Pontiggia, A.; Münger, A.; Eggerschwiler, L.; Holinger, M.; Stucki, D.; Ammer, S.; Bruckmaier, R.M.; Dohme-Meier, F. and Keil, N.M. (2024) Behavioural responses related to increasing core body temperature of grazing dairy cows experiencing moderate heat stress. Animal, 18 (101097), pp. 1-10.
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Document available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731124000284
Summary in the original language of the document
Exposure to direct solar radiation, high ambient temperature, lack of wind movement, coupled with own metabolic heat production, makes grazing dairy cows vulnerable to heat stress. In pastures, it would be beneficial to monitor heat stress by observable changes in behaviour. We hypothesised that grazing dairy cows exhibit behavioural changes due to increasing heat load in temperate climate. Over two consecutive summers, 38 full-time grazing Holstein dairy cows were investigated in 12 experimental periods of up to 3 consecutive days where the cows were repeatedly exposed to various levels of moderate heat load determined by the comprehensive climate index (CCI). The CCI defines the ambient climate conditions, combining air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind speed. Vaginal temperature (VT) was automatically measured as an indicator of heat stress. In addition, as a less invasive method, we investigated if reticular temperature (RET) can be indicative of heat stress on pastures. Walking activity, lying-, feeding, and ruminating durations were recorded continuously with sensors. Respiration rate (RR), proximity to and competition at the water trough, social licking, self-licking, inter-individual distance, and fly intensity were directly observed. Data were analysed in the morning (0900–1100 h) and during the hottest time of day when cows were on pasture (1230–1430 h). The VT and RET showed similar patterns in relation to the CCI, suggesting that RET can be suitable for continuous monitoring of heat stress on pastures. In the morning, the cow’s VT and RET did not relevantly react to the CCI. During the period 1230–1430 h, the cow’s mean VT (mean vaginal temperature (VTMEAN); range: 37.7–40.3 °C) and mean RET (mean reticular temperature; range: 37.0–41.1 °C) were positively related to the mean CCI (mean comprehensive climate index) in this period (mean ± SD: 25.9 ± 5.71 °C). For cows with greater VTMEAN, an increased mean RR and decreased durations of walking, lying, feeding, and ruminating were found. These cows were also more likely to be in proximity to the water trough and to have small inter-individual distances. Changes in these traits seem to reflect behavioural adaptations to heat stress in a temperate climate and could be used to detect the heat stress in individual dairy cows on pastures.
EPrint Type: | Journal paper |
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Keywords: | Inter-individual distance, Proximity to water, Respiration rate, Reticular temperature, Vaginal temperature, Abacus, FiBL50097, Hitzestress |
Agrovoc keywords: | Language Value URI English dairy cows http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_26767 English heat stress http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_11488 |
Subjects: | Animal husbandry > Production systems > Dairy cattle Animal husbandry > Health and welfare |
Research affiliation: | Switzerland > Agroscope Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Animal > Animal welfare & housing > Animal welfare Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Animal > Cattle Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Animal > Animal welfare & housing > Grassland-based livestock systems Switzerland > University of Bern Germany > University of Göttingen |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101097 |
Deposited By: | Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau, FiBL |
ID Code: | 53052 |
Deposited On: | 28 Mar 2024 08:51 |
Last Modified: | 28 Mar 2024 08:51 |
Document Language: | English |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Peer-reviewed and accepted |
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