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An online engagement exercise documented the views of Canadian and U.S. participants affiliated and unaffiliated with the dairy industry on the issue of pasture access for dairy cows. A total of 414 people participated in 10 independent web forums. Providing access to more natural living conditions, including pasture, was viewed as important for the large majority of participants, including those affiliated with the dairy industry. This finding is at odds with current practice on the majority of farms in North America that provide little or no access to pasture. Participant comments showed that the perceived value of pasture access for dairy cattle went beyond the benefits of eating grass; participants cited as benefits exposure to fresh air, ability to move freely, ability to live in social groups, improved health, and healthier milk products. To accommodate the challenges of allowing pasture access on farms, some participants argued in favor of hybrid systems that provide a mixture of indoor confinement housing and grazing. Understanding the beliefs and concerns of participants affiliated and unaffiliated with the dairy industry allows for the identification of contentious topics as well as areas of agreement; this is important in efforts to better harmonize industry practices with societal expectations.

Many cows have difficulty making the transition from pregnancy to lactation, as evidenced by the high incidence of disease that occurs in the weeks after calving. Changes in lying behavior can be used as an indicator of illness, yet no work to date has evaluated this relationship in dairy cows on pasture. The objectives of this study were to describe the lying behavior of grazing dairy cows during the first 3 wk after calving and determine the relationships between transition diseases and lying behavior. Our convenience sample included 227 multiparous and 47 primiparous Holstein cows from 6 commercial farms. Cows were recruited as they calved during the spring calving period. Electronic data loggers (Hobo Pendant G Acceleration, Onset Computer Corp., Pocasset, MA) recorded lying behavior at 1-min intervals. Diseases were recorded up to 21 d in milk, and cows were subsequently categorized into 3 health categories: (1) healthy, not lame and had no other signs of clinical (retained placenta, milk fever, metritis, mastitis) or subclinical (ketosis, hypocalcemia) postpartum diseases; (2) lame, identified as being clinically or severely lame with no other signs of clinical or subclinical postpartum disease; and (3) sick, diagnosed as having one or more clinical postpartum diseases (with or without a subclinical disease) but not lame. This last group was further divided into 2 groups: those that were diagnosed with a single clinical health event and those diagnosed with more than one clinical event. Lying behavior differed between primiparous and multiparous cows; primiparous cows divided their lying time into more bouts than did multiparous cows (9.7 ± 0.54 vs. 8.4 ± 0.26 bouts/d) and spent less time lying down than multiparous cows (7.5 ± 0.38 h/d vs. 8.5 ± 0.19 h/d). Lying behavior was also affected by illness; primiparous cows that developed more than one clinical disease, excluding lameness, spent more time lying, and tended to have longer lying bouts in the days following calving compared with healthy cows; multiparous severely lame cows spent more time lying down (1.7 h longer per day) compared with multiparous cows that were nonlame. Clinically lame cows had fewer lying bouts per day and these bouts were of longer duration than healthy nonlame cows. In summary, changes in lying behavior after calving were associated with postpartum health status in grazing dairy cows., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Two experiments on replacement heifers (175±12 days of age) assessed the effects of forage particle length and moisture on feeding behavior. Both experiments used a replicated 3×3 Latin square design, with nine heifers per replication and three periods of 9 days each. Each group of nine heifers was housed in one pen with access to three electronic feed bins. In Experiment 1, hay chopped at different lengths was incorporated into three total mixed rations (TMR) all having the same ingredient and nutrient composition but differing in the percentage of long particles (>19 mm): 60% (Short), 64% (Medium) and 72% (Long). In Experiment 2, heifers were fed a TMR with the same ingredient and nutrient composition but differing in moisture content: 65% DM (Dry), 50% DM (Moderate), and 35% DM (Wet). In both experiments, feeding behavior during the last 5 days of each period was analyzed using a mixed model accounting for the fixed effects of treatment and period, and the random effects of replication and animal. In Experiment 1, dry matter intake (DMI) and eating rate (DMI/min) tended to increase, whereas daily eating time decreased as the feed particle size decreased. Heifers fed the Long diet selected in favor of long particles (>19 mm) and against Short (1.18 to 8 mm) and fine (<1.18 mm) particles; heifers fed the Short diet selected against long particles and in favor of short and fine particles. Heifers fed the Medium diet showed a preference for medium particles with no preference for the other particle sizes. In Experiment 2, heifers fed the Dry diet tended to consume more feed than those fed the Moderate and Wet diets, with no differences in feeding behavior or sorting activity. In conclusion the Medium diet minimized sorting without reducing eating rates and intake, and adding water to TMR to achieve a dry matter less than 65% tended to decrease DMI without reducing sorting.

The objective was to investigate the association between herd-level management and facility design and the prevalence of lameness and hock injuries in high-producing dairy cows on commercial freestall farms in China. Housing and management measures, such as stall design, bedding type, and milking routine were collected for the high-producing pen in 34 farms in China. All cows in the pen were gait scored using a 5-point scale, and evaluated for hock injuries using a 3-point scale. Measures associated with the proportion of clinically (score ≥3) or severely (score ≥4) lame cows, and the proportion of cows having at least a minor hock injury (score ≥2) or severe injury (score=3) at the univariable level were submitted to multivariable general linear models. The prevalence [mean ± SD (range)] of clinical and severe lameness were 31 ± 12 (7-51) and 10 ± 6% (0- 27%), respectively, and the prevalence of cows with at least a minor hock injury and with severe injuries was 40 ± 20 (6 - 95) and 5 ± 9% (0 - 50%), respectively. The prevalence of clinical lameness and severe lameness decreased with herd size (estimate=-0.35 ± 0.09% for a 100-cow increase for clinical lameness; estimate=0.15 ± 0.06% for a 100-cow increase for severe lameness). Prevalence increased with barn age >9 yr (estimate=12.73 ± 4.42% for clinical lameness; estimate=5.79 ± 2.89% for severe lameness). These 2 variables combined explained 49% of the variation in clinical lameness and 30% of the variation in severe lameness. The prevalence of all hock injuries and severe hock injuries decreased with deep bedding (estimate=-20.90 ± 5.66% for all hock injuries; estimate=-3.65 ± 1.41% for severe hock injuries) and increased with barn age >9 yr (estimate=16.68 ± 7.17% for all hock injuries; estimate=6.95 ± 1.75% for severe injuries). These 2 variables explained 52 and 58% of the variation, respectively. In conclusion, large variation existed across farms in prevalence of lameness and hock injuries. Changes in housing and management may help control the prevalence of lameness and hock injuries in the emerging dairy industry in China., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The use of laboratory animals is still common practice, but some uses can be replaced by alternative methods, such as Virus Isolation in Cell Culture (VICC) instead of the Mouse Inoculation Test (MIT) for rabies diagnosis. The objective of this work was to describe current rabies diagnosis methods in Brazil and other countries, and the constraints associated with replacing this use of mice with alternative methods. Nine out of 12 Brazilian and 14 out of 43 non-Brazilian respondents reported that they currently used the MIT. Respondents in countries other than Brazil, male respondents, and those already employing in vitro methods for rabies diagnosis, expressed higher levels of support for the use of alternatives. The most frequently reported constraints associated with the use of alternatives were lack of laboratory facilities, equipment and materials (cited 17 times by respondents), and lack of financial resources (cited 15 times). The results indicate that many laboratories continue to use mice for rabies diagnosis. The proportion of laboratories that use mice appears to be especially high in Brazil, despite animal protection laws and technical guidelines that favour the use of alternatives. The barriers to the adoption of alternative methods identified in the current study provide a basis for facilitating changes in Brazil and elsewhere., (2014 FRAME.)

Negative emotional states in humans are associated with a negative (pessimistic) response bias towards ambiguous cues in judgement tasks. Every mammalian young is eventually weaned; this period of increasing nutritional and social independence from the dam is associated with a pronounced behavioural response, especially when weaning is abrupt as commonly occurs in farm animals. The aim of the current study was to test the effect of separation from the cow on the responses of dairy calves in a judgement task. Thirteen Holstein calves were reared with their dams and trained to discriminate between red and white colours displayed on a computer monitor. These colours predicted reward or punishment outcomes using a go/no-go task. A reward was provided when calves approached the white screen and calves were punished with a timeout when they approached the red screen. Calves were then tested with non-reinforced ambiguous probes (screen colours intermediate to the two training colours). "GO" responses to these probes averaged (± SE) 72±3.6% before separation but declined to 62±3.6% after separation from the dam. This bias was similar to that shown by calves experiencing pain in the hours after hot-iron dehorning. These results provide the first evidence of a pessimistic judgement bias in animals following maternal separation and are indicative of low mood.

The objective of this study was to determine if data derived from a system that electronically monitors feeding behavior could be used to identify competitive interactions of dairy cows at the feed bunk. A short interval between successive feeding events of 2 cows at 1 feed bin was predicted to be associated with a competitive replacement: when one cow displaced a feeding cow and then took her position at the bin. To identify the interval between feeding events that best predicted these replacement events, the feeding activity of 5 Holstein dairy cows was monitored using an electronic feeding system and video recordings. The number of times a cow was replaced at the feed bunk over 3 consecutive 24-h periods was determined using video analysis and these events were paired with the corresponding feeding events recorded by an electronic feeding system (Roughage Intake Control system; Insentec B.V., Marknesse, the Netherlands). A pooled analysis of all 5 cows showed that the optimal interval for predicting replacements at the feed bunk was 26s (sensitivity=86% and specificity=82%); this interval was termed the replacement criterion. This criterion was then applied to feeding data from a sample of 24 independent Holstein dairy cows, each observed for 3d during the week following calving. Video had previously been used to measure the number of times each cow was an actor and reactor of a displacement (when one cow displaced a feeding cow but did not necessarily take her position at the bin). Despite the differences in measures, the number of replacements (as estimated by our algorithm) was positively correlated with the number of displacements [as measured using video; correlation coefficient (r)=0.63 as actor, r=0.69 as reactor]. Estimates of an index of success in competitive interactions (number of times actor/number of times actor = number of times reactor) generated using the 2 methods were highly correlated (r=0.94). These results suggest that competitive behavior at the feed bunk can be automatically quantified using data derived from an electronic feeding system., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dairy cows are typically gregarious, but isolate themselves in the hours before calving when kept on pasture. Self-isolation is also a common behavior of ill animals. The objectives of this study were to determine if dairy cows would (1) isolate to calve when housed indoors in an individual maternity pen and (2) continue to isolate when ill after calving. We selected individuals from a pool of 79 multiparous Holstein dairy cows based on inclusion criteria created to address each objective. Cows were moved from a group pen to 1 of 10 adjacent maternity pens. Half of these individual pens were partially covered with plywood, creating a secluded corner as well as a window that provided visual access to the group pen. The other individual pens were uncovered on all sides. For our first objective, we selected 39 cows that were moved into the maternity pens >8h before calving (partially covered: n=19; uncovered: n=20). For our second objective, we selected 18 cows housed in the partially covered pens: 9 cows with high rectal temperature after calving and signs of an infectious disease (mastitis, metritis, pneumonia, or some combination), and 9 healthy cows paired with ill cows based on the amount of time they spent in the maternity pen before calving. Ten-minute scan sampling was used to record the location and lying time from 6h before to 72 h after calving. Individual feed intake was measured after calving. Binomial tests were used to determine if cows in both pen types were more likely to calve in the corner or window side of the pen. Repeated-measures ANOVA were used to determine if cows used the corner more as calving approached and if ill cows spent more time lying or more time in the corner compared with healthy cows in the 72 h after calving. Cows in the uncovered pens were equally likely to calve on both sides of the pen (10 vs. 10), but 79% of cows in the partially covered pens calved on the corner side of the pen (15 vs. 4). Cows in the partially covered pens used the corner side of the pen more in the 1h before and after calving compared with those housed in the uncovered pens. Ill cows housed in the partially covered pens ate less, tended to spend more time lying down, and spent more time in the corner of the pen compared with healthy cows. These results indicate that periparturient dairy cows seek seclusion to calve and when ill, which suggests that adding a secluded area to maternity and hospital pens may be beneficial., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In freestall systems, cows are frequently moved among pens and regrouped. This practice involves mixing unfamiliar cows, and can result in changes in stocking density after regrouping. Both regrouping and changes in stocking density can affect cow welfare, but no study to date has assessed the combined effects. The aim of this study was to test if reductions in stocking density can mitigate the responses to regrouping. By manipulating group size (6 vs. 12 cows) and pen size (12 vs. 24 stalls), 3 different stocking densities were created (25, 50, and 100%). Four groups of Holstein cows were regrouped weekly for 4 wk and the stocking density changed at regrouping. The change in density varied as follows: a decrease by a factor of 4 (100 to 25%), a decrease by a factor of 2 (100 to 50% or 50 to 25%), no change (50 to 50%), an increase by a factor of 2 (25 to 50% or 50 to 100%), and an increase by a factor of 4 (25 to 100%). Displacements at the feeding area, feeding time, and lying time were scored. The daily means for each group were used to calculate the differences in responses from 1d before to 1d after each regrouping. The number of displacements at the feed bunk decreased and lying time increased when stocking density decreased at regrouping. In conclusion, increases in competitive behavior and the associated decrease in lying times can be mitigated by reducing stocking density when regrouping dairy cows., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Early social housing is known to benefit cognitive development in laboratory animals. Pre-weaned dairy calves are typically separated from their dam immediately after birth and housed alone, but no work to date has addressed the effect of individual housing on cognitive performance of these animals. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of individual versus social housing on two measures of cognitive performance: reversal learning and novel object recognition. Holstein calves were either housed individually in a standard calf pen (n = 8) or kept in pairs using a double pen (n = 10). Calves were tested twice daily in a Y-maze starting at 3 weeks of age. Calves were initially trained to discriminate two colours (black and white) until they reached a learning criterion of 80% correct over three consecutive sessions. Training stimuli were then reversed (i.e. the previously rewarded colour was now unrewarded, and vice-versa). Calves from the two treatments showed similar rates of learning in the initial discrimination task, but the individually housed calves showed poorer performance in the reversal task. At 7 weeks of age, calves were tested for their response to a novel object in eight tests over a two-day period. Pair-housed calves showed declining exploration with repeated testing but individually reared calves did not. The results of these experiments provide the first direct evidence that individual housing impairs cognitive performance in dairy calves.

Zebrafish are becoming one of the most used vertebrates in developmental and biomedical research. Fish are commonly killed at the end of an experiment with an overdose of tricaine methanesulfonate (TMS, also known as MS-222), but to date little research has assessed if exposure to this or other agents qualifies as euthanasia (i.e. a "good death"). Alternative agents include metomidate hydrochloride and clove oil. We use a conditioned place avoidance paradigm to compare aversion to TMS, clove oil, and metomidate hydrochloride. Zebrafish (n = 51) were exposed to the different anaesthetics in the initially preferred side of a light/dark box. After exposure to TMS zebrafish spent less time in their previously preferred side; aversion was less pronounced following exposure to metomidate hydrochloride and clove oil. Nine of 17 fish exposed to TMS chose not to re-enter the previously preferred side, versus 2 of 18 and 3 of 16 refusals for metomidate hydrochloride and clove oil, respectively. We conclude that metomidate hydrochloride and clove oil are less aversive than TMS and that these agents be used as humane alternatives to TMS for killing zebrafish.

The present study investigated the flooring preference during the 30 h before parturition in Holstein dairy cows housed individually in a maternity pen. Seventeen multiparous cows were moved, on average, 2 d before expected calving date into an individual maternity pen with 3 different flooring surfaces: 10 cm of sand, pebble-top rubber mats, or concrete flooring, each covered with 15 cm of straw. Calving location, lying time, and total time and number of lying bouts on each of the floor types were recorded during 2 periods: precalving (24 to 29 h before calving) and at calving (0 to 5h before calving). Ten cows calved on sand, 6 on concrete, and 1 on the rubber mat. Lying bouts increased during the hours closest to calving, regardless of flooring. The number of lying bouts did not differ between flooring types precalving but cows had more lying bouts on sand and concrete compared with rubber at calving. Cows spent more time lying down on sand and concrete compared with rubber precalving, but lying times did not differ between treatments at calving. Cows that calved on sand spent more time lying on sand at calving compared with the other 2 flooring types. Cows that calved on concrete did not show a flooring preference at calving. These results indicate that rubber mats are the least preferred by dairy cows in the maternity pens, even when covered with a deep layer of straw., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to determine if, and under what conditions, indoor-housed dairy cows would seek a shelter to calve. Seventy-two Holstein dairy cows were paired by expected calving date and moved into a maternity pen that contained an open area with no cover and a sheltered area that was covered on all sides except for the ceiling and an entrance where cows could freely enter or exit. Once the first cow of a pair calved ("pair-housed"), she was removed; the second cow remained in the pen until calving ("single-housed"). For both pair- and single-housed cows, location and time of calving was determined by video. For single-housed cows, use of each area in the 12 h before calving was measured, and for pair-housed cows, distance from partner during the 12 h before calving was measured. Single-housed cows were more likely to calve in the shelter but only when calving occurred during the day (P = 0.03). Pair-housed cows were more likely to calve in the open area, regardless of time of day (P = 0.02). Beginning about 8 h before calving, single-housed cows that calved in the shelter increased their use of the shelter, and pair-housed cows spent more time away from their partners (P < 0.001 and P = 0.01, respectively). These results suggest that indoor-housed dairy cows prefer a shelter during calving but only when they were housed individually and when calving during the daytime.

Our objective was to investigate the associations between herd-level factors and lying behavior of high-producing dairy cows housed in freestall barns. Lying behavior of approximately 40 focal cows in one high-producing pen was monitored on each of 40 farms in the northeastern United States (NE) and 39 farms in California (CA). All cows within the pen were gait scored using a 1-to-5 scale to calculate the prevalence of clinical lameness (score ≥3) and severe lameness (score ≥4). Facility and management measures, including stall design, bedding, and flooring type within the pen, were collected. Herd-level factors associated with daily lying time, standard deviation (SD) of daily lying time, frequency of lying bouts, and lying bout duration at the univariate level were submitted to multivariable general linear models. In the NE, daily lying time increased with the use of deep bedding (estimate = 0.80±0.31h/d) and as average days in milk (DIM) of the focal cows increased (estimate = 0.08±0.04h/d for a 10-d increase in DIM). The SD of daily lying time decreased as stall stocking density increased (estimate = -0.08±0.03h/d for a 10% increase), and increased with the presence of rubber flooring in the pen (estimate = 0.16±0.08h/d) and percentage of stalls with fecal contamination (estimate = 0.04±0.01h/d for a 10% increase). Frequency of lying bouts decreased (estimate = -1.90±0.63 bouts/d) and average bout duration increased (estimate = 15.44±3.02 min) with the use of deep bedding. In CA, where all farms used deep bedding, daily lying time increased as average DIM of the focal cows increased (estimate = 0.08±0.03h/d for a 10-d increase). The SD of daily lying time decreased when feed was delivered more than once per day (estimate = -0.24±0.08h/d). The percentage of lame cows was correlated with the percentage of stalls with fecal contamination (r=0.45), which in turn was associated with fewer (estimate = -0.25±0.06 bouts/d) and longer lying bouts (estimate = 1.85±0.39 min/d). These findings suggest that lying time be interpreted in conjunction with variability in lying time and bout structure and in context with lameness prevalence, production parameters, and facility characteristics., (Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, but emotional states are difficult to directly assess in animals. Researchers have assessed pain using behavioural and physiological measures, but these approaches are limited to understanding the arousal rather than valence of the emotional experience. Cognitive bias tasks show that depressed humans judge ambiguous events negatively and this technique has been applied to assess emotional states in animals. However, limited research has examined how pain states affect cognitive processes in animals. Here we present the first evidence of cognitive bias in response to pain in any non-human species. In two experiments, dairy calves (n = 17) were trained to respond differentially to red and white video screens and then tested with unreinforced ambiguous colours in two or three test sessions before and two sessions after the routine practice of hot-iron disbudding. After disbudding calves were more likely to judge ambiguous colours as negative. This 'pessimistic' bias indicates that post-operative pain following hot-iron disbudding results in a negative change in emotional state.

The public has become increasingly interested in the welfare of food animals, but the food animal industries possess few mechanisms for public engagement. Here we present results from a web-based forum designed to allow stakeholders to share views on controversial issues in dairying. In response to the question "Should dairy calves be separated from the cow within the first few hours after birth?" participants were able to indicate "yes," "no," or "neutral" and either write a reason in support of their view or select reasons provided by other participants. Four independent groups of participants were recruited (a total of 163 people); 31% said they had no involvement in the dairy industry; the remaining 69% (with some involvement in the industry) were students or teachers (33%), animal advocates (13%), producers (11%), veterinarians (9%) and other dairy industry professionals (3%). Overall, little consensus existed among participants across groups; 44% chose "yes," 48% "no," and 9% "neutral." Responses varied with demographics, with opposition to early separation higher among females, animal advocates, and those with no involvement with the dairy industry. A fifth group was recruited at a dairy industry conference (an additional 28 participants); 46% chose "yes," 32% "no," and 21% "neutral." Across all 5 groups, opponents and supporters often referenced similar issues in the reasons they provided. Opponents of early separation contended that it is emotionally stressful for the calf and cow, it compromises calf and cow health, it is unnatural, and the industry can and should accommodate cow-calf pairs. In contrast, supporters of early separation reasoned that emotional distress is minimized by separating before bonds develop, that it promotes calf and cow health, and that the industry is limited in its ability to accommodate cow-calf pairs. These results illustrate the potential of web-based forums to identify areas of agreement and conflict among stakeholders, providing a basis for the development of practices that address shared concerns., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The effects of gradual versus abrupt cessation of milking at dry-off in dairy cows are not well understood, but gradually reducing milk production in human mothers is known to reduce discomfort and milk leakage. This study compared the effects of abrupt versus gradual cessation of milking on milk leakage and dairy cow behavior. Holstein dairy cows were housed in groups of 6 and randomly assigned to either abrupt milk cessation (i.e., dry-off on d 0) or gradual milk cessation (i.e., skipped milkings beginning on d 0; dry-off on d 5). Four replicates were performed over time, for a total of 24 cows (mean ± SD; parity=2.3±1.2; milk production the day before d 0=24±5 kg/d). Intramammary antibiotic, internal teat sealer, and external teat sealant were administered at dry-off. Measurements were taken from d -3 to 8 relative to dry-off. Three periods were identified for behavior data: baseline (d -3 to 1), period 1 (abrupt cows dry, gradual cows milking; d 0-4), and period 2 (all cows dry; d 5-8). Lying time was recorded with data loggers. Video scan samples (5-min intervals) were used to measure feeding time and motivation to be milked (i.e., standing at the pen's exit gate). Milk leakage was monitored every 20 min during the 2-h period following the milking times of 0500 and 1500 h after complete cessation of milking (period 1 for abrupt vs. period 2 for gradual). Composite milk samples were taken before dry-off (d -1, 0, and 5) and at the start of the next lactation (colostrum, 24h and 7-10 d postcalving) to determine somatic cell score (SCS) and conduct bacteriological examinations in clinical mastitis cases. Regardless of treatment, dry-off resulted in reduced lying time [14.1 vs. 13.2h/d; standard error of the difference (SED)=0.2], reduced lying bouts (10.7 vs. 8.3 bouts/d; SED=0.2), increased lying bout duration (1.4 vs. 1.7h/bout; SED=0.03) and increased feeding time (5.0 vs. 5.9h/d; SED=0.2). Compared with baseline, the odds of standing at the gate increased for abrupt cows (period 1: odds ratio=6.2; 95% CI: 2.7-14.4; and period 2: odds ratio=5.2; 95% CI: 1.8-14.6). No increase in time spent standing at the gate was noted in gradual cows. Frequency of leakage was greater in abrupt versus gradual cows (75 vs. 27%). Although the gradual treatment showed an increase in SCS over the 5 d of reduced milking frequency, both treatments showed an increase in SCS at calving and both returned to pre-experiment levels within 7 to 10 d after calving. This work demonstrates that gradually reducing milking frequency in high-producing cows results in reduced time spent anticipating milking and reduced milk leakage after dry-off., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between management and facility design factors and the prevalence of hock injuries in high-producing dairy cows in 76 freestall herds in the northeastern United States (NE-US; Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania) and California (CA). One group of high-production multiparous cows was monitored on each farm, and data on management, facility and stall design, and the conditions of the hocks were collected. Focal cows [n=38 ± 3 (mean ± standard deviation)] were evaluated for hock injuries using a 3-point scale (where 1=healthy and 3=evidently swollen or severe injury). Measures associated with the proportion (logit-transformed) of cows having injuries (score ≥ 2) or severe injuries (score=3) at the univariable level were submitted to multivariable general linear models. In NE-US, overall hock injuries increased with the percentage of stalls with fecal contamination [odds ratio (OR)=1.26; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.02-1.54, for a 10% increase], and with the use of sawdust as bedding (OR=3.47; CI=1.14-10.62), and decreased with deep bedding (i.e., at least 10 cm depth of any type of bedding; OR=0.05; CI=0.02-0.14), use of sand as bedding (OR=0.06; CI=0.02-0.15), bedding dry matter (DM) ≥ 83.9% (OR=0.08; CI=0.03-0.20), and access to pasture during the dry period (OR=0.17; CI=0.05-0.53). When these variables were submitted to a multivariable model, the presence of deep bedding was the only factor that remained significant, explaining 54% of the variation in overall injuries. Severe hock injuries increased with the use of automatic scrapers (OR=2.29; CI=1.11-4.71) and the percentage of stalls with fecal contamination (OR=1.14; CI=1.00-1.31, for a 10% increase), and decreased with sand bedding (OR=0.22; CI=0.10-0.49), deep bedding (OR=0.24; CI=0.11-0.52), bedding DM ≥ 83.9% (OR=0.28; CI=0.14-0.58), and access to pasture during the dry period (OR=0.42; CI=0.18-0.97). The final multivariable model, which explained 36% of the variation in severe hock injuries, included the use of automatic scrapers and deep bedding. In CA, stall stocking density (OR=1.41; CI=1.00-2.01, for a 10% increase) and poor bedding maintenance (OR=1.08; CI=1.01-1.16, for a 2.5-cm decrease in depth of deep-bedded stalls) were associated with an increase of overall and severe hock injuries, respectively. Deep-bedded and well-maintained stalls reduce the risk of hock injuries. Regional variation in risk factors for these injuries should be considered when formulating on-farm recommendations., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A common feeding practice during the dry period is to switch dairy cows to an energy-dense diet 3 wk prepartum, but this practice may lead to the overconsumption of energy and increase the risk of metabolic disease postpartum. The aim of this trial was to compare the metabolic status of transition Holstein dairy cows fed a 77% forage diet (77F; NEl = 1.46 Mcal/kg; NDF = 41%) vs. those fed an 87% forage diet (87F; NEl = 1.41 Mcal/kg; 48% NDF). Approximately 60 d before calving, cows were dried off, housed in a free stall barn, and fed the 87F diet. Three weeks before expected calving, cows were randomly assigned to either the 77F treatment and switched to this diet (n = 45) or assigned to the 87F treatment and stayed on the dry cow ration until parturition (n = 42). After parturition, all cows were fed a common lactation diet (NEl = 1.59 Mcal/kg; 36% NDF). Dry matter intake was measured daily from 2 wk before to 2 wk after calving. Blood was sampled daily for 10 d postpartum. Subclinical ketosis was diagnosed using a threshold of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) ≥ 1.0 mmol/L after calving. The percentage of cows pregnant and odds of being pregnant for each treatment group were determined at 60, 90, and 120 d in milk through ultrasound by the herd veterinarian. Cows on the 87F diet consumed less DM prepartum than those on the 77F diet (12.7 ± 0.3 kg/d vs. 15.4 ± 0.3 kg/d, P < 0.001), but no difference in DMI was detected after calving (19.7 ± 5.5 kg/d; P = 0.87). Although the calculated prepartum required energy intake was the same for the 2 treatments (15.3 ± 1.2 Mcal/d; P = 0.16), cows on the 77F diet consumed 4.5 Mcal/d more than those on the 87F diet (22.5 ± 0.5 Mcal/d vs. 18.0 ± 0.5 Mcal/d; P < 0.001). Postpartum concentration of BHBA was less for cows fed the 87F diet prepartum (0.49 ± 0.02 mmol/L vs. 0.59 ± 0.02 mmol/L; P = 0.02), and fewer animals on this diet were diagnosed subclinical ketosis (SCK; 49% vs. 17%; P = 0.001). Milk production tended to be less for cows fed the 87F diet prepartum (47.3 ± 0.4 kg/d vs. 48.8 ± 0.4 kg/d; P = 0.10) for the first 22 wk of lactation, which was significant for d 7 to 28 of lactation (44.6 ± 1.1 kg/d vs. 47.6 ± 1.0 kg/d; P = 0.05). Although sample size was small to draw strong conclusions on reproductive performance, at 120 d in milk, cows on the 87F diet were 0.3 times more likely to be pregnant (P = 0.03). These results indicate that feeding an 87F diet before calving can reduce rates of SCK in transition dairy cows.

The objective was to investigate the association between herd-level management and facility design factors and the prevalence of lameness in high-producing dairy cows in freestall herds in the northeastern United States (NE; Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania) and California (CA). Housing and management measures such as pen space, stall design, bedding type, and milking routine were collected for the high-producing pen in 40 farms in NE and 39 farms in CA. All cows in the pen were gait scored using a 1-to-5 scale and classified as clinically lame (score ≥3) or severely lame (score ≥4). Measures associated with the (logit-transformed) proportion of clinically or severely lame cows at the univariable level were submitted to multivariable general linear models. In NE, lameness increased on farms that used sawdust bedding [odds ratio (OR)=1.71; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.06-2.76] and decreased with herd size (OR=0.94; CI=0.90-0.97, for a 100-cow increase), use of deep bedding (OR=0.48; CI=0.29-0.79), and access to pasture (OR=0.52; CI=0.32-0.85). The multivariable model included herd size, access to pasture, and provision of deep bedding, and explained 50% of the variation in clinical lameness. Severe lameness increased with the percentage of stalls with fecal contamination (OR=1.15; CI=1.06-1.25, for a 10% increase) and with use of sawdust bedding (OR=2.13; CI=1.31-3.47), and decreased with use of deep bedding (OR=0.31; CI=0.19-0.50), sand bedding (OR=0.32; CI=0.19-0.53), herd size (OR=0.93; CI=-0.89-0.97, for a 100-cow increase), and rearing replacement heifers on site (OR=0.57; CI=0.32-0.99). The multivariable model included deep bedding and herd size, and explained 59% of the variation of severe lameness. In CA, clinical lameness increased with the percentage of stalls containing fecal contamination (OR=1.15; CI=1.05-1.26, for a 10% increase), and decreased with herd size (OR=0.96; CI=0.94-0.99, for a 100-cow increase), presence of rubber in the alley to the milking parlor (OR=0.46; CI=0.28-0.76), distance of the neck rail from the rear curb (OR=0.97; CI=0.95-0.99, for a 1-cm increase), water space per cow (OR=0.92; CI=0.85-0.99, for a 1-cm increase), and increased frequency of footbaths per week (OR=0.90; CI=081-0.99, for a 1-unit increase). The multivariable model included herd size, percentage of stalls containing fecal contamination, and presence of rubber in the alley to the milking parlor, and explained 44% of the variation of clinical lameness. Severe lameness increased with the percentage of stalls containing fecal contamination (OR=1.23; CI=1.06-1.42, for a 10% increase) and decreased with frequency of manure removal in the pen per day (OR=0.72; CI=0.53-0.97, for a 1-unit increase). The final model included both variables and explained 28% of the variation in severe lameness. In conclusion, changes in housing and management may help decrease the prevalence of lameness on dairy farms, but key risk factors vary across regions., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objectives of the current study were to describe changes in rumination and feeding behavior around calving. Rumination time, feeding time, and dry matter intake were monitored in 11 freestall-housed cows from 96 h before to 48 h after calving. Data were summarized in 2-h and 24-h periods, adjusting for calving time. Differences between baseline (96 to 24h before calving) and subsequent 24-h periods were evaluated. Compared with baseline, cows spent, on average, 63 ± 30 min/24h less time ruminating and 66 ± 16 min/24h less time feeding in the 24-h period before calving. These behaviors continued to decline during the 24-h period after calving when, compared with baseline, time spent ruminating decreased on average by 133 ± 35 min/24h and time spent feeding decreased by 82 ± 18 min/24h. Dry matter intake tended to decrease by 3.8 ± 1.9 kg in the 24-h period before calving but returned to baseline values in the 24-h following calving. Rumination time and time spent feeding started to decline approximately 4 and 8h before calving, respectively, and increased in the 4 to 6h following calving. Rumination time and time spent feeding show promise as tools to identify cows close to calving., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objectives of this study were to describe herd-level reproductive outcomes and their associations with the prevalence of lameness, hock injuries and knee injuries in freestall dairy herds in the northeastern United States. Five reproductive outcomes (calving to conception interval, CCI; calving interval, CI; conception risk at the first artificial insemination, CR1; insemination rate, IR; and pregnancy rate, PR) were measured from Dairy Comp 305 (Valley Agricultural Software, Tulare, CA) for a 12-mo period for all multiparous cows in each of the 53 herds assessed. The prevalence of lameness, hock injuries, and knee injuries was assessed in 1 high-producing group. The means (± standard deviation) for the 5 reproductive outcomes were as follows: CCI = 128 ± 10 d, CI = 404 ± 10 d, CR1 = 36 ± 5%, IR = 60 ± 7%, and PR = 20 ± 3%. The average prevalence of clinical lameness, hock injuries, and knee injuries were 45 ± 20%, 58 ± 31%, and 16 ± 15%, respectively. Univariable associations between the reproductive outcomes and the prevalence of lameness and leg injuries were tested and significant predictors were submitted to a model that controlled for the confounding effects of herd size, 305-d mature equivalent milk production of the high-producing group, and use of deep bedding. A higher prevalence of lameness was associated with poorer reproductive performance, although the relationships were weak: herds with a higher prevalence of lameness had longer average CCI (slope estimate = 0.16 ± 0.07; R(2)= 0.09) and CI (slope estimate = 0.14 ± 0.07; R(2) = 0.07). These results indicate that management to reduce lameness may improve reproductive performance., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Factors affecting sampling behavior of cattle are poorly understood. The objectives of this study were to measure the effects of variation in feed quality on the feeding behavior of Holstein dairy heifers. Thirty-two heifers were housed in 4 groups of 8. Each group pen had 8 distinct feeding stations. The total mixed ration (TMR) provided was low energy (TMR-L), moderate energy (TMR-M), or high energy (TMR-H). During trial 1 (d 1 to 8), heifers were offered a uniform baseline diet (TMR-M in all 8 feeding stations) interspaced with 2 uniform test diets on d 3 and 6 (TMR-L or TMR-H in all 8 feeding stations). During trial 2 (d 9 to 17) heifers were offered a nonuniform baseline diet (7 feeding stations with TMR-L and 1 feeding station with TMR-H) interspaced with 3 uniform test diets on d 11, 14, and 17 (TMR-L, TMR-M, or TMR-H in all 8 feeding stations). Heifers were observed in pairs (n=16) for 15 min following delivery of fresh feed. Relative to the uniform baseline period of trial 1, 31% fewer switches occurred between feeding stations when offered TMR-H and 51% more switches when offered TMR-L. Relative to the nonuniform baseline of trial 2, 49% fewer, 27% fewer, and 25% more switches occurred during the TMR-H, TMR-M, and TMR-L treatments, respectively. In general, when heifers were offered a diet that was lower in energy density than that previously experienced, they spent less time at each feeding station and when offered a higher energy diet, heifers spent more time at each feeding station. The greater the contrast in energy density between the test and baseline diets, the greater the change in the behavioral response. Competitive interactions at the feed bunk were most frequent when TMR quality varied among the 8 feeding stations; during the nonuniform baseline period of trial 2, the number of competitive interactions was over 3.5 times higher than during all uniform dietary treatments. In summary, dairy heifers sample feed quality by changing feeding locations at the feed bunk and this sampling behavior is affected by variation in diet quality along the feed bunk and across days., (Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Some experts suggest that sedation of laboratory rodents with isoflurane before euthanasia with carbon dioxide (CO(2)) is a humane alternative to euthanasia with CO(2) alone, but little research has compared aversion with these agents. Albino rats were tested in a light-dark box where they had the choice between remaining in a dark compartment filling with isoflurane or CO(2), or escaping to a lit compartment. Experiment 1 validated the procedure by confirming that rats responded to agent and light intensity. In experiment 2, 9/16 and 0/16 rats remained in the dark compartment until recumbent when initially exposed to isoflurane and CO(2), respectively. In experiment 3, more rats remained in the dark compartment until recumbent during initial (10/16) versus re-exposure (1/16) to isoflurane. These results indicate that initial exposure to CO(2) is more aversive than isoflurane, and that re-exposure to isoflurane is more aversive than initial exposure. We conclude that sedation with isoflurane is a refinement over euthanasia with CO(2) alone for rats that have not been previously exposed to inhalant anaesthetics.

In this paper, we describe a novel approach to corporate involvement in on-farm assessment, driven by the desire to provide a service for dairy producers and to create a vehicle for engagement on issues of dairy cow welfare. This program provides producers with feedback on animal-based (including gait score, leg injuries, and lying time) and facility-based (including freestall design, bedding practices, feed bunk design and management, and stocking density) measures that can be used to better address their management goals. The aim of this paper is to describe variation in the prevalence of lameness and leg injuries, lying behavior, facility design, and management practices for high-producing cows on freestall dairy farms in 3 regions of North America: British Columbia (BC; n=42); California (CA; n=39); and the northeastern United States (NE-US; n=40). Prevalence of clinical lameness averaged (mean ± SD) 27.9±14.1% in BC, 30.8±15.5% in CA, and 54.8±16.7% in NE-US; prevalence of severe lameness averaged 7.1±5.4% in BC, 3.6±4.2% in CA, and 8.2±5.6% in NE-US. Overall prevalence of hock injuries was 42.3±26.2% in BC, 56.2±21.6% in CA, and 81.2±22.5% in NE-US; prevalence of severe injuries was 3.7±5.2% in BC, 1.8±3.1% in CA, 5.4±5.9% in NE-US. Prevalence of swollen knees was minimal in CA (0.3±0.6%) but high (23.1±16.3%) in NE-US (not scored in BC). Lying times were similar across regions (11.0±0.7h/d in BC, 10.4±0.8h/d in CA, 10.6±0.9h/d in NE-US), but individual lying times among cows assessed varied (4.2 to 19.5h/d, 3.7 to 17.5h/d, and 2.8 to 20.5h/d in BC, CA, and NE-US, respectively). These results showed considerable variation in lameness and leg injury prevalence as well as facility design and management among freestall farms in North America. Each of the 3 regions had farms with a very low prevalence of lameness and injuries, suggesting great opportunities for improvement on other farms within the region., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The species of laboratory animal used is known to influence people's willingness to support animal-based research. An online experiment was used to test people's willingness to accept the use of zebrafish or mice, two of the most commonly used species, in research involving either induced mutation (specifically, ethyl-N-nitrosourea [ENU] mutagenesis) or genetic modification, with and without regulatory oversight. Participants who were willing to support research on zebrafish (31.9%) were also willing to support the same research on mice. The participants expressed low levels of support for research involving ENU mutagenesis of zebrafish in both unregulated (30.7%) and regulated (38.5%) research programmes. A reason for the rejection of ENU mutagenesis was the perception that the procedure is painful. Some participants expressed a preference for the use of genetically-modified (GM) animal models over ENU mutagenesis, based on the belief that the former involves less pain and improves both the accuracy and efficiency of the animal models. Better informing the public about scientific practice, and scientists about public attitudes, may help reduce the disconnect between scientific practice and societal values., (2012 FRAME.)

Providing cattle with access to pasture has been shown to yield benefits, including access to more space, fewer agonistic interactions, better air quality, and the ability to perform a greater range of normal behaviors. Preference for pasture appears to depend on several parameters, including weather conditions and availability of shade. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the preference for pasture versus inside a freestall barn with variable stocking densities at the stalls. We also investigated the effect of temperature-humidity index (THI) and precipitation on this preference. Overall, cows spent on average 13.7±2.6 h/d (mean ± SD) on pasture (ranging from 7.2 to 18.0 h/d across days); at night (between 2000 and 0600 h) cows spent the majority of their time (78.5±27.8%) on pasture. Stall availability had no effect on time spent outside, but time spent on pasture decreased with increasing THI during the day and declined during nights with more rainfall. Stall usage changed depending on stall availability; standing with 2 and 4 feet in the stall and lying time indoors decreased with decreasing stall availability. Indoor lying time also increased with higher THI and more precipitation. In conclusion, cows preferred to be outside at night; they were much more likely to remain indoors during the day, even when overstocked., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of social contact and milk allowance on social behavior, play behavior, and responses to handling in dairy calves. Forty test calves and 16 companion calves were allocated to 1 of 5 treatments from birth to 4 wk of age: (1) housed singly and fed 5 L of milk/d; (2) housed singly and fed 9 L of milk/d; (3) housed in pairs and fed 5 L of milk/d; (4) housed in pairs and fed 9 L of milk/d; or (5) kept with the dam and fed 9 L of milk/d. From 4 to 6 wk of age, all calves were offered 5 L of milk/d to promote intake of solid feed before weaning. At 6 wk of age, all calves were weaned, and at 7 wk of age, they were grouped (7 calves/group: 1 test calf from each treatment and 2 companion calves). The response to restraint during blood sampling was recorded weekly; singly housed calves struggled more during restraint than did calves kept with the dam, and pair-housed calves struggled at an intermediate level. Play behavior was recorded for 20 min/wk after the provision of fresh straw; calves housed singly and fed a low milk allowance spent less time playing than did calves in all other treatments. Three days after grouping, calves were subjected to a feed competition test; calves receiving the high milk allowance and housed in pairs spent more time feeding than did those receiving the high milk allowance and housed singly, with all other treatments showing intermediate responses. These results indicate that social contact decreased responses to restraint and increased play and competitive success. The high milk allowance increased play but reduced competitive success after grouping. Lower responses to restraint indicated less responsiveness to stress. Play is considered an indicator of positive welfare, and competitive success helps calves succeed in a group environment., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Providing young animals the opportunity to engage in more complex social interactions is hypothesized to improve their capacity to cope with changing environments. To test the effects of the early social environment on the behavioral responses of dairy calves to novelty we compared (1) individual with pair housing and (2) group housing with companions of similar age with group housing with a more experienced conspecific. Fifty-four dairy calves were separated from the cow soon after birth and housed individually (n=6 calves) or in pairs (n=6 pairs), or in pens composed of groups of 3 young calves (n=6 groups) or groups of 2 young calves and an older calf (n=6 groups). At 65 to 69 d of age, calf responses were tested in an environmental novelty test and a social novelty test. Individually housed calves were more active [i.e., spent less time standing (means ± SEM): 201.4 vs. 280.3±30.5 s/test; and more time running: 83.2 vs. 57.3±19.1 s/test] and more reactive (i.e., defecated more frequently; 1.3 vs. 0.6±0.2 events/test) when tested in the novel arena, compared with pair-housed calves. During the social novelty test, individually housed calves spent less time running (51.8 vs. 96.4±11.6 s/test), showed a longer latency to socially interact (111.1 vs. 20.4±21.7 s/test), and spent more time involved in social interactions (130.7 vs. 79.7±19.0 s/test) with the unfamiliar calf than did pair-housed calves. Individually housed calves were also more reactive to the presence of an unfamiliar calf as indicated by increased rates of defecation (2.3 vs. 0.7±0.5 events/test) and kicking (2.2 vs. 0.7±0.4 events/test) compared with pair-housed calves. Calves housed in groups with an older companion were more reactive to the novel environment than were calves housed in groups of similar age: they defecated (1.0 vs. 0.6±0.2 events/test) and vocalized (23.6 vs. 15.3±3.8 events/test) more during the test. These calves also spent less time exploring (266.3 vs. 355.0±27.4 events/test) and had a lower frequency of kicking (0.1 vs. 2.0±0.5 events/test) when tested with an unfamiliar calf. We conclude that calves housed individually are more reactive to environmental and social novelty when compared with calves housed in pairs and that calves housed with an older companion are less reactive to a novel calf when compared with calves housed in groups of similar age., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study assessed the carryover effects of providing forage during the milk-feeding period on postweaning feed intake and growth of heifers. At 11 wk of age, heifers previously (3 to 77 d of age) reared on starter (n=8) or starter plus grass hay (n=8) were switched to a single diet consisting of restricted amounts of concentrate [60% of the starter required to support daily body weight (BW) gain of 800 g] with ad libitum access to coarsely chopped orchardgrass hay. Feed intake and growth were measured from 11 to 18 wk of age. Starter dry matter (DM) intake averaged 2.14 ± 0.15 kg/d for both treatments. Forage consumption and total (starter plus hay) DM, neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, and metabolizable energy intakes were greater in heifers previously fed forage compared with those provided no forage. Initial and final BW were similar for the 2 treatments (108.2 ± 9.1 and 149.6 ± 9.3 kg, respectively). Overall average daily gain in heifers previously fed starter alone (0.92 ± 0.05,kg/d) tended to be greater than those previously fed starter plus hay (0.79 ± 0.06,kg/d). Total DM intake (starter plus hay) was lower in heifers previously fed starter alone than those fed starter plus hay (3.55 ± 0.13 vs. 4.08 ± 0.15 kg/d, respectively). Feed efficiency (BW gain/DM intake) after switching to a common diet was greater in calves previously fed starter alone than in those previously fed starter plus hay (0.26 ± 0.01 vs. 0.19 ± 0.01, respectively). However, heifers provided access to hay had a smaller body barrel (an indicator of gut fill) at 15 wk (127.7 ± 1.7 vs. 134.3 ± 2.7 cm) and 17 wk (132.4 ± 1.9 vs. 141.0 ± 2.2 cm) of age and had greater blood β-hydroxybutyrate (0.22 ± 0.04 vs. 0.32 ± 0.04 mmol/L) compared with heifers that did not have access to hay earlier in life. These results indicate that provision of hay early in life promotes forage intake when heifers are switched to a high forage diet. However, greater feed consumption did not translate into live BW gain. Higher feed efficiency after switching to a common diet in heifers previously fed starter alone compared with those fed starter plus hay must be viewed with caution because intestinal content likely varied between treatment groups., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The lying behavior of adult cattle is strongly affected by characteristics of the lying surface, but no previous work has assessed the effects of lying surface for dairy calves. We evaluated how the lying behavior of dairy calves changed when calves were provided sawdust-bedded versus concrete lying surfaces, and in response to variation in dryness of the sawdust bedding. Five Holstein calves, approximately 2-wk old, were individually housed in pens with half of the lying surface bedded with kiln-dried sawdust [90% dry matter (DM)] and the other half with wet bedding varying in DM at 4 levels (74, 59, 41, and 29%) or bare concrete. All calves were tested on all 5 treatments, with treatment order assigned using a 5 × 5 Latin square. Total lying time averaged 17.2 ± 0.1 h/d and did not vary with treatment, but time lying on the wet bedding decreased from 5.3 ± 1.1 h/d at 74% DM to almost zero at 29%. Lying times on the side of the pen with dry bedding varied from 12.2 ± 1.2 h/d (when the wet bedding was 74% DM) to 16.8 ± 1.2 h/d (at 29% DM). Standing times were higher on the dry than the wet bedding (2.6 vs. 1.7 ± 0.1 h/d) but did not change across the range of bedding DM tested on the wet side. No calves ever lay down on the bare concrete. In conclusion, dairy calves showed clear preference for drier sawdust bedding and aversion to concrete lying surfaces, indicating that access to soft and dry bedding is important for growing calves., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose was to determine the effects of the physical dimensions of the pen and group size and stocking density on cow activity. Cows (randomly assigned to 4 groups of 6 animals each) were tested in pens with 24 or 12 lying places and in groups with 12 or 6 cows. All groups were tested in each of the 4 treatments with treatment order allocated using a 4 × 4 Latin square. The distance moved and the number of movements were calculated using 5-min scan sampling of video recordings over a 48-h period. Time spent lying down, number of lying bouts, and the duration of each lying bout were recorded using activity sensors. Displacements at the feed bunk were assessed by continuous analysis of video for 3h after the delivery of the fresh feed in the afternoon. Cows moved greater distances when kept in a large versus small pens (330.2 vs. 270.1 ± 11.6 m/d; mean ± SE), irrespective of group size. Cows moved more often when kept in the larger pen (21.3 vs. 19.2 ± 0.63% of scans). The time spent lying down decreased when density increased (59.1 vs. 55.8 ± 2.3% of scans at 25% and 100% stocking, respectively). Treatment had no effect on the number of displacements at the feed bunk. Physical dimensions of the pen play an important role in how much cows move, and stocking density affects lying time., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In commercial dairy production, calves are typically separated from the dam at a young age. This practice may interfere with developmental processes mediated by social interactions that occur between the calf, her dam, and older social partners. The aim of this study was to test the prediction that calves housed with an older weaned companion would show earlier intake of solid feed before weaning and higher growth rates during and after weaning compared with calves housed with calves of their own age. Forty-five dairy calves were separated from their dams and housed individually for approximately 7 d. Afterward, calves were assigned to pens composed of groups of either 3 young calves or 2 young calves and an older weaned calf. Group pens were equipped with automatic milk, water, starter, hay feeders, and scales. Weaning was by gradual reduction of milk volume over 5 d, from d 36 to d 40. During the preweaning period (d 1 to d 35), the number (8.8 vs. 5.1 ± 0.5 visits/d per calf) and duration (13.2 vs. 8.2 ± 1.1 min/d per calf) of visits to the hay feeder was higher for calves housed with an older companion, and calves in this treatment consumed more hay (57.9 vs. 25.6 ± 4.7 g/d) than did calves housed in groups of similar age. Starter intake did not differ between treatments before weaning, but the number of visits (15.2 vs. 9.4 ± 0.6 visits/d) and the time spent at the starter feeder (6.5 vs. 3.4 ± 0.5 min/d) were higher for calves housed with an older weaned companion. During the weaning period (d 36 to d 40), calves housed with an older companion spent more time at the starter feeder (22.1 vs. 12.9 ± 1.9 min/d) and made fewer unrewarded visits to the milk feeder (17.0 vs. 26.1 ± 1.9 visits/d) than did calves housed in groups of similar age. During the postweaning period (d 41 to d 55), calves housed with an older weaned companion spent less time at the hay feeder (32.5 vs. 58.5 ± 5 .5 min/d) and more time at the starter feeder (41.4 vs. 28.2 ± 3.7 min/d), and consumed more starter (1.8 vs. 1.3 ± 0.1 kg/d). Calves housed with an older weaned companion gained more weight during the preweaning (0.89 vs. 0.76 ± 0.03 kg/d) and postweaning (1.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.05 kg/d) periods. We conclude that housing young calves with an older weaned companion stimulates feeding behavior and growth before and after weaning from milk., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objective of this study was to describe the relationship between rumination and feeding and lying behavior in dairy cows. Rumination time was monitored electronically using HR-Tags (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel). Feeding time and dry matter intake (DMI) were monitored using Insentec feed bins (Insentec BV, Marknesse, the Netherlands). All measures were collected in 2-h periods for 42 mature Holstein cows for a minimum of 9 d in the early dry period. Pearson correlation was used to describe associations, among 2-h periods within cow, first examining the relationship within a single period, and then modeling how this relationship changes when a lag of 2, 4, or 6h was imposed. Periods when cows spent more time ruminating were associated with lower feeding times and lower DMI (r = -0.71 and r = -0.72, respectively), likely because cows were unable to feed and ruminate simultaneously. The correlations with rumination time changed from negative to positive when lags of 2, 4, and 6h were modeled (r = -0.09, 0.24, and 0.15, and r = -0.16, 0.23, and 0.17 for feeding time and DMI at lags of 2, 4, and 6h, respectively). These results indicate that following periods of high feeding times and intakes, cows spent more time ruminating. This relationship peaks at approximately 4h after feeding. Periods of rumination were also associated with time spent lying down. Cows that spent more time ruminating per day, spent less time feeding (r = -0.34) and rumination times did not relate to DMI (r = 0.11). These data indicate that rumination time can be used to estimate within-cow variation in feeding behavior and intake, but daily summaries of rumination behavior are a poor indicator of DMI., (Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Dairy cows are often overstocked. Some managers are now using "slick bunk" (i.e., feeding for 0% orts) management to save on feed costs, but this reduces the time that cows have access to feed. Both practices may increase competition and affect feeding behavior in dairy cows. The aim was to determine the effects of temporal and spatial restrictions on the feeding and competitive behavior of group-housed cows. Treatments were 2 levels of stocking (2:1 versus 1:1 cows:feed bin) and 2 levels of feed access time (14 versus 24h/d access). Eight groups (each of 6 cows) were tested on each of the 4 treatment combinations for 1 wk, with treatment order assigned using a replicated 4×4 Latin square design. Dry matter intake (DMI), feeding time, and feeding rate were measured for the last 4d of each week, and data were summarized daily and for the 2-h period immediately after the morning feeding. Displacements were recorded for 2h after the delivery of morning feed (peak feeding period) and 2h following the afternoon milking. The DMI did not decline when temporal access was restricted (27.0 vs. 25.7±0.5 kg/d), and was not affected by overstocking (26.4±1.9, mean ± SD). Cows with restricted temporal access spent less time feeding (190.9 vs. 207.9±6.1 min). Overstocked cows that were temporally restricted had greater feeding rates during the day (156 vs. 137±4 g/min) and especially during the peak feeding period (175 vs. 146±4 g/min) compared with cows that were not restricted. In the peak feeding period, overstocked cows had reduced DMI (3.0 vs. 3.4±0.1 kg/h) and feeding times (20.8 vs. 25.8±1.0 min/h) and increased feeding rates (161 vs. 138±4 g/min). Cows with restricted temporal access had greater DMI (3.9 vs. 2.6±0.2 kg/h) and time spent feeding (27.3 vs. 19.2±1.3 min/h) during the peak feeding period compared with cows that had continuous access to feed. Restricting temporal access in conjunction with overstocking resulted in the greatest increase in daily displacements (15.0 vs. 3.8±1.4 displacements/d); the majority of these occurred during the peak feeding period. Adequate space and time to access feed is essential to minimize feed bunk competition in indoor group housing systems., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Tail docking remains a common practice on dairy farms in the United States. This paper describes the results of an online engagement designed to create discussion on tail docking, to document the reasons participants put forward for and against the practice, and to compare these reasons with the literature available on this topic. A total of 178 people responded; 30% were producers, 23% were veterinarians, 25% had no experience with the dairy industry, and 22% included a mixture of teachers, students, and industry professionals. Approximately 79% of participants were opposed to docking. Responses varied with participant demographics (e.g., females were more likely than males to oppose docking), but in every demographic subgroup (e.g., by sex, age, country of origin, and dairy production experience), the majority of respondents were opposed to tail docking. Common reasons for opposition to docking included the lack of scientific evidence that docking improves cleanliness or udder health, that docking is painful for cows, that docking is unnatural, and that tails are important for controlling flies. Some respondents in favor of docking cited cow cleanliness as an issue, despite the scientific evidence showing no positive effect of docking on cow cleanliness or udder health. Additional reasons included protecting producer safety. These results illustrate the range of reasons that are cited for supporting and opposing tail docking. This approach can be used to better target outreach efforts (e.g., improving farmer education on the lack of positive effects of docking on cleanliness and udder health while addressing concerns about producer safety). More generally, this type of online discussion provides a safe and productive format for discussions about contentious issues in the dairy industry and provides a mechanism for producers, industry professionals, and the public to share perspectives on these topics.

This study examined the effects of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment protocols on the behavioral responses of juvenile Steller sea lions after abdominal surgery. Sea lions were randomly assigned to one of two treatments designed to control post-operative pain. The flunixin group (n=6) received flunixin meglumine (1mg/kg) administered as a single intramuscular (IM) injection before extubation from surgery. The carprofen group (n=5) received carprofen (4.4 mg/kg) as an IM injection before extubation, then orally at 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery. Seven behaviors related to post-operative pain were monitored by observers, blinded to treatment, for a total of 10 days (3 days pre-, day of surgery, and 6 days post-surgery). All seven behaviors changed after surgery regardless of NSAID treatment, two of which returned to baseline within 6 days of surgery. Only one behavior was mildly affected by analgesic treatment: sea lions in the carprofen group tended to spend less time lying down in Days 1-3 following surgery (i.e., the days which they received oral carprofen). These results suggested that neither treatment, at the dose administered, was effective in controlling pain in the days following this surgery., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study assessed the heart rate, breathing rate and behavioural responses of 12 juvenile Steller sea lions during hot-iron branding under isoflurane anaesthesia. Physiological and behavioural measures were recorded in four periods: baseline (five minutes), sham branding (one minute), branding (approximately 2.7 minutes) and postbranding (five minutes). No difference in heart rate was noted from baseline to sham branding, but heart rate increased from mean (sem) 78.3 (2.4) bpm in the baseline period to 85.6 (2.5) bpm in the branding period. Heart rate remained elevated in the postbranding period, averaging 84.7 (2.5) bpm. Breathing rate averaged 2.5 (1.0) breaths/minute in the baseline and sham branding periods increased to 8.9 (1.0) breaths/minute during branding, but returned to baseline by the postbranding period. Behaviourally, half of the sea lions exhibited trembling and head and shoulder movements during branding.

Research to date has suggested that access to forage before weaning can limit rumen development in calves, but no research has yet addressed the role of forage for calves fed higher quantities of milk. This study compared performance and rumen development of calves provided high volumes (equivalent to approximately 20% of calf birth weight) of milk with and without access to hay. At d 3 of age, individually housed calves were randomly assigned to treatment (either ad libitum access to chopped grass hay or no forage; n=15 calves per treatment, 10 heifers, and 5 bulls). All calves were provided ad libitum access to water and starter throughout the study. All calves were offered 8L of milk/d from a nipple bottle from d 3 to 35, 4 L/d from d 36 to 53, and 2L/d until weaning at d 56. Solid feed intake and growth parameters were monitored from d 3 to 70. At d 70, males from both treatments were slaughtered to measure rumen development parameters. Overall dry matter (DM) intake from solid feed did not differ between treatments before wk 5. However, during wk 6 to 10, calves fed forage consumed more total DM (starter plus hay) than did calves fed no forage. Hip and wither height, heart girth, and body barrel at d 3, 56, and 70 did not differ between treatments. Reticulorumen weight was heavier in calves fed hay versus those fed only starter (12.77±1.29 vs. 7.99±0.69 kg with digesta; 1.89±0.05 vs.1.60±0.09 kg without digesta). Body weight without digesta was similar in calves fed forage or no forage. Mean rumen pH was higher in calves fed hay compared with those fed no forage (5.49±0.08 vs. 5.06±0.04). In conclusion, provision of chopped hay to calves fed high volumes of milk can promote solid feed DM intake and rumen development without affecting BW gain., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Metritis, a common transition disease in dairy cows, reduces milk production during the duration of the disease. To our knowledge, no work has investigated the short-term effects of metritis on feed intake and the long-term consequences on milk yield and risk of culling. The objectives were to determine the effect of metritis on 305-d lactation curves, dry matter intake (DMI), reproduction, and the probability of being culled. Identifying differences in response to metritis between primiparous and multiparous cows was of interest. Milk records were collected twice daily from Holstein cows diagnosed with puerperal metritis (11 primiparous and 16 multiparous) or classified as healthy (14 primiparous and 43 multiparous) during the first 3 wk after calving. Metritic cows were treated at the discretion of the herd veterinarian. Lactation curves of healthy and metritic cows were compared using a mixed model with a Wilmink function. Differences in DMI, days open, and the number of services per conception were assessed using mixed models. The probabilities that cows with and without metritis were not bred, were bred but never confirmed pregnant, or were culled were compared using Fisher's exact tests. Primiparous and multiparous animals were assessed separately. Multiparous cows with metritis produced less milk (35.1±1.5 vs. 39.2±1.0 kg/d), ate less during the 3 wk after calving (12.2±1.2 vs.14.0±0.8 kg/d), and were more likely to be culled (50.0%) than healthy cows (20.9%). The decision to cull was likely influenced by the lower milk yield in early lactation as a result of metritis; the decision to cull was made early, as 7 of the 8 culled metritic cows were not bred. No differences were found in any measurement between primiparous cows with and without metritis. These results indicate that metritis in early lactation has long-term effects on multiparous cows but not primiparous cows., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The objectives were to determine the effect of regrouping during the dry period on feeding, social, rumination, and lying behavior for cows that were moved to a new pen and cows that remained in their home pen but had new cows introduced. Forty-eight prepartum Holstein dairy cows were housed in groups of 6 and regrouped in groups of 3 (16 triads) with 1 triad moving to another pen and 1 triad staying in the same pen; the triad was considered the experimental unit. For 7 d before and 8 d after regrouping, cows were continuously monitored for feeding, rumination, and lying behavior by means of an electronic feeding system, a rumination logger on each cow's neck, and a data logger attached to 1 of the hind legs, respectively. Video recording was used to monitor displacements at the feeder for 3h following the afternoon fresh feed delivery before regrouping and for the 2 subsequent afternoon feed deliveries after regrouping. Cows that were moved to a new pen after regrouping decreased DMI by approximately 9% on the day of regrouping compared with baseline values, but cows that remained in their home pen showed no significant decrease in intake after regrouping. Feeding rate decreased in both treatments by 10% after regrouping. Rumination times also decreased by approximately 9% in both treatments, reaching the lowest values on the day of regrouping for cows that stayed in the home pen and on the day after regrouping for the moved cows. Cows that were moved to a new pen displaced other cows at the feeder twice as frequently after regrouping, but no such effect of regrouping on cows that stayed in the home pen was observed. These results indicate that regrouping can affect behavior of prepartum dairy cows, especially those cows that are moved to a new pen., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Little work to date has assessed how dairy cattle respond when first introduced to freestall housing. In this study we carried out 2 experiments. The aim of experiment 1 was to assess the behavioral responses of naïve heifers to pens fitted with freestalls. Holstein heifers (n=7 groups, each containing 3 heifers, 3 mo of age), with no previous experience with freestalls, were initially housed on a sawdust bedded pack and fed through a fixed feed barrier for at least 6 wk and then moved to a freestall pen fitted with a head-locking feed barrier. When kept on the bedded pack, the heifers' lying time averaged 14.2 h/d. On the day heifers were moved to the freestall pen, lying times declined by 2.9 h, but recovered on the following days. The time spent lying down on the barn floor (i.e., outside the lying area) increased by 2.5 h on the day heifers were introduced to freestalls and remained higher during subsequent days. Heifers spent 46 min/d less time feeding on the day they were switched to the head-locking barrier, but recovered on the following days. In experiment 2 we assessed the behavioral responses of naïve heifers introduced to pens fitted with freestalls with or without a neck rail. Holstein heifers (n=12 groups, each containing 2 heifers, 3 mo of age), with no previous experience with freestalls, were initially housed on a sawdust bedded pack and then moved to a freestall pen with or without neck rails. Heifers spent 4.2 h/d less time lying down in the 24 h following introduction into the freestall pen; the neck rail treatment had no effect on lying time but heifers spent more time standing with just their front 2 hooves in the stall when a neck rail was in the stall. In summary, lying and feeding behavior of naïve heifers is altered following introduction to new housing., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A feeding regimen that allows a smooth transition from milk to solid feed is vital for successful heifer-rearing programs. In the past, research efforts have focused on the development of feeding methods that allow early weaning, perhaps because the risk of disease is highest during the milk feeding stage. To encourage early intake of calf starter, conventional feeding programs have limited the supply of milk (often to 10% of BW at birth). However, dairy calves provided free access to milk will typically consume more than twice this amount. We critically review the available literature examining the relationship between milk feeding method, solid feed consumption, and rumen development in young dairy calves and identify areas where new work is required. We conclude that milk-fed dairy calves can safely ingest milk at approximately 20% of body weight (BW)/d, and greater milk consumption supports greater BW gain, improved feed efficiency, reduced incidence of disease, and greater opportunity to express natural behaviors, which in combination suggest improved welfare. Method of weaning greatly influences feed consumption, rumen development, and growth check in calves provided higher amounts of milk. Gradual weaning encourages starter intake during the preweaning period, and both weaning age and duration of weaning influence this consumption. Increased solid feed consumption during the weaning process contributes to rumen development, permitting higher starter intake and BW gain after weaning. Growth factors in milk may also enhance the growth and maturation of the gastrointestinal tract, but more research is required to understand the role of these factors. Greater nutrient supply through increased amount of milk appears to improve immune function and long-term performance of heifer calves; for example, reducing the age at first breeding and increasing first-lactation milk yield, but more research is needed to confirm these effects., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Hi-Tag electronic rumination-monitoring system (SCR Engineers Ltd., Netanya, Israel), based on capturing audio recordings, provides a reasonable measure of rumination time in dairy cows, but has not been validated for milk-fed or weaned heifers. The objective of this study was to validate the Hi-Tag rumination-monitoring system in heifers and calves and to assess whether suckling from a teat interfered with recording from this system. Assessments of 2 independent observers were highly correlated (r=0.99, n=20), indicating that direct visual observations provide a useful standard. Measures from the Hi-Tag system were validated by comparing values with those from a single human observer, using observations from three 2-h intervals from 35 Holstein calves and heifers aged 4, 6, and 9 wk and 3, 6, and 9 mo, respectively. In 9-mo-old heifers, rumination times obtained from the electronic system were highly correlated with visual observations (r=0.88, R2=0.77, n=15), and the mean difference was minor (-4±8 min/2-h interval). The accuracy of data from the automated system decreased when used on heifers less than 9 mo old. Suckling did not interfere with the electronic system (r=-0.1, n=18). These results indicate that the Hi-Tag system is an accurate tool for monitoring rumination behavior in Holstein Friesian heifers from the age of 9 mo., (Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

A method commonly used to identify illness in dairy cows is measuring body temperatures with a rectal thermometer, but vaginal measures are becoming common in research. The primary objective of this study was to validate vaginal measures of body temperature by comparing them with rectal temperatures. Data loggers used to collect vaginal temperatures can be programmed to collect many readings per day, providing an opportunity to interpret effects of health in relation to diurnal differences in temperatures. Thus, a secondary objective was to compare the diurnal pattern in body temperatures for cows with and without retained placenta (RP). Body temperature was monitored for 8 d in 29 cows that had recently calved (enrolled 2 d after calving; 7 of these cows were diagnosed with RP) and in 13 cows in peak lactation (98±8 d in milk). Rectal temperatures were taken at 0630, 0930, 1230, 1530, 1830, and 2130h (±30 min) with a digital thermometer for 8 d consecutively. During the same period, vaginal temperatures were measured every 10 min with a microprocessor-controlled data logger attached to a modified vaginal controlled internal drug release insert. Values from the vaginal loggers were averaged over 1h and paired with the corresponding rectal temperature. There was a relationship between rectal and vaginal temperatures for fresh cows (n=1,393; r=0.81) and for peak-lactation cows (n=556; r=0.46). Cows with RP had higher body temperatures (39.2±0.01) compared with healthy cows (39.1±0.01). Body temperature was higher at night, and lower between 0800 to 1000 h for healthy cows (39.0±0.02) and between 1100 to 1300 h for RP cows (39.1±0.02). In summary, vaginal temperatures were associated with rectal measures, and provided the advantage of capturing dirurnal changes in body temperature., (Copyright © 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Here we provide the first experimental evidence that public concerns about the use of animals in research are accentuated when genetically modified (GM) animals are used. Using an online survey, we probed participant views on two uses of pigs as research animals (to reduce agricultural pollution or to improve organ transplant success in humans) with and without GM. We surveyed 327 animal technicians, researchers, advocates, university students and others. In both scenarios and across demographics, support dropped off when the research required the use of GM pigs or GM corn. For example, 66% of participants supported using pigs to reduce phosphorus pollution, but this declined to 49% when the pigs were fed GM corn and to 20% when the research required the creation of a new GM line of pigs. Those involved in animal research were more consistently supportive compared to those who were not or those who were vegetarians.

This cross-sectional study evaluated cow comfort measures in free stall dairies across the United States as part of the National Animal Health Monitoring System's Dairy 2007 study. The study was conducted in 17 states and evaluations were completed between March 5 and September 5, 2007. Assessors recorded hygiene and hock scores, number of cows housed in the pen, the number of cows standing with only the front feet in a stall, standing fully in a stall, and lying in a stall. Facility design measures included bedding type, bedding quantity, stall length and width, presence of a neck rail or brisket locator, and relevant distances from the rear and bed of the stall. Of the 491 operations that completed the cow comfort assessment, 297 had Holstein cows housed in free stalls and were included in this analysis. Negative binomial models were constructed to evaluate the following outcomes: the number of cows that were very dirty, had severe hock injuries, stood with front feet in the stall, stood with all feet in the stall, and were lying in the stall. Hygiene was better on farms that did not tail dock cows compared with those that did (5.7 vs. 8.8% were dirty) and on farms located in the study's west region compared with those located in the east region (5.2 vs. 9.7% were dirty). Severe hock injuries were less common on farms in the west than those in the east (0.5 vs. 4.1%). In addition, severe hock injuries were less common on farms that used dirt as a stall base or sand as bedding compared with farms that did not. A higher percentage of cows was standing with front feet in the stall at higher ambient temperatures (incidence rate ratio=1.016) and as time since feeding increased (incidence rate ratio=1.030). A lower percentage of cows were standing with front feet in the stall when the stalls were shorter and when there were fewer cows per stall. Standing fully in a stall was performed by a higher percentage of cows during the summer than during the spring (13.6 vs. 8.1%), when cows were provided free stalls with rubber mats or mattresses, and as the distance from the rear curb to neck rail increased. A higher percentage of cows were lying in a stall when sand bedding was used, when bedding was added more frequently, and during the spring months. Results of this national survey indicate that tail docking provides no benefit to cow hygiene and that stall base and bedding are key factors influencing hock injuries and stall usage on US free stall dairy farms., (Copyright © 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Claw horn lesions, including sole hemorrhages and sole ulcers, are a major cause of lameness in dairy cattle. These lesions often develop in the weeks around calving and become visible 8 to 12 wk later. The aim was to determine whether cows that are diagnosed with claw horn lesions several weeks after calving behave differently during the calving period when the lesions are thought to first develop. The claws of 26 multiparous Holstein dairy cows were scored for sole hemorrhage severity and presence of sole ulcers 2 wk before calving, 3 wk after calving, and every 4 wk thereafter until 15 wk after calving. Of the 26 cows, 13 cows had no or low lesion scores up to 15 wk and 13 cows had at least 1 new severe lesion or sole ulcer diagnosed between 7 and 15 wk after calving. Behavior (dry matter intake, feeding time and rate, number and size of meals, standing time, number and duration of standing bouts, location of standing, and displacements at the feed bunk) was recorded from 2 wk before calving to 3 wk after calving. Behavior during the 2 wk before calving, first 24h after calving, 1 wk after calving, and 2 to 3 wk after calving was compared between cows with and without lesions in mid lactation. Multivariate regression was used to determine the predictive value of each behavior and combination of behaviors on lesion diagnosis. Cows diagnosed with lesions in mid lactation spent more time standing than cows without lesions during the 2 wk before (832+/-29 vs. 711+/-29 min/d) and 24 h after (935+/-46 vs. 693+/-46 min/d) calving. These differences were driven by an increase in the time spent perching with front feet in the stall (241+/-22 vs. 147+/-22 min/d at 2 wk before calving) and an increase in standing bout duration (101+/-10 vs. 56+/-10 min/bout at 24 h after calving). Compared with cows without lesions, cows with lesions consumed feed at a faster rate (86+/-3 vs. 77+/-3 g/min) during the 2 wk before calving and consumed more feed (17.9+/-0.9 vs. 12.3+/-0.9 kg/d) during the 24 h after calving. The number of displacements at the feeder was not different between groups. These results indicate that a combination of feeding and standing behavior during the transition can serve as early indicators of claw horn lesions in mid lactation., (Copyright (c) 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Changes in feed intake are useful in early detection of disease in dairy cows. Cost and complexity limit our ability to monitor dry matter intake (DMI) of individual cows kept in loose-housing systems. A 5-point subjective scoring system has been developed to visually describe rumen fill, but no work to date has evaluated these scores as an indicator of feed intake. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of within-cow changes in visual rumen fill scores as estimates of changes of DMI and feed intake in dairy cows. Our results illustrate that rumen fill scored on a scale from 1 to 5 has substantial intra- (Cohen's kappa coefficient=0.69) and interobserver (Cohen's kappa coefficient=0.68) repeatability. Within-cow changes in visual rumen fill score are correlated with changes in DMI (Spearman's rank correlation=0.68). The depth of the paralumbar fossa (mean +/- SD; 5.6+/-0.9 cm) changes considerably (up to 4.8 cm) within 70+/-5 min. This more objective measure was also correlated with visual rumen fill scores (Spearman's rank correlation=-0.62). Our results indicate that subjective rumen fill scores are statistically associated with both an objective measure of paralumbar fossa indentation and feed intake. However, much of the variation in visual rumen fill scores is not associated with either measure, suggesting that caution is required in clinical usage of these scores., (Copyright (c) 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)