Interaction of Stocking Density, Cow Comfort,and Productivity: Effects on Lactating Cows
Overstocking remains a challenge management issue across commercial dairy farms.Economic analysis suggests that farm profitability may be maximized when cows are housed at 120% of feeding and/or resting resources (1.2 cows per available resting or feeding space within a pen).However, this analysis is based on published data, which has one limitation.Stocking density may serve as a subclinical stressor, which becomes problematic when presented in conjunction with another stressor.We have designed a series of studies to evaluate this concept in lactating dairy cows.First, we will present our findings that address the effects of combining stocking density with a dietary stressor.Second, we will address the concept of sleep and lying deprivation in cows.Stocking density has consistently reduced lying time, yet its influence on sleep has not been considered.Collectively, this suggests that understanding the dynamic of sleep deprivation within the context of a cumulative effect with sleep deprivation is the next critical step to establishing the negative effects of stocking density on behavioral and production responses.
P.D.Krawczel M.A.Campbell J.A.Kull R.J.Grant
The University of Tennessee, Department of Animal Science, Knoxville, TN USA William H.Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY USA
国际会议
The 5h International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality(第五届“奶牛营养与牛奶质量国际研讨会)
北京
英文
51-59
2017-05-05（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）