The relationship between water buffalo cow temperament and milk yield and quality traits

Abstract

The aims of this study were to assess the relationship between reactivity during milking and daily distances traveled by lactating water buffalo cows and to assess the association of these behavioral traits with milk yield and quality traits. Reactivity during milking was measured as a 4-point milking reactivity score (MRS, N=114 cows) where 1=stands quietly, 2=slight hind leg movements, 3=vigorous hind leg movements, and 4=continual vigorous hind leg movements or the stockperson ties the animal. Cows were classified according to their consistency for MRS within each month as 1) inconsistent (same MRS in fewer than 50% of observations), 2) moderately consistent (same MRS in 50-74.9% of observations), or 3) consistent (same MRS in at least 75% of observations). GPS collars were used to calculate the average daily distance traveled (DDT) by each cow (N=36). Milk yield and quality traits (fat, protein and lactose content, as well as somatic cell count) were measured once a month during the three months of the study. Results showed that DDT was not related to MRS (F=0.78, P=0.47). Furthermore, MRS was negatively associated with milk yield (F 2,66 =3.75; P=0.02), fat content (F 2,71 =3.34; P=0.04), and linear somatic cell score (LSCS) (F 2,69 =4.06; P=0.02). Reactive cows (MRS 3+4) had lower daily milk yield than MRS 1 cows, with lower fat content and higher LSCL than MRS 2 cows. On the other hand, DDT was not associated with milk yield or any quality traits (P > 0.05) other than LSCS (R 2 =0.60; P < 0.05). Since MRS and DDT were not correlated, we conclude that these traits reflect distinct aspects of water buffalo cows' temperament. Milk yield and quality were not related to DDT, indicating that only MRS was associated with the productive traits in lactating water buffalo cows.

Effect of temperament on milk production, somatic cell count, chemical composition and physical properties in Lacaune dairy sheep breed

“…However, in some published papers there was no available information about relationship between the temperament score and somatic cell count in milk. Some authors found relationship between these traits in cattle and buffalo, more temperamental animals have higher somatic cell counts (Orbán et al, 2011;Carvalhal et al, 2017). Hypothesis of this study was that the more temperamental animals have higher somatic cell count in milk during the whole lactation period compared to the calmer ones.…”

Desenvolvimento E Caracterização De Doces De Leite Bubalino Pastosos Saborizados Com Doces De Bacuri E Cupuaçu

“…Em bubalinos, os teores de lactose apresentam valores entre 4,8 e 5,5%. O leite de búfala contém elevado teor de sólidos totais, essencialmente a gordura, constituinte importante para a produção de derivados (CARVALHAL et al 2017).…”

Produção e bem-estar de búfalas (Bubalus bubalis) leiteiras: uma revisão

“…Considerando o aspecto comportamental, búfalas leiteiras têm necessidade de expressar seus comportamentos naturais, como poder percorrer longas distâncias durante o dia, necessidade que está diretamente ligada à disponibilidade de espaço. Carvalhal et al (2017) observaram que búfalas leiteiras percorreram diariamente, em média, 7413 ± 1039 m/dia (média ± desvio padrão), variando de 5762 a 10124 m/dia, mostrando a relevância do comportamento exploratório para essa espécie. O resultado encontrado por esses autores foi superior à distância média percorrida relatada por Sabia et al (2014) (2,1 ± 0,3 km por dia).…”

“…O resultado encontrado por esses autores foi superior à distância média percorrida relatada por Sabia et al (2014) (2,1 ± 0,3 km por dia). Além desses achados, Carvalhal et al (2017) não encontraram relações significativas entre a distância média percorrida por dia e a produção e a qualidade (gordura e proteína) do leite de búfalas, indicando que essa atividade exploratória não afeta os índices produtivos desses animais.…”