Differences in behaviour of free-ranging cattle in the tropical climate

Langbein, Jan; Nichelmann, M

doi:10.1016/0168-1591(93)90111-2

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Furthermore, individuals using shade were physically separated from individuals that did not use shade (by an electric fence with a relatively narrow (3 to 5 m) opening as entrance and exit). The motivation for shade use might thus be opposed to the cattle's strong gregarious tendency, which has already been shown to influence shade-seeking behaviour (Langbein and Nichelmann, 1993). In the present study, we did observe that individual cows quickly followed each other into and out of the shade, presumably to maintain group cohesion.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 40%

Effect of summer conditions and shade on behavioural indicators of thermal discomfort in Holstein dairy and Belgian Blue beef cattle on pasture

laer¹,

Moons

Ampe³

et al. 2015

Animal

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Using behavioural indicators of thermal discomfort, that is, shade seeking, panting scores (PS) and respiration rate (RR), we evaluated the effect of hot summer conditions and shade, for a herd of adult Holstein dairy cows and a herd of Belgian Blue beef cows kept on pasture in a temperate area (Belgium). During the summer of 2012, both herds were kept on pasture without access to shade (NS). During the summers of 2011 and 2013 each herd was divided into one group with (S) and one without (NS) access to shade. Shade was provided by young trees with shade cloth (80% reduction in solar radiation) hung between them. For S cows, we investigated how shade use was related to hot conditions as quantified by six climatic indices. The heat load index (HLI), which incorporates air temperature and humidity, solar radiation and wind speed, was the best predictor of the six indices tested. In 2011, there was a relatively high threshold for use of shade. When HLI = 90, shade use probability reached 17% for dairy cows and 27% for beef cows. In 2013, however, at HLI = 90, shade use probability reached 48% for dairy cows and 41% for beef cows. For animals from the NS treatment we determined the effect of hot summer conditions on RR and PS (with 0 = no panting and 4.5 = extreme panting). In both types of cattle, an increase in black globe temperature was the best predictor for increasing RR and PS. Furthermore, we determined how the effect of hot summer conditions on RR and PS was affected by the use of shade. Under hot conditions (black globe temperature ⩾ 30°C), >50% of the animals under shade retained normal PS and RR (PS < 1 and RR < 90 breaths per minute), whereas normal RR and PS were significantly less prevalent for animals outside shade. Our findings suggest that, even in temperate summers, heat can induce thermal discomfort in cattle, as evidenced by increases in shade use, RR and PS, and that shade increases thermal comfort.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 40%

Effect of summer conditions and shade on behavioural indicators of thermal discomfort in Holstein dairy and Belgian Blue beef cattle on pasture

laer¹,

Moons

Ampe³

et al. 2015

Animal

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“…However, Legrand et al (2009) found that during the daytime when the THI was high, the cows spent more time indoors, which they were likely using for shade. Langbein and Nichelmann (1993) reported that cattle on pasture exposed to temperatures up to 28ºC spent 85% of each hour in shade.…”

Section: Weather Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The behaviour of housed dairy cattle with and without pasture access: A review

Charlton

Rutter

2017

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

111

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With more dairy cows being housed indoors, for at least part of the year, it is important to understand how housing impacts on 'normal behaviour' and the implications for cow welfare. For cows on pasture, nutritional requirements and climatic conditions are the major concerns, whilst indoor housing systems can restrict natural behaviours and reduce health as incidences of lameness and mastitis increase. When given a choice to be at pasture or in cubicle housing, studies have shown that time of day, season, and where feed is provided can influence preference. Previous experience also had a big effect on pasture preference: the longer calves/heifers/cows were reared without experience of pasture the stronger their preference for housing. The ontogeny of grazing also requires pasture experience i.e. the instinctive foraging behaviour of calves is to suckle and they have to learn through experience how to graze. These results raise the question: if cattle are to be housed for part of the year, would it be better to house them continuously? Other results would suggest not, as there are clear production, health and welfare benefits to pasture access. Cows at pasture had lower levels of lameness and mastitis, and cows with free access to pasture and indoor housing also produced more milk than those continuously housed. Approximately half of this extra milk was attributed to grass intake, and increased lying, improved comfort and/or lower stress probably accounted for the rest.Although incorporating free access between housing and pasture is difficult on many farms, it is postulated that developments in precision livestock farming offer the potential to provide a technological solution to this problem. These research findings could be used as the basis to design novel, adaptive housing that responds to cow behaviour. The aim would be to incorporate the best aspects of pasture with the best aspects of housing to provide an environment that meets the needs of the cows all year around.

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“…Langbein and Nichelmann (1993) visually observed behavior of free-ranging Holstein-Friesian and Siboney de Cuba breeds in a tropical climate. Proportions of time spent grazing, lying, standing, and using shade were evaluated between breeds.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring cattle behavior and pasture use with GPS and GIS

Turner¹,

Udal²,

Larson³

et al. 2000

Can. J. Anim. Sci.

205

145

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. 2000. Monitoring cattle behavior and pasture use with GPS and GIS. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 80: 405-413. Precision agriculture is already being used commercially to improve variability management in row crop agriculture. In the same way, understanding how spatial and temporal variability of animal, forage, soil and landscape features affect grazing behavior and forage utilization provides potential to modify pasture management, improve efficiency of utilization, and maximize profits. Recent advances in global positioning system (GPS) technology have allowed the development of lightweight GPS collar receivers suitable for monitoring animal position at 5-min intervals. The GPS data can be imported into a geographic information system (GIS) to assess animal behavior characteristics and pasture utilization. This paper describes application and use of GPS technology on intensively managed beef cattle, and implications for livestock behavior and management research on pasture. Global positioning system monitoring can provide researchers with efficient and accurate information on grazing behavior. Previous research focused on tracking animals using data gathered by observation. Recent advances in GPS technology have allowed the development of lightweight collar receivers suitable for monitoring animal position at 5-min intervals. Data can be imported into a GIS to assess animal behavior characteristics and pasture utilization. Precision animal location recording allows researchers to evaluate pasture utilization, animal performance, and behavior. Researchers may assess the merits of pasture or paddock shapes and sizes, fence designs, grazing systems, forage composition and availability, location of shade, water, and supplements, and other variables that affect beef cattle operations. The objectives of this article are: 1) to review previous tracking technology; 2) to explain GPS animal monitoring; 3) to describe GPS tracking collar application for beef cattle; and 4) to discuss pasture livestock behavior and management research implications.

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Differences in behaviour of free-ranging cattle in the tropical climate

Cited by 15 publications

References 15 publications

Effect of summer conditions and shade on behavioural indicators of thermal discomfort in Holstein dairy and Belgian Blue beef cattle on pasture

Effect of summer conditions and shade on behavioural indicators of thermal discomfort in Holstein dairy and Belgian Blue beef cattle on pasture

The behaviour of housed dairy cattle with and without pasture access: A review

Monitoring cattle behavior and pasture use with GPS and GIS

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