Individual differences in calf defence patterns in Red Angus beef cows

Flörcke, Cornelia; Engle, T. E.; Grandin, Temple; Deesing, Mark J.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2012.04.001

Cited by 31 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Conversely, another study found that cows with high and multiple hair whorls, who were standing with their day-old calves, reacted to an approaching, unfamiliar vehicle at a further distance than other cows. This may indicate a higher degree of vigilance than other cows (Flörcke et al, 2012).…”

Section: Personalitymentioning

confidence: 97%

“…This may be because maternal protectiveness of offspring is so critically important that all cows are very high in this trait. For instance, in an investigation of individual differences in mother cows' reactions to an unfamiliar utility vehicle approaching mother and calf at 24 hrs following birth, 99% of cows moved between the vehicle and their calves in a protective manner (Flörcke, Engle, Grandin, & Deesing, 2012). Thus, there is little behavioral variability in maternal protectiveness.…”

Section: Personalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Psychology of Cows

Marino¹,

Allen²

2017

ABC

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-Domestic cows (Bos taurus) are consumed worldwide as beef and veal, kept as dairy product producers, employed as draft animals in labor, and are used for a long list of other products, including leather and manure. But despite global reliance on cows for thousands of years, most people's perception of them is as plodding herd animals with little individual personality and very simple social relationships or preferences. Yet, a review of the scientific literature on cow behavior points to more complex cognitive, emotional and social characteristics. Moreover, when cow behavior is addressed, it is almost entirely done within the framework of and applied to their use as food commodities. Therefore, there is relatively little attention to the study of cow intelligence, personality and sociality at a basic comparative level. In this review, we examine the current state of scientific knowledge about cows within an objective comparative framework, describing their cognitive, emotional, and social characteristics. Our aim is to provide a more veridical and objective current summary of cow psychology on its own terms and in ways which will facilitate better-informed comparisons with other animals. Moreover, an understanding of the capabilities and characteristics of domestic cows will, it is hoped, advance our understanding of who they are as individuals.

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Section: Personalitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Personalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psychology of Cows

Marino¹,

Allen²

2017

ABC

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“…The investigation of maternal protectiveness towards the calf after parturition has become of increasing importance since the reintroduction of gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains [6]. A study by Flörcke et al 2012 [7] investigated maternal protectiveness and calf defense patterns of cows 24 h after parturition and found that cows vary in their level of vigilance towards their surroundings. Vigilance is associated with the temperament of the cow and can be directly linked to the survival chances of the calf.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Maternal vigilance of animals with a high HW is greater than vigilance behavior in animals with a lower HW position. These cows pay more attention to their surroundings and they perceive threats earlier [7]. In horses, there is an association between the facial HW and motor behaviors [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Separation Behavior for Parturition of Red Angus Beef Cows

Flörcke¹,

Grandin²

2014

OJAS

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Increased predation losses in beef cattle in the Northern Rocky Mountains raise the importance of research concerning maternal behavior around the time of parturition. Separation behavior of multiparous cows at parturition was studied by measuring the distance (m) between the birth place and the main herd with a GPS device. Age of cows and forehead hair whorl pattern (HW) were analyzed as possible factors affecting separation distance. A total of 333 cows (95% Red Angus and 5% Angus × Hereford commercial crossbreds; age range: 3-6 yrs) were studied. Separation distance was determined by approaching the cow-calf pair with a utility vehicle that gradually decreased the distance to the pair. The geographic coordinates per pair were recorded and the separation distance was calculated as a straight line between each pair and the main herd. The HW on the forehead of each animal was used as a measure of individual differences in temperament. Age and HW were collected when the animals were held in a squeeze chute. HW was classified into one of six groups: high, middle, low, abnormal, multiple HWs and no HW. The age of a cow influenced the separation distance for parturition (P < 0.001). Four-year-old cows were on average about 150 m further away than other aged cows when calving. Eighty-eight percent of cows separated more than 100 m from the herd. The hair whorl position had no influence on the separation distance (P = 0.405). Distinct separation behavior for parturition was observed in this herd which appears to be an innate behavior that is influenced by the individual temperament of the cow.

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“…Antipredator behavior by cows has several components, including being vigilant against predators; remaining close to their calf when it is at risk; standing between the calf and an approaching predator; and displaying intimidating behavior including lowering the head, bellowing, and charging at close range (Flörcke et al ). Like other domesticated animals, cattle generally display reduced antipredator behavior compared with their wild relatives (Flörcke & Grandin ), and the expression of such behavior varies strongly among individuals and breeds (Flörcke et al ). Nonetheless, because dingoes are much smaller than cows, the antipredator behaviors expressed by cows are often sufficient to protect their calves from attack.…”

Section: Dingo‐friendly Cattle Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The virtuous circle: predator‐friendly farming and ecological restoration in Australia

Johnson

Wallach

2016

Restoration Ecology

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In Australia, dingoes are widely regarded as enemies of livestock, and accordingly livestock producers commonly attempt to reduce or eradicate them by lethal control. This can have two forms of perverse outcomes: lethal control often does not succeed in reducing dingo populations and can even result in increased attacks on livestock; and the environmental benefits provided by dingoes, some of which are valuable to livestock production, are lost. We describe these outcomes and suggest mechanisms by which tolerance of dingoes could provide benefits to livestock enterprises, at the same time widening the scope of ecological restoration, and humane treatment of wildlife in Australia.

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Individual differences in calf defence patterns in Red Angus beef cows

Cited by 31 publications

References 28 publications

The Psychology of Cows

The Psychology of Cows

Separation Behavior for Parturition of Red Angus Beef Cows

The virtuous circle: predator‐friendly farming and ecological restoration in Australia

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