from this analysis, a disease prevention model was first established in the parish of Manchester and then extended to the parishes of St. Elizabeth and Clarendon. Concurrently, capacity-building and staff-training activities were implemented with both Jamaican and Japanese inputs. Achievements/Outcomes : The disease prevention model, including free health screening (BP and BMI), was established as planned, first in the parish of Manchester with subsequent extensions to Clarendon and St. Elizabeth. A total of 5539 clients were seen at the end of December 2002. In spite of financial and human resource constraints (on the Jamaican side), all planned outputs were achieved, although some (e.g., mobile clinic in Clarendon) were achieved later than projected dates. A detailed evaluation of lifestyle changes is pending. However, anecdotal evidence suggests positive changes among staff and clients (including community groups). Conclusion : This intervention facilitated the strengthening of chronic lifestyle disease prevention at the community level through capacity building and human resource training, which included strengthening the pioneering approach of Community Health Aide (CHA) involvement in health screening and promotion. The method of technical transfer undoubtedly played an integral role in the success of the project and could be seriously considered as an approach in other CARICOM countries with similar chronic disease challenges.