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The maternal care of cows can influence both the milk production and the performance of their calves, making this a topic of important relevance for the production industry that uses zebu cattle. The aims of this study were to 1) investigate the effects of parity on the behaviors of Gyr cows during the peripartum period; 2) characterize the maternal defensiveness of primiparous and multiparous cows towards handlers during the first handling of their calves; and 3) evaluate the relationships between cows' behaviors at the peripartum period and maternal defensiveness. Thirty-one Gyr cows (primiparous and multiparous), from Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (Brazil), were used. The animals were placed in a maternity paddock monitored by video cameras. The behaviors of the animals were collected in four periods: Pre-calving, Post-calving, First handling of calf and Post-handling. Primiparous cows presented more pain signs, reflected in arched spine (P = 0.05), and tended to move more (P = 0.07) than the multiparous in the Pre-calving period. Trends were observed for both Maternal Composite Score (P = 0.06) and Maternal Protective Behavior score (P = 0.06), indicating that both primiparous and multiparous were protective, but only multiparous cows were aggressive toward the caretakers on the first handling of their calves. The most protective cows spent more time eating during the prepartum period (P = 0.03), while the least attentive cows spent more time lying down (P = 0.02) in the prepartum period. The cows who nursed and stimulated their calves more were also calmer (P = 0.02) and more attentive (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the peripartum behaviors of Gyr cows were related to maternal care and maternal defensiveness. Multiparous cows tended to be more aggressive than primiparous cows at the time of the first handling of their calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cow's behaviour and temperament influence handling and productivity. Training including tactile stimuli can improve zebu cow behaviour. The aim of the study was to utilize tactile stimulation training in Gir dairy cows during 14 days and measure cow behaviour. A total of 27 cows were brushed in a squeeze chute. Behavioural parameters, respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were evaluated. The temperature and humidity of the environment was recorded to calculate the temperature and humidity index (THI). The THI demonstrated that the environmental conditions did not induce thermal stress. All behavioural variables showed improvements with training over time. The 'calm' score increased throughout the training, corroborating the movement and displacement behavioural characteristics, regardless of the parturition order. Initially, 56.6% of the cows walked to exit a chute while others trotted or ran, and, at the end of the days of training, 96.0% of the cows exited the chute by walking. A decrease in the RT and RR was verified between the first to 7th and 14th day of training. Brushing training was effective in calming the animals and improving the interaction with humans, thereby enhancing the human animal relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pre-partum training are effectives in improving zebuine cows' behavior in terms of milking at the beginning of lactation. • Pre-partum habituation in milking parlor improves milk ejection by reflecting on cortisol and oxytocin release. • Pre-partum habituation in milking parlor is effective to reduce stress from the onset of first lactation. Positive interactions with humans can improve cow behavior and facilitate farm management, especially in dairy production systems in which milking occurs daily. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of positive tactile stimulation on behavior, and its effect on the milking routine, milk ejection, and milk yield of Gyr cows. Experiment 1 was performed with 40 cows: 20 cows (5 primiparous and 15 multiparous) received positive tactile stimulation (by hands and brushes) in the aisle of the corral during the prepartum period for 14 days; the other 20 cows (5 primiparous and 15 multiparous) did not receive any kind of tactile stimulation (control). Experiment 2 was performed with 40 heifers: 20 heifers were trained to enter the milking parlor and were progressively submitted to positive tactile stimulation (by hands and brushes) and to the milking routine during the prepartum period in the milking parlor for 14 days; the other 20 heifers did not receive any kind of training or tactile stimulation (control). Behavioral data were observed during the beginning of lactation: when the animal entered the milking parlor (stalled, needed help, and attempted to escape), during milking preparation (reaction to udder massage and to the strip cup test), and during milking (reaction to teat cups and whether the animal pulled off the teat cups). Milk yield and residual milk volume were measured and milk samples were collected for analysis of milk composition, somatic cell count, and cortisol and oxytocin in milk. All the experimental cows were suckled on one teat by their calf. Entry into the milking parlor and preparation of the animal for milking are the most critical moments for detecting reactivity to milking procedures. At the same time, the two positive stimulations studied (i.e., handling in the corral or training in the milking parlor) were efficient in improving the behavior of Gyr cows at the beginning of lactation, thus demonstrating that prepartum positive stimulation was effective at reducing the negative behavior of cows during the firsts milkings. Indeed, the percentual of residual milk in primiparous cows subjected to positive milking training was significantly lower than those measured in untrained primiparous and multiparous cows. This result is very promising because it indicates that Gyr heifers, when positively stimulated and trained in the milking routine during the prepartum period, will maintain adequate behavior and excellent milk ejection during their firsts milkings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]