Effects of handling aids on calf behaviour.

Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2000 | No Comments

Calves raised in three different conditions were studied in response to three different handling aids. Intensively-reared intact Holstein males (Group 1), extensively-reared beef-breed females (Group 2), and extensively-reared castrated beef-breed males (Group 3) were studied. The handling treatments included an electric prod, an oar with rattles or manual urging. Calves from each group experienced one of the handling methods. The handling methods were only used when necessary to encourage forward movement through a solid-sided semi-circular chute. One day before and one day and one week after the movement tests, an approach test was conducted. The fewest treatment applications were required for calves that received the electric prod. These calves also ran more often and made more contact with the sides of the chute. Behaviour during the approach tests did not change after the handling aids were used. However, during the approach tests, regardless of treatment, Group 1 calves were less fearful of humans compared to calves in Groups 2 and 3. One week after the chute tests, all the calves that had experienced the electric prod retreated from the handler when they heard the buzzing sound of the electric prod. This suggests that after experiencing both the feeling and sound of the prod, the sound alone could be enough to encourage the calves to move.

Effect of feeding duration and rumen fill on behaviour in dairy cows.

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The feeding of dairy cows during the stable period is often accomplished within a rather short time, compared with the duration of eating and rumination among cows on pasture. In dairy cows restricted feeding may lead to significant increases in behavioural disturbances, such as stereotyped oral behaviours, compared with giving feed ad libitum. The aim of the present experiment was to test the hypothesis that oral manipulation of feed is a behavioural need in cattle, irrespective of actual rumen load. Twelve rumen fistulated cows were used and subjected to four different treatments: low rumen content+long duration of eating (A), high rumen content+short duration of eating (B), high rumen content+long duration of eating (=positive control) (C) and low rumen content+short duration of eating (=negative control) (D). To obtain treatment A and B, rumen content was transferred by hand from cow A to B through the rumen fistulaes. Each treatment lasted for 3 days with 2 weeks of recovery between each new treatment. This experiment was repeated twice during two consecutive years. All cows were fed the same mixture of silage, concentrate and hay. The cows were videotaped under normal conditions (24h), and on the third day of the experiment. From these videotapes, the behaviours (frequency and duration per 24 h) were analysed.Time spent eating differed significantly between the four treatments, with shortest eating-times in B and D. The cows with low rumen content (A and D) spent shorter time ruminating than the cows with filled rumen (B and C). The B and D cows (short duration of eating) spent longer time with behaviours related to feed-searching that the cows with long duration of eating (A and C). The C cows had fewer bouts of behaviours related to feed-searching than A, B and D cows. The time spent with stereotypies (tongue-rolling) was longer in D than in the other treatments. In conclusion, these results support the hypothesis that oral manipulation of feed is a behavioural need in cattle irrespective of rumen load. A low duration of feeding behaviours combined with a low rumen load, which is a common practice in certain categories of growing cattle or dry dairy cows, seriously impairs the welfare in cattle.

Aggression and social spacing in light horse (Equus caballus) mares and foals

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The aggression and spacing amongst light horse mares and their foals was examined while they were out at pasture. The mare-foal pairs were observed for approximately seven hours each day. The observations began when the foal was two months old and ended when the foals were approximately four months old. Observations of the foals continued until they were six months old. All occurrences of aggressive behaviour were recorded, along with the identity of those that were involved in the encounter. Aggression was also observed when the horses were fed supplemental grain. There were significant correlations between the rank of the mare with the rank of the foal (before and after weaning). There was also a significant correlation between rank and birth order, but this was only evident before weaning. The social relationships of the foals, along with their rank was not linked to their gender. The foals preferred to associate with the foals of the mares that their mother preferred to associate with both before and after weaning. As mares and foals increased in rank, so did the rate at which they would engage in aggressive encounters with other horses in the herd.

Green Electricity – The Way Forward?

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The production of electricity via anaerobic digestion and biogas is enjoying a renewed lease on life. M.A.V. nv is the company responsible for building a large scale biogas plant located in the port area of Gent, Belgium. The result of the process is a daily production of 30000 – 40000 m3 of biogas which has a gross energy content of 160 – 230 MWh. The biogas is used for the production of electricity, steam and hotwater. The plant produces about 40 tonnes per day of solid material, effectively fertilizer, in a granular form. The article also includes a testimonial from a Belgium farmer that is using this system .

Sustainable pig production – evaluation of different scenarios

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The goal of pig production is to produce pig meat to as low cost as possible, as the industry in
large is based on short time profit. However, consumers and society show a growing interest
in production methods and quality of products (A

BEHAVIOR OF DAIRY COWS IN RESPONSE TO DIFFERENT BARN COOLING SYSTEMS

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Dietary lysine requirements of heavy and light pigs weaned at 14 days of age

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EVAPORATION REDUCTION POTENTIAL IN AN UNDISTURBED SOIL IRRIGATED WITH SURFACE DRIP AND SAND TUBE IRRIGATION

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Hudrogen Sulfide Production from Stored Liquid Swine Manure: A Laboratory Study

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The production of hydorgen sulfide from liquid swine manure is influenced by the manure settling characteristics and the initial sulfate concentration was studied in the laboratory. The manure was settled in a 30cm diameter x 120cm high column for 24 hours and then divided into three layers based on solids content. The manure from different layers was placed in separate closed jars and stored for 30 days a 22 degrees Cesius. The total sulfide, total solids, volatile solidds, pH in the manure, and hydrogen sulfide in the effluent gas stream was measured. The sulfide production rate was highest for all three manure layers during the first 5-10 days of storage. The top manure layer had the lowest solids content and the highest sulfide concentration. Howwever, due to the l;ower pH levels in the bottom layer, the concentrationof molecular H2S is higher in the bottom layer than the top layer. Mathematical equations for predicting H2S concentration and production rates in the different manure layers were derived. Three levels of initial sulfate concentration were used to test the effect of initial sulfate concentration in the liquid swine manure on sulfide production. Higher sulfate concentration in the manure resulted in higher sulfide concentration during the storage priod. From the observations made, it was confirmed that reducing the sulfate concentration in the water supply would help reduce the sulfide production in the pit.

A Strategy for Sustainable Manure Management in Saskatchewan

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Sustainable manure management is the application of sounds practices supported by scientific data over time. The impetus for research, development and extension activities will come from the industry, the public and federal and provincial agencies. To be successful, however, efforts must be co-ordinated, targeted to needs and delivered effectively.
What is clear is that single solutions are not the answer. We need to approach manure management from a systems perspective. The challenges identified under each of the strategic areas, although presented separately, are inter-related. Solutions must account for these relationships and evaluate the trade-offs that inevitably occur with decision-making. As a working document, this strategy brings together the challenges we face in manure management and allows stakeholders to see each component as part of a whole. It describes the objectives for each category, manure storage, manure application and use, manure odours, manure handling and transportation systems, manure treatment, environmental planning and communications and extension. It then describes the research being done in the area, the development of a strategy and the extension activities.