Effect of two housing systems on performance and longevity of dairy cows in Northern Italy
Laen...
Kuupäev
2019
Kättesaadav alates
Autorid
Leso, L.
Pellegrini, P.
Barbari, M.
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
The objective of the current study was to evaluate and compare performance of dairy
cows housed in compost-bedded pack barns (CBP) and free stall barns, with a focus on longevityrelated parameters. Study included 30 commercial dairy farms located in the Po Valley, Italy.
Twenty farms had free stall barns, among which 10 used rubber mattresses (FSM) and 10 used
deep straw bedding (FSS). The remaining 10 farms had CBP. Monthly dairy herd records were
obtained from the Italian DHI association for each farm included in the study over a period of
one year. All farms were visited to measure characteristics and dimensions of housing facilities.
Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the association between housing system and the
outcome variables. In CBP total available area was larger than both in FSM and FSS. However,
space per cow over the bedded pack area in CBP (6.8 ± 2.4 m2
cow-1
) was relatively low for this
housing system. Milk production was similar among housing systems but somatic cell count and
mastitis infection prevalence resulted to be higher in CBP than in FSM and FSS. Calving interval
was lower in FSS compared with both FSM and CBP while no differences were found in number
of services per pregnancy. Cows housed in CBP were older and had higher parities than those in
FSM and FSS while no significant differences in herd turnover rate were detected among housing
systems. Results confirm that CBP housing system may improve longevity of dairy cows, which
is reported to be one of the most important motivations for building this kind of housing.
Nevertheless, CBP housing can pose some challenges in achieving adequate udder health and
high milk quality, especially with low space per cow.
Kirjeldus
Article
Märksõnad
compost-bedded pack barns, freestall, cows, animal welfare, longevity, articles