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• Significant effects of key drivers on gaseous emissions from cattle housing were identified. • NH 3 emissions differ between housing types but not between floor types. • CH 4 emissions differ by barn temperature and relative humidity only. • N 2 O and NH 3 emissions are lower in temperate wet zones than in temperate dry zone. • Global data analysis shows the need to differentiate emission factors by agro-ecosystems. This study provides a meta-analysis on the relationships between cattle barn CH 4 , NH 3 and N 2 O emission rates and their key drivers (i.e., housing type, floor type, environmental conditions). Understanding these relationships is essential to reduce uncertainties in emission inventories and suggest targeted mitigation measures. The total number of daily emission rates included in the analysis was 139 for CH 4 , 293 for NH 3 and 100 for N 2 O emissions. Emission rates in the database showed a large variation with 45–803.5 g/LU d−1 for CH 4 , 0.036–146.7 gN LU−1 d−1 for NH 3 , and 0.002–18 gN LU−1 d−1 for N 2 O emissions. Despite the high emission variability, significant effects were identified·NH 3 showed positive correlation with air temperature; NH 3 emissions differed between housing types but not between floor types·NH 3 emissions from tied stalls were lower than the ones from cubicle housing regardless of the floor type. Additionally, NH 3 emissions from loose housings were lower than the ones from cubicle housing·NH 3 and N 2 O emission rates from temperate wet zones were lower than the ones from temperate dry zones. CH 4 emission rates were affected by environmental factors only and not by housing and floor type, showing negative correlation with air temperature and humidity. The factors investigated can be suggested as ancillary variables and descriptors when cattle barn emissions are measured, in order to make best use of emission data. Country-specific data of these key drivers can be included into national inventories to adapt them to different agroecosystems and support targeted policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Small-scale beef cattle farmers in tropical zones face climate variability, especially during the hot summer months. As the temperature rises, beef cattle are exposed to heat stress, resulting in lower beef quality and production yields and higher costs of livestock farming. With many restrictions on the part of smallholders raising beef cattle, one way to reduce this impact on small farms is to design cattle housing that helps protect against direct and indirect solar heat and removes the heat from the house effectively. This study has used the concept of passive cooling design to improve the beef cattle houses of smallholders. The farmers' existing limitations, both in capital and construction capacity, are taken into account. Housing size, roof shape and roofing materials were modified to give adequate protection against heat and increase cross and stack ventilation. In addition, the positions of the buildings around the cattle house were rearranged to allow more draught into the house. After renovation, the indoor temperature was observed to be up to 5°C lower than the outside temperature, and the humidity was reduced by 60-72%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confined milk production systems can present several critical points with respect to animal welfare, which does not imply that they cannot be resolved. Housing dairy cattle in compost barns, with proper design and management, has been shown to improve cow health and longevity and, consequently, their productive performance. Based on the results carried out worldwide, the compost barn systems represent a friendly housing alternative with the well-being of the animals compared to other confinement systems. However, the number of investigations on the welfare of dairy cattle in these systems in Argentina and in the world is still scarce, so it would be advisable to add regional studies to be able to precede in terms of the real and potential impact on dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-scale beef cattle farmers in tropical zones face climate variability, especially during the hot summer months. As the temperature rises, beef cattle are exposed to heat stress, resulting in lower beef quality and production yields and higher costs of livestock farming. With many restrictions on the part of smallholders raising beef cattle, one way to reduce this impact on small farms is to design cattle housing that helps protect against direct and indirect solar heat and removes the heat from the house effectively. This study has used the concept of passive cooling design to improve the beef cattle houses of smallholders. The farmers' existing limitations, both in capital and construction capacity, are taken into account. Housing size, roof shape and roofing materials were modified to give adequate protection against heat and increase cross and stack ventilation. In addition, the positions of the buildings around the cattle house were rearranged to allow more draught into the house. After renovation, the indoor temperature was observed to be up to 5°C lower than the outside temperature, and the humidity was reduced by 60-72%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing conditions playcritical role in regulating the influence of outside weather on animals. The present study was carried out to compare the weather parameters outside and inside the animal houses and the chances of thermal stress (TS). Daily recordings of ambient temperature (AbT), relative humidity (RH) and temperature humidity index (THI) from in house (IH) and outdoor (OD) recordings were compared across months, quarters and half years over a period of one year. Weather parameters showed significant variation between IH and OD recordings with higher AbT and THI inside irrespective of months or seasons, while the pattern of RH variables were opposite with higher values OD than IH. AbT variables COMPARISON OF WEATHER PARAMETERS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CATTLE HOUSE AS A CAUSATIVE FACTOR OF THERMAL STRESS UNDER HUMID TROPICS Ibraheem Kutty C.1*, Harikumar S.2, Shajeesh J.3and Bibin Becha B.4 Assistant Professors, Programme coordinator, KVK, Malappuram, Kerala Agricultural University, KCAET campus, Tavanur P.O., Kerala 2 Dept. of Livestock Production Management, 4Dept. of Animal Reproduction College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur 3RARS, Kerala Agricultural University, Ambalavayal, Wayanad. Livestock Research Station, Thiruvazhamkunnu P.O., Palakkad District, Kerala Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University *Corresponding author: ibraheemkutty50@gmail.com were found to contribute significantly more to THI than RH. Besides difference in the highest and lowest of weather parameters across months and seasons, their range of variation was also inconsistent between IH and OD recordings. It is concluded that in spite of regulation by the same environmental factors, the difference in the pattern of IH weather parameters making prone to more TS can be attributed to the housing conditions and calls for better interventions to regulate the IH conditions to minimize TS in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluates the environment in three buildings used for rearing dairy cattle, living in separate boxes on deep litter bedding. Both the construction and technical and technological features of the buildings as well as their zoo - hygienic indexes were analysed. Technologically, all buildings provide enough relative area per each animal - respectively 34%, 91,6% and 56, 6%. Only in building 1, it was ascertained that the built-up area per animal is between 33,6 and 46,5%. The feeding zones in building 1 and 2 are sufficient and even more spacious than the recommended, while in building 3 the feeding area is 6,5% smaller. Of all parameters characterising the environment, the temperature and the relative humidity in the controlled buildings during the three seasons are relatively the same. There are noticeable differences in building 2 and the other buildings when it comes to the cooling value. Lower values of lighting and bed temperature are measured in building 3 during all three seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technologies for the removal of manure from cowsheds and paddocks have been investigated by video recording with the following timing and estimation of absolute and specific costs of working actions, time and resources. The comparative estimation of different technologies for manure removing was performed: by delta-scraper equipment from a manure passage; by wheeled tractor with a bulldozer attachment from a manure passage; by bulldozer from a cowshed for housing on deep litter; by wheeled tractor with frontal loader attachment from a cowshed for housing on deep litter; by perimeter gutter cleaner in tie-stall cowshed; by bulldozer from the big paddock outdoor; manually from small paddock with replaceable litter in a cowshed on a pile near the feed passage. It was established that the influences of the method of manure removing on the specific costs of working actions, time and resources per 1 centner of removed manure are significant (p

Tunnel ventilation is an increasingly popular approach to mitigate the effects of heat stress on dairy cattle. Tunnel-ventilation barns use a bank of high-power fans to move air horizontally from one end of the barn to the other at cow level. The overall objective of the present experiments was to determine whether tunnel ventilation is superior to housing with fans and sprinklers with respect to rectal temperature during heat stress and seasonal variation in milk yield. In the first study, rectal temperatures were measured for 1097 lactating Holstein cows in six freestall barns with fans and sprinklers and 575 lactating Holsteins in four tunnel-ventilated freestall barns at a time point between 14:00 and 16:00 h during the months of June to August in Florida, USA. Rectal temperatures were lower for cows in tunnel-ventilation barns than sprinkler-and-fan barns when the tunnel-ventilation barns were built de novo but not when the tunnel-ventilation barns were produced by retrofitting a sprinkler-and-fan barn (interaction, P = 0.0129). In the second study, average daily milk yield in the first 90 days in milk was examined for 8470 lactating Holsteins housed in three sprinkler-and-fan barns and two tunnel-ventilation barns. Milk production for cows calving in cool weather (October to March) was greater (P < 0.0001) than for cows calving in hot weather (April to September). The seasonal reduction in milk yield was less for cows (P = 0.037) in tunnel-ventilation barns (3.5% decrease) than for cows in sprinkler-and-fan barns (5.8% decrease). With this difference in impact of heat stress, it was estimated at a dairy farm could invest up to a $332 more per cow space in a tunnel-ventilated barn than in a sprinkler-and-fan barn. It was concluded that housing cows in tunnel-ventilation barns can reduce the impact of heat stress on body temperature regulation and milk yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compost barn system was designed to be a sustainable alternative housing system for dairy cows. In order to help producers in the region to choose the best type of facility from the point of view of the milk production of the animals, this study compared the productivity of cows confined in an open composting barn with natural ventilation and in a closed composting barn with negative pressure ventilation and evaporative cooling panels. The temperature and relative humidity of the air were monitored, as well as the milk production of the animals housed in the facilities, and THI (Temperature and Humidity Index) were calculated. During the trials, the maximum daily temperatures of the air reached values around 27 °C and the THI remained within the normal range of up to 70. The average productivity remained in the general pattern described in the literature from 23 to 44 kg of milk cow-1 day-1, with lower rates obtained in the closed house. As the variation of the index used to describe the internal environment was not significant, it can be inferred that climatic elements as temperature and air humidity, under the conditions analyzed were not the main factors influencing the productivity rates of dairy cattle. In conclusion, under the analysed conditions the use of a closed barn with negative pressure ventilation is hardly justified as a plant that favoured the productivity of the confined cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dairy production, mastitis is a major problem affecting animal welfare, productivity, and economy. Hospital pens are typically not used for cows with mastitis, except for severe cases involving recumbency. This field trial included 47 cows from three Danish herds followed for 8 d, of which days 1–5 involved the experimental housing. After day 5, all cows were kept with the lactating group. We examined lying behavior in dairy cows with naturally occurring, mild-moderate mastitis in hospital pens [single or group (depending on conditions on the farm), all with deep straw bedding] vs. sick cows kept in the group of healthy herd mates. Within a herd, every other cow fulfilling the inclusion criteria regarding mastitis was allocated to each of the two experimental treatments. Clinical data from involved cases were collected. No significant differences between housing treatments were found in the clinical variables or the daily lying time. During the period of experimental housing, cows kept in hospital pens showed a higher frequency of lying bouts compared with control cows. This difference did not persist after reintroduction to the lactating herd mates. These results suggest that aspects of lying behavior of dairy cows with mastitis are sensitive to the environment as the frequency of lying bouts differed between cows kept in hospital pens and cows kept in control treatment. More controlled studies are needed to examine underlying motivations and evaluate consequences in terms of animal welfare. For such studies, the inclusion of healthy cows for comparison will be valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After analysing systematically formation mechanism of snow disaster (SD), this study revealed spatial-temporal characteristics of historical disasters, snowfall events, disaster-formation environment, livestock overload, vulnerability of livestock and adaptability, finally evaluated integrated risk index (IRI) of the SDs over the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) using ArcGIS method. Over the past more than 50 years, the recorded large scale SDs occurred 238 times. Overall, the large scale SDs decreased, yet the small scale SDs increased in frequency. Particularly, the year of extreme snowfall event's occurrence did not correspond to the large scale SDs, in which a serious overloading rate with high livestock density is the key driver of the SD formation. The regions at higher IRI are mainly concentrated on mid-eastern and southwestern TP and appear a contiguous risk belt from northeast to southwest. Thinking about snowfall events and overload rate influencing mainly SD risk, it is necessary to improve forecasting and monitoring level of snowfall and snow cover extent, increase forage reserves, control strictly overload rate, implement livestock and grass balance strategy and enhances the scale of cattle and sheep housing and other infrastructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock housing is one of the main sources of ammonia (NH 3) emissions from agriculture. Different management and environmental factors are known to affect NH 3 emissions from housing systems. The aim of this study was to quantitatively define the effect of temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and ventilation rate on NH 3 release rates from dairy cattle housing by conducting a meta-analysis of published scientific results. A literature survey was performed to review studies published before January 2018 that have identified statistical relationships between NH 3 emissions and environmental factors such as air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, or ventilation rate in dairy cattle housing. Experimental values were related using a mixed model analysis in order to analyse the effect of environmental factors on NH 3 emissions. For this exercise, a total of 19 peer-reviewed papers were considered and 27 different relations between air temperature and NH 3 emissions were used for the analysis. A significant effect of air temperature inside the barn and ventilation rate on NH 3 emissions was observed. Results showed that NH 3 emissions increased linearly with increasing air temperature (ºC) inside the barn by 1.47 g [NH 3] cow−1 d−1 when temperature increased by one degree. For ventilation rate, an increase of 100 m3 h−1 cow−1 led to an increase in NH 3 emissions of 0.007 g [NH 3 ] cow−1 d−1. The equations obtained in this work might help to provide information on NH 3 barn-related emissions behaviour under these environmental conditions, bearing in mind that other source of emissions such as diet composition and animal performance might be also affected by climate changes. Highlights • We modeled ammonia emissions and environmental factors based on a literature survey. • We quantified the effect of environmental factors on ammonia emissions in cattle barn. • Air temperature in the barn is the most important factor affecting ammonia emissions. • Ammonia emissions increased linearly with increasing air temperature inside the barn. • Ventilation rate also produced a linear increase in ammonia emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased number of modern livestock farming increase pollutant gas and particulate matter emissions and expanding of residential area against rural area cause to be more sensitive to these gas and particulate matter emissions from animal operations. In this study, pollutant gas dispersions from three dairy cattle barns operated in Bursa region were modelled using hourly outdoor environmental and topographic conditions. To develop dispersion models and describe dispersion problem as a quantity, pollutant gas emissions from dairy cattle operations and CALPUFF VIEW 5.8 modelling software were used. It was determined that estimated pollutant gas concentrations in five receptor points (A-E) in surrounding environment were significant levels. Furthermore pollutant gas emissions from dairy cattle barns can reach a remarkable values in an area with 2000 m diameter in surrounding environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pekin duck is an excellent model for the study of seasonal reproduction. To more completely understand the lighting requirements for maximal fertility in duck breeder houses, we housed adult (45 week old) drakes and hens in the Hope College aviary as 5 drakes and 25 hens. Light conditions in each floor pen were normalized based upon quantal energy and divided into the following categories: (1) to simulate summer, 14.5 h 65 lux with 9.5 h 1 lux; (2) to simulate winter, 8 h 65 lux with 16 h 1 lux; (3) winter augmented, 8 h 65 lux with 16 h at 15 lux. The experiment was repeated with rotation of light treatments among 3 pens until a final N = 6 was obtained. Daily, total number of eggs laid was tallied, and a daily average of eggs laid was calculated throughout the study. Weekly, eggs were weighed and the perivitilline membrane was assayed for the number of sperm holes as an indirect measure of drake fertility. As expected, winter conditions caused a reduction in the percent of eggs laid and a reduction in the number of fertilized eggs compared to the summer light conditions. The augmented winter light conditions prevented the loss in the percent eggs laid and fertilized eggs. Surprisingly, even after 4 wk of the study, the winter conditions did not cause a complete loss of fertility in the Pekin ducks. At the end of the study, no differences in the relative expression in brain deep brain photoreceptors or gonadotropin inhibitory hormone mRNAs were observed among any light treatment. Although a minimum (1 lux) of light can support some fertility, our findings suggest commercial Pekin duck barns may benefit from increasing the augmented light to 15 lux to maintain optimal fertility during winter months. Furthermore, our data suggest that drakes may be more sensitive to environmental light conditions than hens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Deep straw bedding increase lying bout frequency compared to cubicle housing. • Deep straw bedding facilitates getting-up behaviour. • Housing dairy cattle on deep straw bedding during the dry period may increase agonistic behaviours. • Feeding behaviour is unaffected by deep straw housing during the dry period. Abstract The present observational study assessed the effect of deep straw bedding compared to cubicles during the dry period on lying-, feeding- and agonistic behaviour in Holstein cows. A total of 74 primi- (heifers) and multiparous cows were moved either onto deep straw bedding (DS) or into cubicle housing (CS) 4 wk before the expected calving date and were observed for 21 consecutive days. Throughout the 21 d lying time and the number of lying bouts were recorded using automated accelerometers while feeding time, the number of feeder visits and feed intake was recorded using automatic feed bins. All variables were averaged by week. The transition time from lying to standing was obtained by averaging five randomly selected standing up events on d 7 prior to the actual calving date while the number of failed standing attempts was obtained by following the cows standing up bouts throughout all of d 7 prior to the actual calving date. The frequency of agonistic behaviour was obtained from 7 h of continuous video recordings on d 21 and 7 (or 8) before the actual calving date. Lying time was not affected by treatment but DS cows had a higher number of lying bouts and a shorter transition time between lying and standing compared to CS cows. Primiparous cows had a higher number of lying bouts compared to multiparous cows. There were no treatment differences in feeding behaviour but multiparous cows spent more time feeding and increased their feed intake more across weeks compared to primiparous cows. Cows housed in DS initiated more agonistic behaviour compared to CS cows at d 7 (or 8) before calving while no difference between treatments was seen at 21 d before calving. These results suggest that deep straw bedding facilitates the transition between lying and standing but may increase agonistic behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Dairy cows are exposed to heat stress, the risk of which is increasing due to climate change. This could result in significant changes in the cows’ lying time behaviour. The presented study shows the relationship between heat stress determined with the use of the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and the daily lying time of 40 Holstein-Friesian dairy cows. Based on the calculated value of THI, two periods were specified, a neutral period (with a maximum daily THI value below 68) and warm period (with minimal daily THI value above 73). The obtained results were processed using analysis of the Spearman’s correlation coefficient with significance at P<0.05. The results showed a decrease in daily total lying time between the neutral and warm periods from 11.3 to 9.4 h/d. During the warm period, the correlation between cows’ lying time and increased THI shows that the relationship is significant inversely proportional, but in the neutral period that correlation was not significant. A decrease in the percentage of the lying cows and average lying time per hour was also noticeable between the daytime and night-time in warm periods, which was 2 times less than in the neutral period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clean floors in dairy housing have a positive impact on claw health, cleanliness of the animals and ammonia-emission reduction. Key indicator of cleaning quality is residual soiling mass, i.e. the manure remaining on the floor after dung removal. The aim of this study was to show the effects of scraping tool, rubber mat type, solid floor type, dung removal frequency and season on residual soiling mass. The comparison two scraping tools and two rubber mat types in winter showed that the rubber mat type (p = 0.001) and the scraping tool (p = 0.001) influenced the residual soiling mass. The cleaning quality was better on the common than on the soft rubber mat and the hard rubber lip left less residual soiling mass versus the metal blade (means: 174 vs. 230 g m −2 on common; 230 vs. 243 g m −2 on soft rubber mat). Further two floor types (with and without 3% slope) and two dung removal frequencies (three and 12 times per day) were investigated in three seasons. The statistical analysis proved the season as significant (p < 0.001). Residual soiling mass in winter was smaller than in warmer seasons regardless of floor type and dung removal frequency. Within the summer dataset the floor type was significant (p = 0.037): the floor without slope showed less residual soiling mass in average 218 resp. 234 g m −2 with three resp. 12 dung removal events per day than the sloped floor with 280 resp. 303 g m −2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tie-stall and loose housing are the main housing systems adopted in Piemontese cattle farms in Piedmont Region (North Western Italy). In this study, we used the ANI35/L2000 index to assess the cattle welfare in both types of housing systems, by studying 56 farms. Within each housing system, farms were classified as 'low', 'sufficient' or 'good' welfare farms, according to the score obtained, and this score was associated with reproductive parameters of cows. A higher welfare score was obtained in loose housing farms. Calving intervals and annual calf to cow ratio showed significantly better values in the loose housing system compared to tie stalls. Within tie stalls system, better reproductive performance has been recorded in farms with a higher welfare classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of modified housing system on physiological parameters like rectal temperature, skin temperature, plasma cortisol level, respiration rate and pulse rate (counts/min) of Murrah buffaloes during autumn and winter seasons. A total of 14 lactating Murrah buffaloes were randomly selected and divided into two groups, on the basis of age, body weight (BW) and parity (P). T1=First group (n=7; BW=544.86kg; P=2.14) of buffaloes was housed under existing loose housing system and T2=Second group (n=7; BW=547.71kg; P=2.28) of buffaloes was housed under modified shed. In the present study, in autumn and winter season the mean rectal temperature were (T1=101.56±0.06 vs. T2=100.94±0.12°F and T1=100.71±0.10 vs. T2=100.22±0.08°F), skin temperature were (T1=95.19±0.61 vs. T2=93.01±0.57 °F and T1=90.27±0.23 vs. T2=89.06±0.27 °F) and plasma cortisol level (T1=4.04±0.23 vs. T2=3.31±0.21 and T1=3.19±0.12 vs. T2=2.70±0.14 ng/ml) respectively. These parameters were significantly (P<0.05) lower in buffaloes housed under T2 as compared to T1 in autumn season, respiration rate (T1=37.39±1.02 vs. T2=30.99±1.21 and T1=26.56±0.84 vs. T2=23.81±0.66 counts/min.) was significantly lower in autumn (P<0.01) and winter season (P<0.0) and pulse rate (T1=60.91±1.17 vs. T2=52.52±1.44 and T1=55.01±0.52 vs. T2=51.27±0.53 counts/min) was significantly (P<0.01) lower in buffaloes housed under T2 as compared to T1 in both seasons. The Murrah buffaloes housed under modified shed were improved physiological reactions during the autumn and winter seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims at presenting the design process of a new barn for dairy cows. Project embraces several concepts that are rather new to the dairy industry and will deeply affect its environmental, economic and social sustainability. The barn will be built on a green field site located in Cervasca (CN) in the region of Piedmont. Building has been designed applying the emerging principle of "design for deconstruction" extensively. A series of constructive solutions was developed allowing for complete end-of-life disassembly and reuse of building materials. Structural system will consist of locally sourced timber connected by steel joints. Foundations will be realized by means of chestnut wood piles driven into the ground. The employment of an alternative housing system for dairy cows based entirely on cultivated pack will allow limiting the use of cast-in-place concrete, which is largely employed in conventional dairy barns. The cultivated pack needs a large space per cow leading the building to be particularly extended. The large covered area combined with the high snow load of the building site posed several challenges. Accumulation of snow on the roof would increase dramatically the structural load and therefore construction costs. Therefore, the building will consist of several 12m-large modules with 4m free space between them. Given the unusual shape of the barn and the limited use of concrete for flooring, the development of efficient systems for livestock management required the study of dedicated solutions. A first module, already realized to collect useful information for final design, is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplementary lighting provision has the potential to increase dairy cow milk yields with minimal additional capital costs. Recent developments in light emitting diode (LED) lighting technology has produced low power, high output luminaires suitable for on-farm use. Light levels (lumens) decline according to the inverse square law so luminaires need careful positioning. Specialist light meters must be used to assess provision as the human eye is too adaptable to objectively assess light levels. Providing in excess of 150 lux at cow eye level for 16–18 hours a day has been shown to lift milk yields by around 2 litres/cow/day with a 2–3 week lag in effect and a 7–9 week lag in feed intake increases. Natural day length is insufficient for most of the housed period in UK systems. Lighting adequacy should be assessed by a single time point survey of the building to determine provision in different parts of the building. Duration of high light levels is best assessed with suitable data loggers placed in the shed for several days. Fitting similar data loggers to individual cows will give a better understanding of the light that the cow actually receives. In general the current stock of un-improved dairy cattle housing is inadequately lit. The cost of making improvements to existing cattle sheds is generally in the tens of thousands of pounds, but if installed correctly can help lift milk yields by several litres per cow per day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to study the existing patterns of floor and roof of dairy animal house in the four agro-climatic regions of Tamil Nadu viz. North Eastern zone, North Western zone, Western zone, and Hilly zone. Initially a survey was conducted in the four selected agro-climatic regions of Tamil Nadu with a prestructured interview schedule for identifying the present dairy cattle housing patterns, production and management measures. The average number of animals per farm was 6.34, 7.62, 8.60 and 2.48 and the average milk production per farm was 45.35, 55.00, 71.07 and 27.35 litres per day in North Eastern, North Western, Western and Hilly zones respectively. The average milk production per animal was 6.83, 8.55, 7.52 and 11.15 litres per day. The average floor space per animal was found to be 7.16, 6.53, 5.58 and 7.66 m2 per animal in North Eastern, North Western, Western and Hilly zones respectively. The floor space was found to be sufficient in 86.3, 97.1, 84.2 and 96.7 per cent and ventilation was found to be sufficient in 89.9, 92.9, 86.8 and 13.3 per cent of the sheds in North Eastern, North Western, Western and Hilly zones respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pair housing versus individual and group housing on behavioural patterns of female buffalo calves (n = 18; 15.0±3.0 days of age) were assigned randomly to 1 of 3 treatments of group housing with (C1=one calf/pen, C2=two calves/pen, or C3= three calves/pen) supplying a total pen space allowance of 1.82 m2 /calf, regardless of pen size. Behaviour was recorded by direct observation throughout the day from 10:00 to 14:00 clock, during a single day each week for 12 weeks using scan sampling every 15 min within 4 hours’ observation sessions. Calves housed in C2 group showed more (P ≤ 0.05) eating and drinking, chewing/ruminating, object manipulation and self grooming, lying activities, and less (P < 0.05) inactivity and standing when compared to calves housed in C1 and C3 groups. In conclusion, raising buffalo calves in paired housing system provided calves more opportunity to express their comfort, grooming, and feeding activities compared to individual and group housing system, however further investigation is still required to study the effect of paired housing system on the performance and physiological indicators in buffalo calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curtain-sided barns with circulation fans above stall are commonly used to house dairy cows in China. Many farms equipped with circulation fans are unable to provide appropriate cooling, especially for the naturally ventilated shed, which can result in decreasing feed intake and milk production. For alleviating heat stress and improving animal comfort, a system consisting of an air cooler and a 30 m perforated air duct (PAD) was integrated to evenly distribute cooling air. The air was cooled by underground water and delivered to targeted zones above stall bed. The system was evaluated in an open sided dairy barn in Tianjin, China. For the stalls equipped with PAD system, air velocity reached above 1.1 m/s at 0.5 m height plane of the stall space, and was more uniformly distributed. Compared to the stalls equipped with circulation fans, the PAD system lowered air temperature by 1.5°C, and increased relative humidity by 8.1%. On average, Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and Equivalent Temperature Index (ETI) were decreased by 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. After a 15 days' operation of the system, rectal temperatures of the treated dairy cows were significantly lowered. The results also showed that the cows under PADs had a higher milk production. These findings suggest the PAD can be an effective cooling alternative for naturally ventilated dairy barns to alleviate heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emission of greenhouses gases (GHG) from ruminant production systems needs to be reduced. This can be achieved partly by better manure management, particularly for deep litter (DL) systems. Two contrasting removal frequency rates (1×, every 63.5 ± 3.5 days; and 3×, every 23.1 ± 1.5 days) were compared in a DL system for Belgian blue double-muscled heifers, focusing on CO 2 , CH 4 and N 2 O emissions from the barn and during two manure storage periods, one mainly in autumn and the other mainly in winter. No significant effect (p = 0.447) of manure removal frequency on total GHG emissions was observed (1×: 10.2 ± 3.5; 3×: 8.7 ± 2.2 kg CO 2 eq. kg −1 live weight gain).The manure contributed significantly to total GHG emissions (average of 38.9 ± 8.0% of CO 2 eq.), emissions from the barn (4.0 ± 0.7%) and manure store included (34.9 ± 8.7%). Higher emissions (time 4.8 in CO 2 eq.) from manure were observed when it was stored during the warmer period than the colder one. Large variations in emission pattern with the manure removal frequency rates were also observed, leading potentially (not measured) to higher emissions from the 1× treatment than the 3× treatment for a longer storage period than the one tested in this experiment (63 ± 1 days). Given the experimental choices, the variations in emission pattern observed indicated that mitigation options for GHG emissions from the barn and manure store related to manure removal frequency depend on manure storage duration and that keeping deep litter manure in barns without intermediate storage before spreading should be investigated. These options need to be confirmed through emission measurement during and after manure spreading in order to avoid a trade-off between emission stages. The relevance of such options in terms of agronomical concerns needs to be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal-based welfare assessment is time consuming and expensive. A promising strategy for improving the efficiency of identifying dairy herds with poorer welfare is to first estimate levels of welfare in herds based on data that are more easily obtained. Our aims were to evaluate the potential of herd housing and management data for estimating the level of welfare in dairy herds, and to estimate the associated reduction in the number of farm visits required for identification of herds with poorer welfare in a population. Seven trained observers collected data on 6 animal-based welfare indicators in a selected sample of 181 loose-housed Dutch dairy herds (herd size: 22 to 211 cows). Severely lame cows, cows with lesions or swellings, cows with a dirty hindquarter, and very lean cows were counted, and avoidance distance was assessed for a sample of cows. Occurrence of displacements (social behavior) was recorded in the whole barn during 120 min of observation. For the same herds, data regarding cattle housing and management were collected on farms, and data relating to demography, management, milk production and composition, and fertility were extracted from national databases. A herd was classified as having poorer welfare when it belonged to the 25% worst-scoring herds. We used variables of herd housing and management data as potential predictors for individual animal-based welfare indicators in logistic regressions at the herd level. Prediction was less accurate for the avoidance distance index [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.69], and moderately accurate for prevalence of severely lame cows (AUC = 0.83), prevalence of cows with lesions or swellings (AUC = 0.81), prevalence of cows with a dirty hindquarter (AUC = 0.74), prevalence of very lean cows (AUC = 0.83), and frequency of displacements (AUC = 0.72). We compared the number of farm visits required for identifying herds with poorer welfare in a population for a risk-based screening with predictions based on herd housing and management data and a full screening of herds. Compared with a full screening, the number of farm visits required for identifying almost all herds with poorer welfare reduced by 5% (avoidance distance index) to 37% (prevalence of severely lame cows) when using risk-based screening. For identifying 70% of herds with poorer welfare, the number of farm visits reduced by 43% to 67%. The number of farm visits required for identifying dairy herds with poorer welfare can be reduced when herds are first screened using herd housing and management data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group of 98 Czech Fleckvieh cows (one section) was observed over the period of one year with the aim to determine the variation in their milk performance and behaviour at different cowshed temperatures. Behaviour and milk yield were recorded once a week (on the same day) at 10:00. Periods of 8 weeks with the highest temperature (hot period - H) and of 8 weeks with the lowest temperature (cold period - L) were then compared. The cows were housed in one section (1/4 of the total capacity) of the free-stall cubicle shed and where the cubicles were distributed into three rows. Row A (32 cubicles) was close to the feeding plateau, row B (33 cubicles) was in the centre and row C (38 cubicles) was peripheral, close to the side wall. The cowshed temperature was monitored on a daily basis and the mean temperature was 23.2°C in the hot period and -1.7°C in the cold period, relative humidity 60.2% (H) and 74.6% (L), and THI 69.4 (H) and 33.4 (L). The behaviour of the cows was recorded 1568 times, showing them mostly lying down (1037) or standing (531). The cows tended to prefer lying down on their left sides (594 observations) as opposed to their right sides (443). Row A was favoured by the cows (418) and row B was the least popular (377). The cows produced significantly more milk in H period than in L period (0.3 kg per day). The cows lying down were older (3.18 lactations) than the standing cows (2.99 lactations) and they tended to produce more milk per day (by 0.6 kg) but the difference was found to be insignificant. The cows lying resting on their left side produced more milk per day (0.9 kg) and were older (0.02 lactations). The cows in row C were the youngest (2.94 lactations) and the cows in row B were in the last days in milk (144.1 days). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence and importance of visual oestrous symptoms and the relation to conception, breed, housing system and milk yield were studied. Data were collected from a Swedish research herd during a 16-year period. Local, secondary and primary oestrous symptoms and an overall oestrus intensity score (OI) were studied. Decreasing trends in oestrous expression and conception rates (CR), and an increase in CR with more intensive oestrus, from 24% at OI score one (very week) to 54% at OI score five (very strong) were observed. The mean interval from first to last observed oestrus symptom was long with a large variation (54 ± SD = 32 h). Generally, irrespectively of housing system, Swedish Red cows had higher CR, more intensive oestruses and longer oestrus durations compared to Swedish Holstein cows. Local oestrous symptoms, with CR of 24–28%, were most frequently detected, which is why more attention should be paid to local oestrous symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Piglet mortality is a continuing problem in modern pig production. It is high especially during the first few days after birth and can be reduced by supervision of farrowing. There is currently a trend to move towards housing without crates due to animal welfare concerns. Thus, automatic systems that can predict farrowing equally well in different housing systems would have wider applicability than ones developed for crated systems only. A method that works with same parameters in different housing systems would be easier to maintain and reuse in different conditions. The aim of this study was to develop a new accelerometer based system to measure sow activity before farrowing. This data was then used to build a model to predict the approach of farrowing, based on increased activity, within 24 h before the start of farrowing. We used a wireless 3D accelerometer to measure the activity of sows in order to detect farrowing. The accelerometer collars were attached to neck collars of 29 sows farrowing in crates and 33 sows farrowing in pens. We expected sows in pens to show higher activity, but a similar rise in the level. We used a single model to detect farrowing in both crates and pens. A dynamic linear model was used to model the activity of the sows before farrowing and to extract trend component from seasonal components and a CUSUM chart was used to detect activity increase. The model detected a rise in activity on average 13 ± 4.8 h (mean ± standard deviation) before farrowing in sows housed in crates and pens with sensitivity of 96.7% and specificity of 100%. The fact that we were able to use a single model with a constant set of parameters gives indication that the method has potential to become a robust indicator of farrowing in different housing systems, even though pre-farrowing activity was higher in sows housed in pens than in crates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to develop a method for the automated classification of sow’s postures based on accelerometer data. The second objective was to evaluate if the technique can be used in a reliable way instead of human labelling to automatically create postural profiles of sows. The experiment took place at the research farm of The University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna. The farm had a herd of 120 Large White sows. Data were collected from sows housed in three types of farrowing pens: wing, trapezoid and SWAP (Sow Welfare and Piglet Protection). The behaviour of 18 sows was video recorded and labelled for a period of 24 h before the start of farrowing until the end of farrowing. The focus of labelling was on three types of postural behaviours: active, resting in lateral position (RLP) and resting in sternal position (RSP). Each sow had a specific ear tag with a 3 axis accelerometer sensor. Acceleration was measured at a frequency of 10 Hz. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was used to classify the three labelled postural behaviours on the basis of acceleration data. To evaluate how the LDA classifier would generalise to an independent dataset an 18-fold cross-validation method was used. The overall classification accuracy of postural behaviours with the developed method was 70% in cross-validation and 73% on the training set. Comparison of labelling and classification results revealed that the accuracy is not good enough to detect the effect of pen type on the behaviour of the animals. However, the influence of crating on time spent resting in either a lateral or sternal position was correctly recognised with the automated method. The developed method could be further tested for the automated monitoring of the health and welfare status of sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen excreted in dairy manure can be potentially transformed and emitted as NH3, which can create livestock and human respiratory problems and be an indirect source of N2O. The objectives of this study were to: (i) investigate environmental factors influencing NH3 emissions from dairy housing; and (ii) identify key explanatory variables in the NH3 emissions prediction from dairy housing using a meta-analytical approach. Data from 25 studies were used for the preliminary analysis, and data from 10 studies reporting 87 treatment means were used for the meta-analysis. Season and flooring type significantly affected NH3 emissions. For nutritional effect analysis, the between-study variability (heterogeneity) of mean NH3 emission was estimated using random-effect models and had a significant effect (P < 0.01). Therefore, random-effect models were extended to mixedeffect models to explain heterogeneity regarding the available dietary and animal variables. The final mixed-effect model included milk yield, dietary crude protein, and dry matter intake separately, explaining 45.5% of NH3 emissions heterogeneity. A unit increase in milk yield (kg d-1) resulted in a 4.9 g cow-1 d-1 reduction in NH3 emissions, and a unit increase in dietary crude protein content (%) and dry matter intake (kg d-1) resulted in 10.2 and 16.3 g cow-1 d-1 increases in NH3 emissions, respectively, in the scope of this study. These results can be further used to help identify mitigation strategies to reduce NH3 emissions from dairy housing by developing predictive models that could determine variables with strong association with NH3 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to describe and compare husbandry practices on organic and conventional dairy farms of similar sizes in Minnesota. Organic (ORG, n = 35), same-sized conventional (SC, n = 15, <200 cows) and medium-sized conventional (MC, n = 13, ≥200 cows) dairy herds were visited in 2012, and farmers were interviewed once about their farm, herd demographics, and herd management practices concerning nutrition, housing, and reproductive programs. Organic farms had been established as long as conventional farms, and ORG producers had most commonly selected ORG farming because of a negative perception of pesticides for human health. The distribution of cattle breeds and ages differed across farm types. Organic farms had more crossbred cows and a greater number of older cows than conventional farms, who had mainly Holstein cattle. Organic farms did not dock tails, were more likely to use breeding bulls, and were less likely to conduct pregnancy diagnoses in cattle. All conventional farmers fed corn, corn silage, and hay, but no forage or feed supplement was fed by all ORG farms with the exception of pasture. Kelp was supplemented on most ORG farms but on none of the conventional farms. In summary, although there were differences across farm types regarding the use of pasture, feeds, and feed additives, breed and age distribution, reproductive management, and the use of tail docking, observations in other management areas showed large overlap across herd types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing lame cows in designated hospital pens with a soft surface may lessen the pain the animals feel when lying and changing position. This study investigated the effect of the lying surface on the behavior of lame cows in hospital pens. Thirty-two lame dairy cows were kept in individual hospital pens, provided with either 30-cm deep-bedded sand or 24-mm rubber mats during 24 h in a crossover design. On each surface, the lying behavior of each cow was recorded during 18 h. On deep-bedded sand, cows lay down more and changed position more often than when housed on the rubber surface. Furthermore, a shorter duration of lying down and getting up movements and a shorter duration of lying intention movements were observed. These results suggest that lame dairy cows are more reluctant to change position on rubber compared with sand, and that sand is more comfortable to lie on. Thus, deep bedding such as sand may provide better lying comfort for lame cows than an unbedded rubber surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to evaluate the effect of housing type on health and performance of preweaned dairy calves. One hundred calves, Holsteins (HO) or Holstein-Jersey crosses (HJ), were randomly assigned to a Calf-Tel (L. T. Hampel Corp., Germantown, WI) polyethylene hutch exposed to direct sun light (n = 25 for both HO and HJ) or a wire hutch with a plywood shade located under trees (n = 24 and 26 for HO and HJ, respectively). Calf rectal temperature, respiratory rate, health scores, and weaning weight were compared by housing type. Rectal temperatures were higher in calves in Calf-Tel hutches compared with calves in wire hutches at 1500 h, at 40.1 ± 0.28 and 39.1 ± 0.22°C, respectively. Similarly, respiratory rates were higher in calves in Calf-Tel hutches compared with calves in wire hutches at 1500 h, at 90 ± 15 and 65 ± 10 breaths per minute, respectively. Frequencies of calves presenting abnormal ear scores did not differ between calves in Calf-Tel or wire hutches. Abnormal eye scores were less likely to occur for calves in the wire hutches. Frequencies of calves with signs of respiratory disease, such as nasal discharge and coughing, were higher in the wire hutches compared with the Calf-Tel hutches. No differences were noted in the incidence and time of first diarrhea event in calves between hutch types. Calves in wire hutches had 5.47 greater odds of receiving veterinary treatment compared with calves in the Calf-Tel hutches. Weaning weights were not different for calves in Calf-Tel or in wire hutches. The lower frequency of calves with abnormal health scores and receiving veterinary treatment in Calf-Tel hutches and the lack of difference in weight gain suggests that this housing system adapted well to the specific environmental conditions of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compromised dairy cows, such as those suffering from illness or injury, are likely to have different behavioral priorities and needs compared to healthy cows. Although hospital pens are typically required in animal welfare standards and assessment programs, there is surprisingly little information on best practices for housing and management of compromised cows. The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information about management and husbandry practices of compromised cows on dairy farms in Iowa. A questionnaire-based survey was designed to examine demographic information, design and management of hospital pens, as well as decisions concerning humane endpoints when euthanasia is considered. The survey was sent to 300 Iowa dairy farmers including organic, large (>500 cows) and ordinary (≤500 cows) dairy farms, with overall response rate of 41%. Eighty-two percent of respondents had the possibility to house a sick or injured cow away from her normal pen. Hospital areas typically involved pen housing (89% of farms), and bedded pack was the most common flooring used (88%). Compromised cows were frequently housed in the same enclosure as fresh cows (45%), calving cows (36%), close up cows that are soon to calve (35%), dry cows (15%), or other cattle (8%), including heifers, calves and bulls. Half of the farms had standard management protocols for non-ambulatory cows. Calving difficulties, injury, milk fever, lameness and displaced abomasum were the most frequently cited conditions for moving cows into hospital pens. The present data can be used to formulate hypotheses and design experiments in order to examine relationships between the behavior of compromised cows under different management strategies. Research is needed to formulate recommendations for effective design and management of special needs areas and hospital pens, notably with respect to social groupings and behavioral needs of ill and injured cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Italian Piedmontese cattle breed is traditionally housed in tie-stalls and, to a lesser extent, in loose housing systems with free stalls. The present study has compared the same group of 15 cattle before and after stable renovation (tie-stall vs free-stall housing) funded by Regulation (EU) No. 1305/2013. All the animals remained healthy during the trial, no clinical signs were observed and no mastitis occurred. The tested parameters were: locomotion scoring system, salivary cortisol, blood parameters, serum acute phase protein (albumin, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A and lysozyme). Samples were collected 3 times: before the change (T1), 3 days later (T2), 40 days later (T3). The change in housing determined noteworthy variations in the stress parameters: albumin and total protein displayed the lowest value at T2, while lysozyme displayed the lowest value at T3. Among the App, SAA and Hp were not affected by the sampling time. Salivary cortisol displayed the highest value at T1. This study suggests that tie-stall housing can endanger the welfare of animals, and it is hoped that this farming system will be abandoned in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study is to analyze the thermal characteristics of electrical wirings depending on the number of operating load by connecting four types of electrical wirings that are selected by surveying the conditions for the electric fans, automatic waterers and halogen warm lamps that were installed in cattle barns in different years. The conditions of 64 cattle barns were surveyed and an experimental test was conducted at a cattle barn. The condition-survey covered inappropriate design, construction and misuse of electrical facility, including electrical wiring mostly used, and the mode of load current was evaluated. The survey showed that the mode of load current increased as the installation year of the fans, waterers and halogen lamps became older. Accordingly, the cattle barn manager needed to increase the capacity of the circuit breaker, which promoted the degradation of insulation of the electrical wires' sheath and increased possibility for electrical fires in the long-run. The test showed that the saturation temperature of the wire insulated sheath increased depending on the installation year of the load groups, in case of VCTFK and VFF electric wires, therefore, requiring their careful usage in the cattle barns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]