Influence of estrus on dry matter intake, water intake and BW of dairy cows

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyze whether dry matter intake (DMI), water intake (WI) and BW were influenced by estrus. A second objective was to determine whether correlations exist among these traits in non-estrous days. Data collection included 34 Holstein-Friesian cows from the research farm 'Haus Riswick' of the Agricultural Chamber North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. On an individual basis, daily DMI and daily WI were measured automatically by a scale in the feeding trough and a WI monitoring system, respectively. BW was determined by a walk-through scale fitted with two gates -one in front and one behind the scale floor. Data were analyzed around cow's estrus with day 0 (the day of artificial insemination leading to conception). Means during the reference period, defined as days − 3 to − 1 and 1 to 3, were compared with the means during estrus (day 0). DMI, WI and BW were affected by estrus. Of all cows, 85.3% and 66.7% had reduced DMI and WI, respectively, on day 0 compared with the reference period. Lower BW was detected in 69.2% of all cows relative to the reference period. During the reference period, average DMI, WI and BW were 23.0, 86.6 and 654.8 kg. A minimum DMI of 20.4 kg and a minimum BW of 644.2 kg were detected on the day of estrus, whereas the minimum WI occurred on the day before estrus. After estrus, DMI, WI and BW returned to baseline values. Intake of concentrated feed did not seem to be influenced by estrus. Positive correlations existed between daily DMI and daily WI (r = 0.63) as well as between cows' daily BW and daily WI (r = 0.23). The results warrant further investigations to determine whether monitoring of DMI, WI and BW may assist in predicting estrus.

Feeding characteristics and rumination time of dairy cows around estrus

“…The effects of estrus on feeding behavior vary in different studies: Lukas et al (2008) described an increased DMI during estrus, Maltz et al (1997) and Reith et al (2014) found a decrease in DMI, and De Silva et al (1981) found no effect on DMI. In addition, a decrease in rumination time during estrus was described by Reith and Hoy (2012).…”

Changes of locomotion activity in the Holstein dairy cows during estrus

“…Reith et al (2014) affirmed the increase of cows´ locomotion activity related to the estrus beginning of the Holstein and Fleckvieh breed on average by 38 %. The comparable results of the increased locomotion activity of Holstein dairy cows in the estrus period in comparison with the reference period before estrus were detected also by our research (32.2 %).…”

“…According to Lopez -Gatius et al (2005) each increase of efficiency by 1 kg decreases the locomotion activity during estrus by -1.6 %. Similarly, Reith et al (2014) claim that the increase of activity of high milk producing dairy cows (with the daily production more than 40 kg of milk) was less noticable in comparison with the dairy cows of a lower milk production. However, based on the experiments Arney et al (1994) did not detect a significant impact of the milk production on the level of the dairy cows´ locomotion activity during estrus.…”

Several Methods of Estrus Detection in Cattle Dams: A Review

“…Reith and Hoy (2012) evaluated 265 estrus events, finding that rumination on the day of estrus decreased 17 % (74 min), but with large variation between herds (14 to 24 %). In a follow-up study that looked at 453 estrous cycles, rumination time decreased 19.6 % (83 min) on the day of estrus (Reith et al, 2014). Pahl et al (2015) also found a decrease in rumination on the day of (19.3 %) and the day before (19.8 %) inseminations leading to pregnancy.…”

“…The effects of estrus on feeding behavior vary in different studies, for example Maltz et al (1997) and Reith et al (2014) described a decrease in daily matter intake (DMI), Lukas et al (2008) observed an increased in DMI during estrus, and de Silva et al (1981) found no effect on DMI.…”