A real-time control system for individual dairy cow food intake

Heat production, eating behavior and milk yield of lactating cows fed two rations differing in roughage content and digestibility under heat load conditions

“…The 42 feeders were each mounted on weighing balances that enabled the voluntary feed intake during every meal for each individual cow to be monitored. Scientists from the Volcani Center developed this system, as described in Halachmi et al (1998). A meal is defined as an identified cow visiting a feeder, where the visit lasts at least 2 min and at least 200 g of wet TMR is consumed.…”

The effect of fiber characteristics on thermoregulatory responses and feeding behavior of heat stressed cows

“…Diet was supplied as a total mixed ration, and dietary nutrient concentrations were similar (NE of lactation, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber levels were 7.4 MJ/kg of DM, 15.5% and 37%, respectively), except that in the treatment group diet (TRT) 2 kg of soy hulls replaced 2 kg of wheat hay from the control group diet (CON). Food was provided daily at 10 h. The overall feed offered to each cow, feed consumption during the day, and feed refusals were recorded by a real-time control system for individual cow (Halachmi et al, 1998). Rectal temperature was measured every month, three times during the measuring day, by digital thermometers.…”

The effect of non forage fibre on energy balance and feeding behaviour of heat stressed cows

“…In the treatment group's diet 2 kg of soya hulls replaced 2 kg of wheat hay from the control diet. Hourly feed consumption was recorded by a real-time control system for individual cow (Halachmi et al, 1998).…”